An American favorite, the burger has been reinvented countless times to appeal to every palate. But if you’re deep in New York City, finding the perfect burger can be quite the challenge. With May being National Burger Month, we’ve decided to make the search for that flavorful bite just a little easier.
You wouldn’t expect a burger in an Asian gastropub in the East Village. But Toucan and The Lion adds a Far East twist, replacing the standard sesame-seed bun with toasted bao smeared with melted cashew butter that holds together a seared beef patty topped with applewood-smoked bacon. In place of French fries, fried pickles accompany the dish.
The tavern’s Minetta Burger is the little brother to the Black Label Burger, but don’t let the simplicity of cheddar cheese and onions fool you into thinking it’s not just as delicious. If you would like to give the Black Label a go at the Greenwich Village spot, however, you surely won’t be disappointed. The prime dry-aged beef with caramelized onions and a side of fries is a standout.
NoHo’s Saxon and Parole serves up a burger made for two. The dry-aged Angus beef is thick and weighty, a perfect partner when hugged between two slices of housemade brioche. It comes topped with Pennsylvania Havarti, maple bacon, a fried egg and a side of fries. Ketchup need not apply here, as the flavorful beef, along with the combination of toppings, deliver all the wonderful your taste buds could need.
At DB Bistro, chef Daniel Boulud’s contemporary take on French cuisine in Midtown, quite the burger experience is served. A Parmesan bun holds a sirloin steak stuffed with braised short ribs. As if that weren’t enough, the creation also comes with foie gras, black truffle and a heap of fries.
This SoHo eatery offers a casual setting with a fine-dining burger experience. Serious foodies, from chefs to food writers and critics, come here in search of seasonal selections, such as the white-truffle burger with Robiola cheese and truffle aioli on a simple bun, or crowd favorites, like the burger Bash Style, with caramelized onions and bacon jam, pickles, American cheese and special sauce.
Photos Courtesy of Jason Lang, Artek, DB Bistro and Burger & Barrel
