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Sophie's Cosmic Café
Category: Restaurants Diners Diners [Edit]
2095 4th Ave WVancouver, BC V6J 1N3
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 732-6810
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 9:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
92 reviews for Sophie's Cosmic Café
Review Highlights
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"...when mixed with their home made hot sauce, so good." In 12 reviews -
"...mashed potatoes, best black beans, best steamed veggies and..." In 6 reviews -
"It's a must try for any Eggs Benny fan." In 8 reviews
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92 reviews in English
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Review from David I.
Vancouver, BC
5/1/2012
I loved today's breakfast...mmmmm,, eggs benny... Sophie makes her own in house hot sause and my mouth is still watering... perfect eggs and the fresh vanilla milkshake shook my hangover right off !!!
Enough fun novelties around to make me forget how ugly my buddy looked this morning... -
Review from Matthew C.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
When I first moved to Vancouver Sophies was amazing. I loved the kitchy decor, I loved the food and I loved the prices. Well, you still get a decent amount of food and the prices aren't terrible, but I've grown tired of the decor and the service seems to have suffered somewhat lately and to be perfectly honest I'm just not really willing to wait in a long ass lineup for what amounts of a greasy spoon breakfast served in a room full or retro toys.
I'm sure that it's full of kids who are now the age I was when I moved to Vancouver doesn't help either. Man, I feel old sometimes.Listed in: Brunch Club
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Review from Deniz T.
4/23/2012
I have been to Sophie's on occasion over the years, and they are getting gradually worse. I like the decor and the service is good. The food....the food.... tsk tsk tsk...
I ordered a regular benedict. Eggs were perfect, hollandaise bland and loose, potatoes on my plate was not edible. A big mush, crushed with no life left, no seasoning... Could not even finish it...
If I am getting in that line up, it better be edible... and maybe then some... -
Review from Thera M.
Richmond, BC
4/18/2012
Sophie's is a Kits institution. The portions are huge, so come with an appetite or share. Expect lovely classic diner food. Fluffy pancakes, gooey grilled cheese and massive milk shakes. Your coffee cup is never empty. The staff are very friendly and during the day you are most likely going to see Sophie herself. One of the best diners in Vancouver
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Review from Tai V.
1/6/2012
I've only been here for breakfast but I loved it every time.
The staff are super casual and the decor is very entertaining! Plan to go on a nice morning cause you might be waiting outside a bit :S
Definitely not all day 2.99 like Bon's but the variety on your plate is worth the price if you treating someone or just want to relax with pals over brunch. -
Review from Melissa Nicole J.
1/17/2012
My ex and I brought his mom here. I love the ambiance of this place. It's completely stuck in the 50's. It's loud colors and records on the walls definitely make it like a museum. I enjoyed looking at all the knick knacks all over the place. I think my ex's mom felt at home here.
The service here was really great. Our server was attentive and hilarious. She kept cracking jokes the whole time. When we did order, I had the regular American breakfast....eggs, bacon, and toast. I know...usually I am a little more adventurous. My eggs came out underdone and my bacon was burned. Now if you guys read any of my other reviews....I LOVE BACON....the waitress was super apologetic so that's why im giving it 3 stars. I really would return...but they have to promise not to burn my bacon...... -
Review from Andrea P.
12/27/2011
Sophie's is an A-OK brunch spot in Kits, however I wouldn't stand in the ridiculous weekend lineups to eat there. I really like their hashbrowns and homemade hot sauce, and I had a really memorable smoked salmon beny once. Its not the best brunch I've had in the city (go to the Twisted Fork for that) but it is a lot better than a whole lot of places that I've tried.
Dinner is a whole other story. Don't bother. Options were lacking and the perogies I ordered were terrible. I cannot remember what my companion ordered, but I remember she was not impressed either. -
Review from Stephen S.
Toronto, ON
3/18/2012
Solid but not as outstanding as the buzz might have one believe.
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Review from Justin W.
