This year Zagat ranked little Burger Joint's hamburger right after the renowned Michelin starred Peter Lugers' burger as the number 2 burger in New York City.
That's quite an accolade in this American city where burger joints, big and small, are everywhere.
Dining at Peter Lugers requires a two month reservation but we can just walk into Burger Joint at any time..... if you know where it is.
So, I just had to give Burger Joint a try.
Burger Joint is behind that big maroon/ red curtain at the lobby of swanky 5-star Le Parker Meridien Hotel between fashionable 6th and 7th Avenue on 56th Street.
Behind the curtain.....? Everyone knows about this secret little burger joint :-D
As we neared the front of the queue, we were met by a golden glow from Burger Joint.... Is this the hamburger El Dorado?
The dimly lit hole-in-the-wall type shop inside was quite a contrast to the bright and slick hotel that it is in.
The cashier and open kitchen were at the front, and seats ringed around it in a U shape. Seats were limited and it was quite a squeeze during lunch.
Still, this small space is really quite cool. Compact yet comfortable enough.
There were only hamburger or cheeseburger (and fries) on the menu.
I requested for the basic hamburger with fresh tomato, onion and lettuce. It came with melty cheese though I didn't request it.
The beef patty was flame grilled, topped with raw crunchy slices of onion, tomato and a few leaves of lettuce. The burger was held between soft, lightly butter toasted bun.
I requested for my burger to be done medium rare. Busy as the kitchen was, the made-to-order burger was delivered spot on and pretty quickly too.
The USD8 burger (before tax and tips) was significantly smaller than Corner Bistro's 8 ounce patty. The tender patty was beefy and juicy with a slight smokiness from the char. The grease wasn't too much and was further balanced by the juicy fresh tomato, onion and lettuce.
A good burger and a very quaint, unique setting.
Check it out if you are in the area. It's a more interesting experience than the usual global burger chains.
Restaurant name: Burger Joint
Address: Inside Le Parker Meridien Hotel, 119 W 56th Street, NYC, New York
Map: http://bit.ly/BurgerJoints
Hours: 11:00 am to 11:30 pm
Date visited: 18 Dec 2014
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The good ol humble hamburger is an American icon which is always a subject of contention. Americans couldn't agree on where the hamburger was invented. Every year New Yorkers vigorously debate which burgers rank among the city's favourites. Every burger joint has it's die hard fans and detractors.
Corner Bistro's place among the city's pantheon of hamburgers is a regular subject of bar top dispute.
The only way to find out is to taste it for ourselves.
Corner Bistro is actually a bar that serves some hamburgers to go with the drinks.
Inside Corner Bistro, the rustic looking long bar looked well stocked and the people at the counter were on first name basis with Harold the boss. Laid back and relaxed, it's like our neighbourhood kopitiam (coffee shop) in Singapore and Malaysia. People come here for comfort food, a tipple or pint and catching up on the goings on around town.
You can join in the banter at the bar or sit at the tables.
Or, you can perch on a bar stool at the ledge and watch the world go by; which was what I did on a wet Wednesday noon.
Corner Bistro's classic hamburger. USD7.95 (before tax).
The burger arrived on a white Frisbee type of plastic plate, the 7-ounce patty was thick and nicely caramelised and charred outside.
This, and just a slice of caramelised onion, fresh tomato and some lettuce between a grilled generic soft sesame bun; that's it.
Simple and no frills.
Wait. There's also a couple of slices of sour pickled cucumbers.
The thick beef patty was done medium rare with some pink inside while the outside had a caramelised char. Nice soft texture and a mild beefy taste inside with a smokey tasting crisp outside.
This is comfort food, unembellished.
Comfort food at it's best or it's worst, Corner Bistro divides opinions.
I liked it but people used to eating their burgers with lots of flavourings, sauces and gimmicky toppings may find this sub par.
Burger aside, come here for that authentic Lower West Side/ Greenwich Village Bohemian experience.
Next time.
Their Bistroburger and a good pint!
Restaurant name: Corner Bistro
Address: 331 W 4th St., NYC, New York (Lower West Side)
Map: http://bit.ly/CornerBistro
Hours: 11:30 am to 4:00 am
Date visited: 11 Dec 2014
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