Sofi Restaurant Reviews

I was staying at the Blake Hotel on S. Dearborne and the Sofi Restaurant was within walking distance. I was a walk-in without a reservation and solo. I was seated quickly and made to feel comfortable. I wanted a simple delicious and immediately spied the Linguine Pesto. The server suggested the perfect white wine to pair with the pasta. The bread basket was delicious with the olive oil. I will definitely come back to this restaurant.

We visited on a Monday, in the early evening, so it was quiet and perfect for conversation. The grilled vegetable appetizer was delicious; and featured eggplant, zucchini, asparagus, artichoke and red pepper, drizzled with balsamic dressing. My husband ordered the seafood stew. It was beautifully presented with an abundance of seafood, framed by two crostini soaking in a savory, slightly spicy, tomato based Italian broth. He said it was excellent! My branzino was brought whole to the table before cooking for my approval. It was then perfectly cooked and presented, filleted and in a very light broth, with five grilled asparagus spears on top. Everything was fresh and delicious and our server was attentive and knowledgeable. We will definitely return!

Food was very average and expected better based on the comments. Was disappointed. Atmosphere was ok, in a nice neighborhood..

The food was excellent and the service was top-notch. Highly recommend the bruschetta appetizer and cannoli for dessert.

We were looking for authentic Italian for two couples without the huge expense. We were not disappointed! The service was attentive, polite and unobtrusive. We had applies, meals and dessert plus 2 bottles of wine. Pasta, soup and gelato obviously freshly made. Portions were appropriate for an Italian restaurant, not USA huge. The outdoor seating was pleasant, the street was quiet and made for a wonderful experience. Easy safe walking distance from our hotel on Michigan avenue.

Sofi is a wonderful place for dinner. I had the Sea Bass with asparagus, my college had the seafood Rosario. Both where incredible in presentation both where incredible in taste. Excellent place for business meal or small meeting. Good service.

Visited here for a couples dinner. The restaurant is small and intimate. The menu has a wide variety of appetizers, pasta and entrees. The wine list also is varied. Our waiter was appropriately attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. When there were only 3 salads ordered, the waiter took initiative to have one split for the last diner. There is fresh artisan italian bread served. Everyone enjoyed their different pasta options. Zabalione ice cream was also a great ending to the meal.

We chose this restaurant based on the reviews. Maybe the people ordered different food who rated it highly. This is what we ordered and these are our thoughts: 1) Soup. My husband ordered the asparagus soup which they were out of and they brought him potato leek...or something like that. There was mushrooms in it. It was gray. Just looking at it, it wasn't very appetizing. It was pretty bland. 2) My husband orders a selection of cheeses. When the plate appeared, the toast bread was almost burnt. I am not talking about grill lines, I mean that one side was so brown that my kids would have called it burnt and refused to eat it. There was a problem with the cheese....the truffle oil. Three out of the four selections had truffle oil on them. It was not mentioned on the menu that I recall that cheese was served with truffle oil. I am assuming that everyone reading this review has had truffle oil....and you all know that when you add truffle oil it takes over the flavor of the item. So what is the point of having a selection of cheeses if you are going to cover them with truffle oil. 3) Let's move on to the fried calamari and shrimp. I have had wonderful friend calamari. I recently had wonderful calamari at Onesta in Milwaukee within the last three weeks. It was breaded and friend and served with a dipping sauce. I expected a bit more in flavor and presentation. I would not recommend this dish. 4) I am a little bummed out but I ordered clams with spaghetti. I make this at home, how poorly can this go? I only ate half the dish (which was on the small side in my opinion). The spaghetti was sitting in a broth. The broth does not stick to the pasta, so when you take a bite of spaghetti it just tastes like pasta that came out of water. I assumed that that there was a sauce that would "stick" to the pasta and be flavorful. Nope. There were plenty of clams in shells. The sad part was, I am have been on a diet and have not had pasta for months and was so looking forward to a wonderful yummy pasta dish. 5) My husband had the bronzino. He said it was bland and some of the asparagus pieces were over cooked. 6) I almost decided to forgo dessert because I did not want to be disappointed again. I went for the tiramisu. It was average. I was really hoping for a deeper cocoa flavor on top, or maybe a hint of alcohol or more flavor in the liquid in the cake. I don't remember the last time I did not finish a dessert. **My husband did like his glass of wine. I would have given this restaurant a three if I could say that at least one of the dishes was really good but as I state, I am at a loss that all six dishes were not exactly average. We ate at Gage earlier in the day and the night before. I found no flaws in their foods. I am really hoping that maybe the restaurant was having a bad night because so many people make decisions to eat based on reviews and the reviews were so good. Yet, I was so surprised that I felt I had to say something.

First let me say that Miguel was great! The reason I need to return to the restaurant is because I did not order pasta, instead I had the seared tuna salad which was good but I wished I’d ordered one of their pasta dishes, especially those amazing looking ones that the folks at the nearby tables were enjoying!!! Food envy....

After a small mix-up with open table, we had a lovely, leisurely, three-course meal at Sofi. We had reservations at another restaurant, but at the recommendation of the bartender at the Union League Club, we changed our plans. We were glad that we did. The restaurant was approximately a half mile from our lodgings, and we needed the walk after such a glutinous meal. Robert was out waiter, and he knew his business. He liked to chat. Normally I'd find that a bit off-putting, but it was not a busy evening. Everyone was very relaxed, and it all worked out wonderfully. We started with fresh figs and salami that has fennel. Really nice. I went on to a pasta course. That was followed by mains of veal with asparagus as well as pork with prosciutto and fontina. The pork was better. Cannoli to finish. Very nice.

Best Italian meal I’ve had I’m a long time! Fresh pasta, flavours were perfection, service was great! I had the special, a angelhair pasta with real truffles shaved on top. I loved every bite! My partner loved it too! Lol! He really enjoyed his dish as well. Would definitely visit this restaurant again.

This is a really sweet place, we dined outside on a nice evening. They have classic Italian pastas and dishes and everything was delicious! The service was also great, very nice people, very attentive. It's not overly fancy or silly, just right.

We found the restaurant by surfing through online reviews. Tucked away on Dearborn, on a Monday night, the restaurant was active but not full. The atmosphere is family without refinement. The menu is very large and lengthy, but we were all very happy with our meals and cocktails and wine. It's certainly genuine Italian, do we were pleased. Just go in with the expectations that you're paying for the food not the experience.

This restaurant is a neighborhood gem. Reservation is highly recommended. The staff are friendly and attentive. Food is good but there is a limited drink menu, however, you will find something to go with your meal. I definitely recommend this restaurant.

We ate there for our anniversary dinner 4 months late due to COVID. It was outstanding. The service and food were wonderful

A very unassuming small restaurant outside the loop with food above expectations! Make sure to book a reservation as this place is packed by locals! The service is great and the menu selection, price and portions will please all. Recommended dishes - Sea Bass, Rack of Lamb and the Risotto Pescatore - seafood all very delicious. Please make sure to visit this restaurant as you will not be disappointed.

This restaurant is very close to the Hotel Blake and I dined there with friends twice on a four day business trip because the food and service were great. It was a very pleasant surprise and close to the hotel where I was staying. It does get quite noisy during peak dinner hours, but enjoyable all the same.

Very good, authentic Italian food but a bit on the pricey side for the amount of food you get. My Italian husband was impressed by the authenticity of the food.

I went there solo for dinner and was pleasantly surprised. They have a limited wine by the glass menu and didn't have vintages and could use a better selection but the Prosecco was good. There are too many great values from Italy not to be more adventurous. The bread was also a bit too soft and "un-Italian" but was ok. I had the Scallops which were perfectly cooked on a bed of leeks, my only complaint was a bit too much salt. But it was delicious. I had the Pappardelle which was fresh pasta and a good portion. Tasty. I decided to have the Chantilly and my only complaint was they said it had Amarena but there was only one on the top. But the raspberries on the bottom were wonderful and the Ice cream pure goodness with great whipped cream without too much Vanilla which makes it too heavy. This was perfect and light. My waiter was nice also so it was a pleasant evening.

Had dinner here with a friend that lives near by. We enjoyed dining outside and did not need a reservation for a week night. The food was good authentic Italian. We enjoyed pasta and lamb and fish. The wine by the glass was quite nice. Waiter was helpful and accommodating. Would go again.

Made a res on-line for 6:15p Arrived on time but had to wait 15min for table….mgr brought me a glass of champagne after about 10 minutes of waiting. This is what good establishments do, they pay attention and do what needs to be done. Owner was also pleasant, as were the 3 servers I had contact with. The host and busser were also very nice. Started with the Caprese salad and the buffalo mozzarella was divine! Followed that with the PEI mussels w tomato sauce and garlic…Molto Bene! Main was pasta with sweet & spicy sausage w cream & peas…also very good. Service was excellent. Highly recommend

This is a very good Italian restaurant. The chef is very flexible and will accommodate patrons if something is not on the menu. Our server was very attentive and our food was very nice.

Everything we ate here, both dinner and dessert, was very good. Service was also first rate! However, servings are not large. This is the type of restaurant you go to for the conversation and the experience. If you are on a date, go here. But if you are really hungry, make a different choice!

First off.... Sofi only serves dinner & opens a 5pm. We had not made prior reservations, & walking, saw Sofi, & had heard a good recommendation, so decided to try it, but arrived before it was open. So we made a reservation via Open Table for 5 pm. (We had parked off Wabash, near Congress Parkway. Both the theater & the restaurant were a short walk away.) We were seated right away & had plenty of time to dine & arrive at the theater early for our show. I would make a reservation in the future, especially if dining later in the evening. We dined on a Thursday evening, & the restaurant was almost full before we left. All of the staff was welcoming. The restaurant is lovely. Italian cuisine, with a wide range of entrees... seafood dishes, pork, veal, lamb, pastas.... Our waiter was helpful, describing dishes, suggesting wine, etc. The food was delicious. Portions were generous, but not huge. I look forward to our next visit.

Wonderful neighbourhood traditional Italian restaurant popular with locals. Good choice of delicious food with welcoming and helpful staff.

We ate here early the night before the marathon. The bread was good and my wife’s bolognese was delicious. However, my chicken parm was undercooked and the portions were very small and the presentation was underwhelming despite the higher prices. Additionally, our waiter was pushy, rude, and preoccupied with something other than the patrons despite the fact that it was early and not busy yet. I did not trust him enough to send the chicken back without incident so we left a meager tip and left. We expected much more given the great reviews.

Mains were not tasty at all. Starters were ok, especially the calamari. However, long delay between clearing half the starter plates and receiving the mains which were, incidentally, cold. Steak, especially, was over cooked, dry and cold. When we told the waiter this was the case, the plate was taken away with neither comment nor apology. Very disappointing experience.

We happened upon Sofi visiting our son at Columbia College and stopped in for a casual dinner. Sofi is that ideal restaurant where you can come in dressed in jeans and sweatshirt or jacket and tie and not feel out of place. They were bustling at 8pm on a Thursday and we gladly waited a few minutes for a table. Our waiter, Christian, was "slammed" with four new tables simultaneously (ours being one of them) and he handled us all diligently and with good humor in such a trying situation. The wine list is not vast, but has good selections and they are quite knowledgeable. The menu is larger than I expected and it was tough to decide. Prices were about right for a non-city restaurant, so it was quite a value for the price paid for delicious and well-portioned dishes in Chicago. I would think that even the pickiest eater would find something to enjoy here! Desserts looked wonderful, but the Osso Buco with risotto was quite filling!

We went to this restaurant based on the good reviews, but were quite disappointed. The waiter serving us was arrogant and had no idea about the wines. The wine list did not even indicate the winery name, only the variety and the region. When asked about wines, he simply said all were good. He did bring a couple of samples to try. Two of us ordered the tuna, which was supposed to be rare. It came well done and dry, with barely a pink streak in the middle. It was also coated in course ground pepper on both sides, as well as wasabi. You couldn't even taste the tuna with all the heavy spicing. Pasta dishes and salads were ok. Never did he come to ask us if we enjoyed our meal. This was our first night in Chicago and left us feeling ripped off for overpriced wine and poor quality food. There must be better Italian style restaurants on the city to try. I would not take a chance on this place again.

Great traditional Italian with some twists. Great and attentive wait staff with a great variety of menu choices and specials.

Went here for dinner. Food and wine were good no complaints. The disappointing part came when it took 10 minutes to get the bill after we declined a dessert and the bill included a 20% service charge but we were only 3 at the table. (The menu indicated that a service charge will be added for tables of 6). Then when the credit card machine was presented it had as a default additional tip suggestions at 20% and up. I therefore double tipped. The service was good but a tip of that size was not my intention but it seems a bit misleading. Transaction 700000

good atmosphera, good service, tasty Italian food. we eat fish and meat. Both were good. The desert dishes (tiramisu, cram brule) were outstanding

The menu is quite extensive, and there's something for everyone. They have lots of pastas, lots of risotto's, lots of seafood, and lots of daily specials. We had the grilled octopus for an appetizer and it was great - the pesto sauce it came with was out of this world. She had the lobster risotto which was spectacular, and I had a grilled sirloin that was beautifully cooked with really unique flavors (rosemary). Our waiter was expert and very accommodating. We parked on Wabash and walked a block over to this place to have dinner before a show at the Roosevelt Theater on Congress. Super easy. The atmosphere is fantastic - kind of a neighborhood feel (but please don't dress like a slob). The kitchen got a bit backed up, but not enough to deter us from recommending this place and going there again ourselves - we will. Prices are good, too.

In Chicago for one night on business this was the best reviewed restaurant in walking distance from my hotel. Was seated right away and the service was excellent, attentive & friendly without being at all overbearing. The burrata and prosciutto was sublime. Fresh and incredibly flavorful, it was the pinnacle of how excellent that combination can be. Also had the orecchiete which was great and thumbs up for a terrific wine list. I look forward to returning.

We had dinner on their outdoor patio, very charming and relaxing. I ordered the asparagus and Polipetto Genovese. My husband ordered Tagliatelle Bolognese. All dishes were very good. The service and atmosphere were great and we would definitely return.

My husband and I just had a wonderful meal at Sofi. All the courses were excellent. We had excellent service with great attention to detail. The short ribs with polenta and the veal were both delicious, as was the flatbread with prosciutto appetizer. The tiramisu and espresso were also fabulous. We loved the Printers' Row area of the South Loop where Sofi is located.

Maurizio, I am guessing information regarding the unfortunate incident that occurred at your restaurant this past Saturday night 9/10 did not get communicated to you so I thought you would like to know how your restaurant is being run. When I spend $180 at your restaurant I do not expect to be told to “get the f&*$ out of here” by your waiter Enio in front of your whole staff and customers. All because he felt my 16% tip was not good enough for him. He was making a scene over the $2.76 that he felt cheated out of. He confronted me loudly and aggressively as we got up to leave telling me that the minimum tip at the restaurant was 18%. We were a party of 3, not 6. A few words were exchanged and I finally just asked to speak to the manager. He said he was the manager so I explained my reason for the low tip was because the service was awful and that I tip on service and not the food. I was very pleased with the food. That’s when he swore at us as we were walking out. I am sure the whole restaurant including the people sitting outside in the patio dining area heard. What kind of person does that! Someone like him should not be working in the service industry. I probably should have called the police at that time. I later found out he lied that he was the manager. My wife and step-daughter were out celebrating my step-daughter’s birthday. They are both still traumatized over what occurred. We did absolutely nothing to deserved being verbally assaulted by your waiter. In a perfect world. I would have expected to be refunded for the full amount of the meal and your waiter fired or bare minimum strongly reprimanded. However, I accept that we do not live in a perfect world so I am putting closure to this sad matter with my message to you. Regards, Kyu

Nice to find a neighborhood restaurant close to our hotel. Made reservations online and were seated promptly. Lots of variety in the menu and our server was very helpful in recommending dishes. We had scallops on a bed of leeks to start. My husband had veal Marsala and I had a special pasta with a saffron tomato sauce with langoustines. Very attentive server. Very nice atmosphere!