Vancouver, BC
1/21/2012
WALKED OUT AFTER COFFEE
I had been here once before, couldn't remember the experience. That should have been a good indication. I decided to go back, too my surprise there was no line up...Which I was very surprised at and got seated quickly, things were off to a good start. Then the very grumpy, obviously didn't want to be there waitress walked up and asked us for drinks before we even opened the menu's... and not in a nice kinda way, not even a hello.....just "Drinks?"
I got my coffee and my partner and I decided to order. I was told about the special Salmon Eggs Benny and decided to order it. This is how the conversation went...
"Have you decided yet?"
"Yes i'll have the Salmon Eggs Benny, No Onion in the fried potatoes"
"NO"
"Pardon?"
"No you can't not have onions"
"but i'm allergic"
" they are pre-mixed into the potatoes"
" Don't you have spare potatoes?"
"NO"
"Can I get fruit?'
"Thats a$1.50 extra"
'But I can't eat the potatoes the meal comes with, Can I sub Fries?"
"That's a dollar extra"
" SO let me get this straight, the fried wedge potatoes with onions are free, but straight deep fried potatoes are a dollar"
"Yes"
After confronting the manager to get a more hospitable answer...I was told that she would sub me fries this time, but surely next time I'd better know the rules at Sophie's...
That's the way it's always been....
Guess what Sophie.... Breakfast joints come and go, and I have no idea how your's hasn't gone yet. But you've lost this customer for life, and anyone else I can tell not to go...
Redemption.... I took the cute placemat they had made from a photocopy some kid drew for them... now to cut off their name. -
Review from Herman E.
11/29/2011
Sophie's has been around for quite some time, and the decor has not changed at all.
I've had breakfast here and it is not bad. I've also had their burgers and pork chops, all not bad. Nothing exceptional but not bad at all.
I do agree with some of the other Yelpers here, in that the food is a bit overpriced for what it is.
It can get very busy at breakfast and lunch on weekends. -
Review from Crystal L.
Burnaby, BC
10/8/2011
I went here for brunch today around 1 so we only had to wait for a couple minutes for a table. The interior of the diner is super charming, lots of cute retro things to look at. The food was pretty good, I had the Spanish omelette and my boyfriend had the French toast. I think I'll have to come by next time to try out the Belgian waffles!
I see a few other reviews saying the stuff is overpriced. It's about what I was expecting for the food, but what I didn't expect was the price for drinks. We ordered drinks without looking at the menu, a glass of OJ was almost 4 dollars, and my bigelow tea (bag) was almost 3. Oops. Forgot about that crazy restaurant beverage markup. Altogether our brunch came out to a little over $30.. I'll go back one more time to try the waffles, but I'm more used to paying around $20 at Joe's Grill.
Service was OK. It was still pretty busy so wasn't expecting much, and that was what we got. Overall I liked this place, though I wouldn't stand in line for the experience. -
Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2012
The food was decent. Nothing over the moon, however, nothing horrible either. What has always made this my place was the décor. It's like a museum of pop culture.
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Review from Kay L.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2012
We went here for brunch and had a great experience! We sat at the bar stools and our server was super friendly. The portions are quite large, as other reviewers have mentioned.
The only thing that kind of turned me off was watching the fruit bowl prep area- directly in front of us- there were a lot of fruit flies flying around the food.... Its late in season for those I thought??
Either way we thoroughly enjoyed it. -
Review from Larry L.
9/4/2011
They have a slogan. "Good place to start your diet. Good place to end your diet!!"
So true. After so many years, the eclectic Sophies is still going strong serving up their amazing pancakes and still serving up food that is healthy.
The latter probably not as well known unless you happen to be one of those picky eaters who watch their weight and check themselves out in front of every passing of a mirror they can get.
I have yet to take my friends Edna and Mary Ann here for breakfast.
I"m going to have to get them to come before I food coma on too much carbs. -
Review from Phoenix mi m.
7/27/2011
Very cute place!!!
Service was good!!!
Star deducted: the pancakes were not buttery or fluffy.
but overall, I like this place a lot!
Really enjoyed the Belgian waffles with fruit!!!
HUGE portions!!! so if u r a lite eater, b prepared to pack some home or bring a friend to share the plate. -
Review from James T.
