One of LA’s Oldest Greek Restaurants Turns Off the Lights After 40 Years

Longstanding West Third Street Greek restaurant Sofi will close in the near future, ending a stretch of more than 40 years in business. Well-known wine bar and small plates restaurant Bacari, which has outlets in Glendale, South LA near USC, and Playa del Rey, will take over its space.

For decades, Sofi as the go-to option for fine Mediterranean fare along busy West Third Street. The entrance is little more than a doorway between an optical shop and brunch haunt Quality Food & Beverage, but the restaurant sports a gorgeous patio once inside. Now Sofi’s long run is coming to an end as of July 30, when Bacari joins the block instead.

Bacari is a popular casual option for everything from salads to burgers to wine, with outposts ranging from University Park to Playa del Rey to Glendale. Each location tends to provide a menu that’s slightly tweaked to fit the neighborhood it’s in, but all Bacaris carry a a lean towards causal American comfort food and a very laid-back vibe.

Wonho Frank Lee

That should be the case with this new West Third Street address. Co-owner Robert Kronfli tells Eater that they will completely rebuild the space to better take advantage of the small frontage and ample patio. They’ll offer beer and wine to start, live music on occasion, and tons of greenery. In terms of timing, expect construction through late summer with an eye towards a hopeful October arrival.

There will be plenty of competition for Bacari when it arrives on the block. The h.wood group is currently in the final stages of opening barbecue restaurant Slab, Jaffa is doing big business not far away, and a onetime soccer celebrity is also courting diners with the newly-opened Italian restaurant No. 10. Sofi’s final day of business is July 30.

Bacari West Third. 8030 ³⁄₄ W. 3rd St., Los Angeles.

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