NY: Zoë

I’ve been stopping by Zoë Restaurant in Soho for 8 or 9 years. I first discovered it when I had been wandering around SoHo for several hours and my Northwest stomach suddenly decided it was time to eat.  Now!  But I was on East coast time and I couldn’t really find anywhere still serving lunch.  And then I came upon Zoë and I knew I’d found my refuge. 

From its welcoming wood and stone exterior to its slightly dark and cozy interior it called my name.  The open kitchen with counter in the back of the room, the smallish bar upfront, the cozy booths – all the elements are welcoming.  I’ve always eaten at the little bar upfront.  It’s usually hectic as the bartender fills all of the table orders as well as handles the bar.  But the bartenders are always friendly.  I’ve generally had the same one or two guys over the time I’ve spent here, although I’m not in often enough to be a familiar face.  The bartender working this last time had been at Zoë for 14 years – since it opened – and I’m sure he’s been there at least half, if not more, of the times I’ve visited. 

One year while sitting at my normal spot at the bar, I was watching all the activity in the open kitchen.  Suddenly I noticed that the chef looked familiar!  It was Tim Kelley, formerly chef at the now closed Painted Table in the Alexis Hotel here in Seattle!  I asked the bartender to make sure and he confirmed my guess, mentioning that Tim liked to have those from Seattle stop by and say hello.  So I did.  We had a quick chat and then I left so that he could get back to the frantic level of activity that is the Zoë kitchen on a weekend afternoon. 

They have an extensive wine list and a lot of nice wines by the glass.  Over the years I’ve tried several menu items – mostly the various soups, salads, pizzas and sandwiches.  Everything has been great but my favorite is the very basic Mozzarella, Basil and Tomato Pizza cooked in the wood-burning oven, the heart and soul of Zoë.  Oh and the cheese straws pictured above.  I could make a meal of those alone.  A little garlicky, a little cheesy, very crispy – perfection in a long and skinny piece of dough!  This time, as in the past, I had a glass of wine, my pizza, some interesting conversation and then left, renewed and ready to take on a few more streets and shops in SoHo. 

Zoë
90 Prince Street (between Broadway & Mercer in SoHo)
New York
212.966.6722

Subway: B, D, F, Q at Broadway-Lafayette; 6 at Bleecker St