Nothing beats winter’s chill like a steaming bowl of brothy sustenance. Warm up with these flavor-packed soups and stews at restaurants around Northern Virginia.
Pozole at Tortas y Tacos la Chiquita
Recovering from a late night with a little too much merriment? Some swear by this smoky Mexican pork and hominy stew ($16) as the ultimate hangover cure. Kick it up with some fiery salsa roja if you really need to sweat out the toxins. 2911 Columbia Pike and 3811 Fairfax Drive, Arlington; 8106 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church
Clam Chowder at The Falls
Chef Miljohn Dimaano’s gluten-free rendition of this hearty New England classic ($14) blends russet potatoes and leeks with little neck clams, crispy bacon and cream for a silken finish. A splash of chili oil “adds a subtle, nutty depth of flavor,” he says. 370 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Soup de Poisson at Café Colline
The basis for chef Brendan L’Etoile’s Marseille-style stew ($16) is a rich fish stock made with ginger, garlic, fennel, tomatoes, orange peel, brandy and pastis. Puréed with potatoes into a piping hot bisque, it’s served with a sprinkle of paprika, saffron aioli, shredded Gruyere and toast for dunking. 4536 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Lee Heights Shops)
Gumbo at Bayou Bakery
For a taste of the Big Easy, nothing beats chef David Guas’ gumbo with chicken and sausage ($7-$10). “I learned everything I know about gumbo from my Aunt Boo in Abbeville, Louisiana,” says the NOLA native. “She taught me how to read the roux for color and flavor. The holy trinity—celery, bell pepper, onion—cooks in the roux. As she says, ‘Your roux should look like the bayou after a heavy rain.’” 1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington (Courthouse)
Pho at Pho 75
To experience the restorative properties of this traditional Vietnamese soup, hit the cash-only Rosslyn café that’s been serving it since 1985. The classic version is a clear, aromatic broth with undertones of umami (thanks to fish sauce), packed with steak, rice noodles, green onions and cilantro. Customize a bowl ($12) to your liking with sides of bean sprouts, herbs, jalapeño slices, lime wedges and chili paste. 1721 Wilson Blvd, Arlington (Rosslyn)
Avgolémono at Our Mom Eugenia
This lemony chicken-and-rice soup with eggs, a Greek staple, is indeed good for the soul. Chef Eugenia Hobson’s bright and satisfying version ($10) carries forth her grandmother’s recipe from the island of Zakynthos. 4044 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington) and 2985 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic)