Sofia — Restaurant in Adelaide

Food is absolutely excellent, however the interior - whilst stylish, has not been well designed in terms of acoustics. One of the loudest and least ambient interiors I’ve encountered in years and I’ve been in some clangers. Even half full it was difficult to hear the person next to me let alone across the table. An hour in the restaurant was full and unfortunately almost unbearably loud. This is the aspect that would make us not return even though quality of cooking was high standard- I’d recommend coming very early, late or at lunch to avoid it being busy and therefore loud. Fusing to restaurants: it’s not that expensive to have some softer sound-absorbent materials- often good restaurants line bottoms of tables etc and perhaps better acoustic ceiling would be a start. I’m sure the designer would have thought of this but it probably got value managed out of the fit-out. Bad move. Re service - we were reminded three or four times that we “need to leave by 7:30” which doesn’t make you feel valued as a customer. Perhaps the fast turnaround should be dropped or not cram so many sittings in if you want to achieve a higher-end...

The food is sublime. Just incredibly delicious. Can not fault it.

The staff are too friendly, over the top friendly as was the chap at front of house. It wasn't only us that were taken aback. I assume they have been taught to charm the clientele. But that was over the top. Also. Too many tables so squashed together along with the booths. I know times are tough. They have to survive. But with this huge amount of people crammed in the noise level is off the charts. Couldn't even carry on a conversation with one's table partner. It didn't help with a table of screaming women adjacent to us. As we and a couple of other close tables cringed every time the screamers went off!! It got to a stage a couple of tables were mimicking them. But they didn't get the hint.

Did I mention the food? Oh that was just so good. Absolutely sublime. As were a couple of cocktails.

Thankyou. Yes we will be back. But will chose our time a bit better so as not to have the lunchtime crush with that noise level. Didn't even feel like hanging around to try desserts and...

Unfortunately I was disappointed with Sofia. The staff were great, but I found the seating arrangements very uncomfortable, sitting quite close to two other couples making it very hard to have a conversation with my partner as we could hear the other couples conversing, so it was not a relaxing atmosphere and that's what I expect when I go out for lunch/dinner. Food-wise also disappointed. Sofia bread (wonderful), Grilled Octopus (best we've had for a long time), Wood Grilled Greens (undercooked and not enough seasoning), Lamb Souvas (could not eat as I thought the Lamb was tough and undercooked, my partner did eat his but had to spit out some gristle. I mentioned this to our waitress and saw her go show the Chef, and very disappointed to see the Chef just roll his eyes with a look of "she doesn't know what she's talking about). I think this place would tick a lot of boxes for people, but unfortunately not...