Café Sofie - Chicago
Café Sophie is a well-curated market and café, perfect for picking up specialty items or having a special breakfast, lunch or dinner. According to the owners, "Sophie is more than just a cafe and market, it’s a nod to slower times when folks valued the simple, most honest things; good food, drinks and conversation shared with friends or family. In the correct setting, a perfectly pulled espresso or a plate of freshly cut salumi and a tasteful glass of wine have a big impact on your day."
Café Sophie is without pretention: it's a simple place that doesn't try to pretend it's more than it is, and what it is is pretty great: a superbly casual place to grab something to bring home or to bring your friends for a delicious meal or snack, just about anytime of day.
The market section of Café Sophie focuses on must-have products that make a simple dish or dinner spectacular. There are specialty chocolates from Portland, exclusive pastas and tomato sauce from Italy, fresh flowers, an extensive wine collection, everything you need to upgrade a dinner at home. In the spotlight are items from small local producers in Chicagoland and across the US, with an emphasis upon family-run farms, as well as women-owned and minority-owned businesses such as Phoenix Bean tofu, Big Fork sausages, Dairyland’s Best milk, Victory Dance granola, Field & Farmer condiments, and puff snacks from Heyo.
For breakfast, there's a range of outstanding pastries and breads, including croissants and Do-Rite donuts, as well as excellent versions of wood-fired frittata, eggs with salmon, and avocado toast.
For lunch and dinner, there's a lot to choose from, including a half-dozen superior sandwiches. The Paris is prosciutto, arugula, cornichon and cultured butter on a baguette; the Hot & Savory is soppressata, arugula, mortadella, provolone and giardiniera on a sour dough roll; and Three Cheeses are (you'll never guess) three cheeses, honey and black truffle, also on sour dough bread.
The wood-burning hearth turns out roasted chicken, spicy meatballs and garlic shrimp, as well as focaccia topped with pepperoni, mushroom and other carefully prepared ingredients.
For a special evening, Cafe Sophie Caviar Service includes 30 grams of Sterling caviar, kettle chips and house-made caramelized onion dip.
