Monday, February 22, 2010

A Letter from Jane

Dear Burger Club,

Though it seems like only yesterday, in fact it was almost one year ago since we last broke buns and meat together. Have I been unfaithful? Oh sure, I dallied with Five Guys in DC and In-N-Out in California, but the meat didn't taste as juicy and the buns were not as firm. Nothing could compare to the sophisticated burgers of NYC shared in your company, which have haunted me in my sleep these last twelve months (as has this video). And so, with a side of fries in one hand and a chocolate shake in the other, I ask, will you take me back, oh dear Burger Club? Will you welcome me with open buns? Or will you cast me aside like yesterday's onion rings? I wait with bated burger breath for your decision.

Jane


P.S. In case you're still not convinced, think of these kitties as a peace offering.


Response from Anna (who speaks for BCNY):

I am so glad you are back. We will never cast you aside like yesterday's onion rings--even if you needed some freedom fries, we will always be your happy meal!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Hamburger vs. Hamburger Sandwich, What the Hell is the Difference?

Hamburger vs. Hamburger Sandwich, What the Hell is the Difference?

(Note: BCNY has to apologize but we have no photos to go along with this post. Our resident photographer deleted all the images on his card like the professional photographer that he is.)

Henry Public, sister restaurant to Brooklyn Social, defines itself as a "saloon." And if there had been any non-brothel classy bars in the show DEADWOOD, they probably would have looked like Henry Public. In line with the old-time vibe, Henry Public dubs its burger the "hamburger sandwich." I had always thought that the difference between a "hamburger sandwich" and a "hamburger" was that hamburgers are served on buns; hamburger sandwiches on slices of bread. But Henry Public serves its "hamburger sandwich" on a Orwasher's bun. So what makes a "hamburger sandwich?"

The burger tasted overpriced. Sure, grass-fed, Pat LeFrieda beef is going to cost you more, but a fourteen buck burger (with cheese) should be delicious. Paired with red wine this burger would have been excellent, and in many ways, the taste of this burger seemed designed with wine in mind, not beer. Paired with water, it tasted plain. But a really friendly waitstaff. Anna rates: 2 cows and a calf


Roger:

Anna is "Dead" on with her description of the bar. It has that speak-easy vibe where the bartenders wear ties and make all the drinks the old school way...if you're in to that kinda thing. I couldn't care less about all that, I was there for the burger. The place is small so I recommend getting there early to put your name on the chalkboard, a mistake we made early on. I didn't see the chalkboard before a couple jumped in front of us. But like Anna said, the waitstaff was friendly and helpful. Our waitress made sure it would only be a few minutes more and we were seated right away. I loved the simplicity of the burger presentation. Beef, bun, fries. Simple and to the point. The burger to bun ratio was on the money. And the fries were decent. I may not agree with my colleague's burger and wine combo idea but I do need to figure out the whole grass-fed thing. I've had a couple grass-fed burgers now and they always taste "funny'" to me. I know that's not much of a description, but I wasn't that into it. So I'm going to get to the bottom of it. Have the grass-fed burgers I've had really not been that great or do I just not like grass-fed that much? Either way the real issue was how much it cost. I didn't expect it to be cheap but I was a little upset about the price. I just don't like burger establishments where you have to pay for the ambiance. I haven't had a Score's burger though. Let's see how that idea goes over with the burger club ladies.... Roger rates: 2 cows and a calf


UPDATE: From now on we will average our individual burger ratings for one official BCNY burger rating.


BCNY rates Henry Public:






Henry Public
329 Henry St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201