Warm up to soup

Even for those dreading cooler weather, there’s something intrinsically comforting about a bowl of hot soup. Be it pho, chowder, bisque, borscht or bouillabaisse, Reno has plenty of restaurants in which to find it. Here are three places to start.

Süp

719 S. Virginia St.; Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m-4 p.m. lunch, 5 p.m-9 p.m. dinner; 324-4787
Süp is a friendly soup, salad and sandwich eatery serving up some fine people-watching, opportunities to bump elbows with total strangers at shared tables and delectable soups. Saying goodbye to summer doesn’t give me warm cozies, but I am anxious to once again eat delicious warm foods without sweating. I visited Sup for the first time with friends Matt and Kasia. We tried four of their six daily fresh soups: the chicken coconut curry, albondigas (Mexican meatball soup), broccoli cheddar, and tomato bisque (bowl $5.50, cup $3.50), with hot rolls from House of Bread. I loved the chicken coconut curry and its one-two punch; first sweet and then spicy. Kasia said the curry made her mouth burn, which meant I finished what she couldn’t. Matt’s albondigas had large meatballs, veggie pieces and hominy, which he loved but thought needed some Mexican flair. I had the broccoli cheddar, with its large chunks of broccoli, but I wanted something thicker and cheesier. The tomato bisque was tangy and tasted great soaked into chunks of roll. Next time, I’ll order one of the sandwiches to accompany my soup—although, the bowls of soup are so large, they can do the trick alone.

Josef’s Vienna Bakery and Cafe

933 W. Moana Lane; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; 825-0451
Two steps inside Josef’s Vienna Bakery and Cafe and I liked the place. It’s a bustling wonderland of scrumptious treats and café fare. My friend Mike and I had to peel ourselves away from the bakery counter to realize our mission: soup tasting. Josef’s offers a couple daily favorites, including tomato soup and goulash. They also feature a daily soup, which was curried celery. I ordered the cup of celery soup and a half Chicken Grape sandwich on nine-grain wheat bread ($9.99). My soup tasted a whole lot better than it sounds. It was creamier than expected, mostly due to a large dollop of sour cream. It’s curry flavor wasn’t overpowering, and there were crunchy bits of celery. Yet, for the price, I expected a sandwich less dry and with much more substance. However, Mike’s order ruled. He selected a cup of white bean and chicken chili, which is like cowboy soup, and a half Reuben sandwich. The menu calls the chili spicy, but it’s not; a topping of homemade salsa completes this dish. Mike’s Reuben was toasted beautifully, dripping Swiss cheese and topped with flavorful pastrami and homemade sauerkraut. Does anyone know how to say “yee haw” in Austrian?

Dish Café

855 Mill St., Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 348-8264
Dish Café is a colorful place. That’s not just because of the bright, flowery tablecloths of blues, pinks and greens—it’s also in the food. Each plate of salads, soups, sandwiches and quiches are nutrient-bursting splashes of color. Chef Nancy Horn is a believer in fresh, healthful, often locally grown food and simple, pretty presentation. This goes for her soups, too. Dish offers a couple of homemade selections each day. Accompanied by a doughy cheese twist great for dunking, Dish was serving Mexican chicken soup and potato white bean chard ($3.50 cup, $4.50 bowl) on a recent visit. The Mexican chicken was spicy and stew-like, full of shredded chicken in a tomato-based broth with bits of squash, onion and cabbage. The potato soup was creamy but light-tasting, flavorful but subdued, pureed with potatoes and small pieces of swiss chard. Warm, friendly, fresh and satisfying, the soup at Dish Cafe is quality comfort food.