Sofra Turkish Restaurant shares authentic Turkish food with customers – but beyond its food, there’s something inspiring each dish: opportunities to bridge cultural gaps. Co-owner, Chandra Johner — and fellow co-owner and husband, chef Yuksel Gultekin — lived in Turkey between 2003 and 2004. It was then the couple thought of opening a restaurant; of bringing flavours Yuksel grew up with in Turkey to Chandra’s hometown of Edmonton.
Chandra began by keeping a journal of ideas. It contained “everything I thought would be important,” she says. Soon, the book was filled with sketches, its pages showing ideas from interior designs to menu items. Above all, the book reflected two wishes – one, to have a successful local eatery and the second, “to bring something [to Edmonton] that you couldn’t experience here,” Chandra says. “As much as you want people to come and enjoy the food, there’s that atmosphere you’re hoping to bring with you.” From there, the pair worked to bring the atmosphere of life in Turkey to Edmonton.
Ezo gelin
Our house soup is red lentil and is served with bread baked to order in our forno oven
Coban salatasi
The Sheperd's salad is fresh tomato , green pepper , onion, cucumber , and black olives tossed in lemon and tossed in lemon and olive dressing
Akdeniz salatasi
The mediterranean salad is organic mixed greens tossed in our house dressing and topped with fried herb goatcheese and dried apricots
Ispanak Salastasi
The turkish version of a spinach salad is made with organic spinach tossed in a yogurt and garlic , dressing topped with dried cherries and walnuts
Yaprak sarma
our delicious grape -vine leaves are stuffed with rice , raisins , and pine nuts
Try one of our dips with pita bread baked to order in our forno oven
Haydari: refreshing yogurt dip , Humus : Tasty chickpea dip, Biber Ezme: Red pepper dip , Patlican Ezme : grilled eggplant dip , Patlian ezme : Grilled eggplant dip , Sofra Ezme : Creamy feta dip ,
Tavuklu pide
Chicken , tomato , green pepper , and cheese
Kiymali pide
Finely ground beef blended with vegetables and cheese
Yumarthali pide
Edmonton's only egg pizza
Ispanakli Pide
Spinach , egg , and cheese
All entrees come with bulghar pilaf , organic mixed greens tossed in our house dressing and grilled vegetables
Izgara kofte
Tradtional grilled beef meatballs
Adana kebab
The signature turkish kebab made with spicy beef
Sebzeli kebab
Fresh vegetables seasoned and grilled
Tavuk sis kebab
Flavorful chicken skewers charred to perfection
Kilic Baligi kebab
Peppery Swordfish kebab with fresh citrus flavours
Kuzu sis kebab
Tender skewered lamb with rich herbal grilled to medium to medium well
Kuzu pirzola
Grilled rack of lamb grilled medium to medium rare
Coban kavurma
A turkish sheperd's pie prepared fresh with lamb
Karides Guvec
Fresh prawn casserole baked in the forno ove
Sultan's sofrasi
The sultan's table this meal for two includes yaprak sarma , humus , and a mixed grill sampler of chicken kebab , lamb kebab , beef meat -balls , and rach of lamb , followed by bak lava for desert
Baklava
Layers of pastry filled with walnut , pistachio , and honey syrup
Firin sutlac
Creamy rice pudding baked in the forno and served chilled
Dondurma
Rich ice cream made with buttermilk
Do it the Turkish way
Add ice cream to your baklava or firin sutlac
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Always great food, and the owner is authentically Turkish.
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The sign outside the restaurant reads “Authentic Turkish Cuisine,” and that description could not be more accurate. Sofra receives consistent reviews raving about the warm space, the relaxing wine cellar and the smell of garlic that lulls patrons into a calm sense of security before their palates are ravaged with flavour (in the best way possible). Be sure to precede any meal with Sofra’s delicious hummus served with fresh flat-baked pita bread.
View this Smart ListIt’s Turkish cuisine here, so it’s things that I never cook with. It’s such a change from what I normally eat, and the flavours are delicious. Sofra is outstanding and it’s one of those places that it’s fun to sit and try all the different flavours – a real departure from the usual and in a great way. We've gone in large groups, which is a fun way to do it, but even with two of us, you can get a nice selection. They do a nice sampler platter with all their dips. The lamb is the best thing ever.
View this Smart ListTrying to spice things up and try new things with your significant other? Sofra might be a good place to try. It serves authentic Turkish cuisine, and if you don't usually frequent this sort of food, it can definitely be a good adventure to share with someone. The decor inside feels very authentic and provides a unique experience. Check this place out if you want a great experience along with some delicious food.
View this Smart List