by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
For the cold, dreary days of January, soup comforts the spirit and nourishes the body. January happens to be National Soup Month. We here at EU thought we’d take you on a local tour of some of the best loved soups on the first coast.
Barbara Jean’s (15 South Roscoe Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach 904-280-7522) has a she-crab chowder that’s outstanding. If you catch it, there’s a shrimp bisque special you won’t want to miss either.
The cream based shrimp bisque at bb’s (1019 Hendricks Ave 904-306-0100) is like velvet. They don’t sell it by the cup, but a bowl of the heavenly stuff is just $5.50
The sweet potato and red pepper soup at Biscottis (3558 Saint Johns Ave 904-387-2060) is a popular choice for Jacksonvillians. It’s also a vegetarian choice and a bargain at just $2.75 for a cup and $5.25 for a bowl. Serve me a bowl of well-prepared French Onion Soup and I’m happy for days afterwards. It’s one of my favorite soups, but it’s also something I tend to be critical about. So far, I’ve found that the French Onion at Bistro Aix (1440 San Marco Blvd 904-398-1949) is the best in the area. $4 cup, $7 bowl.
Two soups at the Casbah (3628 Saint Johns Ave 904-981-9966) caught our notice. One is the tasty lamb soup and the other is their excellent lentil soup.
Chai House (1034 Hendricks Ave 904-399-4848), which has seen improvement in their cuisine since new owners took over, has a tasty tomato basil that’s worth trying. $ 3.50 cup, $4.95 bowl. Everything tends to be tasty at the upscale lunch and dinner eatery of Chew (117 W Adams St 904-355-3793). The soups change from week to week but many food enthusiasts remember them as a place to get an excellent cup or bowl of deeply soul satisfying soup. Among other standouts, we’ve heard that the leek and potato is quite fabulous. $3 cup, $6 bowl.
Cool Moose’s (2708 Park St 904-381-4242) Italian wedding soup is another favorite. Soups rotate at Cool Moose, so their Italian Wedding isn’t always on the menu, but it’s worth asking about. $2.75 cup, $4.50 bowl. Why not have a bowl of the leek and potato to go with your Guinness at Culhane’s (967 Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach 904-249-9595). Those who’ve discovered it keep coming back. $3 cup, $5 bowl.
If haven’t tried the beer cheese soup at one of the many European Street locations, you’re missing out on a Jacksonville tradition!
Galangal’s (145 Hilden Rd Suite 110 Ponte Vedra Beach 904-827-1150) incredible lump crab and lemongrass infused bisque may well become your favorite area soup. It’s got just the right balance of flavors.
The lobster bisque is one of the things that keeps bringing people back to Heirlooms Café (9545 San Jose Blvd. 904-880-2291) and Heirlooms Bistro (104 Bartram Walk, suite 101, Julington Creek 904-230-3999).
If you’ve got a craving for tomato bisque, you can’t go wrong with Jacksonville based chain, The Loop.
If you want a genuine Southwestern soup, try the green chile soup at Mossfire (1537 Margaret St 904-355-4434) in 5 Points. $ 3 cup, $ 4 bowl There’s nothing like a rich savory bowl of coconut soup, flavored with distinctive Kaffir lime leaves. I’ve found that it’s best with chicken at two Thai places that serve up an excellent Thom Ka – Pattaya Thai (9551 Baymeadows Rd 904-646-9506) and the neighborhood family favorite Taste of Thai (4317 University Blvd S 904-737-9009).
At Sun Dog Diner (207 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach 904-241-8221) the soup varies, but we’ve heard that their crab chowder is worth coming back for. $4 cup, bowl $5.50
They serve an excellent pizza at Tommy’s (4160 Southside Blvd 904-565-1999) but you might want to taste their Minestrone, it’s made from scratch. If they aren’t serving that, try their creamy of Portobello and smoked gouda. They do rotate the soup selection, so you never know what’s going to be on the menu. $3.50 cup $5 bowl.
The classic Avondale neighborhood bar and Southwestern fusion eatery West Inn (3644 Saint Johns Ave 904-389-1131) has a rich and delish corn chowder. This yummy bowl of soup includes bacon, roasted corn and potatoes, among other ingredients. It’s seasoned with white pepper, cumin and kosher salt, topped with cheddar cheese and scallions. $3 cup, $5 bowl.
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