Ravisoups

[eller]

I'm surprised to see nobody's posted anything about this place yet! It's in the old Black Camel space on Adelaide W. which closed earlier this spring. The decor is exactly the same save for some new art on the walls, so I suppose it's easy to miss if you're not looking for it.

Feeling the effects of the cold that everyone around me's got, I went in for a bowl of warm hugs expecting an experience akin to what one can get while eating from the Soup Market in the TD Centre but I got something that has surpassed just about everything I've ever had before, or made from scratch for that matter. I ordered the chicken hot pot (approx $8) and was treated to a fantastic bowl of haute soup served on a lazy susan with proper cutlery, very nice chopsticks with a scone, yellow pepper jelly and what I thought was pistachio spread. No eating off of plastic here which made its price all the more reasonable.

My soup was bold in spices both hot and rich with prominent lemongrass, basil, ginger and a tiny bit of coriander. Generous amounts tender chicken with vegetables and Chinese egg noodle (I think) made it all very balanced and worth the price. Watching Ravi prepare each bowl for his guests made the wait and somewhat clumsy, yet hospitable service all worth it, for there was only love going into the bowl for all to consume.

A short blurb about Ravisoups appeared in The Star not too long ago which regailed Ravi as being the ex-Mildred Pierce 'Soup King' which in my opinion is too humble a title.

I can't be the only Chowhound in this city who's been here. I certainly don't want to be!

[burlgurl]

after swearing off this place for horrible service, ended up back with a friend who really wanted to go.
we ate in and I was happy it took under half an hour to serve a bowl of soup. It was very good as well.
My huge frustration with this place besides sloowww service on Queen St, is that when you eat in you get a decent serving size of soup.
Order take out, and for the same price you get about 1/4 the amount of soup.

[burlgurl]

after horrible service at the Queen St location for the third time I give up and am not going back. I ordered a take out soup and slaw and waited 30 minutes for this.
A few others around me waiting for take out were equally frustrated...one poor girl just ordered a take out soup alone and waited a good 20 minutes.
The slaw is supposed to have a handful of ingredients listed on the board but what I got was a few spinich leafs and 2 small pieces of pineapple.
Serving sizes are a joke...after spending over $15 I got a half cup of slaw and about 3/4 cup of soup.
never again.

[julesrules]

Ravi's recipe for the lentil and apricot soup

http://www.thestar.com/article/110765...

[stet]

It might just be me, but I've found most of the things I've tried at Ravisoups to be much too sweet. The only soup I've had that isn't is the wild mushroom, which was delightful (as are their biscuits), but some of the wraps are very sweet as well. I guess it's just not my cup of tea.

[callitasicit]

Anyone know of any good soup places in Markham or in the York region?

[MiniMom]

Saw this restaurant on "Street Eats" on the weekend and had to go..I had 2 friends come with me and they ordered wraps and i ordered the "Ravi Stew" nice blend of flavours and the lamb was very tender, the biscuit was a nice touch. Just like traditional stew & biscuits with a yummy twist. The girls had a free range chicken and a veggie wrap.
I had to try both, preferred the chicken wrap as a bit more flavour. But now need to go back and try some of the other reccomendations.. As the appricot / lentil sounds intriguing.

[magic]

Thanks for your report...

Does anyone know if the second location is open yet? I would imagine it should be, but haven't heard anything for months....

[domesticgodess]

should be opening soon. I will try and find out more info and report back.

[magic]

Thank you kindly :)

[cutehinano]

According to Taste TO it seems like their second location is now open. Does anyone know what their hours are like though? If they are only open during the day on weekdays then it's going to be hard for me to try it - I hope they are at least open on the weekend!

[Yum2MyTum]

just a bump - anyone know what the hours at BOTH locations are?

[Pantz]

Confirmed via a call -

Original Location -

11am to 10pm (Mon to Fri)
11am to 6pm (Sat)
Sunday closed

Queen West Location -

11am to 11pm (Mon to Sat)
11am to 8pm (Sun)

Note - The new location has a slightly awkward space, but it's nice enough. Looks like they're staying open later because of the traffic in the area. I go by there daily, so I can confirm the stated hours (at least till 9pm). I can also confirm that the soup and biscuits I had were just as good at the Adelaide location!

