A Truly Inspiring Burgher Experience

Enterlude:

When one is preparing for a meal in the financial district, one wants to blend, but not stand out. With this in mind I put on a nice pair of charcoal pants and my brown Hugo Boss shoes – easily my nicest shoes.
I spend the afternoon chewing gum & drinking water in anticipation of a plate full of sliders. Small, yet full of flavor they “slide” down easily.
At around 6:15 I began my journey east, making my way from my office on Varick Street to the R/W on Prince & Broadway. I rode the train to Whitehall. The long corridor to the steps smelled of vomit, but this did nothing to lessen my appetite for the mouth watering sliders I was yet to try. A pimple faced Irish (looking) thug in the station eyeballed my shoes. “Get your own” was all I could think. The restaurant was located only a few blocks from the subway in an old building. I entered.

A Stroke of Pure Genius:

The first floor of Burger Shoppe is a semi-fast food little shop complete with workers who looked like they couldn’t give a shit if you ate there or not. I made my way to the second floor bar. The place looked dingy and old.


There were a few other patrons hanging around the bar and at the few tables set up towards the front. I sat at the bar and ordered an Amstel Light. Jay made his way in a few minutes later, followed by Stuart. To our surprise this was the whole crowd for the evening. Shame on everyone else…


Menus were distributed and a special 6 Points beer called Obama Ale was ordered – which possessed a wheaty and hoppy flavor with a cloudy caramel color. THAT was the stroke of pure genius.


The bar menu, however did not have the sliders we expected. Our initial disappointment turned quickly to hungry anticipation. Jay & Stuart each ordered the Shoppe Plate – which consisted of two smaller burgers with classic American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a side of fries.


I ordered the Bar Room Burger which was one big mother of a burger, cooked to perfection and topped with braised pork belly, gruyere cheese, and sautéed onions & mushrooms. It had a peppery undertone. The juice dripped down my chin. The fries were perfectly crispy, and the side of watercress and tomatoes a beautiful thing.


As if this feast wasn’t enough we also shared an order of Roasted Bone Marrow served still in the bone with rock salt, watercress, onion marmalade, and toast. What did I call the stroke of pure genius before? Yeah, I lied. THIS was it!


Exitlude:

We washed it all down with another round of Obama beer. The bartender was actually shocked and in awe that I had finished my entire meal. Greg Seider, is not only the bartender but the private chef and consultant who probably came up with these concoctions. Apparently the place has only been open a few weeks. He told us there were another three floors waiting to be renovated. I got a tour. Yeah, cool stuff.
The ride home featured reflections and revelations. Where should we go next time? Will we ever return? Hell yes! I would come back for that braised pork belly any day…any day!

~McTickle