I'm wondering if there is something terribly wrong with my tastebuds.
Last night, I went to Chef Zak Pelaccio's new hot spot Borough Food & Drink, all cranked up to try the burger that won a coveted spot in New York Magazine's City's Best Burger List and an even more coveted rave from the meat master himself - Josh Ozersky (aka Mr. Cutlets).
The dining room was throbbing with hyped up New Yorkers totally giving into the restaurant's sceney vibe. Noise levels were deafening, but no one seemed to mind. The menu looked awesome. People looked happy. Drinks seemed to be flowing at a pretty rapid pace. All in all, what I'd expect from a new Flatiron destination restaurant.
Then the burger arrived.
The bun was squished beyond recognition, but the patty was promisingly mammoth, and it came with a slice of Heirloom tomato that put me in the mood. One bite though, and I sent it right back into the kitchen. The sucker was well-done. Very well-done. Flavorless.
Within minutes they brought me a replacement burger. The bun still looked way too squished and Wonder Bread-like for my sensibilities, but hopefully the new medium-rare patty would make up for the bread's failings. I piled it up with the slice of tomato, thinly sliced onions and lettuce, adding a dollop of ketchup for good measure. I took a bite.
Blech!
Could it be? New York Magazine gave this hamburger a THREE Ketchup Squeeze Bottle salute. Josh Ozersky LAVISHED praise on this patty!
I took another bite to be sure.
Blech!
It was - dare I say it? - bland! And the texture was more mushy than meaty.
I was flummoxed. Had I lost my tastebuds? Is it possible that Borough Food & Drink had lost their golden burger touch? Or could it simply be that after all my fascination with burgers as of late, that I'd finally lost a taste for them?
There's only one way to find out - a visit to the ultimate New York hamburger destination: Shake Shack. Clearly, a field trip is a must-do. Anyone care to join me?
New design looks awesome.
Posted by: Doug | August 28, 2007 at 04:30 PM