[magic]

Thanks so much for that outstandingly detailed update!

[Yum2MyTum]

Pantz thanks so much for this!

[piccola]

Are any of the soups vegetarian? I can't tell from the website.

[magic]

That's a good question. I'm fairly certain they do have at least one soup on the menu that is vegetarian, if not more perhaps. But it is a VERY small menu, so one option might be it. Don't quote me on it though. They also do daily specials, some of which I'm betting are vegetarian. But because I never really consciously looked, I can't say with certainty what they are. Perhaps their miso based soup, roasted red pepper bisque, or their butternut squash soups are made sans meat products/stocks.....?

[piccola]

If there's one, that'll be plenty. I won't be picky. :)

[magic]

Also veggie friendly (unless they are using lard, which I doubt - but you could always ask to make sure I suppose): the cheddar biscuits and choco-banana cake. Both SO good. Enjoy!

[aser]

yes they offer vegetarian options, usually 1-2, depending on the day.

the Friday half price after 5pm deal is still around.

[Food Tourist]

Delicious corn and blue crab chowder (with thai basil) and fabulous wrap of the day (succulent steak, brie, edamame, spinach, yam). Less-than-impressive pork and slaw wrap and disappointing "curried" red lentil and apricot soup (way too much cumin). Despite the cashier's reassurance that the slaw is made to order and writing "no cilantro" on the order form for the pork wrap, it came chock full of the vile stuff! Cashier also forgot to ring in the two biscuits so it took us a while to figure out why they weren't being delivered to our table in the mad lunch rush. Would definitely return, but wish today's steak 'n' brie wrap of the day was a regular feature!!!!

[magic]

They are planning on opening a second location, on Queen, near The Drake. Was just there today and found out this info from Ravi's brother, who is a hell of a nice guy and now full time at Ravisoups after spending many years at Cafe Doria (as a totally unrelated aside). They are building the space now. Good for them! Food is still magnificent.

[domesticgodess]

This is great news. Im so happy for Ravi. Thanks for sharing the news and please keep us posted. When do you think it will be opened?

[magic]

No problem! Ravi's brother said they were hoping it would open in about a month...

[peppermint pate]

Ravi's brother is Suresh - one of the loveliest people you'll ever meet. I miss him already at Doria and will definitely make the drive out to WQW to check out the new location.

[JonasBrand]

Two big thumbs up for Ravisoups!

-----
Ravisoups
322 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[domesticgodess]

not only does Ravi know what he is doing in the kitchen..he is a super nice guy.
I wish him only the best.

[tp24]

Oh my, Ravi knows his soup!

I had the porcini mushroom soup and the roasted chicken wrap...both were excellent! Friends had the chicken hot pot and chowder and both raved about them! (Pics in my blog)

I never knew soup could be so tasty! Thanks Ravi!

-Foodhogger

[magic]

Thank you tp24! Ravisoups had been on my to-do list for AGES, and I thank you for reminding me about it. Finally tried it today. OUTSTANDING!! Deal lord was it ever good. Can't wait to get back. Ravi and the staff were sooooo nice too.

[LTL]

Just wanted to echo all the above praise. I stopped by today for the roasted chicken wrap and porcini mushroom soup. Outstanding! Also, even though they were slammed, the staff was nice and courteous.

[domesticgodess]

I have cravings for his soup all the time...i cant think of another restaurant who makes soups as good as Ravi does.

[dannyboy]

Just gotta throw in my 2cents - i've been there twice once last wk and today for lunch and have to say that although not cheap, their food is fantastic...
very fresh wraps, very high quality ingredients and quite obviously homemade - today i had a beef curry wrap w/ a potato leek w/smoked trout soup...
go check it out it's worth the extra 4 bones for a proper lunch ; )

[SweetSweetPotato]

Despite being full from a disappointing outing at Smoke's (weak gravy) last week, I passed by Ravisoup and walked out with the corn chowder and the mushroom soup. I'm blissed out on fabulous soup! I'm going back tonight for the apricot soup and maybe more of the corn chowder. As for the poutine? Maybe one day when it's late and I need to quell beer-fuelled munchies...

