Porcini-Mushroom soup at Savant
51 W. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-285-9294; savantmidtown.com
One of the city's top new restaurants is Savant, and though it's a tight contest, there's no missing the porcini-parmesan soup. Half the fun is the presentation. A server brings a bowl holding only salt-roasted rutabaga, parsnip puree, pea tendrils, and fresh shaved parmesan. The soup arrives separately, and is poured into the bowl. The umami-heavy soup is made with fresh and dried porcinis, along with whole button mushrooms and shiitake, and the stock is reduced with cream, shallots, and sherry vinegar. That's all hit with matsutake shoyu, which gives it even more of an umami burst. —Tom Perkins