We dined at Sofi with a group of 6 friends last Friday evening. The food was delicious and the service was courteous and friendly. I enjoyed my dinner of cod in a very fresh and light tomato sauce on a bed of polenta. Others in our party were happy with their choices as well. We'll be back!

Excellent food, service, and wine. Server recommendations were spot on. A new favorite for us. Cozy, quiet atmosphere.

Sofi's Restaurant is a very nice place to have a very good meal. The service was excellent and it is within a easy walk from the Hilton Chicago.

We asked to be seated outside which was nice for people watching as people strolled by, many with their dogs. I ordered a rose which was delicious. We enjoyed their bread offering with olive oil and ordered carpaccio and an interesting dish of zucchini fritters with ham as appetisers. Both choices were excellent. Similarly our entrees, lobster ravioli and chicken parmigiana were very good. We shared a tiramisu for dessert which was excellent.

A very nice charming restaurant! The waiter even had a slight accent!! I had the Veal Scallapinni and it was delicious! We also had the mussels for an appetizer which were very good and the fried mozzarella and artichoke appetizer which was just okay. My husband had the whole sea and it was very good! We will definitely be going back!

Visit Chicago several times a year, generally staying downtown by the Loop. Sofi was recommended to us by brother of a fellow traveler. It was fantastic. Bar was basic but high quality. Talking to our waiter he recommended some wines which weren't on the list - they were perfect and very reasonable. Took him some time rummaging around to find but he knew what he was talking about. Our group of 6 all had exceptional meals, spouse especially liked the lobster risotto (off the menu, not the special) and I had a very nice osso buco. Not terribly expensive and very good. We'll go back and I suggest you try it out!

We went on a early Sunday night. Ther restaurant was very lively with people coming in and enjoying themselves. Everything we had was prepared wonderfully and the Waiter was very helpful. We brought in our own wine because we had found out the the corkage fee was 20 dollars. This opens up the posssiblity of bringing in a wine that is not present on the wine list, or as in our case the wine had been ageing for an appropriate amount of time and now it was time to enjoy it rather that take the chance of it turning. Loved everything about this restaurant. Parking was not a problem. There is street parking and also a lot across the street. We are looking forward to being back.

Went here with my publisher and several other colleagues, along with my husband. It's a nice Italian spot with that Downtown in the Big City feel, but the food was only just good, with nothing truly outstanding or memorable. So it only gets a marginal thumbs up from me. I had the Rigatoni Sofi with meatballs, which was perfectly fine, shared an arugula salad, also decent. But the bread on the table was absolutely subpar, almost like Wonder bread, and really not up to the caliber to which the restaurant aspires. The waiter was knowledgeable and clearly knows how to navigate large-ish parties with ease. Ultimately, Sofi is enjoyable enough but a little staid for its price point. It lacks true creativity. I think it might work best as a place to bring your less culinarily adventurous friends & family. Just please get some decent bread though!

I’m half Italian and so very picky but this restaurant is equisite. Beautiful food and service. I come here every time I’m in Chicago.

We went to Sofi based on the recommendation of the hotel concierge. They were very accommodating to a last minute reservation. The service was excellent. It was not intrusive, but was very protective. The table next to us was obnoxious, loud, inappropriate, and we would have celebrated had someone dumped a tray full of cold water on them. However, the staff all pitched in, made a table of curmudgeons happy, and in the process, quiet. It was really quite impressive. They obviously enjoyed their dinner, and so did we. There is an excellent list of wine, with good values to be found. Appetizers were served promptly. The calamari was excellent, and came with a surprise of added shrimp. The seafood risotto was perfectly prepared. None of the individual components were overcooked as commonly happens. Saffron risotto was well prepared with an abundant amount of Italian sausage included. Espresso had a nice crema. Tiramisu was as good as any I have had. Lemon sorbet was tart, freshly made. Also of note, as the restaurant started to fill up, the service remained excellent. This was a wonderful experience with tremendous staff, and outstanding food.

Good variety of Italian dishes. Lentil soup, lobster ravioli and short rib with polenta were very good. Bread offerings with olive oil also very good. It was quiet on a Saturday night after 8. Seating indoors and out. Service is very good. Ambiance is nice. Great option for theatre goers due to location. We dined here after an early evening performance at the Auditorium Theatre. Walking distance from theater. They also have a theater preset menu for $35 with good options.

Great Italian restaurant in the Printers Row area. Has the feel of an Italian trattoria nestled in the hills of Tuscany. Pleasant atmosphere, very attentive service, excellent food and convenient parking. Prices are reasonable so what more could you want! This is a real find and one we'll be going back to often.

Very nice location with outdoor seating if you wish. Menu had a variety of dishes to choose from and Staff was very helpful with any questions you may have. Food was quite good and servings were plentiful. Definitely recommend.

Stay away from this place. I’ve visited a few times as a local, trying to show off this area of my neighborhood, but every time, I find myself making excuses for something that wasn’t right. Bland food, dirty dishware, bad service, or warm wine…the list goes one. Each of these was explained as a one-off, but there’s always a one-off (or more) to hat makes it a disappointing experience. I feel like I’m showing friends my favorite childhood movie - I’m spending my whole time watching them experience it, hoping they will enjoy the next part…but it never happens Skip it

We were in Chicago for an upcoming Amtrak Travel trip to the National Parks in Utah and Arizona. We wanted to spend our 45 Anniversary in the Windy City before the trip so we booked a room in the Hotel Blake. Since Sofi is only several blocks away we decided to walk. The evening was pleasant so we decided to sit outside and enjoy the weather. The menu was well stocked with Italian favorites with reasonable prices. I selected the shave truffle risotto which was wonderful. We had cocktails and passed on the dessert because there was so much food. Service was great, the food was delightful and the people watching was worth the walk.

While staying at the nearby Hilton I walked over to Sofi’s for dinner. It’s a nice Italian restaurant for casual dinner. I ordered veal parmigiana (not on the menu) with a Toscana salad and a side of spaghetti. For dessert I had the creme brûlée with berries. Slow paced, but an enjoyable meal for $58+ tip. The place had a fair crowd including parents & children. I would go again.

Visited the restaurant as I was traveling for business in Chicago. Ordered as guided by my waiter with his selections. First course- artichokes. Bland and covered in some sort of cream sauce. Awful. Second course was octopus. Also awful. No flavor at all and tough and rubbery. Lastly, seafood pasta which was also a bland creation which seemed as though they cleared the freezer with the last of the frozen seafood as it was Sunday.

My daughter and I dined at Sofi on a friday night, getting a reservation for 8 pm. It was pleasantly busy, with attentive waitstaff. The food was well-prepared and reasonably priced. Well worth the visit if you are in the South Loop neighborhood.

Just wandered in without expectations, and ended up super blown away and appreciative of my experience. The restaurant is small, but cozy, and the waiters are all yelling in Italian - doesn't get much more authentic than that. I really enjoyed the plate they recommended and the focaccia bread with olive oil. It's a little hidden by trees out front, but look for the red awnings.

We are outside and it was lovely. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The bread was pedestrian and could have been more tasty had it been served with an olive oil and herbs side for dipping or at least a Pat of butter. 2 martinis cost $36 A bit excessive in my opinion.

Fantastic! Charming as Florence, food is made with passion of true Italian food. Staff is very friendly, authentic and attentive straight from Italy. Ask for Christian, fabulous waiter! The outdoor seating is quaint with beautiful trees and romantic lights. We will be back!

Not far from where we stay at Hotel Blake. The service and food were absolutely great!! We were seated right at our reservation time and immediately brought bread,olive oil and cheese for dipping. Wine by the glass was a reasonable price and both dinners we ordered were outstanding. We would highly recommend !!!!

