Restaurant Revamp: Hungry Soul Cafe

The restaurant-in-a-parking-garage (my own parking garage, in fact) formerly known as Inn Between has been rebranded as Hungry Soul Cafe, and I finally made it over to check out the lunch specials that've been tempting me for a while now. New owners Anita and George Keller are slowly revamping the menu at this bustling lunchtime spot, starting with the rotating list of daily specials.

For a restaurant that's been best known for the Rumplemeyer, a combination BLT and chicken salad sandwich, the new daily special lineup is fairly highbrow. Recent offerings have included roast leg of lamb, smoked shrimp and grits, and pan-seared tilapia. There's also a chicken and waffles special I'm itching to try, plus a full breakfast menu.

On the day I stopped in, the specials were cafeteria classic Johnny Marzetti and sauteed cod. I quite enjoyed the cod, a lightly breaded filet served over a potato cake with a buttery sauce and a whole bunch of grilled fresh veggies--bell peppers, tomatoes, squash and zucchini. It was a lovely light lunch option and a welcome alternative to the usual sandwich or salad.

I didn't manage to snag a bite of that Johnny Marzetti, but judging by how quickly it disappeared, it was a winner. I've always been fond of this space, with its almost nautical-feeling polished woods and roomy booths, and can't wait to see how it continues to evolve.