Torrisi Italian Specialties

I was in NYC for work and was able to catch up with a good friend last night at Torrisi Italian Specialties in Soho. It's a tiny restaurant that only seats a maximum of 23 people. We got there at 5:20 pm to get on the waiting list to be put on the list to get seated.  It was cold and rainy but the line stretched so long that by 5:45, when the doors open for the nametaking to begin, the parties toward the end were not able to get seated at all that night.  The scheduling is almost like that of a show: there are three slots at night, once at 6 pm, 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.  The restaurant has a pre-set menu that changes every night with 6-7 courses for $50 per person.  We had four antipasti, one pasta dish, one fish or meat entree and one dessert tray with around five bite size pastries. 

Antipasti: 1) Warm mozzarella with DaVero olive oil, 2) Pickle and cucmber slices, 3) Lombardi's Clam Slice, 4) Lamb bacon and red cabbage

Pasta: Baby shells, calamari and pepperoni (my favourite)

Entrees: Trout almondine or bbq lamb shoulder in a molasses vinaigrette

There are no substitutions or vegetarian options.  As a value proposition, the meal was a great one for NYC.  I didn't think that there was one dish that was overwhelmingly delicious but the dining experience was more than satisfactory.  The portions were appropriately sized and it's actually quite nice not to have to decide anything and the dishes roll out continuously one after the other.  Service was impeccable and very quick and all the waiters were extremely attentive, a bonus of having such a limited dining crowd.

NYC - we had fun.  Can you be warmer next time though?