In case you haven't been paying attention, the price of veal is sky high, at least $30 a pound or more at your local grocer or butcher. But we love veal so we pay the price. Unfortunately, we rarely can find good veal in restaurants. When we do, however, we don't forget it. When my wife realized that Sofi restaurant at 616 South Dearborn Street in Chicago's Printers Row offered an upscale Northern Italian cuisine (her family is from Northern Italy), with such rarities as veal scaloppine and veal chop and saltimbocca and ossobuco on the menu, we had to make a trip 21 blocks south of our home on North Dearborn to see if it tastes as good as it sounds. Yes, indeed. We should have guessed. Owner Maurizio Michi has good bloodlines. He worked in his mother's famous restaurant in Milan, moved to New York City in 1987, opened a restaurant with his cousin, then opened his own restaurant, Maurizio Trattoria, in Greenwich Village. It was rated one of the best restaurants in New York in 2004 and 2007 by Forbes magazine. Maurizio moved to Chicago and, after co-owning Riccardo Enoteca and Riccardo Tattoria with his brother, opened Sofi in 2013. It is simply decorated with lithographs by Carroll Tyson and table tops that are hand made from 200-year-old wool. There are so many dishes to love, including hot antipasti (grilled Italian sausage, veal meatballs, grilled pork roll, deep fried shrimp and calamari), cold antipasti (beef tenderloin carpaccio, cold veal in tuna sauce, prosciutto, paper thin beef with olive oil), salads, pasta (lobster filled ravioli, noodles with meat sauce bolognese, prawns, clams, mussels and calamari in white wine sauce), pesci (sauteed codfish, seal scallops and prawns, fish stew Tuscan), risotti (Carciofi with prawns and artichokes, Aragosta Porcini with lobster chucks and mushrooms) and corni (saltimbocca, ossobuco, veal meatloaf, grilled lamb chops, grilled beef tenderloin, braised boneless short ribs, breaded veal scaloppine, grilled veal chop, roasted, deviled and butterflied cornish hen). Critics claim Maurizio's menu features one item that his brother and no other restaurant in town can boast--risotto alla Milanese, the saffron-tinged, marrow-rich classic typically served with ossobuco. My wife couldn't get enough of it. I chose the breaded veal scaloppine on one occasion, the grilled veal chop on another. You can never get enough of a good thing.

Cosy, somewhat dated, somewhat crowded space. We had the restaurant week three course meal. All the food was very flavorful, with generous portion sizes. Service was generally good, a bit too much time to order and between coursed, but the water was always full.

Ate here during a visit to Chicago with family and friends. Very busy on the evening before Thanksgiving day but service was still attentive. Two people in our party had shellfish dishes and were very pleased with them. Two others had veal marsala. Veal was tender and properly cooked. Sauce could have used a bit more depth of flavor, but it was still very good. Tiramisu was wonderful!

Looking for something unique and absolutely delicious? This is the place. They'll customize any dish, service is outstanding, food is unbeatable. As close to being in Italy as you can get in Chicago. In a sea of chain restaurants, Sofi is a legitimately unique experience.

On South Dearbourne, just a few blocks south of Jackson, Sofi was a great find. Northern Italian cuisine, Great service, good wine list, helpful staff (all italian I think). A treat to dine Al Fresco on a Chicago balmy Fall evening. Past dishes under $20 and of high quality - and high end dishes over $40 that sounded delicious. All pasta made onsite - and of three Italian restaurants in last week - it was first to bring tasty fresh bread and olive oil!

Sofi is a solid, go-to restaurant for us when he eat dinner before we see a show in the Loop. It's easily walkable from the Auditorium Theater and the parking lots there. The ambiance is quite nice; it's like a neighborhood feel. This place is good for couples, dates as well as small groups and families. The entire staff is super friendly and appreciative. This is Italian food that is superbly executed. There is a wide variety on the menu, and they do daily/weekly specials. The waiter offered to do one of the appetizers (scallops) as a full size entree for my wife, and I had the seafood stew. Both delicious. Thumbs up on every dimension!

It's like coming back to Italy for dinner. Super recommended, especially if you are Italian here in Chicago and for one night you want to eat like at home.

We did not have a reservation for an early (6:15) Saturday night dinner. Fortunately there was room at the bar. The menu had a variety of choices and there was a list of special items. The food was excellent. Started with the grilled scallops (yummy!) and had the lamb chops, finishing with a tiramisu dessert. All were well prepared and tasty, Service was friendly and attentive. The high ratings are deserved.

We had dinner at Sofis a week ago and it was very good. The service was excellent, the food very good! Try the osso bucco, molto bono!! The day we had dinner they were having problems with the air conditioning, but that was plain bad luck. The open doors made it comfortable at night. We will definitely return next time we are in Chicago.

Popular Italian restaurant. Service was excellent. Menu had plenty of choices. The carpaccio was very good. We shared the tagliatelle short rib pasta- good as the pasta was obviously homemade and the meat was tender but the sauce was bland- needed flavor. The molten chocolate cake was tops. I would go back.

Looked at the reviews in TripAdvisor and thought this restaurant looked promising. But we missed the mark big time. It was 1/2 hour before closing on Sunday, and the restaurant was reasonably full. I ordered the deep bay scallops with bacon, $12, I was a bit surprised when they only brought two on plate, the bacon looked more like fat sliced from a pork chop, absolutely no flavor. I also ordered the Spaghetti Vongole, and it came with a different pasta and previously frozen clams. I had a Pinot Grigio with the meal, it was not exceptional but it was nicely chilled. Plus +1 for them. One of my colleagues got Veal Parmigiana and ordered the vegetables but it came with penne pasta. The other meals, according to my friends, were blasé. The waiter pushed a similar named beer, Sophie, to my colleagues and I would absolutely give it a pass. At $8.00 a bottle it was unexceptional. I would say, if anything, this restaurant adds nothing to the culinary reputation of Chicago and I would give it a pass.

Yes it's an Italian restaurant but not my great place to dine. The ambiance is Italian oldie restaurant, with wood table wooden chairs too close to your neighbor you can pick from their plate! Food is good and plenty. I felt the server was rushing us and he talked so fast with an Italian accent that I needed him to repeat what he was saying. Try it once is enough.

Dined before a show at the auditorium theater. Service was very good and timely. Cocktails, starters and pasta were all very good. Pistachio martini tasty and unique. Calamari and scallops were tender and flavorful. Lobster ravioli was ok this evening. Great wine selections. Enjoyable evening.

We were walking by on a Saturday evening when we thought Italian food sounded nice. They were able to seat us immediately. Service from then on was a bit slow. We ordered drinks and dinner and waited another 10-15 minutes before we were given bread. Once the food got to our table it was delicious. I love a good bolognese sauce and Sofi’s passed the test. Overall, it was a pretty good dinner.

We were staying locally in printers row and Sofi was convenient for a meal before the theatre. They made some great recommendations around matching wines, the food was exceptional and the service prompt but not pushy. A great healthy alternative to the pizza and burger crowds nearby. Authentic Italian menu.

Among 5 friends, only 1 thought meal was good. Sauces were heavy. Polenta was slimy. Meat variable: one short-rib order was 50% fat. Ossobucco was dry.

Our favorite Chicago restaurant. Seriously great place. The staff is friendly. We go to Sofi every visit to Chicago. Food is awesome. Posting a picture of asparagus soup which was an appetizer.

Small , intimate, great atmosphere. Excellent Italian cuisine and professional friendly service. There are so many things on the menu to recommend but always look into the daily specials.

There were four of us who were ravenous for some good Italian food. Sofi was recommended by the concierge at the hotel we were staying at. We definitely were not greeted in a friendly manner, nor was our server friendly or helpful. He didn't check on us after we received our meals and he was not attentive at all. That being said, the menu had many choices for all. The bread was so so and we didn't receive more dipping oil, even after asking two times. The meals were ok, the cheesecake was delicious!

