When I was approached to do a soup sampling at Zoup! I was so excited! As the days in Michigan get longer and a bit colder, soup is always my go to; and I’ve wanted to try Zoup! for some time.

Zoup! is a Michigan based company, headquartered in Southfield. The company offers award-winning soups with 12 always rotating daily varieties. The menu is very inclusive and has offerings that are low fat, made with gluten-free ingredients, lower calorie, vegetarian, dairy free, and spicy.

They also come up with fun ways to serve soup, and that is what I got to experience on my recent visit. For a limited time, Zoup! is offering three seasoned bread boules! I tried all three and it was HARD to pick a favorite. The boules come in three options, Italian Herb, Olive Oil & Sea Salt, and Parmesan Garlic! Each boule is brushed with extra virgin olive oil and topped with savory seasoning, and then toasted to perfection! Zoup! also offers the Original Bread Boule, brushed with extra-virgin olive oil before toasting, year-round.

I tried the Italian Herb Bread Boule with Santa Fe Chicken Chili, which was so tasty! The chili was light and I didn’t feel stuffed. Next up, I had the Parmesan Garlic Bread Boule with Chicken Pot Pie. The Chicken Pot Pie soup is their best seller and I can see why! It was rich and creamy, with just the right amount of seasoning. For my final selection, I tried the Olive Oil & Sea Salt Bread Boule with the Brewhouse Cheddar soup. It was my favorite! Although I am not a beer fan, the beer flavor in this soup was just right and not overpowering. I could have a bowl of this EVERYDAY! And, because it's a special seasonal offering, I’ll be sure to enjoy it a few more times before it leaves the menu.

The soup and boule combinations I tried were GREAT and with the rotating soups, you can try a lot of different combinations! The seasoned bread boules add a little something extra to the soup experience, jazzing up the taste for sure!

Zoup! also features made-to-order salads and sandwiches, and catering! You can also sample the soups prior to purchase, which is great, considering so many options. What a cool concept for a restaurant; it really shows that they want you to be happy with your meal. The staff and manager Kaylee were also great!

The Seasoned Bread Boules and Brewhouse Cheddar soup are seasonal, so get to Zoup! today to try all the creative combinations!

I was recently invited to try the new “A Variety of Flavors” menu at BRIO Tuscan Grille, and I must say if you’re a fan of good food, you need to run, not walk there! As a first time diner at BRIO I was going in as a newbie and was welcomed in by amazing smells and great service! From Steve the Manager, to Lucia my waitress, and Chef Billie O’Neal I felt welcomed, and they went out of their way to make my dining experience a great one.

I began my food journey with amazing bread! And, I LOVE bread, so that was a great way to kick off dinner. The flavors from the herbs and spices worked well and I didn’t feel as if I was getting full before getting to the main course.

For my tasting experience I was able to try out three new entrees; Peroni Beer-Battered Fish & Chips, Lobster & Black Pepper Shrimp Ravioli, and Braised Beef Pappardelle.

The Peroni Beer-Battered Fish & Chips was some of the BEST I’ve had and was accompanied by a brussel sprouts slaw that had a bite to it with jalapeno. The fish was crispy and paired nicely with the in-house tartar sauce.

The Lobster & Black Pepper Shrimp Ravioli was DELICIOUS. While cream sauces can oftentimes seem heavy, this black pepper cream sauce was light and flavorful. The kick from the seasoning was just right and the combination of lobster ravioli and shrimp was a dream.

The real surprise for me was the Braised Beef Pappardelle. I don’t often like braised beef at restaurants because it can be overcooked and dry, but this was perfect! It was tender, flavorful, and juicy. I have to say that this dish was my favorite!

Chef Billie was very generous and in addition to trying the new Butterscotch Budino, he also let me sample Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake and the Crème Brulee. All of these desserts were to die for! But, the Butterscotch Budino was my favorite. It was not overly sweet and had a nice creamy texture. Topped with whip cream, it was the perfect finish for this amazing dinner.

I also enjoyed the Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake and the Crème Brulee, and would recommend them as well. With the cookie crust, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle it was a cheesecake like I’ve never had before. The Crème Brulee was also a winner. As they can often have a grainy texture this version was creamy and smooth, just as it should be.

In addition to the three entrees and dessert I tried, there are also new appetizers, Calamari Fritto Misto and Spicy Shrimp & Eggplant. I will definitely be heading back to BRIO Tuscan Grille! The new menu items I tried will be available through Saturday, April 15th and can be tried at the Somerset Collection location in Troy and Partridge Creek Fashion Park in Clinton Township.

Zoup! Gets Zany with New Bread Boules!

You MUST Try BRIO Tuscan Grille's New Menu!