Posted by Erin Letson in restaurant review, soup on December 16, 2007 at 8:20 am
RaviSoups
322 Adelaide Street West
647-435-8365
Lunch for two with all taxes, tip and coffee: $25
With Environment Canada predicting a damn cold winter (not exactly their words), I've been trying to make a list of small comforts that will help me brace the frigid temperatures. One of the first things to make my list is RaviSoups, a new-ish weekday lunch place run by Ravi Kanagarajah, formerly of Mildred Pierce. Being up a few stairs on a not-too-exciting stretch of Adelaide, it's hard to spot - but take note! It shouldn't be missed.
The space is small and narrow, and the walls are covered in small black and white tiles that remind me of a bathroom. Luckily the yummy smells coming from the kitchen remind me that I'm not in the loo. The large chalkboard menu, which echoes the script on the outside sign, lists six soups (three vegetarian, three non-veg, $6.99-$7.99) and four wraps, plus a variety of espresso drinks. The menu is partially seasonal, and the fall/winter soup selection reflects hearty, earthy flavours like butternut squash with duck confit and corn chowder with crab. Along with the savoury offerings, there are yummy-looking, in-house baked goods (the lemon chocolate chip cookies stand out).
On my first visit, I try the apricot lentil soup that comes topped with a swirl of cream fraiche and a generous cilantro garnish. The soup is, in a word, lovely. It's super smooth and creamy, and tastes sweet and spicy without being aggressive on the taste buds. My lunch partner orders the porcini and wild rice soup, and while it's nicely chunky with some of the rice pureed, it could use some livening up with more salt and herbs. Both soups are served on lazy susans that look great with the sleek square soup bowls, and both include a delicious surprise - a buttery cheese biscuit that comes with red pepper jelly and a bright green chutney. I love this idea.
On a second visit, I order the soup and wrap combo ($9.99) to go, opting for the roasted vegetable wrap and the maple parsnip soup with garlic crisps. The soup, which has a rich garlic flavour and a subtle sweetness, comes in a handy cup that's easy to grab and go. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of parsnips, the soup's a winner. But the wrap, filled with eggplant, yams, roasted red pepper and spinach, strays from its description - there's goat's cheese instead of asiago, and no olive tapenade. It's also a bit soggy by the time I take it home. But the flavours are good, and it's a step up from most roasted vegetable wraps that seem a vegetarian fallback on many bar/restaurant menus.
The sterile decor of RaviSoups, plus the uncomfortable mesh chairs don't leave much incentive to sit and chat - which is unfortunate, because I like to associate soup with coziness. But with flavours this good, who's complaining?