[LTL]

Anyone been here recently? Eager to try it now that it is very cold outside.

[pancake]

Yes! Its really really good. I was there a few weeks ago. I stick to the soups only, have yet to try anything else. The scone they give you with the soup is also really fresh and tasty, be sure to get the red pepper jelly that goes with it!
TIP OF THE DAY - If you go between 5 and 6pm on a friday, they sell the soups buy one get one free....so worth it!

[aser]

Did they change their policy? It used to be 50% off on Friday after 5pm.

I guess it's a similar deal, except you need a partner to take advantage now.

[pancake]

Oh maybe that was the case then...I just know I went and bought two last friday, and the cashier told me one would be free due to the special.

[LTL]

Thanks for the report. Heading there tonight.

[Mila]

Does anyone know if they do takeout. I'd like to walk down today before the storm but it is a bit of a hike from work.

[eller]

Yes, they do takeout. A soup/wrap combo is still not on the menu, but its available as well.

[Mila]

Thanks eller. Got lunch today but I'll head down next week.

[hotpeppers]

this is the BEST soup! i just had an unbelieveable experience, had the chicken hot pot and bf had the lamb soup. so fresh and full of flavour, you can't get real homemade soup like this anywhere in toronto. and the SCONES, wow someone find me this recipe because I am sick of eating hockey pucks and this was like a soft, delicious pillow crusted in cheese. ****** 5 stars *******

[embee]

There's a Mildred Pierce cookbook. I've never been to Ravisoups, but he may be using the Mildred Pierce recipe or something derived from it. (He used to work there). MP had great scones.

[pancake]

Feeling a bit under the weather today, I was really craving a good soup to kick my cold. I did a few searches here on chow and came across this posting (thankfully).
Ravi soups is a hidden gem!
I picked up the corn chowder, garnished with crispy shallots and thai basil. This was the best soup I have had in a really really long time. So fresh, so flavourful, and very filling.
To add, the chedder scone with red pepper jelly (included with any soup order) was divine.
The lady in store was super helpful, I will definately be back for more!

[BokChoi]

Ravisoups is definitely not bad. Their selection these days is much more limited (and pedestrian) when compared to their earlier offerings though. Too bad, felt like having a really exciting soup a little while back and found they no longer stocked it! Tasty crab in their soup though - very sweet. (tad pricey for a takeout soup though at almost $9 or $10 including taxes)

[gsjameson]

I've been there for lunch twice in the past two weeks. I've had the Apricot Curry, the Butternut Duck, and the Hot Pot Broth, all of which have been very good. Surprising amount of meal in these soups, and not in the rice / pasta / filler sort of way. They warm you up and taste great doing it.

The Biscuit and Jelly / Sauce is a nice touch.

Solid spot. But apparently I have said nothing that hasn't already been said on this post. Great work.

[cocaineface]

Ravisoups will be changing it's hours soon, open seven days a week and offering breakfast. I'm excited because I work in that area and the only breakfast offerings are deplorable, greasy, overdone eggs at Zuppa or cold, dry muffins at Croissant Tree. This is the best "fast food" place I have ever eaten, it's saved my life. I'm eating real food every day instead of McBioHazard Hormone-wiches - thank you Ravi!!!!!!!!
Anyway I heard that breakfast should be starting by the second week of January - 8am.

[kerwintoronto]

I was looking for the address:

RaviSoups
322 Adelaide St. W. (west of John St.).
Open weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

[domesticgodess]

there is a new winter soup menu that sounds divine. Has anyone been recentely?

[basileater]

Yes. I went recently and there was a new menu. I had mushroom wild rice soup. It was delicious, and the soup’s thickness was provided by pureed wild rice instead of cream so it was a healthier choice.

Dining companions had a corn chowder with shrimp, cilantro and coconut milk if I recall. Also very good.

Their biscuits are killer (figuratively and literally, both a result of lots of butter and cheese!).

[thenurse]

Visited Ravisoups today and was not impressed. Since it's so hot, I wasn't in the mood for hot soup and since I don't like chilled soups, I ordered a wrap - the Pulled Pork with Asian Slaw and Tamarind Ketchup. It's was $8.31 - a LOT for a sandwich/wrap, even if it's big.
My disappointment was with the taste. The pork was bland and a little dry. The 'slaw' was baby spinach and red pepper, with a citrus dressing - good, but not really 'slaw' (IMO). The same 'slaw' was repeated in the wrap, along with pineapple (which I like) which wasn't mentioned in the wrap's description, and the Tamarind Ketchup, which was sickly sweet (esp. with the pineapple). All in all it was too sweet, too expensive, and disappointing considering the favorable reviews.
Also, the washrooms were dark, damp and musty, and toilet paper-free, which I discovered too late.

I will return in a more soup-friendly season for a second try, but for now will not make the trek across the downtown core from work.

[fickle]

I was there for lunch too. I had the soup and sandwich combo for $11.34. I wasn't impress with my pulled pork wrap either. The pork was very very dry and so was the wrap. It would have been nicer if they grilled it slightly to bake off some of the starchiness. I did like the pineapple, that was a nice touch. The soup was good, I had the corn puree with tomato and basil. The presentation was nice and they were very friendly. Unfortunately the chairs were horrible. They rival the ones at Le Papillon for being the most uncomfortable. They were steel with a mesh-like pattern that really needed a cushion. Something to soften the sharpness! I will go back to try more soups but unlikely to try a wrap again.

[tbonetak]

Stopped by today. A friend and I split a bowl of roasted corn soup with basil and tomato concassse, a roasted chicken, yam and slaw wrap and the curried leg of lamb, rice pilaf and mango salsa wrap . All very nicely spiced with an excellent balance between main and supporting ingredients (i.e., the accoutrements didn't overshadow the main attraction). The soup was served with a biscuit and very excellent condiments (cilantro, mint and coconut puree and yellow pepper jelly).

I'll definitely put it on my regular circuit of restaurants in the area. I only wish there were more combo options, like a half-order of soup, so I don't have to rely on someone else to split stuff with me. Nice patio in the back as well.

[chyxx]

What's the address?

[outofit]

322 Adelaide Street West - in the block East of Peter.

[domesticgodess]

WOW..what a great new restaurant. I had the curried apricot soup and it was incredible. The flavors, the spice, consistency, etc. Ravi, certainly does know what he is doing!! There was a featured, cold cucumber soup that I sampled....which was also incredible.
I ordered a regular sized soup ($6.99) but it was HUGE..next time I would order a small bowl.
I ordered a cucumber slaw with raita and it was a very refreshing..cruchy, flavorfuf and a perfect compliment to my soup. (although I was full, full, full).
The restaurant itself is "cool"...I liked the design and the patio in the back has a pefect tree for just the right amount of shade.
I will be going back...thats for sure!!

[tbonetak]

I went back today for the second time. This time I had the red pepper bisque (very bright, with nice coconut milk and citrus flavours) and the pulled pork wrap with tamarind glaze (very nice, but so large it started to get a bit cloying at the end.)

Good news! You can now get small bowls of soup (You may have been able to all along but I guess I never asked and it's not on the board.) and they offer a $9 soup/wrap combo with a smaller wrap than the regular-priced one. I think this is the way to go, as the regular wraps are massive. It's a nice way to get a taste of both the excellent soup and wraps.

[tbonetak]

I've posted some photos from my most recent visit here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themkt/s...

[domesticgodess]

great photo's....I definetely need to go back there and try another great soup!!

[domesticgodess]

I read about RaviSoup in the Star as well. Its on my list....p.s how many soups were being offered?

[eller]

There were 3 on the menu today. A red pepper bisque and the noted curried apricot and red lentil soup from the article. They also had 4 sandwiches on the board as well, of which I'll be back to try.

[domesticgodess]

another cool day, so I tried to find it..but messed up and found myself going one way on adelaide. I will try again!!! The curried apricot and red lentil soup sounds like a winner!!