1/29/2011
We've been to Sophie's Cosmic Cafe since 02. It's usually our breakfast or brunch meet up spot when we are on vacation with the family.
The outside of the restaurant is kind of plain and doesn't give you any hints of the funky decor on the inside. The walls are littered with everything you can think of...old lunch boxes, antique tricycles, license plates, fishing poles, a picture of Mona Lisa with eggs on her eyes...it's pure madness. They also implement coke bottles on the booths railings- its cool. The kids love Sohpie's no rhyme or reason and wild decor. But, its this off the wall decor that keeps our kids mesmerized....and we aren't complaining.
This place can get packed especially during breakfast and brunch hours. All I can say from our experience, is to come early. The restaurant is on a main road, Kitsilano and 4th Ave. This is a very popular area with tourists and locals alike. We've also seen our share of movie stars here, I don't have any pics because I always graciously decline pictures when the stars approach me with their camera LOL!
On the breakfast menu, we usually order eggs and cakes combo for the kids and some hot chocolate. The pancakes and waffles are average. But, I do love their granola bowl with yogurt and fresh fruit. The fruits in Vancouver are always fresh and reminds me of the Hawaii's fruits. My nephew did order a chocolate shake and loved it...i asked him it it was worth $6 dollars and his response, "hellz yeah!" Not sure it its worth waiting in line for.
All in all, its an ok place...personally I think its overrated. I don't really know why it gets so crowded, they claim its because of the home cooked food but to me the food is just alright. Perhaps the public has just fallen for the "if it's crowded then it must be a good restaurant" trap. We do it for the kids and I have to admit the service has always been great...they know how to cater to kids. Just go and try it for yourself. -
Review from Anthony R.
8/3/2011
My expectations were too high and I've been let down. Fortunately it wasn't very busy, but that didn't help the service to be more attentive or to have a better attitude. Also, they were out of iced tea (don't get me started). I got the Sante Fe eggs benedict, which were okay, but I could barely stomach the unevenly cooked (or uncooked, when you think about it) "home fries" and the beans on the side completely ruined my appetite.
In this area of town there are far better places at much more reasonable prices with better service. -
Review from Rory S.
Calgary, AB
1/4/2012
Been to Sophie's a lot over the years and it has pretty solid food. Taken a lot of friends here and family and we've all been satisfied with the quality of the food presented. Above average is what I'd rate it more particularly.
Only ever been here for breakfast, but my friend that joins me, whom is a vegetarian, says that the Soy Burger is the best Veggie Burger he has had ever. And he eats Veggie burgers at a lot of restaurants. Breakfast at Sophie's is something I haven't written home about, but I've never had a bad experience in terms of anything I've ordered. Again, above average.
Biggest pitfall of this place: parking. Oh boy is parking a pain in the butt to get for this joint. Being on 4th Ave in Kits means there is very limited parking. Everything on 4th is a pay-at-the-meter and if you go off the main drag to get residential parking, a lot of it is "No parking except with permit."
The decor is really funky, definitely has character for the place and the placemats they use are also fun. You can tell that the joint has a very home-like, retro feel to it. The place is always busy whenever I go there.
To those that complain about the wait times: get there early. Sophie's is well known in Vancouver, so it should come as no surprise there would be a lot of waiting during prime-time. Especially with the parking debacle. -
Review from Anna A.
Vancouver, BC
4/13/2011
Love the Santa Fe Eggs Benny ~ my fave breakfast here!
It's a must try for any Eggs Benny fan! Instead of the typical english muffin it's replaced with a yummy cornbread and consists guacamole and salsa with a side of black beans! -
Review from Kristina C.
Vancouver, BC
2/6/2011
Sunday brunch at Sophie's was busy, as expected, but the wait for 4 people wasn't too bad. I ordered the eggs benny with ham, which comes with seasoned hash brown potatoes.
I personally loved the potatoes, I thought they tasted great on their own (sure, they may have been a tad salty, but it didn't bother me too much). I wasn't overly impressed with the eggs. The English muffin and ham were actually a bit burnt, to be honest. But the generous heaping of potatoes more than made up for the lackluster eggs.
