French-Inspired, Insta-Worthy Sophie Lights Up Montrose

French-Inspired, Insta-Worthy Sophie Lights Up Montrose

'The Swan' at Sophie (photo by Shawn Chippendale)

JUST IN TIME for the Paris games, Sophie Cocktail & Terrace Bar has bowed in the Montrose Collective joining neighbors Marmo and nearby Uchi.


Local entrepreneur, globetrotter, and “tastemaker’” Ashley Muncie channels her experience living in Paris into this stylish new cocktail bar, lounge and terrace. Her aim with the two-story space is to capture the essence of the French Riviera with chic design touches at every turn including dark red lacquer walls and soft pink accents.

Ashley Muncie (photo by Alex Montoya)

Designed by EAMStudio, the intimate 20-seat cocktail bar hidden behind a velvet curtain puts on the ritz with floral and animal prints and velvet club chairs, oversized glass chandeliers, and paintings by French artist Phlippine de Richemont. Upstairs, anticipate a playful terrace with live music and a plant-filled outdoor patio withmultiple seating vignettes for up to 80 guests.

Although the concept is heavy on scene and fancy cocktails, the French-inspired food menu by chef de cuisine Anthony Anderson, an Uchi alum, has something for everyone. Caviar graces fettuccine with lemon butter as well as the Thon Cru – marinated yellowfin tuna and saffron potato. There’s a Sophie burger with gruyere and a wide selection of cheese and wild game charcuterie. Even more Frenchified is the weekend brunch. Grab those cameras: The Swan, which appears to be floating as all beautiful swans do, is an artistic pistachio cake with pistachio sable and raspberry confit.

But cocktails take the cake. In feminine style, Scent of a Rose is crafted with Kettle One Rose and grapefruit vodka, rose syrup, lemon, elderflower, and sparkling rosé. Other options include domestic and French wines, house-curated shots, an upstairs seasonal spritz menu, and signature “experiential” cocktails offered downstairs.

“Sophie is a destination to gather with friends for a long afternoon of cocktails and bites on the terrace, a post-dinner nightcap, and everything in between,” said Ashley Muncie in a press release.

Santé!

Cocktails at Sophie

Fettucine at Sophie (photo by Shawn Chippendale)

Food
Duos, Trios and Teams: ‘Mutual Respect and Trust’ Key at M Penner

Murry & Karen Penner

HOW DID THIS duo come about? We’re a husband-and-wife team in a family business. We met in 5th grade at Kolter Elementary School and became lifelong friends. For the record, we didn’t start dating until a few years later — and we just celebrated our 40th anniversary!

Keep Reading Show less

Molina and Thirumalaisamy

A PROJECT FROM Rice University's Moody Center for the Arts, the Tent Series is a public-art exhibit erected in the heart of campus on the front of the Provisional Campus Facilities, found on Loop Road. It changes every school year, and this fall, the new art will be unveiled on Sept. 11.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

FAVE FOODIE DESTINATION Central Market is renewing its commitment to customers Sept. 11-24, promising a journey of taste and discovery in honor of its milestone 30th anniversary. Join Houston’s one and only location for the delicious series Let’s Renew Our Wows featuring in-store events, foodie strolls, cooking classes and more.

Keep Reading Show less
Food