Bean Soups

Warm and hearty, just what you want on a crisp winter day.

Il Moro: This version of the classic Italian pasta e fagioli uses Borlotti beans, chopped wide noodles, carrots, celery and onions. After hours of cooking, it’s pureed, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with Parmesan. (Pasta e fagioli, $6.95.) Il Moro, 11400 W. Olympic Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 575-3530.

Parkway Grill: Here’s a rich, slightly spicy soup of black beans with tomatoes, red onions, cilantro and jalapenos, cooked until it’s nice and dense. It comes in a big bowl garnished with tomatillo salsa and creme fraiche. (Black bean soup, $6.) Parkway Grill, 510 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, (626) 795-1001.

Urth Cafe: This simple vegetarian soup contains lentils, carrots, parsley and onions, cooked until it’s full-bodied but by no means thick; it’s just filling enough. It comes with a thick chunk of warm sourdough bread. (Lentil soup, $3.95.) Urth Cafe, 8565 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (310)659-0628.

Cafe Midi: In the back of the store Maison Midi, this charming French cafe serves a revolving list of interesting soups. Bean soups include pink lentil with cumin, black bean with chives and roasted garlic and fava bean with smoky bacon. Relax on a pillowy banquette with a bowl of soup and a slice of fresh ciabatta. (All soups, $4.50.) Cafe Midi, 148 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 939-9860.

King’s Fish House/King’s Crab Lounge: The favorite soup here uses white beans, carrots, tomatoes, onions, garlic, fish stock and, most important, kippered salmon. The smoothness of the beans blends beautifully with the salty, smoky salmon. Enjoy a cup or bowl with a nice crunchy piece of sourdough bread. (White bean soup, cup $3.95, bowl $5.95.) King’s Fish House/King’s Crab Lounge, 100 W. Broadway, Long Beach, (562) 432-7463; 4798 Commons Way, Calabasas, (818) 225-1979; 24001 Avenida Carlota, Laguna Hills, (949) 586-1515; 1521 W. Katella Ave., Orange, (714) 771-6655.

Tulipano: In winter, there’s usually a pasta e fagioli with cannellini beans, tomato, celery, pasta and a little prosciutto or a lentil soup that includes rice and homemade chicken stock. Ask for a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan over the top. (Both soups, lunch $4, dinner $4.50.) Tulipano, 530 S. Citrus Ave., Azusa, (626) 967-6670.

Jessica Strand