Hüseyin Özer opens a new Sofra on Mayfairs South Molton Street
Sofra recently opened its third restaurant. This restaurant is based in fashionable South Molton Street. The charasmatic owner is Hüseyin Özer, or to give Hüseyin his full title: Nutritionist, Chef & owner. Hüseyin is 73 years young and works in his restaurants seven days a week. Sofra’s other two restaurants are nearby: Shepherd Market and Sir Christopher’s Place just off Oxford Street. His life story is a testament to triumph over adversity. I have included a brief biography of Hüseyin at the end of the article; trust me when I say it is well worth a read.
As mentioned, South Molton Street is a pedestrianised shopping street from Oxford Street to Brook Street. It mainly features designer shops, cafes, and boutiques. As the local area is full of restaurants, South Molton Street, slightly surprising, has yet to attract many restaurants. My visit today is to see how the latest Sofra is settling into its new home.
On arrival, you will see that the restaurant is actually two restaurants in one. 11 South Molton Street serves Steak and Meze, and number 12 serves Fish and Meze. I’m not sure if there is a strict demarcation between the two restaurants regarding menu choices, as they are next door and could be one restaurant. Hüseyin greeted us, and we were shown to our seats the steak and meze side—well, at least, I think.
This restaurant is Hüseyin’s new baby, and like all new babies, it needs care and attention. Hüseyin is a hands-on and keen to ensure every guest is well looked after. If you visit, you will not have to wait long before you are in conversation with the owner.
Looking at the menu, there is a huge choice; luckily, Hüseyin was on hand to guide us through the menus. Hüseyin describes the cuisine as Middle Eastern with International influence, which I think gives licence to add some European favourites. I would bet against anybody unable to find something on the menu they like. Also, although you are on one of the most exclusive streets in London, refreshingly, you are not paying typical South Molton Street prices, making this restaurant great value for money and ideal to treat the family. Located just off Oxford Street Sofra provides an ideal resting place and respite from a day of retail therapy.
On to our meal. It is worth pointing out that you receive complimentary bread and hummus while perusing the menu. To start our meal, we decided on the fresh oysters, which were highly recommended by Hüseyin. I love oysters, and these did not disappoint. Served simply on a bed of ice with a splash of Tabasco, they are the perfect start to any meal.
Next came a traditional Meze platter; it looked so good and screamed healthy eating. A plateful of different flavours, a moment of joy with every bite. This would make a lovely light lunch on its own, and to me, it typifies feel-good food.
We were recommended to share a prawn and tomato dish. I enjoyed this dish. The prawns were perfectly cooked and went so well with the cherry tomatoes. It’s a dish to add to my ever growing “must-have again list”.
Meat course time, and expectations were high, and we looked forward to our choices cooked the Middle Eastern way. We decided to share grilled lamb cutlets and a sirloin steak served with broccoli. In typical Middle Eastern style, our meat was cooked perfectly and seasoned so well, an educated guess that the lamb was brushed with melted butter before serving. The steak was served with a peppercorn sauce.
A break was required before we could look at the dessert menu. The break worked, and from the menu, we chose two signature dishes: Su Muhallebisi, cubes of milk pudding rose syrup and berries and nuts, a healthy, light way to finish (this dish would also make a great breakfast), and Coronation dessert, not so light, but with a Christmas pudding feel: mulberry molasses cream and walnuts.
After pudding, we were joined at our table by Hüseyin, who shared his vision for Sofra South Molton Street. A quick summary would be he is committed to providing healthy, value-for-money dishes with quality produce, with a glint in his eye, Hüseyin mentioned he would like to see queues of people lining up to snap up Sofra’s new steak offer of green salad and walnuts starter (the nutritionist side of Hüseyin coming into play), Entrecote steak, and chips for a incredible £16.95. At that price, he might well get his wish.
That was my first experience eating at Sofra, South Molton Street and I will be back. I should mention that Sofra is open seven days a week, opening for breakfast at 8 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m. I would imagine that whatever time you visit, you will be welcomed by Hüseyin.
Hüseyin Özer
Hüseyin was born in a village where his parents split up, leading him to live with his grandfather. At the age of seven, when he was supposed to begin primary school, his father disowned him. Adding to his woes, his older brother even attempted to poison him, leaving him feeling unwanted while his grandfather aged. Enduring these hardships, he taught himself to write using charcoal on walls and rocks. Although he worked as a goat herder, his mother disapproved of this and sent him to Ankara to earn money for a gun to seek retribution against his father.
Hüseyin’s journey led to homelessness as he tried to pursue an education, reaching out twice to President Demirel yet receiving no response. He sometimes resorted to sleeping in a public toilet in Sıhhiye, then worked in a bar and rented a coal bunker for shelter. Despite these overwhelming challenges, he saved up to buy books and resolved to learn English. With his first paycheck, he established the Hüseyin Özer Education Trust. Eventually, he relocated to Istanbul, where he found an English tutor, completed his military service, and travelled by bus to London due to financial constraints.
In London, he enrolled in an English course and worked at a doner kebab shop, eventually purchasing the shop and transforming it into a restaurant. Recognising the importance of healthy food, he hired a nutritionist and reinforced the restaurant’s security by installing bulletproof glass on the windows. Even amidst economic depression, he courageously opened cafes that offered nourishing, affordable meals, occasionally allowing customers to choose their price.
Sofra
11-12 South Molton Street, W1K 5QL
18 Shepherd Street W1J 7JG
1 St Christopher’s Place W1U 1LT
www.sofra.co.uk/
