Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine
M-F 10am-9pm; Sa 10am-8pm
28 East 23rd Street; 21 West 45th Street; 73 New Street
A specialty jalapeno sauce graces every table in this white subway tile-walled eatery, completed by the festive image of a joyous woman. In the background plays light Cuban music, and on the hot plates sit appetizing eats fresh from the stove. The homemade empanadas, stuffed cornhusks, and crunchy croquettes bring strong fumes to the air, recalling their Cuban roots.
Since opening the first Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine in June of 1997, the Luna family has adhered to high quality standards, largely imparted by Master Cuban Chef Eduardo Morgado, stepfather to Sophie. “Made today, gone today – we do not reheat things here,” explained manager Mike Mendoza, who is also husband to Sophie. He told me that he recently left his job on Wall Street to join the family business and opened this restaurant on 68th in 2015. It was nice to learn that though growing in size throughout the city, Sophie’s retains its intimacy by being largely family-run.
