Sophie's Italian: New and Open

Since I have finally finished my first year in University, Smidge took us out for dinner and film last night. I was sleep deprived from the last deadline, yet when food was mentioned I soon perked up. We decided to stay local and went to the cinema to check what time films were on. After that we picked where to eat in Eastpoint in Dundonald. We decided to try Sophie's Italian.

The exterior of the building looked great, very clean and was decorated beautifully. We were immediately shown a seat after we went inside. The restaurant was decorated inside fantastically (but more about that later!)

Overall first impressions were all positive and the menu was appealing. There was a good range of dishes, but not too much that it felt overwhelming. We picked an appetiser that consisted of three freshly baked breads with a spicy dipping sauce.

The bread was delicious and it was served still warm which I loved. Good for a tear-and-share between two people. I'd get the bread again, it was lovely We also ordered two Jameson Whiskey's and Cokes but unfortunately they didn't stock Jamesons or Jack Daniels or Guinness. In the end, Smidge got an Amaretto and Coke and I had a Tia Maria with Orange Juice.

For the main course I had a King Prawn Linguine (succulent king prawns tossed through linguine pasta finished with a piquant extra virgin olive oil, chilli dressing and sun blushed tomatoes). It was a nice dish, very filling and the sun blushed tomatoes were a great accent to the dish.

Smidge had a Chicken Saltimbocca (crumbed chicken breast topped with parma ham, sage leaves, mozzarella and a rich tomato and basil sauce). It was lovely, well executed but lacked any accompanying vegetables or pasta for a main dish. We had a side dish of onions rings to share, which were nicely crisped.




















After the mains we thought we should try a dessert too. Smidge ordered a Banoffee Sundae (made with a delicious luxury Italian Dulche de Leche and vanilla ice-creams, ginger biscuits and a banana Dulche de Leche sauce). It was a lovely dessert, yet more banana pieces would have been nice.

I ordered a Chocolate Brownie (a fudgly dense rich chocolate brownie, served with Italian Vanilla ice-cream). It was just as the menu described; a very rich brownie, yet not sickeningly so. I liked the contrast of the warm brownie to the cold ice-cream (although my sensitive teeth didn't like it)...

Overall, a nice meal and we will be back again; even better is that it is local. The staff were attentive and friendly, yet you could tell they were only newly opened as some didn't project a confidence. One aspect that we both didn't like was how staff were standing in groups talking  - it simply shouldn't be done in front of  a whole room of dining customers.



On a more positive ending, it was a good experience and the place was decorated with a great style. In particular, I liked how the restaurant was airy, with a great deal of natural light. Sophie's Italian had a modern industrial theme; with low single bulb lighting, metal piping, large mirrors and metal fencing.










Great to see a new business opening locally when the hospitality business is struggling these days. A nice place to go with lots of potential! I wish them all the best for the future...