sofra

I went into the stuffy han, and drew the hanjee making coffee and another man at the sofra, which gave vast satisfaction to every one, except myself, for by then it was time to start.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

The women came and removed the sofra, and we washed.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

We washed our hands, the sofra was spread with the men's dinner.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

The hospitable sofra was spread with the usual chopped hard eggs, sliced melon, cheese, grapes, sweetmeats, all their best, with true Albanian liberality.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

At last the women – who had long been peering at us through the door-way – came in, unveiled as are all the mountain Moslems – and laid the sofra.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

The sofra (low round table) was brought and a large salt sheep-cheese, cut in chunks, put in the middle, to help down the rakia.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

At his own request he sat on the floor at a sofra – chairs and tables not being his wont – ate hugely and enjoyed himself vastly.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

I was invited to the sofra, on which was a bowl of kos (so sour that it drew the mouth), with lumps of sheep-cheese in it, and maize bread steaming hot.

High Albania Mary Edith 1909

Belgrade we dined, not at an European table, but squatted round a sofra, a foot high, in the Eastern manner, although we ate with knives and forks.

Servia, Youngest Member of the European Family or, A Residence in Belgrade and Travels in the Highlands and Woodlands of the Interior, during the years 1843 and 1844. Andrew Archibald Paton 1842

Sofra, 18 Shepherd Street, W1 (020 7493 3320, www. sofra.co.uk)

Evening Standard - Home 2009