Dining Review: Praising Simple Pleasures Of Life At Soup Bowl Of Park Slope
I know very few people who don’t like soup.
Have you ever been with a group struggling to make a decision about where to eat lunch? Try bringing up soup. The indecisive group is sure to give you that look which means: “What a wonderful idea you’ve come up with. You’re kind of brilliant.”
That’s the magic of soup.
So it probably comes as no surprise that I dashed over to The Soup Bowl of Park Slope at 319 7th Avenue (between 8th and 9th Streets) after it opened last weekend for the cold weather season. Grant you, the “cold” in cold weather was nowhere to be found.
Soup weather or not, this warm bowl of love haven has been an annual pop-up in the Uncle Louie G’s space now in its eighth year.
As a reminder, there are two Soup Bowls in the neighborhood. The 7th Avenue shop is already spooning it out. Employees told us that the other at 741 Union Street (near 5th Avenue) — which also pops in an Uncle Louie G’s — will open sometime in November.
Owner and chef Richard Gussoff cooks up over a dozen soups each day, rotating many throughout the week. They keep their website up-to-date with daily choices.
Gussoff also once owned Uncle Arthur’s Cafe (234 9th Street near 4th Avenue) which opened in 2014, but the place only lasted four months. After he shuttered the space, he told PSS that he wanted to devote his time to his two young sons and to The Soup Bowl.
If you’re a Soup Bowl of Park Slope novice, you’ll notice that this is a very no-frills establishment. There are about four tables to sit at. You’ll choose from a dozen soups on any given day. Prices range from the Mini (8 ounces for $4.50) all the way up to a Large (32 ounces for $12.75).
Extras? Well, you get a slice of bread with each bowl. If you smile while asking nicely, you just may get another.
The Lobster butternut squash bisque is perfectly puréed and isn’t “fishy” at all. I had a “mini” and I was more than satiated. But hey, you can always order large and take some home. What a snack that’d make, indeed.
The Lobster butternut squash bisque is one of the four popular soups they always keep in their rotation. The other three are Turkey Chili, Chicken Vegetable, and “serious” split pea.
Keep in mind the only thing that this place sells is soup. Well, bread. And bottles of water. They are serious about their one feature. And they do it extremely well.
Don’t worry, the weather will soon cooperate — maybe as early as tomorrow.
And we’re not alone when it comes to enthusiasm for this place. Many a customer stopped in for their fix while we sat down hunched over our white to-go cup. Almost all were ordering for the first time this season. And there were generous smiles and versions of “so glad to see you’re back.”
It’s time for you to join the reunion. Head down for a delicious, spare, supremely satisfying meal. Soup Bowl belongs in the “simple pleasures of life” category.
And don’t forget to tell your friends. They probably love you already, but they’ll love you even more.
The Dining Rundown: The Soup Bowl of Park Slope
Where: 319 7th Avenue (between 8th and 9th Streets) [currently open] and 741 Union Street (at 5th Avenue) [Opening scheduled for November]
Hours: Everyday, 9am-9pm
Phone: 718-623-6668
Kid Friendly? Kids love soup, right? There’s not much room, so keep that in mind.
Additional Info: The two shops are seasonal, and will be open now through March.
