Short review- A bit pricey but excellent quality. Duck was very good and the eggplant whey/kashke bademjan was good quality. I partially prefer Eyval for the price point as it's more unique but both are excellent. I went to this spot a few evenings ago with another person having had a reservation for four that unfortunately dropped to two. I had previously sampled Alikhani's cuisine at her Platform by JBF event and have also been to Eyval which is somewhat of a sister spot as a chef from here opened up that excellent place. The staff was very friendly here and the place has good lighting and the noise wasn't too loud even though the restaurant was quite crowded even for a Wednesday with all the seats taken. The design inside was modern but had some nice accents. The prices are a bit high here (especially with the rice but I'll get to that later) but the food quality was good enough that I didn't mind (almost.) I started with a Sour Cherry Sharbat for $10 which was fine. The other person had a orange blossom based one which she liked. My main appetizer was the Eggplant and Whey Dip for $16 with roasted eggplant, crispy onions, cured whey yogurt, and mint oil. This dish is more commonly listed as Kashke Bademjan where "kashke" refers to the cured whey and the "bademjan" is eggplant. This was a very tasty version with some richness and sweetness from the onions (which was a mix of fried and sauteed) and roasted eggplant. I appreciated that they gave a piece of bread with it which was barbari with some sesame and nigella seeds on it which could have been a bit warmer but was still solid. The other person had the Bruleed Sweet Potatoes for $18 with strained yogurt, lemon tahini, spiced butter glazed, and toasted almonds. The sweet potato was cooked nicely with the sauce being really tasty though the portion size was rather tiny so I'm not sure if it was worth the price point. While ordering our mains which both consisted of stews (or khoresh,) I was surprised that rice did not come with mains. We decided to split an order of the Saffron Rice for $9 consisting of steamed basmati rice topped with saffron rice. I honestly don't care how good the quality of this rice was as I have never seen this before (outside of paying supplements for more flavored rice) and it doesn't help that the rice itself wasn't too good being less buttery and aromatic compared to most other Persian spots (being only better than Miraj which doesn't say much.) There's also a choice of herbed rice ($10) as well as a sweet rice with dates and saffron ($12) with this place not having two of the other more common options; zereshk (barberry usually with orange peel) and my personal preference albaloo (or sour cherry.) The portion size was decent but this feels like a ripoff at best and would probably just order the tahdiq instead for $6 which feels more justified. For my main, I went with the Half Duck "Fesenjan" for $52 with braised leg of duck in pomegranate walnut sauce served with pan roasted duck breast. I love fesenjan/fesenjoon and this was an excellent version of said sauce though I wish there was a bit more of it with the only other place having a comparable version in the city being Nasrin's. By comparison, I found the depth of flavor here just better with a good mix of sourness and sweetness from the pomegranate molasses and earthiness from the ground walnuts. The braised leg was the better part of the duck as it was both very tender and absorbed the sauce while the rest of the duck was good but some pieces were unfortunately a tad chewy. I would still recommend heavily regardless of some chewy duck pieces as the sauce makes the dish and the duck was still good enough. The other person had the Half Chicken for $38 with Bell & Evans chicken, ginger apricot sauce, barberries, almonds, and glazed orange peels. By comparison, the portion size was a lot smaller but the piece I tried was tender and the sauce had a good sourness and sweetness to it. This was solid though I heavily preferred mine as expected. Having already spent a lot, we didn't bother with dessert though the ice cream sandwich was mad tempting (even at $16.) As someone who loves Persian food, I find this restaurant to be one of the few Persian spots which is a bit difficult to rate. The quality of the food was excellent and better than virtually all Persian spots at least in NYC with the closest being Nasrin's, but this spot eclipses it. In terms of traditional Persian food, this is easily the closest to the outstanding spots in Ridgewood (New Jersey not Queens) but you're paying a lot for that quality. In short, if you don't mind the price point, the food here is really tasty but if you want to pay similar prices and have more unique options that justify the price point more, I would recommend Eyval instead which also has better rice and a unique better version of kashke bademjan. Mid upper 4 for the quality, upper 3 for the price point. 4.3.

