Sofra Bakery, a Cambridge staple known for its Turkish-inspired pastries and Middle Eastern flavors, is set to spread its wings with a sister location poised to open come early summer in Allston, a bustling Boston neighborhood. The expansion news, dropped via an Instagram announcement by Ana Sortun, the Executive Chef and co-owner, assures fans that the quaint charm of the original location will remain untouched.
"We've been working on something really big for Sofra and we're ready to share some news with you," Sortun revealed on social media, stirring excitement among Cambridge food connoisseurs. Nestled at 210 North Harvard Street, the new outpost isn't far from key developments including the new location of the ART and Trader Joe's. Speaking about the new space, Sortun mentioned, eager to accommodate the thriving demand, "We are happy to report that a second location for Sofra is underway."
Since opening its doors on Belmont Street back in 2008, Sofra has carved out a niche with its Middle Eastern bakery offerings that tilt toward the Turkish palate. The information gleaned from a statement on Boston Restaurants, suggests the Allston expansion will feature a more substantial baking and kitchen space, coupled with more seating for guests, without compromising the intimate experience patrons have come to expect from Sofra's Cambridge location.
The newly proposed venue also promises to be a boon for local foodies seeking engagement beyond a meal, with Sortun announcing, "We'll have a bigger space for classes now, too." With an eye for encapsulating the culinary spirit of Turkey, Lebanon, and Greece, Sofra presents a haven of flavors with its Meze Bar, delicacies like savory lamb shawarma, and must-try traditional Turkish breakfasts. Diving into the cultural immersion, the cafe's retail store serves not just house-made preserves and prepared foods but also offers an assortment of meticulously sourced pantry items and signature spice blends.
Founded by Sortun alongside Executive Pastry Chef Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery is a brainchild born out of a fascination with Turkish hospitality and cuisine. According to the bakery's own website, during a culinary sojourn in Turkey, the word “Sofra” struck a chord with locals, often evoking a joyous response—a sentiment Sortun and Kilpatrick hope to replicate with their growing food empire. While the Allston expansion signals a new chapter for Sofra, patrons can take comfort in the assurance, as Sortun states, that "nothing will change at the Cambridge location, including familiar faces and not enough seats!"
