Standing for Space of Fine Atmosphere, Sofa combines friendliness, cheap prices and tasty food—a bit more than just fine atmosphere! During the day, you might walk right past Sofa, dismissing it as an old shophouse. But after dusk, its wooden doors open up to a cozy, inviting dining room filled with kitsch collectibles—car toys, a miniature Statue of Liberty, black and white photos, an old-school vinyl player... Don’t get literal and hope to lounge on cushy sofas, though—Sofa has none. The red “Shanghai-style” palette, Chinese lanterns and portrayals of kung fu artists are maybe a tad too themed. We rather go upstairs, open when the five tables downstairs are all occupied. The after-work regulars here like to park themselves at a table, linger over whisky (and accompanying free peanuts) and engage in long conversations. Billing itself as a “dining bar,” Sofa tries to intertwine drinking with eating, so the menu offers a compact selection of pub grubs as well as hearty dishes for hungry imbibers. The food, though not exemplary, is still delicious in a homey way. The best nibble to go with your whisky-soda is the crisply addictive fried bacon with garlic and succulent Sofa fried chicken. Our favorites, however, are the steamed egg with minced pork, fried squid stuffed with garlicky minced pork and khao maew, which is fried rice served with a fried half mackerel. Those with a sensitive palettes better watch out for hot recipes like steamed snapper with lemon and chili soup—seasonings here are Thai-style. Cocktails are quite weak, so if you need an alcoholic boost, go for beer or whisky instead. Service is casual and friendly. Soon the staff will treat you like their best friend and greet you by your nickname. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, a house band serves up smooth jazz to further enhance the Space’s Fine Atmosphere.
