As we're approaching the end of the year, I thought I would begin the best of list a little early like I did last year with a few teasers. Traditionally- I'll continue with the bulk of the list just after Christmas and conclude with the Top 10 New Restaurants of 2011 around New Years.
Like last year, I thought I would begin with the year's best soups (and stew)... It won't be a top 10 list since I don't have enough, but it will include "standby's" in other words soup I've enjoyed previously as well as honorable mentions. Unfortunately I'm missing a photo for one of the award winning soups ...but here goes anyway....
Best Soup (and Stew) of 2011 (In No Particular Order)
Stand Bys 1. Fish Chowder -
No Name Restaurant Boston MA 
I'm not sure why anyone thinks that the
No Name has gone down hill, however this aquarium in a bowl that I enjoyed at the
No Name last January with
Buffetbuster certainly proves those critics wrong.
2. Peanut Soup-
Southern Kitchen New Market VA 
More bisque than soup, velvety, nutty with hints of onion.
Best New Soups
3- Beer Cheese Soup-
The Old Fashioned Madison WI 
(photo courtesy of
Screaming Chicken)
The Old Fashioned is a relatively new restaurant in a classic "old fashioned" setting serving the best of Wisconsin and I couldn't think of a better way to meet
Screaming Brad for the first time, the classic mating of beer and dairy represents what Wisconsin is all about.
4. Brunswick Stew-
Galax Smokehouse Galax VA 
This won't be the first time that the Galax Smokehouse will find itself on a best of list. The chunky and smoky stew was enhanced to a new level by adding some of Galax Smokehouse's bbq sauces.
5. Mushroom Barley Soup
- Second Avenue Deli New York NY (no photo
)
Salty, smokey and sultry, this
is your grandmother's Mushroom and Barley Soup
6. Nana's Vegetable Crab Soup -
Thompson's Seafood Corner Market Mechanicsville MD 
Probably the finest Maryland Crab Soup I've ever enjoyed.
7. Stuffed Cabbage Soup-
Babushka's Kitchen Northfield OH 
A meal in a bowl- this zesty soup was loaded with cabbage, meat and rice.
8. Chicken Dumpling Soup-
Belgrade Gardens Barberton OH 
This may actually win best soup of the year. soft billowy dumplings and shreds of chicken actually outdo the broth.
Honorable Mentions 9 Chicken Meatball Vegetable Soup-
Angelo's Restaurant & Bar St. Louis MO 
Angelo's is a member of the Lombardo' s Restaurant Family in St Louis. known for their toasted ravioli- I wasn't expecting much when I ordered this cup of soup, but when it arrived my only regret was that I didn't get a bowl.
10. Potato Soup -
Oregon Dairy Restaurant Lititz PA 
I'm not usually a fan of potato soup, however this cup of soup could easily make me a convert.
<message edited by wanderingjew on Wed, 12/14/11 8:43 PM>
