BURGER BAR BY CHEF ALLEN (11/7/2011)

The carnivore clan felt honored to be invited to a preview of the new Burger Bar, by Chef Allen. Perhaps we have achieved culinary credibility? Located in Donald Ross Village, it is a franchise offered by Chef Allen Susser, who gained widespread acclaim for the James Beard Award winning Chef Allen’s in North Miami Beach. A renown innovator of new world cuisine in South Florida, he has moved into more casual ventures. As we continue our carnivore quest, we were hopeful that his culinary influence and accumen would translate well to our beloved burgers.

We entered, and passed a wall of meat grinders. Could it be that we had discovered the holy grail of burgers? The attentive, enthusiastic staff led us by the large bar to a semiprivate room in back and we felt immediately at home. We noticed the large outdoor bar, that will surely attract late night socializing snackers in our area.

The menu is extensive, and includes some interesting offerings such as stone crab chowder. There are salads, and milkshakes (+/- alcohol). The craft beer list is extensive, and has something for everyone. We appreciated the assistance in pairing beers with the burgers – all too often in our journey a neglected art. For appetizers, we sampled the spicy wings, sweet thai wings, and onion rings. All were very solid takes on bar classics. As good or better than anywhere else we have been. Momentum was building, and we had a good feeling.

There are a very complete selection of burgers and sliders on the menu. They include the Great Burger ($10.50), Cheese Burger, Beach Burger (burger with bacon, swiss, pickle chips, and beach sauce), Tropical BBQ Burger (burger with onions, Monterey Jack cheese, and papaya-pineapple sauce), Caesar Burger (burger with garlic roasted tomato, mozzarella, chopped romaine, shaved parmesan, Caesar dressing), The Hot Delicious Mess (burger with cheddar, swiss, pickled jalapenos, bacon, and orange chipotle blasting sauce), Surf and Turf Burger (great burger with grilled shrimp and surf/turf sauce), and the Prime Steak Burger (Prime Angus beef, grilled mushrooms, smothered onions, gruyere cheese, house steak sauce). Other offerings include a portabello burger, turkey burger, chicken burger, blue sky buffalo burger, tuna burger, and a lamb burger. During this preview, all of the burger brethren ordered the Great Burger or Prime Steak Burger.

While we waited, we sampled the variety of sliders that were available. As they arrived the orgy began (burger orgy that is). The pork belly slider was reminiscent of pulled pork. Slightly dry, but very good. The shrimp slider was an excellent seafood interpretation of the burger, and both the Kobe and beef sliders were exactly what a slider should be – a miniature version of a well prepared burger, and not the over cooked hockey puck found in most bars. All were complimented well by the sauces, and toppings. Tableside preparation of truffle fries (similar to guacamole) was a very cool touch that the wait staff should be encouraged to embellish. The fries were devoured quickly. The hand cut fries were good, but lacked crunch and paled in comparison to the truffle preparation.

Our burgers arrived. Wow. For the first time in burger doctor history, all burgers (sliders and main course) were cooked to the correct level. All of them – 100%. Chef Bryan did a wonderful job driving the infrared grill. Good sear on the patties, but not over cooked. Already feeling slightly full, we now found that the years of conditioning paid off. Our well trained burger clinicians pressed on, inspired by the food, like triatheletes who know the ultimate fulfillment only comes with finishing the race. The Great Burger was impossible to resist. Plentiful flavor in the hand formed patties of the house blend of brisket, short rib, and prime beef. The construct was stable, and toppings fresh. Seasoning was on point.

The doctors were all in agreement that the prognosis for the Burger Bar is excellent. “A potpourri of deliciousness”…”The restaurant is the everything the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story”…”Closest weve come to perfect in a long time” … “Exceptional, awesome.”…”Rocked my burger world.” Some were so delirious they even called for an end of our burger tour and monthly meetings to be held instead at the Burger Bar.

The Burger Bar by Chef Allen ranked a provisional number 2 due to the preview nature of the dinner. It is a must visit for any serious carnivore. We look forward to the addition of a true veggie burger to complete the menu and plan a second house call and checkup after the official opening to confirm this ranking.

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