One of the nation’s most quickly expanding hospitality collectives, What If Syndicate, is pleased to open doors to their fourth Chicago concept, Café Sophie, on Thursday, April 14th. Located at 847 N. State Street in the Gold Coast and named after What If Syndicate Chef-Partner Danny Grant’s little Aunt Sophie, Café Sophie was conceptualized as a casual neighborhood place for friends to gather and pass time over great food & drink by taking inspiration from Old World café experiences.
The 20-seat café and gourmet market (with an additional 46-seat patio to be opened in the coming weeks) provides a welcoming and warm respite from the bustling downtown landscape with chef-driven menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Guests can dine-in or carry-out freshly prepared kitchen offerings or peruse the artisanal market stocked with hand-picked items from around the world to prepare a meal at home. A full European-espresso/coffee bar along with wine, cocktails, beer and more in the high-design space allows patrons to sip and chat during their visit or while waiting for their order.
“There’s really nothing like walking into a simple European café that welcomes you in like a hug and has a special charm that’s developed over time. Café Sophie will be a great place to swing by in the morning for coffee and a quick bite, for a pick-me-up in the afternoon, or where you stop on your way home to grab some essentials and a bottle of wine. It can be a variety of experiences at different times for people throughout the day and gives that Old World feel to keep you coming back as your new favorite spot,” said Chef Danny Grant in a statement.
The menu will feature a collection of pastries and sandwiches throughout the day, and fresh salads, charcuterie, and casual wood-fired dishes for lunch and dinners. Some culinary highlights include:
- Farm egg preparations and The Breakfast Sandwich: sweet (Banana Almond) and savory (salmon & avocado) toasts along with freshly baked pastries like buttermilk biscuits and croissants.
- Kale & Rotisserie Chicken, Simple Greens and Burrata and Prosciutto salads together with cold cut and panini-style sandwiches like the Paris (baguette, cultured butter, prosciutto, arugula, cornichons) and Truffle Grilled Cheese.
- Like her big sisters Maple & Ash and etta, Café Sophie also offers heartier wood-fired dishes including a variety of focaccias (Wild Mushroom, Margherita, Pepperoni), Garlic Shrimp with white wine, garlic butter and parsley as well as Spicy Meatballs & Sunday Sauce. And because no true Euro-style café is complete without dessert, expect a rotating selection of French Macarons, Ricotta Cheesecake and more.
- Café Sophie has several drink options including drinks made with an ultra-high carbonation Highball machine, vermouth served on tap, a few sparkling and still wines by the glass, craft beers, cold-pressed juices, hand-crafted sodas and more in addition to a full coffee program. For the broadest selection, guests are invited to select a bottle of wine from the retail selection to enjoy with their meal.
Café Sophie’s market has pantry staples, fresh food items and curated finds from around the world handpicked by Chef Danny and his team to make a simple dish or dinner such as:
- Small batch pasta and olive oils from Italy, conservas from Spain, fresh flower bouquets, baked bread loaves, specialty chocolates and some of Chef’s favorite hot sauces.
- Patrons will also find items from small producers local to the Chicagoland area and across the US that highlight some of the team’s favorite family-run farms, women-owned and minority-owned businesses such as Phoenix Bean tofu, Big Fork sausages, Dairyland’s Best milk, Victory Dance granola, Field & Farmer condiments, and puff snacks from Heyo.
- Additionally, Old World-focused wines, a collection of spirits and local beers will fill the floor-to-ceiling library shelves along the State Street entrance while a refrigerated section will house everyday necessities like milk and eggs, cheese and charcuterie meats, and quick-meal offerings like empanadas, pierogis and more.
Brought to life by What If Syndicate’s in-house architecture & design firm Heidi Lightner Architects, who was also behind the designs of both Maple & Ash and etta, Café Sophie (2,500 sq. ft.) captures the essence of Old World charm with contemporary design. This was accomplished through several conscious design choices including:
- Custom millwork throughout.
- A red-oak-trimmed marble standing bar.
- Wall coverings featuring botanicals and birds.
- Channeled banquets and moveable wood cushioned chairs.
- Antique glass mirrors, a variety of doors in different styles, as well as painted and stained beadboard.
Café Sophie will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