I would have loved to try a chocolate milkshake but wasn't willing to pay $6.75 for it.
The restaurant is a bit pricey than other brunch places, and as most Vancouverites know, there are LOADS of other options for brunch in this city. The fine print on the menu is also a turn-off: no substitutions, minimum charge of $8 per person. -
Review from Laura M.
Vancouver, BC
2/14/2011
Both times I've been to Sophie's, there's been a frustratingly long line. I got over this because of the friendly and decently fast service.
As for the food, I'm not sure its worth the hype and the wait.. but it was very enjoyable for sure. I had the burrito thingy.. it was pretty delish, and I very much appreciated the big bottle of hot sauce on the table :D
I'd definitely go again - maybe not on a sunday afternoon.
The Zen Cafe still wins :pListed in: Breakfast
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Review from Sachi M.
Based on the food by itself, I could have given it 4 stars. Read on for why not.
I had the Poached Basa and Prawns with a sauce similar to the white one you'd get on a Eggs Benedict. It came on a lot of rice (long grain, white) with a lot of side vegetables. Everything was cooked just right. Especially the prawns and the fish -- you know how easily they can be overcooked, hard and dry. They were lightly salted, too, to keep them firm and bring out the natural flavour. Yum.
The problem with this, is, that it was a Daily Special. It probably won't be around the next time.
I couldn't find anything on their regular menu that looked intriguing... burgers and such... that I would want to pay Going Out For Dinner prices for. I don't frequent places with this kind of decor, and I find I didn't feel at home here.
Also, the float I got was weird. I was hoping for coke with ice cream floating in it. But it looked like they put a few huge scoops of ice cream in a cup, and then drizzled as much coke would fit into the glass... fine as a dessert, I guess, but not what I was looking for.
(^o^)/ TRAVELLERS DECK 2010/11: Free Cola or Root Beer Float with purchase of entree (for up to 2 people)
http://www.yelp.ca/biz... -
Review from Mike P.
9/18/2010
After all these years I finally got a chance to check out Sophies for lunch. The restaurant was quite busy for lunch but the service was prompt and with a smile. I ordered the cajun chicken burger with fries. It tasted great but the chicken breast itself seemed to have been cut in half (I have never seen a chicken burger so thin). So the chicken to bun ratio was a bit off.
The fries were OK, pretty much what I expected from a greasy spoon diner.
I was impressed by the giant bottle of hotsauce that arrived when I asked for some hot sauce for my burger. The fact that it tasted good was an added bonus!
Will head back to Sophies for breakfast someday I'm sure. -
Review from Kaeleigh E.
Calgary, AB
8/26/2010
This wasn't the worst meal I've ever had, however it wasn't great.
The no substitutions put me off a LOT, I don't consider myself a picky eater but when you're paying to eat out shouldn't your meal come exactly as you want it?
It's over priced, servers are pretentious and the cute interior isn't enough to make up for it's shortcomings. -
Review from Rick C.
Updated - 2/15/2011 17 photos
I returned to Sophie's after my first visit and this time brought my whole family. They were enamoured by the funky digs and tricked out decor.
I had the Belgian with eggs and sausages. I was very satisfied with the big breakfast. The waffles were fluffy and moist.
Everything was good like the basic burger and burrito. I have a special place for the breakfast eats like the steak and eggs.
However, one of the more notable menu items was the massively large Workout Burger that my cousin struggled to finish. For some reason, it came with both fries and a salad.
Sophie's remains among my most favourite diners for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is a truly cosmic place to dine as it offers fun and food that certainly pleases.Listed in: Brunch Om Nom Nom, Diners
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/10/2010
I have been desperate to try out Sophie's Cosmic Cafe for ages. I am not often in Kitsilano or on… Read more »
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Review from Jessica P.
9/1/2008 1 photo
I can judge a breakfast place by the pride they take in their potatoes. Are they dry? Are they small portioned, peppered with too much rosemary or burnt to a crisp? No. And if they are, I won't be visiting your establishment again.
The breakfast potatoes I had were delicious. Tasty little morsels, in small bites, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. The generous portions made me realize how much I liked them by the fact my shorts were getting tighter with every forkful.