Very Italian restaurant. Food and service were great! We had a little trouble understanding the waiter but he was patient and helpful. We enjoyed this dinner. It was authentic Italian. The portions were just right. Bread and olive oil to begin the meal. No room for dessert. Although, they did offer it. Such a nice way to unwind after our drive to the city. We highly recommend trying Sofi's.

Sofi is always a great experience. The Branzino is an excellent seafood choice. As is the Papardelle di Anatra (duck ragout). But tonight the special pasta, Fusilli with Short Rib Ragout, was outstanding. It was as good a pasta dish as I have had anywhere . . . anytime, including in Italy. Rich and delicious. I frequently eat at Sofi and have never been disappointed. They will have al fresca dining (outside) in May and in the fall my favorite, Cinghiale (wild boar). I highly recommend Sofi.

Ate here my first night in Chicago with my BFF and her dad and two of his friends. It was packed and we had to wait a while, even though we had reservations. We were seated and ordered and the waiter was attentive if a little aloof. Very heavy accent, too. The food took a while to come out and one of the meals was wrong. It was sent back and we were told the correct meal would be out in 2 minutes. It was more like 20. :( So that was disappointing because the person who got the wrong food is a local and eats there often. He wanted to show off one of his favorite restaurants and ended up getting upset! Very unfortunate. But the food was great and so was the dessert and wine. If only we'd have all gotten the correct meals, it would have been a 5 star experience.

Nicely decorated, this restaurant offers the perfect atmosphere for a family dinner or a dinner with friends. The menu presents a great variety of foods to choose from, delicious pasta dishes were all tempting. I recommend this place!

Went with a group of folks attending a conference. We got seated right away with our reservation. Good service - traditional Italian food. We shared a delicious app of fried calamari & shrimp. Had a good main course of pasta with a smoked mozzarella cheese and light tomato sauce. The specials were good looking and the wine selection excellent but a bit pricey. All in all - definitely worth a visit if in town and seeking a good Italian meal.

Nice italIan Restaurant. Very authentic! Good service! Good food, and quality. Wine List is okay to good .. Out from tourists...

We visited Sofi before an Auditorium Theater performance and opted for a pre-theater menu with a complimentary glass of Prosecco. The food was delicious but you need to allow at least an hour and half for your meal. We enjoyed an octopus and burrata appetizers, fish and lobster ravioli for the entrees and a variety of delicious desserts. Espresso was excellent!

Highly recommended with fantastic food true to the classic Italian tradition. Knowledgeable and very helpful staff. Varied menu for all tastes. Would certainly go back again.

We went here right after Printers Row Lit Fest to have dinner and get out of the heat. The ambiance was fancy, but most people were dressed pretty casual. It could have been the timing (because of the event), but I felt comfortable in shorts and sandals. The host and wait staff were pretty solid. There was a mix-up in one of our orders and the manager dealt with it in a timely and fair manner. You could sense that the food was of high quality, yet it all depends on your taste. For example, the bread they served before the meal was "meh"....after one bite, I wasn't impressed. But my main pasta dish was really good. Same thing on the appetizers. Our table ordered two... one was okay (needed sauce), but the other was great. I would go again, but the cost might hinder my actual decision.... it is pricey. Sure, it's Chicago, but not every place needs to be out of the ballpark, so to speak. Recommend, but bring extra money.

We went to Sofi during restaurant week, they had some great special. The food was great, started with Cotechino grilled Italian sausage with cannellini beans Uccelletto which was very tasty. Then I had the Ossobuco braised veal shank with Saffron risotto Milanese which was fork tender, loads of flavor. Give this place a try, service was very good even with a very busy house, the managers knew when to step in and help to keep things moving. Very professional - congratulations to the whole team for providing a great experience.

First I preface this review by saying that I don't leave negative reviews. Instead I tend to speak to management if there is an issue. However, it is after speaking with management I am compelled to leave this review. This is my second and last time to this restaurant. The food is average to slightly above average. However, the overall experience is not worth it...especially in a city that has so many outstanding restaurants. It was a bunch of little things that added up to a big negative. For starters, we were a party of six and the waiter brought out 5 dishes and then said to my wife "what did you order?" He then said it would be out in a minute, but it took close to 10 min. Clearly he forgot to put in the order out he kitchen messed up the order, but instead of apologizing he just ignored it. Ok, they made a mistake...no big deal. But then when the bill came, there were several instances of nickel and diming silliness. One dish was $11 and they charged $12. The ice cream desert says one scoop $5 two scoops $8. But they charged $10. My daughter had a Diet Coke and asked for a refill and we got charged $3 for the refill. All silly stuff that you would not expect from a higher end restaurant. Then they added a 20% gratuity to the bill since we were a party of six...but they added the 20% to the entire bill including the tax and wine. I am a generous tipper and usually tip more than 20%, but it bothered me that they provided sub-par service and then they included a too generous tip. When asked about the added gratuity the waiter said it states clearly on the menu that they will add 20% to the bill for parties of six or more. When I asked why they charged more for certain dishes than want is also clearly stated on the menu, the waiter said "talk to the manger." This whole negative service encounter could have been fixed with the manager saying "you are right the bill is incorrect, I will fix it." Instead, he came over to the table in a very aggressive way and in front of our entire party (which included children) gave us attitude and said "do you think I am stupid?" I said no you made a mistake and you should fix it. He then got more aggressive. I told him to fix the bill and that he clearly did not understand customer service. I also asked him to step away for the table and we should take privately as he was acting unprofessionally in front of his customers and children. As I said earlier, I dine out often and this is probably only the second time I have left a negative review. It is not worth patronizing a restaurant that serves mediocre food, is lacking in service, has a manager who does not know how to manage and clearly is more interested in overcharging $5-10 per bill. Seems like a short-sighted approach to customer service. As I was about to press send on this review, I noticed that there were other reviewers who were equally disappointed in this establishment. My advice is to stay away from this place and go to any number of far superior restaurants in Chicago.

Staff was wonderful. Food was not worth it. Risotto was more like white rice seafood tasted the same as mix at Walmart. Bread was not made there pasta not made there.

My husband and I were looking for Italian food in the South Loop and we are so glad we found Sofi. Everything was fresh and delicious and the waitstaff was great. We both got veal dishes (veal scallopini on the specials and veal parm)...both were amazing! We will definitely be back next time we are in Chicago.

A group of six went to this out of the way restaurant and had a good meal. Everything, from appetizers to the main course, was excellent. From a tender branzino to a fabulous osso buco, we all enjoyed our meal. Service was exceptional. Albino was our server and there was nothing we asked for that he would not bend over backwards to provide us with. He was constantly hovering over us without becoming a bother. He certainly was part of this great experience.

Had a wonderful evening with my fiancé on vacation. The food was great and a very good mix of regional Italian meals, the wine was excellent, the service was prompt and friendly. It was small and crowded so a little bit loud but I would definitely go there again.

This is an unexpected gem. Unpretentious and understated. Nice menu. Food was tasty. Pulls it all together to be a warm experience whether as a couple or for a group. Only issue we experienced was with the service. Issue was not getting orders correct and them having to re-do. This happened for the salads, and for the entrees. That leads us to the 4 star.

The meal started out awry with the entree arriving before the appetizer. The server so competently handled that situation it actually made the experience better. The homemade linguine was cooked perfectly. The veal scallopine melted in your mouth. And the cold cut and cheese appetizer was delicious. The atmosphere is casual and relaxing. With out seating as well.

Great service. Comfortable atmosphere. Excellent menu - tough to choose. We were very happy with the rack of lamb and short ribs with polenta. We walked four blocks to get there. It was worth the walk.

