Break the budget once in a while with this somewhat guilt-free splurge: The Starling Diner lunch special. $8.99 (or is it $8.50? or $8.95?) gets you a rather large three cheese grilled panini sandwich on a baguette, a small house salad with fresh tomatoes, and  a hefty serving of soup. And a word on the soups: to taste any one of Starling’s soups is to love them, rivaled only by the Gypsy Den for consistently great consistencies. Today I had tomato soup (a bit spicy). Great for dipping sandwiches; better by the spoonful.  (Starling Diner, 4114 E 3rd St)

Tags: does anyone even watch emeril anymore?, Food, soup, starling diner, yum