Sophabella's

[SoonerQueen]

Looks like they have closed the restaurant, but are going into catering.

Thank you for all the great
years @ our location!
We're launching our services
exclusively available via catering!

For catering information
or to order catering
call Bill Brazil direct @ 405.361.3642

Catering site currently under construction.

[jompster]

We went there a couple weekends ago before we saw The Color Purple because we wanted brunch, and the lights were on and music was playing, but doors were locked, telephone was disconnected, and there was no notice at all posted on the door. The inner door was ajar and we almost called the police to come check it out because it all seemed a little creepy.

It's a good thing they gave a little heads-up. It was quite off-putting and kind of a tacky way to treat repeat customers.

[TheTravellers]

No big loss, there are much better Italian places out there (such as Vito's just down the street).

[HangryHippo]

No big loss, there are much better Italian places out there (such as Vito's just down the street).

I never tried Sophabella's, but Vito's is absurd. I ate there once and will not recommend it.

[Pete]

Lot's of good Italian options remain: Gabriella's, Patrono, Stella and I've heard good things about Papa Dio's.

I'm a big fan of Rococo on Penn.

[TheTravellers]

I never tried Sophabella's, but Vito's is absurd. I ate there once and will not recommend it.

Why?

[soonermike81]

Why?

I’m curious as well. Been to Vito’s a few times now and really enjoyed all our visits. Owner of Vito’s was a super sweet lady as well. Although we only been to Papa Dio’s once, we really liked them; need to make it back up there soon.

[TheTravellers]

Lot's of good Italian options remain: Gabriella's, Patrono, Stella and I've heard good things about Papa Dio's.

I'm a big fan of Rococo on Penn.

Been to all of them and they're all way better than Sophabella, with the exception of Papa Dio's. Ate there once recently and it just wasn't up to what it used to be, and the way the place is laid out now isn't that great (bar's too big for the space, just clunky). However, we'll always have a soft spot for it since it's where we met on our first date after I placed a personal ad in the Gazette about 25 years ago.

Need to try Rococo on Penn, really liked the Northpark one, but haven't been to the Penn one yet.

[Pete]

Need to try Rococo on Penn, really liked the Northpark one, but haven't been to the Penn one yet.

Please give them your business as it's one of the few nice restaurants in the area.

Also, they have a great bar with a good happy hour.

[TheTravellers]

Please give them your business as it's one of the few nice restaurants in the area.

Also, they have a great bar with a good happy hour.

Oh, it's definitely on our list, we intend to go, but since we generally only eat out on Sat afternoons or before/after a play/concert/exhibit, their hours (open at 5 on Sat)/location (not near or on the way to/from any concert venues/museums/etc.) just don't quite match ours, so we need to just fit it in with all the other restaurants on our list to try, currently at almost 100.

[HangryHippo]

Why?

The meal had issues that weren't dealt with, there was a very disruptive couple that was allowed to do whatever they wanted, and the service was poor. When I tried to speak with the lady socializing with customers, I was ignored.

[TheTravellers]

The meal had issues that weren't dealt with, there was a very disruptive couple that was allowed to do whatever they wanted, and the service was poor. When I tried to speak with the lady socializing with customers, I was ignored.

Interesting, thanks for the details, completely opposite of our experience there.

[Johnb911]

Not terribly surprised about Sophabellas. I feel like there's a growing trend in turnover on these older establishments that maybe had a good run but as their clientele base got older they maybe weren't doing enough to get new customers in (or just are victims of changing tastes)

The one and only time we went to Papa Dio's (3 or 4 years ago now) we were pretty disappointed. Don't know if it was just our specific menu selections, but everything tasted like it was out of a can or previously frozen.

Have always had good experiences at Vito's, sorry to hear about your bad one. We need to get back there and support it, since Cathy Cummings is one of our Village city council members.

Agree on common sentiments about Gabriella's, Patrono and Stella. Good eating!

[Rover]

Interesting, thanks for the details, completely opposite of our experience there.

I agree. I have been to Vito's a lot... small group, big group... never had a bad experience. Food is very good, but not fantastic, but the service and attentiveness has always been great.

[Rover]

Just my opinion, but there isn't a truly outstanding Italian restaurant in the OKC area. Many are good, just none great. Would love to see a really good northern Italian cuisine spot here.

[Pete]

Just my opinion, but there isn't a truly outstanding Italian restaurant in the OKC area. Many are good, just none great. Would love to see a really good northern Italian cuisine spot here.

Have you tried Patrono lately? They have a new chef in Jonathan Krell and have always really cared about food.

I think it's pretty darn good.

[Roger S]

Just my opinion, but there isn't a truly outstanding Italian restaurant in the OKC area. Many are good, just none great. Would love to see a really good northern Italian cuisine spot here.

Have you tried the Roast Beef Pappardelle at Gabriella's?

[TheTravellers]

Have you tried Patrono lately? They have a new chef in Jonathan Krell and have always really cared about food.

I think it's pretty darn good.

Agreed about Patrono, although we haven't been since the new chef started, but it's pretty amazing.

[Thomas Vu]

I need to try patrono. I'm glad vitos still exists. I drove in the area and didn't see it.

[Pete]

I had this sausage and peppers dish last time I was at Garbriella's and loved it.

The menu is heavy so if you want something different, try Patrono.

[Rover]

Have you tried Patrono lately? They have a new chef in Jonathan Krell and have always really cared about food.

I think it's pretty darn good.

I haven't been in a few months. Went a number of times and was not overly impressed. Glad to hear they improved, so will give it a go again.

Still haven't seen northern Italian cuisine around here, just southern with some neuvo adaptations. Anybody know of anybody serving more northern dishes?

[Roger S]

Still haven't seen northern Italian cuisine around here, just southern with some neuvo adaptations. Anybody know of anybody serving more northern dishes?

Yes... The roast beef pappardelle I mentioned above.

[Pete]

Yes... The roast beef pappardelle I mentioned above.

My oh my that looks good. Making a note to try that on my next visit.

[Roger S]

My oh my that looks good. Making a note to try that on my next visit.

Definitely a cold weather, stick to your ribs, kind of dish.

[Rover]

Yes... The roast beef pappardelle I mentioned above.

I understand that there are a few dishes served, but no one has much of an offering of northern, and it is much different than what we often think of as Italian here. Not sure the origin of roast beef pappardelle, but it is more southern in style, or central.

Northern is more beef, veal, more fish, more grilled vegetables, more polenta, much less pasta, light creme sauces, more butter, different spicing, etc. It has more continental and delicate flavoring and ingredients and not as much stick to the ribs pastas and sauces. Typically, northern was influenced by Swiss and French and more expensive ingredients than in the south, which was poorer and more robust.

If there is someone here specializing it it, I am not aware and would love to know. I had an office in Milan for a few years and got to love the northern even better than the southern.