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Posts Tagged ‘burgers’

Ruby Tuesdays

Filed Under: New York City, Restauranton June 17th, 2010

I’m a little delayed with this posting, but having been (basically) out of town for the last two weeks (I can’t help it I have summer fever!) I haven’t had much “New York Stuff” to talk about.

On Tuesday, in true form, I went crazy. Well, not crazy, just all-out.

After a whirlwind of meetings during the day and fighting with several Chinatown parking garage attendants … yes I moved garages, twice, because the gypsy owners weren’t sticking with their posted prices … I decided to treat myself to lunch at a spot I’ve heard “rave” things about in my neighborhood.

In moments of nostalgia I’ve been feeling lately, spurred by the fear I’m going to have to move from my apartment downtown, I have been desperately trying to eat/drink/stalk every hole-in-the-wall in my ‘hood. Ruby’s is one of them.

The best part about Ruby’s is that it’s local. It’s small. It’s cash only (I didn’t know this and spent time after my meal looking for the nearest Wachovia … might as well be in Winston Salem). And it’s got killer burgers. Actually, they’re more like patty melts … on Ciabatta Bread. Reminded me of Katie Lee (Joel)’s burgers that won the NYC Burger Bash a few years ago.

The kitchen’s tiny. When I say tiny, I MEAN tiny. You have to give a chef props for something like that, check it out when you visit the bathroom. It practically is the bathroom … but it’s not … because that would be gross … but let’s just say it’s about the size of a bathroom, next to the bathroom.

But again none of this matters. From 2-7 pm their Happy Hour includes a $7 burger and free PBR, a little ghetto sounding … but also really cool sounding. What New York establishment (that’s reputable) sells a $7 burger?! And while many gastro-pubs love the free pint and beer shtick, it’s usually something frilly and “specially made” for the distinct pub. Ruby’s is badass enough to serve PBR and own it.

To make the situation even better, Ruby herself walked in. She lives in the walkup above the restaurant. Am I the only one who pictured “Ruby” as a man? Well, she’s not. In fact, she’s an incredibly adorable, red-headed Jewish woman with more 80′s costume jewelry than Madonna in her “Material Girl” video.

There are so many interesting things happening in New York restaurants, subways, and on streets, put down your Blackberrys, take off your Gucci glasses, and LOOK PEOPLE, you’re missing it!!

Like I said, I got a little rowdy after that.

After pitchers of beers, stalking reserved tables, and stealing beer (my bad), my girlfriends and I headed to the (apparent) Lakers bar in Chelsea called The Ainsworth. We aren’t Lakers fan … hell, I’ll admit it, we’re not really “fans” of anything except the idea of flirty men and getting crazy on a Tuesday …

But we had fun! I got a little unusually fresh with some bankers, probably due to my intake of cheap beer since 2 pm that afternoon, but yet another day in the life of a fabulous person … HA! If only.

Yet again, I’m off traveling this weekend, as it seems the summer is shaping up to be one full of that, as it is with many New Yorkers, but I’ll be back. In the meantime, go check out Ruby’s …

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Posted in New York City, Restaurant | 5 Comments »

Styling for Sutter Homes

Filed Under: Workon June 2nd, 2010

If I could live one place for the rest of my life, it would be Napa.

I’ve been very blessed as a twenty-three year old to have traveled as much as I have. It’s a must for me. If I don’t get on a plane once in a while, I tend to go a little crazy …

Luckily along the way I’ve met people who love to travel as much as I do, so after visiting Napa Valley and driving up Highway 1 two years ago, I became hooked on the idea that living in wine country was a bucket list task I had to accomplish.

But New York’s pretty great too …

Last week I got to combine my love of food and wine when I was asked to cook and style for a Better TV shoot with Chef Jeff Starr, the Executive Chef of Sutter Homes Winery and their “Build a Better Burger” Contest.

Chef Starr and cookbook author James McNair recently published their cookbook “Burger Parties” which is arranged in a series of parties that feature a burger, a couple of sides, a cocktail, and a dessert.

My job was to shop, prepare, and help style the “By the Sea” party which included:

  • Spanish Deviled Eggs
  • Ocean State Swordfish Burgers with Tangy Apple Tartar Sauce
  • Roasted Fingerling Potato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
  • Fennel and Jicama Slaw with Citrus Dressing
  • Cherry-Chocolate Chunk Cookies

After preparing all these dishes the TV crew came in to film, and then we ate. I have to say, I’ve cooked for many large parties and events, as well as smaller gatherings, and generally after spending that much time with the food, I don’t want to eat it.

But, these recipes were delicious, and I enjoyed all of them. The food from the cookbook had been well tested and the cookbook is a testament of that. If you’re in need of a burger recipe for a party, check it out, it won’t fail you. And if you need a chef and styler, give me a call …

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Posted in Work | 1 Comment »

My Mother vs. Ground Beef

Filed Under: Food, Life, Restauranton November 8th, 2009

There’s a “throw down” in the kitchen, and it doesn’t involve Bobby Flay. What it does involve though, is my mother, a grill, and an unlimited source of ground beef. I don’t think there’s a person in this world who loves burgers more than my mother. She’d eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner … everyday.

In my honest opinion, burgers are very “in” in the food world. It’s like what cupcakes are to the fad baking world. Vomit. Move on, on both accounts. Overdone, overemphasized, and reaching its fad peak super fast. If Rachael Ray makes one more burger book or another artisanal burger joint opens up on 7th Ave, I’m going to scream. What’s so great about a piece of ground beef?
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The thing is, and I believe it to be true about 99% of the time, a burger is just a piece of ground beef … unless its fabulous. And there’s one burger I find to be exceptionally fabulous as I’ve toured the city and dabbled in my mother’s interest. And let me preface this, I do NOT like eating burgers, getting burgers at restaurants, or even making them. It’s not my thing …

But damn girl, April Bloomfield’s got it going on. And so does her gastro-pug burger at The Spotted Pig. And yes, its so trendy it makes me nauseous, but its legit.

I’ve heard it so many times its almost deafening, “The Spotted Pig has the best burger in New York City,” It almost raised the bar too high. It’s like the hype of New Years Eve, all the talk, the planning, and then a sub-par night. Was this going to be a sub-par burger, like all the others I’d tasted in the city?

Absolutely not. In fact, I had to test it three times to make sure it wasn’t bad … Or that’s the excuse I used.

The sensation of eating is this: burger arrives, the rosemary and garlic infused fries overwhelm the plate, you sample one, amazing, just enough salt. Slice the burger in half, the juices flow, but not too much, no soggy bun here. In fact the bun is beautifully round and egg-washed, toasted lightly and not too bready. The burger itself entrances you to nirvana. It’s so warm and fresh you can’t help but eat incredibly fast to preserve the intensity of that first bite. Simply blissful. And the blue cheese – the perfect soul mate to red meat (medium rare, ideally), adds the kick. The pow. The cheese’s tang remains while the juiciness of the meat slides away.

Since that experience … tripled … I have tried burgers elsewhere in attempt to prove the hype wrong. I can’t. And quite honestly I’m done trying. There is no worse feeling than going to a hyped-burger place (high or low end) and realizing that you just spent $18 (and probably 600 or so calories) on a burger that doesn’t hold a flame to The Spotted Pig.

So there it is in a nut shell. After this profound discovery I took my mother, the lover all of things ground beef understood. It won’t stop her from eating or making other burgers, but it is a memory of hers that I hope stays with her. That I hope sets a new standard for what constitutes the best burger, not only of the city, but for the moment.
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Posted in Food, Life, Restaurant | 3 Comments »