It's a soup day
Today's weather has left us with a hankering for soup -- something to drive out the cold, wet feeling that seems stuck to everything right now.
So, here are a few local places that pop into our heads we think soup.
Got a favorite? We'd love to hear about it. We're hungry.
Baked onion soup at The Old Bryan Inn
Cheesy and gooey, the onion soup at the Old Bryan Inn in Saratoga will fill you up. And we loved the line owner Louis Maggiore told us when we asked about the secret to the OBI's onion soup in 2008: "It's soup, not brain surgery."
Pho at Van's
Van's, a Vietnamese restaurant on Central Ave in Albany, makes a lot of good things. But on a cold, wet day a bowl of their pho has what feels like medicinal properties. And the serving is huge.
Asparagus soup at the Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark
Holy moly, is this stuff is good -- rich and flavorful, but not heavy. (The secret: duck fat.) In fact, all the soups we've had at the Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark are good. As chef Kevin Everleth told us in 2009 of his skill with soup: "I've just always had a knack for them."
Seafood chowder at Chez Mike
Admittedly, the chowder at Chez Mike in East Greenbush could probably be called "hunks of seafood with broth." Which would be just fine with us -- because it is yummy. The seafood is always perfectly cooked and the broth is so light and deliciously subtle. Mike (really, that's the chef's name) knows what he's doing.
We're totally in the mood for soup, so if you know a good local one -- please share!
Yep, the Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark does advertise on AOA. But the is seriously good. We'd tell you about it, regardless.
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Comments
There's nothing better than PHO on a rainy day. I miss the variety of PHO available while living in Seattle, but Van's is where I go when I need a fix.
... said xina on Oct 1, 2010 at 12:25 PM | link
And how awesome would it be to have it delivered? http://townpedaler.com/
... said Sarah on Oct 1, 2010 at 12:37 PM | link
Iron Gate (http://irongatecafe.com/) Cafe's soups make winter worth it! My favorite: Tomato Basil!
... said Melissa on Oct 1, 2010 at 12:54 PM | link
DeJohn's, LaSerre, Marche, Iron Gate Cafe, Hamilton Street Cafe, Justin's...I could go on and on. But believe it or not, the soup at Price Chopper's cafeteria is also pretty good.
... said Summer on Oct 1, 2010 at 1:28 PM | link
I'm a big fan of the French onion at the Pump Station, and the Standard usually has good soup specials.
... said Tom on Oct 1, 2010 at 1:34 PM | link
@Summer - I just had PC soup for lunch. Yummy!
... said Slacker on Oct 1, 2010 at 2:32 PM | link
I've always loved the Manhattan Clam Chowder at Jacks...but nothing beats a good bowl of homemade turkey soup:
http://forgingahead.net/archives/2769_1498614844/111727
... said BobF on Oct 1, 2010 at 2:39 PM | link
The Ripe Tomato. They have a delectable lobster bisque-and when served, they top it with a shot a sherry wine! Just adds that extra special element to it....
ummm!
Deacon Blue's NE Style Clam Chowder-typically made fresh on Fridays...! I know, it shocked me too b/c they are otherwise known for their pizza's but dee-liscious!
"NO SOUP FOR YOU"
... said MarK on Oct 2, 2010 at 7:26 PM | link
They may not be what people traditionally think of when they think of soup but the soup buns at Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine in Latham are definitely crazing worthy. Mmmm...
... said Mirdreams on Oct 10, 2010 at 9:32 PM | link
I make the soup at Cafe Perk Ups in Crestwood Plaza (across from St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox). Although it's not exactly soup weather today, I made a nice soup of cheddar, Newcastle, and caramelized onions. Good stuff.
... said Kerosena on Oct 11, 2010 at 9:37 AM | link
My son had a bowl of the chicken soup at Mr Pio Pio on Friday night. He only spared a tiny taste for me before he polished the whole thing off, but it was delicious. It had a big piece of dark meat chicken, noodles, herbs and a lime to squeeze into it. They also sometimes have beef soup and on the weekends they have a sopa de bola which has a big meat-filled dumpling in it.
... said Amy on Oct 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM | link