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Cool soups for a hot summer

By Daisy Carrington | dcarrington@am-ny.com

2:51 PM EDT, August 1, 2007

If only the weather could make up its mind. One day it pours, the next day it swelters. While the cold days put one in the mood for soup, the warm days dictate it be of the chilled, soothing variety. Below, we¹ve listed some the city¹s best cool soups.

Trestle on Tenth If the weather doesn't warm you, the decor of this Swiss-themed Chelsea cafe is sure to (who can resist a garden with cherry and locust trees). Chef Ralf Kuettel is obsessed with fresh, locally grown produce, as evidenced by his crisply satisfying chilled tomato soup ($9), made with chunks of crabmeat, and tomatoes, fresh corn and purple basil procured from the Union Square greenmarket. 242 Tenth Ave.; 212-645-5659; www.trestleontenth.com Appetizers, $8-13; entrees, $18-24

Anthos If you like your cool with a little heat, head to this sturdy Midtown staple for a chilled charred white corn soup, served with a spiced roasted fig puree and peeky toe crab salad. It's served tableside with a purple anise seed flower and a fig chip for garnish. 36 W. 52nd St; 212-582-6900; Appetizers, $15 to $18; entrees, $28-46

The Zipper Tavern @ The Zipper Factory For a little pre-theater pick-me-up, head to the Zipper Tavern (a growth of the Zipper Theater) in (where else?) the theater district. Chef Larry Kolar has put together a refreshing pureed artichoke soup, infused with thyme and topped with crème fraiche and greenmarket corn. Even if the show's a bust, at least dinner will be a hit. 336 W. 37th St.; 212-695-4600

Tia Pol If you have a hankering for a traditional gazpacho (not the salsa they try to pass off as such in many Spanish restaurants), then a stop at Tia Pol is a must. The soup is not on the daily menu (if you¹re lucky, it¹s a soup of the day), so you might want to call ahead. 205 Tenth Ave.; 212-675-8805; www.tiapol.com

Kum Gang San For something a little less traditional (at least to Western taste buds), hit up this Korean restaurant for a flavorful noodle soup known as naeng myun (translation: cold buckwheat noodle soup with sliced beef, radish, hard-boiled egg and veggies). If you¹re wiling to venture past the standard bi-bim-bop (also excellent), the menu offers pages and pages of authentic Korean fare. 49 W. 32nd St.; 212-967-0909 or 138-28 Northern Blvd., Queens; 718-461-0909 www.kumgangsan.net Appetizers, $7-14; entrees, $11-28