Sophie’s
There’s a burger on the menu at Sophie’s, and I’m sure it’s delicious given chef Jon Helleberg’s cooking credentials. But that’s not why you’d go there. Jon utilizes the finest of ingredients to prepare his meals, and the food is drop-dead-delicious.
Jon’s been in kitchens a long time, only working in places where he could pick up new tricks. This route to cooking stardom is a well-traveled road, with Thomas Keller the point man for the trained-on-the-line school of cooking. Jon’s learned well from his mentors, and he’ll cook you a worthy meal.
His restaurant isn’t downtown, but it’s worth leaving the Oak Street safety strip to experience a great meal.
It’s the end of summer as I write this review, and Jon’s serving a sweet corn ravioli with white truffle oil as one of his appetizers. I didn’t expect corn ravioli to be a workable combination – it’s a double starch, after all – but it’s downright delicious. Also available to whet your appetite is a chanterelle mushroom soup. Yum.
For a main course, you can eat a bistro steak (it’s from the down-below flank of the cow, and yes, Jon can cook a steak to temperature) with potato puree (we call ‘em mashers on this side of the Napa Valley) and more chanterelles. You can also fill up on a vegetarian smoked gouda polenta (to die for).
Prices are reasonable for such good food. Apps average about $7, and all the entrees are under $20.
I give Sophie’s an unreserved two thumbs up for value and flavor. Sophies is located at 1810 Cascade Street in Hood River.
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Another wonderful feature of Sophie’s is that they will open a bottle of locally purchased wine from the Columbia Gorge AVA without a corkage fee! So stop by your favorite local winery and buy a bottle or two to have with your wonderful meal at Sophie’s!