If you grew up watching your mom or grandma making big pots of soup on cold winter days and remember the cozy feeling of sharing hearty bowls of soup, then the selections from these women-owned restaurants are sure to bring back warm memories.
Judy Ni, co-owner of báo*logy, strives to teach new guests about Taiwanese street food at her fast casual in the Sterling building in Philadelphia’s business district. The latest menu additions? Tea-Smoked Duck Noodle Soup and Beef Noodle Soup.
Stina, the South Philly BYOB that calls itself pan-Mediterranean and Greek leaning, is owned by Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou and her husband, Chef Bobby Saritsoglou. You’ll find a hearty house-made Minestrone on the menu. It's packed with root vegetables, string beans, kale, and other vegetables in a tomato broth plus beef and fregola. It’s a comforting winter harvest.
Jezabel’s, an Argentine bakery and restaurant in West Philly, offers Argentine Chorizo and Lentil Soup. It’s a hearty, slightly spicy classic that owner Jezabel Careaga grew up eating. The BYOB also offers Roasted Veggie Coconut Soup with mushroom, red bell peppers, tomatoes and other vegetables added to a smooth base of blended roasted carrots, butternut squash and coconut milk.
Every week there’s a new soup on the menu at Bibou Boutique, owned by Charlotte Calmels and her husband, Pierre. After 11 years as Bibou BYOB, the couple transformed their beloved French restaurant into a French charcuterie. They offer French products unavailable elsewhere in Philadelphia plus the quenelles, Pate en crote, terrines, sausages, breads and other French delicacies that won Bibou nationwide acclaim. One recent menu item was Fennel and Cauliflower Soup. New soups and menu items are swapped in weekly.
Cafe Ynez, owned by Jill Weber, always has a soup of the day. This month look for Sopa Azteca, pulled chicken in a tomato, guajillo and chicken base served with queso fresco, avocado, corn tortilla strips, cilantro, sour cream and dried pasilla peppers. Or opt for Pork Pozole, with slow cooked pork shoulder in a guajillo base in white hominy corn, served with radishes, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, limes wedges and two tostadas.
Talula’s Table, Aimee Olexy’s charming restaurant and market in Kennett Square, offers a wide variety of warm-and-serve soups in single portions. While the selection changes frequently, you might expect to find such delicious options as Swallowhill Farm Squash Soup with Kennett Square Beech Mushrooms, Subarashii Asian Pear and Hazelnuts; Broccoli Cheddar Bisque (vegetarian); Truffle Cauliflower Soup (vegetarian); Curry Butternut Squash (vegan); and Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup.
Nothing will warm you up like a hearty bowl of soup and the knowledge that you’re helping a woman-owned restaurant make it through the long, cold winter.
by Irene Levy Baker, author, 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia and Unique Eats & Eateries of Philadelphia. Both books are full of tips. For even more tips, visit www.100ThingsToDoInPhiladelphia.com. Planning a staycation? Go to the website for signed copies of books. For free shipping, use promo code TheCityPulse.
Click here for more blog postings by Irene Levy Baker including two posts with tips for how to help restaurants survive and a look at Philly-style masks.