The New York inspired steakhouse brand, which launched on Chelsea’s Fulham Road in 2002, will open a large, multi-faceted restaurant on Great Windmill Street in the former Moulin Cinema, famous for the screening of racy 70’s movies and Carry On films.
The new site will incorporate a 125-cover all-day dining restaurant, bar and 25-cover terrace as well as a 120-cover high-end steakhouse, while next door will be a six-seat kiosk with an in-built wood-fired smoker that will serve dishes to take out. The main restaurant will also feature an in-house butchers.
The move follows the closure of Sophie’s in Covent Garden, which shut it doors in June this year after nearly nine years’ trading.
The all-day restaurant will serve a menu from 11am until late, with dishes including centre cut fillet, béarnaise and fries; charred eel, beetroot and horseradish dressing; and a chargrilled rump steak sandwich with butter lettuce, rocket and hot mustard. The room will feature grouped low armchairs and banquettes and has been designed to be suitable for remote working as well as for dining.
The main steakhouse will sit above the bar area and will have an open kitchen with a 2.5m cast iron grill taking centre stage. As well as steaks - sourced from farms in the West Country – for the first time an equal emphasis will be placed on vegetables and fish, with dishes including Cornish turbot with sorrel butter; and scallops from the fire with garlic butter.
Owners Sophie Bathgate and Rupert Power say the Soho restaurant will mark an evolution of the 15 year-old steakhouse brand.
“When we first opened Sophie’s Chelsea, it was a surprise hit overnight,” says Power. “People seemed to associate with what we were doing – simple, great food, with an authentic sense of hospitality inspired by our trips to America but tailored for Londoners.”
“For Sophie’s Soho, we’re updating things whilst keeping our core – it will be more sophisticated but with the same care for the finest ingredients.”
Edited on 26 October to include an updated opening date.