From Dream to Reality

Winchester's dining scene welcomes a fresh voice as Bistro Sojo opens its doors, bringing Mediterranean and tropical flavors to downtown Winchester. Host of The Valley Today, Janet Michael and cohost Justin Kerns from VisitWinchesterVA.com sit down with owners Felix and Martha Addison to uncover the story behind Winchester's most talked-about new restaurant.

The Addisons didn't rush into this venture. After moving to the area from Reston, Virginia in 2006, they harbored dreams of opening a restaurant but recognized the timing wasn't right. Instead, they built their reputation gradually, launching their first food truck, Roaming Bistro, in 2016. Two years later, they added Three Fires Pizza, a mobile wood-fired operation serving Neapolitan-style pizza. For years, loyal customers asked the inevitable question: "When are you getting a storefront?"

"You don't get a storefront because people want to see a storefront," Felix explains. "You get a storefront when everything is sustainable." That moment finally arrived in late 2024.

The Space That Feels Like Home

Walking into Bistro Sojo reveals an immediate transformation from its previous incarnation as La Nicoise. Martha knew exactly what she wanted the moment she saw the space, though Felix admits he had no vision at first. Working with architect Kyle Hopkins of Four Square Architects, they turned Martha's dream into reality.

The building's age dictated the design approach. "I couldn't make the ceilings higher," Martha notes. "So I couldn't do the modern stuff. But I could do the cozy." The result feels welcoming rather than imposing, with artwork playing a central role in the atmosphere.

Local nonprofit Arte Libre created stunning murals throughout the space, while Zach Anderson painted the striking Royal Birds mural at the reception area and bar. The artwork serves a deeply personal purpose—the little girl in one mural reminds Martha of her daughter, while ocean scenes transport diners to distant shores. Meanwhile, vibrant orange flowers beneath the bar captivate visitors, with Janet confessing she's been contemplating recreating the design on a wall at home.

Despite the spacious feel, the restaurant actually seats fewer guests than the previous establishment. The building's occupancy limit, which had been grandfathered in for years, came under scrutiny when the Addisons applied for permits. What was once zoned for 65 now accommodates about 50, including staff. Yet clever design makes the space feel larger and more open than before.

A Name Rooted in Family

The restaurant's name carries profound meaning. Sojo combines the first syllables of Sophia (Felix's mother) and Jonathan (his father), while also honoring the couple's two children, who bear those same names. "It's a hard J," Felix emphasizes. "It's not Soho. It's Sojo."

This family connection extends beyond the name into every aspect of the operation, from the recipes tested at home on dinner guests to the warm hospitality that greets every visitor.

The Menu: A Culinary Passport

Bistro Sojo takes diners on what Felix calls "a culinary journey from the Mediterranean to the tropics." The menu draws inspiration from Southern Mediterranean and North African cuisines, incorporating warm spices that create depth without heat. Cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, and cloves meld together in unexpected combinations, each dish featuring three or four carefully selected spices that complement the main ingredients.

The philosophy borrows from Blue Zone regions, areas where populations reportedly live the longest based on their diets. "We try to make sure we are cognizant of the food that we serve," Felix explains. The kitchen doesn't even have a microwave—everything arrives freshly cooked and freshly sauced.

Seasonal ingredients drive the menu, with the Addisons partnering with Chilly Hollow Farm in Berryville for produce. "Whatever they have is what I would make sure I have in here," Martha says. This commitment to seasonality means the menu evolves, with hearty oxtail dishes giving way to spring peas and fresh greens as the weather warms.

Current standouts include the surprisingly popular chicken and couscous, the beloved squash and burrata salad, and an unexpected hit—grilled romaine with house-made blue cheese dressing. Meanwhile, Martha's personal favorites lean toward the vegetable-forward dishes, particularly the fried plantains with beans.

Remarkably, 98-99% of everything comes from scratch, made in-house. The commitment to quality and transparency stems from knowing exactly what goes into every dish.

The Drink That Won Hearts

Before even discussing the food, Justin finds himself captivated by a house specialty drink. What he initially assumes came from a container in the back turns out to be Sobolo, a popular West African beverage made from fresh ingredients.

The recipe calls for dried hibiscus leaves, freshly grated ginger, freshly squeezed lemons, handfuls of cloves, and star anise. After steeping and straining, the mixture chills before being poured over ice. The result serves as both a palate cleanser and thirst quencher, while also forming the base for all house cocktails.

One particular cocktail, the Muddy Waters, earned recognition at Winchester on the Rocks. Initially, the drink's sandy, grainy appearance seemed problematic, but attempts to refine it diminished the flavor Felix loved. The solution? Own it. The name became a tribute to blues icon Muddy Waters, who happened to be a bourbon drinker himself—the cocktail's key spirit.

Welcoming Everyone to the Table

Personal experience shapes the restaurant's inclusive approach to dining. When Martha's son was young, he had borderline celiac disease. Twenty years ago, finding restaurants that understood gluten-free needs proved nearly impossible. "Most people didn't even know they had allergies," Martha recalls. "They just lived sick."

The family started cooking at home, making meals special despite the restrictions. That experience now informs every menu decision at Bistro Sojo. Guests can find gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options throughout the menu. "You can come with any of your sensitivities and intolerances and know that there's an option for you," Martha promises.

Justin emphasizes the tourism significance of this commitment. Travelers with allergies often feel anxious about dining away from their safe home restaurants. When Winchester's tourism office works with travel writers and groups, dietary accommodations consistently rank as a top concern. Having restaurants that take sensitivities seriously makes Winchester a safer, more welcoming destination.

Standing Out in Winchester's Dining Scene

The Addisons deliberately chose a menu unlike anything else in Winchester. "We would not want to do what most of the restaurants were doing because they were doing it so well," Felix explains. "We weren't gonna compete with them doing what they do so well."

Instead, they turned to what they naturally cooked at home—Mediterranean and tropical cuisines that reflected their heritage and passion. Most dishes on the menu underwent testing with dinner guests at home before ever reaching the restaurant, ensuring each one met their exacting standards.

This uniqueness serves Winchester's tourism mission perfectly. Visitors seek locally owned establishments offering flavors they can't find at home. They want stories to share when they return—tales of discovering a restaurant named after the owner's parents, sipping an award-winning hibiscus cocktail, or experiencing cuisine inspired by the world's healthiest populations.

"That's what people are looking for," Justin notes. "Unique stories. So they can go home and say, 'I went to this restaurant that was named after his mom and his dad, they have the best drink, this is a unique thing.'" Bistro Sojo delivers exactly that experience.

The Brunch Experience

Beyond dinner service Wednesday through Saturday (4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, last reservation at 8:30), Bistro Sojo offers Sunday brunch from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. While brunch is still building momentum since launching in late November, the Addisons welcome walk-ins during this time.

Janet, admittedly not a morning person, celebrates the timing. "I don't believe that eight, nine o'clock should exist ever, especially not on a weekend," she jokes. "A brunch at 10 or 10:30, particularly on a Sunday, is right up my alley."

Planning Your Visit

The intimate 40-seat space means reservations become essential on busy nights. While two-person walk-ins usually find accommodation, larger parties should book ahead, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Wednesday and Thursday evenings offer the best chance for spontaneous visits.

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