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The huge bar (and one of the dining spaces) at Sophie's in Soho
Give us a little primer on Sophie's...
It comes from Sophie Bathgate and Rupert Power who opened the original Sophie's in Chelsea in 2002, basing it on New York-style steakhouses. Sophie’s Soho opened 15 years later and takes this steakhouse institution to another level - incorporating a terrace, cocktail bar, steakhouse and speakeasy - Jack Solomons Club.
So where's the Soho restaurant?
Sophie's Soho is just a few steps from Piccadilly Circus and it's in one hell of an impressive space.
Right in the heart of theatreland, the restaurant took over what was once the Moulin Cinema in Soho. That was a cinema that happened to be best known for showing sex comedies back in the seventies and eighties. It closed in 1990 and was home to Suga Reef and Grace Bar before Sophie’s Soho took over in 2017.
If you look around the building, there are the odd hints to its previous incarnation dotted around the building, notably in retro poster-form in one of the dining rooms.
The completely covered terrace, a very handy place to be during warmer times.
So it's quite big inside?
It is absolutely massive. From the outside, you may have seen their rather extensive covered terrace (very handy in good weather) but it's only when you step inside the restaurant that the sheer size of it becomes clear. The main bar area surrounding a circular bar is already large by London restaurant standards, but head further in and you'll find the main dining room, The Steakhouse, where the focus is this enormous firepit:
This is where the main action happens. For the Sunday lunch, you can see the huge cuts of beef, chicken and lamb slowly roasting here.
And there's even more downstairs?
Taking care of your whole evening, there’s even a secret speakeasy tucked underneath Sophie’s Soho that was once a boxing gym in the 1940s ran by the famous "Jack Solomons". Jack was responsible for bringing over the then Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) for his first UK boxing match against Henry Cooper. The club is open Wednesday - Saturday from 6pm.
Start with a drink?
First of all - head for the cocktail menu. The 10oz martinis are absolutely what you want to go for. They're very generous for £15 so you might not want to knock back more than one or two and they're actually very decent martinis (we're quite picky). And for some spontaneous mid-week fun, make the most of their "Martini Madness" with 50% off their House Martinis (on Mondays - Wednesdays).
As for wine, if you're looking for a bottle of red with your beef, the house red (2021, Le Pionnier Rouge, France) starts at £25 a bottle which is really very reasonable for London, let alone the West End. There's a lot to choose from under the £50 mark, and if you're splashing out, you can head upwards to the 2015 Pauillac (Chateau Batailley, Bordeaux) for £140.
The well-made (and reasonably priced) 10oz vodka martini (£15).
What about food?
As it's a steakhouse, on a weekday that's going to be your primary goal. With everything cooked in the firepit, you can expect big beef cuts like Axehandle Ribeye, Chateaubriand and Porterhouse to share (and there are options that allow you to try all three on their Private Dining Room menu). There's also a blackboard which showcases the single-cut steaks available on the day (like a 10oz sirloin for £34) which come with fries or salad.
It's not just about the meat, if you're wondering about how veggie friendly it is, as there are plenty of large vegetarian options which include Ash Baked Aubergine with tahini, pomegranate and tomato (£16) or Roast Butternut Squash with goat’s curd, chestnut & leek stuffing (£18)
Given that it's in the middle of theatreland, there is a set menu deal (available until 7pm Monday - Saturday, two courses £18, three courses £21) which includes steak frites.
The Sunday lunch is huge - but even so, we'd recommend ordering these smoked brisket croquettes served on hot sauce (£8.95).
So - about that Sunday lunch?
The Sunday lunch, like the rest of the steaks on the menu comes from one of the best butchers in the country, Cornwall's Philip Warren. Everything is cooked over the firepit, so if you take a look at the photo above you'll see what's on offer.
The main event is the slow-roast prime rib of beef. And if you're here for beef - then that's absolutely what you'll want to go for...
The slow-roast rump of beef (before we went mad with the gravy) This huge piece of beef is impeccably cooked over the fire and comes with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and seasonal vegetables (which were cabbage, parsnips and carrots in this case). It's £94 for the whole lot or there's an off-the-bone option for one at £40.
Post-gravy and yes, we might have asked for another pot of gravy on top of this. Can't have enough. Top marks for the roast potatoes too, and we loved the family-style way the whole thing was served.
Beef isn't the only option for Sunday lunch though. Also cooking over that fire you'll find asado lamb shoulder (£24), pork belly (£23), and spatchcock chicken (£21). As for the vegan option - on our visit, it was grilled leek with vegan gravy and cashew nut stuffing.
For dessert - you will want maybe to save a little room for this:
Sticky Toffee Pud a la mode (£7)
Summing it all up
Sophie's Soho is in a perfect position for London's Theatreland and if you're looking for the ultimate Sunday lunch, all cooked over wood, look no further.
Set within a huge, truly impressive building it's particularly good for groups. That firepit is quite unlike anything else in central London and helps the kitchen here turn out a pretty spectacular roast for Sunday lunch.
More about Sophie's Soho
Where is it? 42-44 Great Windmill St, London W1D 7NB
How to book: Book online
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @sophiessoho
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Sophie's Soho. Prices correct at time of publication.
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