New kosher cafe swings open in Albany

In late July, it was Raphael. This month, it’s Sophia.

The East Bay has yet another kosher restaurant.

Mordechai “Moti” Dagan, a former owner at the Grand Bakery in Oakland, opened his Sophia Café in Albany just in time for the annual street fair, the Solano Stroll, earlier this month.

Specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, the kosher meat restaurant is open for lunch and dinner as well as catered events.

It joins Bar Ristorante Raphael, a dairy restaurant in downtown Berkeley operated by Noah Alper, the founder of Noah’s New York Bagels.

“There is a big demand for kosher food in the East Bay,” said Dagan, a 48-year-old Israel native.

Open Sundays through Fridays, the 22-seat restaurant has an on-site mashgiach, or kosher supervisor. Menu items range from falafel and tahini to grilled chicken and Mediterranean salad.

As a former pastry chef, Dagan plans to add pastries in coming days, along with soup and additional salads.

He said he’s also planning to make wedding cakes. “I love doing wedding cakes,” he said. “This was my hobby and my profession.”

Sophia Café, 1247 Solano Ave., Albany. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to two hours before sundown Fridays. Closed Saturdays and holidays. (510) 526-8663.