BROOKLYN, NY -- As a Philadelphian raised on the holy trinity of Angelo's cheesesteaks, Tony Luke's roast pork, and the comforting embrace of melted Cooper Sharp, I rarely venture beyond the familiar. But when a trusted friend insisted on a trip to Sofreh, the celebrated Persian restaurant in Prospect Heights, I surrendered to curiosity--and left utterly enchanted. Helmed by James Beard-nominated chef Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh is a revelation, a place where the soul of Iranian cooking is rendered with both reverence and artistry. The space itself is understated yet warm--high ceilings, black wood beams, a marble bar glowing under soft light. Reservations are fiercely sought after (book weeks ahead), yet the staff makes every guest feel like family. Before I could introduce myself, the host greeted me by name: "Delgreco, we look forward to serving you." Such grace sets the tone for the evening. We began with the Eggplant and Whey Dip, a lush, smoky spread crowned with crispy onions and drizzled with mint oil. But the true showstopper was the Barbari bread, a Persian flatbread so pillowy, so perfectly blistered, that it could single-handedly justify the trip. Tearing into its warm, sesame-studded crust, I understood why bread is sacred here. For the main act, my friend chose the Dried Lime & Herb Beef Stew, a deep, tangy marvel of braised beef, kidney beans, and citrusy Persian limes. But my heart--and appetite--belonged to the Lamb Shank, a dish so sublime it bordered on spiritual. The meat, braised until it surrendered to the slightest nudge of a fork, swam in a fragrant broth of dill and dried lime, each spoonful a symphony of warmth and spice. Paired with saffron-kissed rice, the lamb was butter-soft, its richness cut by the bright, herbal notes of the broth. This wasn't just dinner; it was an epiphany. Sofreh doesn't just serve food--it offers an education in Persian hospitality, where every detail, from the minimalist decor (a canvas for the vibrant dishes) to the impeccable service, feels intentional. As I left, already plotting my next visit (perhaps before a Nets game at Barclays?), I realized Sofreh had done the impossible: made a Philly guy forget about cheesesteaks, if only for one glorious night. Rating: (Exceptional)Sofreh -- 75 St. Marks Ave, Brooklyn, NY | http://www.sofrehnyc.com | Reservations Essential

Sofreh sat in my bookmarks list for years but as soon as chef Nasim Alikhani won a James Beard award on the heels of her catering a meal at the White House for Persian New Year, I pulled up their reservations page and felt lucky to get a table. The hype they received was not manufactured, for everything was beautifully and deliciously prepared under the helm of her formidable kitchen. I started with a couple of their cocktails, including "Date Night," which was a rum based drink with date syrup, cream, and aquafaba. This and all their drinks went down so smoothly, and I also appreciated their curated wine list. I really loved the crispy onions in the eggplant dip, and the tahini dressing in the date salad. A side of the Sofreh bread, tahdig, and cilantro rice were also necessary to pair with the large roast chicken dish, which was hearty and saucy. The tahdig was especially memorable because it was perfectly crispy and none of the rice stuck to my teeth, which is something that I find happens a lot with crispy rice. We even ordered some grilled asparagus as the one vegetable dish on our table, and it was amped up with roasted pepitas and some kind of cheese. Smoky aroma was well employed in the cooking of each dish, as were high quality spices that never overpowered the food. The chefs allowed the ingredients to shine on their own without overly seasoning anything. I like their newer restaurant Eyval just fine but their original Sofreh has stood the test of time over the years for good reason.

Everything was delish!!! We got the tahini date salad, cauliflower, sweet potato, smoky eggplant entree, lamb, tahdig, side of bread, and the iconic ice cream sandwich. I think the eggplant was my fav - a deep, smoky, delectable flavor that wasnt at all overpowering, perfect w tahdig - but i really enjoyed it all. The ice cream sandwich was perfect to end on. I wld love to take my parents here

