Just got back from NYC, where my girlfriend and I spent one freezing lunchtime locating Al's Soup Kitchen International. I'm delighted to say it lived up to all possible expectations - we stood outside (next to the Kramer Reality Tours billboard) nervously scanning the precise instructions (Select Soup first! Have money ready! Move to FAR left after paying!), before finally plucking up the courage to get on line and order. The man himself was taking the cash and treating all his customers with a delicious contempt, bordering on hatred - one poor guy who didn't get his cash out in time was actually waved aside. Al then clicked his fingers impatiently at me (I didn't hear him speak once), as I tried to hand over my money without betraying my nerves (there was no way I could afford to be banned for a year - I was only there for a week). Unfortunately, for a joke, I'd told my girlfriend to make sure she asked for bread, thinking she'd remember what happened to George. Needless to say, she'd forgotten - I won't forget the look he gave her. Ever.
But what soup! I had the lentil and my girlfriend had the legendary mulligatawny. They were, quite honestly, the greatest soups either of us had ever tasted. Thick, chunky, fresh, hot and full of flavour (and they both came with bread(!), an orange, a banana and a delicious little chocolate). So, if you're in Manhattan, feeling hungry and brave, take my advice and get down to W55th St (no. 205, I think - around 7th and 8th Aves) and enjoy a true Seinfeldian experience as well as the best soup in the world - for 9 bucks a head!