We live 50 yards from Sofi and have walked past it so many times, looking in. Sometimes jammed to the gills, other times lightly attended. It was just this winter that we were induced to try it as it was Restaurant week and they were listed. Nothing to lose. No driving, no valet. 3 courses for $33 was a lure as was our curiosity and love of Italian food, rekindled by two weeks in Italy over the past two years. It was busy and lively but we were still well served by a French waiter, a gentleman called Dominique. We had a few longish waits between courses but understood. Having eaten in Italy and those sidewalk cafe meals still in our memory could Sofi live up to our expectations? Alas, No but for a small neighborhood restaurant with maybe no Italians actually cooking ( I stopped short of asking for passports) it provided a pleasant and affordable meal. Sofi doesn't have the produce or seafood that a restaurant in Rome or Venice has access to and I am sure that a good part of the enjoyment of dining in Italy is due to the weather and the surroundings and the sound of Italian being spoken all around. That's quite a handicap to overcome-that I realize. Being in beer mode I ordered a Peroni ($6) so can't comment on the wines. A Prosecco was $12. Calamari to start. A couple of shrimp were an added bonus. Passable. Across the table an artichoke fondue was pronounced delicious. A wait for the mains... I flagged down another waiter for more Peroni to tide me over. Liver and onions for me-thin sliced and not overdone.Creamy Polenta shared the plate which was soon cleaned. My partner in dining tucked into Pappardelle with beef short ribs and was too busy to talk besides I think the word "yummy". Desserts were a panna cotta with strawberries and also a Crespella which was a Nutella crepe drizzled in chocolate and I am sure there was a heavenly light and a choir of angels singing when we bit into it. Yummy indeed. We were out the door for $93 before tip due to the drinks and tax. A worthy little restaurant to add to our Chicago list. In the summertime they have tables on the sidewalk. We will go back and pay the a la carte pricing. I just walked past it two nights ago and there wasn't a table to be had at 8 pm. Best to reserve....

This was our first time to Sofi and it was great. We started with the artichoke fondata. It was very good but slightly too salty for my taste. It had a generous amount of fontina cheese and the artichoke hearts were tender. For entrees, I had the cod Livornese and my husband had orecchiette published which was pasta, sausage, garlic and broccoli rabe with pecorino cheese. My fish was cooked perfectly, it was very moist. The tomato sauce was light and flavorful and the polenta was very creamy. My husband loved his pasta. The sausage added a lot of flavor and the white wine and olive oil sauce was a nice compliment. We had the ricotta cheese cake for dessert. It was served warm with a raspberry sauce and strawberries and blueberries on the side. It was much better than I expected.

Place was nice with good service, good food and nice pricing. Portions were good, with enough to share.

Tried SOFI for the first time and will definitely go back. Homemade pastas were tasty and generous…two were plenty to share as a first plate for 5 of us. Entrees were all very good…seafood risotto, veal chop and zupps de pesce were all terrific. BYO for $20 corkage. Full bar and good wine also available.

The service was absolutely top notch. Miguel and Cristian treated us like family. Atmosphere was cozy and appealing and the south loop location was wonderful. (Had the weather been warmer we could have eaten on the sidewalk patio.) The food was average at best except for the beet endive appetizer which was wonderful!

Food ok Wine nice (expensive corkage Customer services very poor: left 4older ladies to try and find a cab late at night Rude when approached about this fact

Wonderful burratta and roasted peppers. The house made pasta was terrific as was the house mane cannoli.

This is a small Northern Italian restaurant in the Printer's Row neighborhood. It is relatively close to the Auditorium theater. This place has a neighborhood feel to it It is causal but the food and wine are outstanding. We shared an appetizer of "cold cuts" - salami, prosciutto, mortadella, and fig jam and another of melted smoked mozzarella toasts and both were excellent and more than enough for 3. My daughter had the bronzini, I had the linguini with shellfish, and my wife had the braised veal. Each was excellent. For dessert we had the cheesecake, molten chocolate cake, and creme brûlée. Each of the desserts was great. The waiter selected an excellent white wine for us that was outstanding and reasonably priced. Our waiter was terrific. He was very busy. I think that there were only two waiters for the place when we came in so this may not be a great place if you want to move quickly and have super attentive service, but we all really like it and plan on coming back. Despite its casual atmosphere, this is not a cheap place but I think it is well worth it. Parking is available across the street and on the street.

Our first visit to Sofi was outstanding. We were four people and all had pasta dishes. Everyone enjoyed their meal. My gnocchi was the best I have ever had and that includes twice in Italy. The server was pleasant and helpful. We highly recommend Sofi and would definitely return.

This is a neighborhood restaurant which is consistently good. Good food, service and atmosphere. Authentic Italian cuisine. Don't expect to find lasagna or something parmigiana- they don't have Olive Garden choices. This is a classy establishment who will make you long for a trip to Naples or Tuscany. Pappardelle with a Duck ragout. Tagliatelle w a delicious bolognese sauce. We come to Sofi's a couple times a month. They also have great daily specials.

Stopped by on a Sunday evening without high hopes for a great meal--boy was I disappointed. From appetizers to a clean arugula salad to an amazing homemade meat sauce to the home made cannoli--wasn't disappointed. Very reasonably priced. Waitstaff is clearly Italian as the sauce. Don't miss if you are in the neighborhood.

We had dinner while in town for a meeting. We were a party of 3. Warmly greeted by the hostess. We were an odd mix, one meat eater, one pescaterian and one vegeterian. Shortly after being seated our waqter glasses were filled bread and olive oil were broight to the table.Our waiter arrvied shrotly there after to take our drink order. We ordered our meals and salads. The timing was perfect, the food was excellent. The deserts were amazing. We would highly recomend this restaurant. It was so good two of us went back the second night for dinner. We had the same waiter. Business casual. worth the trip.

One of the finer dining spots in the South Loop and in the heart of Printers Row. The food is good, but a bit overpriced for the portions.

Inviting and warm space that feels like a familiar place on the first visit. The food was terrific and presented simply. Meaning its quality had to stand on its own without fancy artwork on the plate. And it certainly did that. We started with Seared Sea Scallops on shredded leeks with lobster bisque as a sauce. Great combination of flavors and textures. We both went with tender meat dishes, the Ossobuco and the Short Ribs. Both were cooked to perfection with delicious sauces. The saffron risotto seemed light on the saffron, but that was the only issue noted. Service was thorough and friendly. We never needed to call for anything and our glasses were always topped off.

It is a little pricey - but all restaurants have become that way post-COVID. The pasta is perfectly cooked and the bolognese sauce had the perfect amount of meat. The Kir Royale is the best cocktail I've had in my life! It was a whopping $18 but if I return, I will definitely order it again. The restaurant is situated within a bustling section of downtown Chicago, but the street it's on is 1-way with a bike lane next the the outdoor tables, so it is much quieter than other outdoor patios in large cities.

Small charming Italian restaurant within walking distance of Hilton downtown. Went with coworkers. Lovely atmosphere and service and food was on point.

It took over 20 minutes to get a drink and 1 1/2 hours to get food after ordering. The food was lukewarm. We were never given a bread basket. The service was awful. We asked both the waiter and the manager why our food was taking so long and no one got back to us. We were offered a check before we got our meal. We were told that the restaurant ran out of bread but both tables beside us were served bread after we waited for over an hour. I would never eat here again nor would I ever recommend this restaurant. My advice, pick somewhere else to dine.

I really wanted to love Sofi. It is nearby, and it looks so quaint and warm whenever I walk by. I dined with them during summer, and both the service and food were lukewarm then. I ordered a pasta dish, which was cold by the time it arrived to the table, and the pasta itself was chewy and tasteless. But, because Covid impacted small businesses, and especially the restaurant industry, I decided to give Sofi another chance. This time, my partner ordered the leek-potato soup. It tasted like onion soup as the ratio between leeks and potatoes was off. I ordered the arugula parmesan salad, which was unwashed and poorly dressed. How hard is it to prepare a good arugula-parmesan salad? Get fresh arugula, wash it, inspect it, prepare lemon-vinaigrette, dress the arugula and massage the leaves to soften them. Then, sprinkle with kosher salt, fresh pepper, and freshly shaved parmigiana. There. That's the recipe. Perhaps Sofi's chef can read it and use it next time. Instead, I got the sad salad you see in the picture, and three bites into it I discovered a dead bug. Yep. Don't say you haven't been warned... Unless of course you enjoy bugs in your food. In that case, give them a shot before they get shut down by the Dept of Health.