I really liked Sophie's. I walked quite a ways from our downtown Vancouver hotel across a lovely picturesque bridge for my hard earned breakfast. I had the western omelette, how American of me. But if you throw a lil ham in there with some taters, you have me wrapped around your finger. (Usually it's just, "you had me at 'yes, we can add cheese to that' ")
I felt as if we could be anywhere--as Joe mentioned. It could've been Silverlake in LA, it could've been some cool Oakland hang out etc...Sophie's is unpretentious, with gracious and attentive servers and full of comfort food with added people watching if you're lucky to sit on the patio--which we were.
Did I mention I got to listen to J. Timberlake's entire musical library over coffee while I ate? Oh, and then they switched it up to Michael Jackson for their Sunday soundtrack. Who doesn't love munchin' on brunch to "I wanna rock with you"?
That, and the fact Englebert Humperdink is situated above the ladies room toilet, makes me love Sophie's and the fact I made the choice to come here.Listed in: If Vancouver can, so can vu!
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Review from Jasmine O.
Vancouver, BC
3/16/2010
My gf was craving eggs benny today so we headed to kits. This was our option as it is a tuesday afternoon.
I decided to go all out and order a coke float for $4.50. The ice cream had ice shards in it, it was freezer burned.
The florentine benny was pretty good, a bit too runny and wet though. The potatoes were so salty that my gf could only have one bite of hers.
Too pricey for me and totally not worth it if you can only eat half your food due to over-salting.Listed in: The LOST list, Breakfast of CHAMPS!
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Review from Reena M.
1/13/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I still don't get all the hate for this place. I hadn't been here for a while so I thought maybe there was some basis to it, but I recently have revisited Sophie's and still found it to be the quality greasy diner that I always knew and loved. I mean, it's not going to be your hoighty toighty fancy stylish modern brunch place (which I also love, but find that those are another category of breakfasts). This is the place you go for the basics in comfort breakfast food. And it's done well!
I love Sophie's hashbrowns! And I'm picky about French toast but she does it pretty well for your basic FT. And don't even get me started on the Benny's... mmmm mmmmmmmm! At least they use real hollandaise sauce! Great quality food all around.
I used to say that Sophie's was my favorite place for breakfast. Now I would say Sophie's is my favorite place for a diner breakfast.Listed in: The Morning After...brunchity…
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Review from graham r.
1/25/2009
This is the best breakfast spot within my walking radius. It's also the most crowded on a Saturday/Sunday morning, and it's a little pricier than its neighborhood competitors.
I have had breakfast here numerous times and I tried their cheeseburgers a few times. Breakfast is really proper on all fronts. They don't make me wait for coffee/water refills. The bacon is just right. The food is served really fast for how busy it is. The fruit is good quality and all the pieces are arranged nicely in the bowl, like they have a template for the fruit cup and they make them all identical. Good hot sauce on the table. The burger is decent, it's cooked a little on the medium-well side but that seems to be how all places serve burgers in BC - slightly charred/dry. I like it better than Vera's burger, that's for sure.
When I have people visiting from out of town, this is the place I take them for breakfast and everyone leaves happy. At some point I want to try the apple pie but am always too full.Listed in: Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC
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Review from Katie F.
1/17/2010
2.5 stars.
Finally came to Sophie's on my brunch tour of the city with girlfriends. We've all heard a ton of this place and I was curious with the huge variation in ratings.
I don't dislike it, but I honestly don't get why anyone would wait to eat brunch here! Food is much better at Abigail's Party if you're in the Kits area. Service is fast and friendly - no issues.
But the food is nothing to come back for... their hash browns are piled high but soft and no crispy exterior! Had their waffles which were also huge but too dense and again, no crispy exterior! The sliced ham and coffee were OK though.
It's obviously got a lot of history, but you couldn't pay me to wait here for brunch!Listed in: Sunny Side Up!
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Review from Joe B.