If you're looking for a pre-light-show dinner stop before Brooklyn Botanical Garden's winter glow (too niche?), Sofreh is your spot. We snagged a same-day reservation for 4 at 5:30 PM on a Friday -- prime timing as the restaurant was just opening. By the time we left, tables were full, and hopeful walk-ins were getting turned away. So, plan ahead! Let's talk about the drinks: The cocktails -- both spirited and non-alcoholic -- are as unique as they are refreshing. My Anar Sour hit that perfect tart-meets-smooth note, while my dad savored the lemon and saffron Persian cooler. A solid win on both fronts. The food? A parade of deliciousness. Here's what we shared: Brûléed Sweet Potatoes: The texture, the caramelization, the flavor -- a table favorite. Shiraz Style Salad: A fresh, classic counterbalance to heavier dishes. Light, bright, and welcome. Medjool Date & Lentil Rice: Unique and layered with flavor. Comfort food, Persian-style. Sofreh's Bread: Freshly baked and a reliable sode Smoked Eggplant: Chef's kiss. My personal favorite of the night -- smoky, silky perfection. The ambiance is exactly what you'd expect from a trendy 3-dollar-sign Brooklyn gem -- modern, bustling, and effortlessly cool. Service kept up with the evening's energy: quick, efficient, and friendly. Is it my favorite Persian spot in NYC? Eyval still holds the top spot in my heart (their bread game is next level), but Sofreh comes in close, and the overall experience is one I'd happily repeat. Pro tip: Book your table, savor the food, and roll yourself into the twinkling lights of BBG fully content.

This is a beloved and hyped place - felt there were hits and misses. Favorites - pomegranate glaze/marination of the steak ("kebab"). Eggplant and bread were delicious. Drinks/dessert were tasty. Could be improved - the roasted cauliflower leans extremely acidic, and is really more a pickled cauliflower. Steak itself was a bit overcooked. A lot of the naming on the menu is a bit misleading. Overheard the waiters constantly having to explain how something on the menu was not what was described - for example, the stew is really more a rice dish. The kebab is a steak, etc. The ambiance is warm and romantic. Service was so so for a more elevated place. Would be down to visit again, but might prefer doing drinks/snacks at the bar instead. Overall for dinner felt just ok for the price point and needing to get a pretty late reservation.

I've been trying to come here for a long time. The venue is simple, but nice. Upstairs was loud. We sat in the basement and it was perfect. Quiet and empty other than one other group. Everyone enjoyed the lamb shank, eggplant, beet salad and catch of the day. Considering it's a sharing menu, I'd say the fish portion was a bit small. Lamb was perfect size and flavor. Everyone enjoyed their cocktails and I liked my wine. Pricing was good and waitress was knowledgeable about the menu. The butternut squash dish was just ok and we could have skipped.

Sofreh has been on my list for quite a while and I finally make it there last night. Their menu is filled with intriguing dishes and I was lucky to get to try quite a few. Here's what we ordered: - Roasted Cauliflower - Feta & Herbs Flatbread - Tahini & Date Salad - Saffron Rice - Smoked Eggplant - Roasted Cabbage Everything was flavor and delicious! My favorite was definitely the Feta & Herbs flatbread. Service was attentive and friendly. The salad and bread arrived promptly, while the other dishes took a while longer. Just something to keep in mind if you're pretty hungry.

If you wanna try some of the best Persian food in NY, Sofreh is the place to go. For me, Sofreh wins the battle of best Persian restaurant in NY. The food was better tasting (close though), the service was miles better, cleaner setting, and the general experience I had was just better.. more chic and authentic. Went without a reservation and got a walk-in seat at the bar - lucky. The watermelon feta salad was tasty and very refreshing. The lamb slid off the bone like butter. Slightly oily but it also could've been from the bone marrow. The ghormeh sabzi was authentic and everything it should be, had all the right flavours; A MUST. The dessert is what made it for me. Persian ice cream sandwich was to die for. Again, all the right mouth-watering flavours reminding me of Iran; A MUST. Got tahdig as a side and they brought it before the mains which was weird. Not to mention they didn't give very much rice or tahdig - Eyval was more generous with their portions and better tasting for both rice and tahdig in my opinion. Manager was a nice Persian man (surprise) and seated us - was very kind. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and friendly throughout the meal - helped guide through the menu. Amazing atmosphere - buzzing and full on a Friday night. Restaurant and bathroom were super super clean and very very chicc!