New Restaurant and Old Friend: Shorty’s 32

We have had quite a summer so far.  The weather has been relentless with the temperature around the 90s, refusing to budge.  In times like these, I really crave a light crisp meal, preferably in an air conditioned environment.  I had a catch-up date with TC and a few emails back and forth debating the dining choices, we settled on Shorty’s 32 in Soho (eager to use my BlackboardEats coupon).

Shorty’s 32 is located on the edge of Soho and is in my mind, one of those quintessential Soho restaurants that is a neighborhood stable, not necessarily a place to be seen.  This made it the perfect place for good conversation and a great meal.

To start, a little amuse bouche of asparagus flan.

Asparagus Flan

Next, we split two appetizers: a grilled shrimp with pine nuts, golden raisins, yogurt and spinach and an endive and fennel salad with shavings of parmesan.  Our waitress was thoughtful enough to split up the salad for us in smaller bowls.  The salad was light and refreshing while the shrimp had a great smoky flavor tempered by the yogurt and the sweet plump raisins.

Grilled Shrimp with Pine Nuts, Yogurt, and Raisins

Of the five seafood entrees, I was drawn towards the pan roasted cod with olive tapenade and preserved lemon foam and zucchini confit.  The cod was tender and flaky, cooked to a perfect medium and the combination of salty olives and tart preserved lemon livened the usually mild fish with an edgy flavor.

Pan Roasted Cod with Olive Tapenade, Preserved Lemon and Zucchini Confit

TC also continued with the seafood theme with a butter poached monk fish nestled among a beautiful colorful array of vegetables.

Butter Poached Monk Fish

We ended the meal with a small sampler of ice cream, the classic combination of chocolate, strawberries and vanilla.  The strawberry was just bursting with the flavor of summer, making me wish that was all that was on the plate.

Neapolitan Ice Cream Sampler

Despite the three course meal, we left the restaurant light and satisfied.  It was the perfect feeling to have as we continued the conversation with a walk through Washington Square Park at dusk.

Shorty’s 32 | 199 Prince Street, New York, NY 10021 | http://www.shortys32.com