9/1/2008
Sophie's could have been anywhere, (Rudy's Can't Fail in Emeryville, anyone) but we wanted a cool local breakfast joint to try out, and we got it in Sophie's. Kitschy decorations all over - there's a Scottish Highlander record on the men's room door as the only indication that it was a men's room - kind of confusing, 'cause usually the one with the skirt is the ladies' room. ;-)
We walked here over the Granville St. Bridge, and it was novel to just walk over a local bridge. Bay Area, did you hear that? More walkable/bikeable bridges!! Got back over Burrard, in case you're wondering. And yes, the picture-taking on the bridges in this city is WORLD CLASS. Umm, have I mentioned yet that Vancouver is beautiful? Check. We even got cheezy photos next to the Molson brewery, which was a surprise on the way back over Burrard.
Incredible breakfast burrito (I like the buttery tortilla) with black beans and guac on the side. Great mocha. Good service. Nice place to people-watch. (on the patio, that is - they had JUST opened it when we got in, luckily.)
Expect lines if it's a weekend or (especially) Labor Day weekend. And with the shiny man-sized knife and fork outside, I was tempted to re-enact the first time Derek Zoolander saw his reflection in a spoon and realized he was really, really, ridiculously good-looking, and get a photo. But I couldn't persuade JP to take the pic - even though I was like, heeeyyyyyy, when will we be in Vancouver again? ;-)
(probably sooner than later - I love this city!)Listed in: Vancouver for Yankees, or…
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Review from Melissa T.
7/7/2010
Why is it that restaurants with eclectic crap on the wall ends up being just mediocre? This place lived up to my low expectations. It was the bf's recommendation, and I didn't have my trusty Yelp to consult, so we ended up there.
The food wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't return. It's kind of pricey for what you get too. -
Review from Stephan W.
12/1/2008
On our way back from the Museum of Anthropology -- (one more long stroll, more busrides) -- it was time for some lunch. At one point my brother pretty much decided that he liked the look of the neighborhood so we all got out and started walking.
Random chance brought us to Sophie's. From the outside, it has the funky exterior and solid looking menu that is usually characteristic of the decent diner.
Everything seemed fine as we sat down.
And then the ordering process ... started.
I've mentioned in previous reviews the odd condition plaguing us in Vancouver of places being out of food. This continued at Sophies. My brother had decided on a hot-open faced turkey sandwich, his "go to" choice at the decent diner.
They were out of turkey. This was not a good sign.
They were also out of several other major items on the menu.
The decent diner was seeming less decent by the minute.
We all finally managed to find something to order that they possessed.
The food came and was mostly okay - nothing to shout about. My brother was still bummed by the lack of turkey. My mom's salad was average.
I don't have the opportunity to go back and try Sophie's a second time, but I can honestly say if I'm back in Vancouver, I will probably look for a different option. -
Review from Rose N.
Vancouver, BC
3/16/2010
Overrated, what's all the buzz? Don't get it.
I used to live in Kitsiliano and heard sooo much about this place and it's like going to a movie that was overrated. You come out saying, this IS what the buzz is about? I don't quite get it.
After all, it is simply eggs and toast with a bunch of fillers that would shorten your life by 5 years because of cardiovascular disease Their bread had those yuppy fancy swirls and heavily buttered up, was served in big larger size than normal, but really I don't see anything special that is worth the line up.
I give them for having a patio, as not many brunch places have in Vancouver.
Now with the growing number of restaurants and brunch places, I would NEVER line up for any restaurant to give my $, especially for a couple of eggs. -
Review from Grayce E.
4/21/2010
I'm sorry Sophie's but I think it might be time for me to let go of the good old times where your fun eclectic diner charm was enough to amuse me. I came here with a friend and her nephew thinking he'd appreciate the visual spectacle inside.
I ordered the B.C. wild salmon burger. It was simply a fillet of salmon on a bun with a slice of tomato and piece of lettuce. I don't even think it was even seasoned, I guess they rely on the tartar or aioli sauce which I ordered on the side. I was looking forward to the curly fries but they don't have them any more.
My friends described it well when she said "the description sounds way better than it tastes". She ordered the veggie platter which was a heaping mound of mashed potatoes, beans and veggies (which were overcooked). There are a lot of options for vegetarians, I was intrigued by the sound of the homemade nut burger.
