soup season

Well, it would appear that soup season is finally here. Yes, soup season - a little talked about time of year when people like me start wanting to feel all warm and cozy inside, in the way that only a decent bowl of soup can deliver. It may not inspire a community-wide celebration like the Okanagan Wine Festival, or even its own awareness month, but most people do commemorate it, whether they know it or not, with a nice, hearty bowl (or two) of soup. Like I did, today.

You know soup season is starting when it's harder to get out of bed in the morning, sweaters become a wardrobe staple, and only the most stubborn leaves remain clinging to the trees. It's getting cold, and there's no better way to warm yourself - inside and out - than to indulge in a nice big bowl of soup.

Almost every restaurant is going to have soup somewhere on the menu, especially this time of year. But all soups are not created equal. Watery bowls of broth with only one or two vegetables floating by, or ingredients pureed into an unrecognizable pulp might be tolerated in the summer, when everything is light and airy, but when the mercury dips below 5C, soup eating becomes a serious issue, and the stewing of it is nearly a work of art.

I think the best place I know of for a good bowl of soup - at least thus far in my experience - is the Wood Fire Bakery, in the centre of town. The contents of their two big cauldrons changes frequently, but the result is always the same - a healthy bowl of thick, hot soup, that hits your stomach like a grandaddy hug.

Today was clam chowder and beef barley. I chose the latter with a fresh, multigrain bun from the woodfire oven. And can I just say, the catch phrase, "Mmm, mmm good!" was never delivered with such sincerity as I slurped down spoonful after spoonful of the better-than-homemade, liquid ecstasy in my bowl.

Imagine, if you will: more beef than one hungry girl can reasonably be expected to herd on her own. Barley that still has some chew. Carrots, tomatoes, celery, onions and other assorted vegetables. Chock-a-block.

Sadly, though, this soup haven is hardly a secret in these parts. Thus, if you make the mistake of arriving during the lunch hour rush you'd better bring a friend to stake out a seat while you get the grub. Side note to the girls: Be the one to stand in line and get the grub because then you get to try unsuccessfully to flirt with Kelowna's own SS (Sexy Soup-nazi). Yes - the other big Woodfire Bakery attraction.

With a cup of hot chocolate (or better yet, their brewed-just-right German coffee) you can head back into the cold feeling warm and nourished. A little something for the soul.