Wow to much to say and don't really want everyone to know about this place. Service was great from Christian our server, and the rest of the staff. Food was outstanding, setting is quaint and even a little romantic. My secret.

The service is excellent here except for the gentleman server who made a derogatory comment when I passed by him. I over looked this because one person can not be blamed for an entire establishment. Our server was fantastic! The disappointment actually stems from the food itself unfortunately. We were so excited to try Sofi for the first time. But it was a night left unfulfilled. The dishes really lacked seasoning. We had to add salt and pepper to our dishes, which we've never really done before at an Italian restaurant. I've not been to Milan and perhaps this is how food is prepared there, so we gave it a pass at first but then quickly realized that there were other issues. The pasta was undercooked. I'm a big fan of al dente - I prefer this method. However the pasta was hard to the bite and gave a starchy release. The prawns we ordered were over cooked, a bit tough, and they were much too sea water logged and this made for an unpleasant meal. (Note to those who have not eaten abroad, Sofi keeps seafood in tact much like you'd experience in a traditional setting.) The other dishes all had similar disorder in thier own way. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant for those who are very hungry. Give it a try for a light bite or a shared plate to make your own judgment. The prices can quickly add up here otherwise and I think that's were we made the mistake. We kept ordering to fill a void and only ended up spending more money and leaving unfulfilled.

Enjoyable meal served in an authentic Italian style restaurant. The ambience, design, food, fresh made biscotti all phenomenal. Well worth it for at least one visit.

Amazing home cooked meals that are simplistic in appearance but do not disappoint in flavor .....great Linguini with White Clam Sauce!

Recommended by hotel staff and we were not disappointed! Very good Itatlian food. Not much "red" sauce offerings.

I love this restaurant. Very good quality without the pretense. The food was excellent. I had sea bass and they will filet it in front of you if you wish. I declined but asked for a wine recommendation. He actually suggested a red montepulciano, and it was perfect. So silky and delicate. Lots of options and a mature wait staff. I will go again soon!

Have to say we had a very nice time at Sofi's the other night. We were greeted at the door and we asked to sit outside. Being that it is in Printer's Row the area is pretty quite at night so nice thing not that much traffic noise. I started off with a Compari and cranberry which was done right with the bartender not skimping on the Compari. For an appetizer we had the special artichokes in a fontina cheese sauce, which was very good (just wished the portion was a bit larger). For entree I had the Veal Saltimbocca Romana; which I always order if the place has it. It was good, but not great as I felt it didn't have enough prosciutto and sage to cover the veal so some pieces of veal I just got the veal. My wife had the Pacceri Focaccia (large rigatoni in a cream, sage, double smoked bacon sauce), which had a good smoky flavor. For dessert we had the Nutella crepe. Again very good with lots, and I mean lots of Nutella. Service was excellent and will definitely be going back.

Having one night in Chicago, and staying at the Hilton, Yelp suggested Sofi. I moved away from the South Loop in 2000, so was thrilled to know that there was a highly rated Italian restaurant so close by. We had a great meal, and the woman waiting on us was helpful in steering towards what was tasty. I would recommend a visit and I would go again.

The ambiance was nice, the food was good and the service was excellent. My rack of lamb was excellent, my husband loved his lobster bisque, but felt he should not have ordered the seafood pasta as it wasn't in season and didn't seem to have been made from fresh seafood ( we dined in January). We would definitely go again, especially if attending a show at the Jazz Showcase as it is so conveniently located.

This is a reasonable Italian place, which seemed much more promising given the reviews. All the dishes where reasonable, nothing to complain about, but also nothing to get excited about.

We had a perfect dinner at Sofi. It’s a family run restaurant, real Italian food. Service was great and customized our kids meals to accommodate their requests. The pork chop was one of the best I had, so was the on the house tiramisu. Would live to return in our next visit to Chicago.

We have visited this restaurant the last four years we have come to Chicago from Indiana for our anniversary. The food has always been great and usually the service Wonderful!! On that note our server this year must have been having an off night. I was served the wrong salad,but ate it anyway and that was OK it was good - the meal veal ravioli was good - then we ordered dessert and he brought the wrong dessert- the owner let the server know and we were brought a new one!!! The two couples next to us served cold food - bad night for server - but know we will return again - food GREAT!!!!!

Waiter was an Italian immigrant. Food was very good. Drink menu was varied and reasonable. Really enjoyed this place. If I lived here, I would eat there every week.

It was a wonderful summer evening, so my wife and I decided to dine outside at Sofi. We each had the Tagliatelle Bolognese and a bottle of red wine. The wines are not familiar, so let your server help you select one. Ours suggested a better one than we originally ordered. It was a little more, but great. The portions were more than ample, so we didn't miss a salad or appetizer. I also received a special birthday tiramisu. It is a hidden gem in Chicago.

We dropped in without a reservation and were quickly seated. The food was wonderful and the service very prompt.

Ate dinner here one night. Had a nice albeit very plain arugula salad...I love arugula. The bread with dinner was nothing special and they serve it with olive oil only, no balsamic or butter. I ordered the fish soup. The broth although advertised as spicy was not at all. There was an ok amount of seafood but altogether it was mediocre. Prices would have been fine if the food was a bit better. I did like the atmosphere and our waiter was good.

Last fall I stopped in w/ out reservation, I ate at the bar. It was simple - the seafood risotto & a barolo red. I returned in the spring when passign thru Chicago - St Pat's weekend. (this time w/ reservations...) So, I'm becoming familiar w/ the menu & staff. Yes. the food is very good. The ambiance/ decor is traditional. I won't spoil the ending w/ details - one has to take the plunge & visit Sofi. Sofis location ~1 block from Dearorn Station (ie. Jazz Showcase) is ideal for Jazz buffs.

Visited based on reviews and several comments the locals like it. Average service and food. The melon and prosciutto appetizer was good as well as the salad. The pasta was dry and under cooked, when mentioning this to our waiter he kinda shrugged and moved onto the next table. Many options abound in the neighborhood, don't think I'd return.

This is an authentic Italian restaurant and the was very tasty. The atmosphere is a little serious and old fashioned. There are tables inside or outdoors on the sidewalk.

We had a fabulous dinner at Sofi! The waiter was very knowledgeable and friendly and the wine and food were authentic Italian. The wines are Italian and our bottle that the waiter recommended was soooo good! It's a nice, intimate setting and feels like you are in Italy. Our dinner was amazing...some of the best Italian we have ever had!! Don't miss this wonderful experience!

We ate there on our first night in Chicago. After a long drive we checked into the Hotel Blake and their front desk staff recommended Sofi for the food. It's a quick walk (about a block) from Hotel Blake. We weren't sure what to expect, but the food and service was over the top! The seafood risotto and veal picatta were excellent. Also, get their creme brulee, it's just sinfully good! The service was equally as good. Our waiter took time to explain each dish on the menu (a lot of it is in Italian) and answer any questions we had. Unfortunately, I can't remember his name.

Our new favorite restaurant. Food is delicious, very classy place and ambiance. If something’s not on the menu, they will make it for you. We travel to Italy often and this is feels like a piece of Rome in the middle of Printers Row.

Recommended by our hotel staff, Sofi was the perfect end to a long day of travel. The food was great and the place had a genuine European feel to it. The staff was prompt and courteous without being overbearing.

We had dinner of 6. The waiter picked up on our vegetarian friend and her needs quickly. Great pasta, choices and service.