I sat there feeling disappointed knowing I'd have to give my dinner a 2 star review...I used to think that Sophie's was such a cool place to go to and bring out of town guests here, but come to think of it its been years since I've been here. Oh well in search of the next place... -
Review from Jamie M.
Vancouver, BC
6/17/2009
Sophie's is much like Eric Clapton or Neil Young. Yes, there have been good moments and they certainly have a place in our hearts but astonishingly over-rated, in Sophie's case by the weekend crowd who line up for brunch. I'm not too sure of the exact demographic in Clapton and Young's case but they're out there. Believe me.
The most obvious feature is the state of the decor. The walls look like a garden shed, two yard sales and a basement all threw up on them after a drunken night on the town. Assorted clutter from previous decades like peanuts lunch boxes and kids toys have been nailed in carefully thought out disarray.
While we're on the subject of decor (I will mention food eventually, stay with me here) I can't speak of the female rest room (not since the unfortunate incident and the restraining order) but the men's have framed Nana Mouskouri albums to distract you at a moment its really best not to be too distracted. I'm thinking of sending them a dry-cleaning bill.
We often drop in for an easy supper (not too crowded then). For my part the Caesar salad with grilled chicken is great and fully makes up for the total lack of green stuff in my diet for the rest of the week. Wifey is partial to their pasta specials. A word of warning. Don't go for the burgers. They must grind their own but in a misguided attempt to reduce beef it to its constituent atoms they turn the meat to mush. Mush is not a texture that goes well with meat. Probably the worst burgers in town.
Oh and their shakes are great and if you're wondering why I gave it two stars yet mentioned going there often, well I live a two minute walk away. It says more about my closeness to entropy than love of fine dinning. -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
1/14/2010
I've heard such good things about Sophie's Cosmic Cafe... so I planned a girls brunch there with great expectations - perhaps a little TOO great as I left the place a little disappointed.
I was expected the greasy diner brunch (hello! that's what made this place famous)
I was expecting the mediocre service (that how you define a diner!)
What I wasn't expecting what the poor taste of my food =( It was the spanish omelet with potatoes, and well, the first turn off was the meaty taste of my potatoes - aren't potatoes supposed to be starchy? I'm just saying... Then I had a few bites of the omelet and just wasn't feeling it...
I can't explain it - I can just say that it's not what I expected. -
Review from Ryland A.
10/21/2010 1 photo
We headed to happening Kitsilano to find a brunch spot before heading back south of the border. Sophie's looked like a funky spot from the street and we decided to give it a try. I'm very happy we did as it was exactly the fun and tasty place we were looking for.
The funky decor set a very inviting mood on the rainy Friday morning. The menu was packed with delicious sounding offerings. My momma went for the tasty Santa Fe Benedict and I decided on the Greek Omelette. It was good but I think I'd go for something else next time. Still, we both really liked the vibe and the grub at this spot and would surely come back for brunch again.
STOP 8 on our Culinary Day Out in Vancouver
Full story here: http://enderzero.net/w... -
Review from Eric B.
Vancouver, BC
6/6/2009
I don't wait 20 minutes in line. I don't wait 10 minutes for service (first coffee). I don't go back where the restaurant tells you what to do, what to eat, what you can and can't do like no substitution, 8$ minimum etc etc. So i do not go to Sofie's Cosmic anymore. There's such a rudeness to this place sometimes. Some like it, i don't.
The food was really average and bland. It did not taste fresh. The decor is one of a kind and i guess really trendy. I'm into real good, not illusionnal good. -
Review from Janessa P.
3/11/2009
I really like that this place is unapologetic about their menu. No substitutions, no additions, $8 minimum per person... The whole restaurant is run in a very efficient way.
The host/manager/whatever points to people in line, "You. You. Aaaand, you. Follow me." He beckons you with his hand then marches inside, shows you where to sit, and you order and have your food within 10 minutes.
I usually like dicking around with menus, adding and subtracting and multiplying different ingredients to different dishes (Hey, I'm a vegan, sometimes I have to get creative.), but in this case I was happy to trade off my pickings for quick, good, filling food.Listed in: Le Vancouver, BC
