obred / обред — Restaurant in Sofia City

My first time and never again. Inflation is too high to be making the same mistake twice. Let me start with some positives - the bagels were good, you can clearly tell everything is homemade and there are many different bagel bread options, I believe handmade too, which is a plus. The menu also looks diverse, even though one order is an investment (prices are similar to higher than analogous bagel shops in Europe and the UK) - but I guess that's the new norm. I loved the interior design as well, it's hip. However, speaking about first impressions - there is plenty of staff around, when I visited on a weekend afternoon, 4 women were around and the place was empty save for 4 people. I was met with a frown, and later, when I asked about variations to the menu since I have a lot of allergies, all responses were brusque and snide. If you've worked in hospitality, you know everyone has a bad day occasionally, but I saw other reviewers say the same thing 1 year, six months, two months ago....so seems like management clearly hasn't addressed it to a standard, so it makes me doubt it was a bad day for both ladies who took and delivered my order (or a mad coincidence). It's a shame because it put me in a flight or fight mode, and I had come for lunch, not a heated argument with a stranger. On another note, the shouting of names and the review comment from obred, "write down each person's name and call it out to add a personal touch" are worlds apart. The loud shout across the two floors of the establishment was far from a personal touch, rather disturbing to all customers. I would kindly suggest implementing buzzers and asking for a name at order collection if not possible for staff to...

The only place in town where the texture and mouthfeel feels right for a bagel. The people complaining about this pastry being chewy or not fluffy/airy enough clearly think the word is interchangeable with "a bun with a hole in the middle". obred's rainbow trout take on the lox bagel and the pecan babka were stellar every time we ordered, and so were some of their weekend specials and kombuchas. Looking forward to trying even more of their baked and pickled/fermented offerings. While they may seem a bit pricey for Sofia, this corresponds to the quality of ingredients used - including their homemade gravlax and other pickles - and the work that goes into making the bagels. The competitors trying to pass off unboiled bread rolls as bagels don't charge you much less anyway. Maybe the bialys seem a bit overpriced for what they are. Still, hoping you guys try your hand at the Lublin cebularz, a close Polish cousin of the bialy, one day. Cons: the place looks nice and cosy but quickly gets hot and kind of noisy. The onsite order pickup system wherein your name is yelled back at you from downstairs could also...

Obred is a charming addition to Sofia's culinary scene, and my experience there was mostly delightful. The salmon and cream cheese combo I tried was truly iconic, offering a burst of freshness and flavor that left a lasting impression. The ambiance is cozy, with an inviting upper-level seating area, although my companion and I chose takeout.

While the food was undeniably delicious, the menu's limited selection—only five bagel combos—left us wanting more variety, especially in terms of vegetarian and VEGAN options. It's worth noting that Obred is a new establishment, and I understand they have room to grow.

One suggestion would be to introduce a custom bagel option, allowing patrons to tailor their experience to their preferences. This could enhance the overall dining experience to a broader range of tastes.

Despite the menu's limitations, the freshness of the ingredients and the vibrant atmosphere make Obred a cute and promising spot. I look forward to returning, hoping to find an expanded menu with more diverse...