When you think of Italian food you most likely think of huge portions of pasta in a heavy red sauce. Sofi is not that type of restaurant. This cozy spot in a hidden part of the South Loop features a selection of crafted dishes that delight your senses and leave you satisfied without being stuffed. I've been to Sofi many times, often with friends from out of town and everyone who's been here has loved the food and the charming service. If you are looking for a restaurant with more original flavors than the typical southern Italian food you are used to, a great wine list, and excellent service from many native Italians this is the perfect spot. It's great for intimate dinners for two or a group of friends who want to celebrate over plates of tasty goodness.

There were a lot of authentic items on the menu, house made pastas, etc. I enjoyed the food and wine, (though I cant remember what I had) and the service was good.

Four of us dined here for a birthday celebration during Chicago's restaurant week. There were so many great dishes I got to taste--the fava beans with truffled pecorino cheese (yum,) the grilled baby octopus on potatoes and pesto (not usually what I'd eat but really enjoyed my taste of this,) asparagus soup as a special (rich with roasted flavors,) the sea bass Provenzale with artichokes & olives (done to perfection--what a nice medley of flavors) and of course the desserts, all good. The staff made us feel welcome and gave excellent suggestions. I enjoyed hearing them speak Italian. I hope to dine here again soon!

Knew this was somewhere special when we asked to sit outside and watched them bend over backwards to get two tables together to accommodate us… with the nice man they asked to move to make room for us coming over and introducing himself as the owner! The service was top-notch, the food was excellent, the wine nice and the ambience enjoyable. Clearly lots of regulars. Would definitely recommend to a friend.

It's not a large place so try and get a reservation. Ate here 2 days before the Chicago Marathon. Food was excellent and the staff was friendly. Seemed to be authentic Italian food. I would recommend it to my friends.

Party of 8, with 6:30 reservations . Greeted by very cordial staff , great attention to detail . Shared 3 appetizers , wine along with sparkling water to start . Bruschetta , Calamari and awesome Meatballs , Fantastic ! Everybody’s meal was delicious , and we ate s Professional White House chef eating with us and he also gave it 5 Stars plus ! Great Staff , 3 wonderful desserts topped off a delightful night of Italian dining . Going back ASAP .

Jasper wowed us with his appetizer, wine and entree recommendations! Such a hidden gem . We will be back. It was my sisters bday and jasper made her feel so special.

We dined at this cozy, Printers Row spot before attending a show in the South Loop. The service was great and the food was unique and outstanding. The grilled mozzarella and prosciutto appetizer was unique and tasty. My wife had the grilled scallops and shrimp on fennel (a special that night) that looked fantastic. My saffron risotto with mild sausage ragout was amazing.

Lovely neighborhood Italian restaurant with excellent service. Nice mix of locals/regulars and first-time diners. I walked a long way on a rainy night to find this place, and it was definitely worth it!

A dimly lit, warm trattoria feel with authentic Northern Italian cooking and Italian waiters with dreamy accents. The salads were fresh and very lightly dressed. My risotto with mixed shellfish was delicious, but mostly calamari. My husband's rack of lamb was perfect. We went elsewhere for coffee and dessert, but the wine suggested by the waiter was perfect. It was also $60. Obviously a special occasion place, but we loved it.

I went to dinner here with a group of friends while on a business trip. I have never really had authentic northern Italian food and wasn't sure what to order. And in truth, my order was mixed up and I didn't get what I ordered. But I think I got the better end of that deal as what I was served was great. I really enjoyed the food. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food did take a long time to be delivered to the table. But they brought us bread and we had a couple of appetizers, both of which were fantastic. I really enjoyed the evening. We sat outside on the sidewalk section and it was a lovely evening. I'm glad I got to experience Sofi. Check it out.

This place was such a find! Intimate and quiet setting with incredible food and excellent service! Jasper, our waiter was so friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. We had veal scallopini, lamb shank, and a beautiful pasta! The octopus appetizer was out of this world!! We would Definitely come here again.

Incredible authentic Italian food. The Sofi pasta was excellent and the creme brulee was the best I have ever had! Would come back all the time if I lived here.

Very cute place and the servers were very attentive. The fish stew was excellent but most of the other entrées at our table were dry and overcooked.

Had a business dinner here with my coworkers this week. We were a larger party, and they gladly accommodated us even though we took literally half the one side of the dining room. We tend to be a little boisterous when all together, but the staff was wonderful and attentive. We had appetizers of prosciutto flatbread, roasted mozzarella, and calamari. It didn't last long. For my entree, I chose the braised short ribs served over polenta. It was absolutely amazing--the meat literally crumbled with just my fork. I took the suggestion of the server and he definitely didn't steer me awry. For dessert I had the pistachio gelato; it was delicious as well. I really loved the service we had--our head waiter was very knowledgable about the menu and took care of our every whim and refill of wine. I love finding little gems like this; I will definitely return for those short ribs and fantastic service. For downtown Chicago, very reasonably priced as well!

Very nice place, we came around 6pm the place was empty so we were seated rigth away,the server explained the menu and the wine selection we order some appetaizer and a suop, wich was excellent, we order a bottle of wine because the server insisted on his quality and the dinner came out the chitara scoglio was fenomenal but i can't say the same about the spagetthi vongole,wife complained that the pasta was undercooked a there wasn't any sauce but the service was fenomenal,when we were leaving around 7 30 the place was packed ,overrall a really good experience

Came here with a large group, so got to taste many dishes. The appetizers were uninspired to say the least. The ingredients were there but with little pizzazz, decor, or special flavors. The meatballs were quite unidentifiable. The pastas were somewhat overcooked with minimal help from the sauces and add-on ingredients. The risotto was hard and tasteless, looking like it had been partially nuked from the freezer. Large TV screens detracted from the "Italian" ambiance.

From appetizer to dessert everything I had was fantastic! The calamari was prepared perfectly. The Mist da Stagione was fresh and perfectly dressed. The Tagliatelle with duck ragout was delicious and the fresh made noodles were perfectly prepared. Finally, the cannoli was delicious, the shell crunchy and the filling smooth and only slightly sweet. I will definitely be back!

We wanted an informal, neighborhood feel - like restaurants in Italy. Sofi has that, but unfortunately has decided to raise prices to Gold Coast levels. And it’s not Gold Coast - or Italy- quality.

A wonderful neighborhood restaurant managed with care; very nice northern Italian menu, all entrees we tried were very good albeit somewhat on the small side. Be sure to order an appetizer, the Caprese Bufalo was excellent as are the other salads. Affordable wines, attentive server. Looking forward to returning soon. You won't be disappointed.

What a lovely cosy Italian restaurant. It was close to our hotel, the staff and food was great. Prices were reasonable. Definitely would go back there again if we ever visit Chicago again, I am sure we will.

A short walk away from the Hotel Blake, excellent italian dinners. Not the normal italian that we're use to. Servings are good size, waitstaff very polite and friendly. Reservations may not be needed if you go early, but if you go later, probably a good idea to have.

This place is a little gem that is a silent star. I never hear any buzz about it but it is truly terrific! Low key signage makes it easy to miss but don't! This is our favorite place to eat before seeing any production at the Auditorium Theater. They offer refined friendly service and high quality food at really reasonable prices. On our most recent visit we were short on time and they were able to get us in and out (even with an appetizer) without us missing a note. I began with a bowl of the cauliflower and mushroom soup. It was outstanding and really hit the spot on a cold, windy winter's night. For my main course I had the bolognese; a classic dish done perfectly!

Located in the South Loop/Printer's Row area, is a welcome addition - the Sofi Restaurant. Many choices on the menu. The service was excellent, as wwas the food.

It's not often you get such delicious food at such a good price. I had an outstanding meal, artfully presented served by a professional waiter who made the experience all the more enjoyable and happily brewed a fresh pot of decaf just for me. My Aunt and I split a dish and it came beautifully divided onto two plates. I highly recommend this little gem of a spot!

Love this place ----It has the feel of restaurant which has always been there. Great service and fantastic food. If you wish you can bring your own wine for a 10 dollar corkage fee. This was the second time we were here and it was better than the first. If the Branzino is on the menu ----Have it!!!