Oh, sweet irony: I’ve been invited to sample Soup Man many times in the past but have had to decline due to a scheduling conflict each time. This time, feeling antsy on a Friday, I invited myself to join TC’s plans and met up with him at the original location in Midtown. After staring at the menu for a long time, Tweeting about what I might get, I finally settled on the most expensive soup: lobster bisque. My throat was hurting, and I wanted soup.
Since we were going to, um, eat after this, I ordered the smallest size – 8 ounces – for $8. This came with a Lindt’s milk chocolate truffle that I gave to TC, a lovely plum, and a slice of bread. Considering all that stuff comes with whatever size you get – even the cheaper soups, which bottom out at $5 for the small size – it isn’t a bad lunch at all.
I was a little surprised when I opened the soup itself though.
The first time I had bisque, I was eight years old and my father brought me some from his workplace. He gave it to me, and after I’d eaten it, I asked why it was so smooth. “Because bisque is smooth.” Bisque is classically a pureed & strained soup, completely smooth – though most of the time, when I’ve ordered it in restaurants, chunks of seafood graced the top. The liquid part was always completely smooth, though. Here, it was filled with a small dice of various vegetables (red peppers, celery, etc). Ironically, I tend to avoid ordering bisque because I like texture in my food, and soup is no exception. However, I ordered the bisque on this day because my throat hurt and I wanted a soup I could quickly drink, soothing my sore throat. Oh, irony.
All this isn’t to say I didn’t like it, however. The flavor was intense – a lot of red bell pepper sweetness, and big chunks of lobster, warranting the larger price tag. I enjoyed my cup of soup greatly, though it floated through my head that I wish they wouldn’t call it bisque. Understandably, I wouldn’t allow it to be called chowder, either (no potatoes), so I don’t have a better name for it. (Note: I am not against interpretations or creative license. I just don’t like when certain words are used on a menu that mean one thing – in this case, bisque, indicating a completely smooth soup – and then that’s not what I get. At least an explanation on the menu so we know what we are getting; otherwise, what’s the point of knowing all these food words when they are used to mean something else, or in this case, the complete opposite?)
Yvo says: What I ordered was really quite delicious – I would not hesitate to get this again, if I were in the mood – and I would totally recommend those who like lobster soups to try this at least once. I initially thought the price was a bit high, but after having it, I can see where it deserves that price. Yum.
recommended
Corinne says
Want soup…
skippymom says
Because calling it “Lobster Soup” doesn’t warrant an 8 dollar price tag in customers minds, although that is what it is. And dang it looks good.
I like the fruit, bread and mint – nice touch. I’d pay it.
T.C. says
I am the Chocolate Man! Though perhaps not as sweet.
Not had the original soup man before. Only the chain version.
Already had one meal earlier so no American soup that day but we were going to eat soon after. Ha.
Hungry says
Hmm, I never knew bisque is supposed to be super smooth.
CT says
Me neither! That soup looks pretty good though. I think I need to start making more soup.