Wednesday, April 30, 2014

On A Mission To Find The Best Burger In New York City

(Three Reasons to try the truffle burger)   

     
    The war is on. New York City's patty battle shows no signs of letting up. While West Coast chains are storming the city, chefs add fine-dining, locavore tweaks to their gourmet burgers. But with so many contenders in the city, it can be tough to keep track New York's must-try burgers. Don't worry, you can never go wrong with the delicious truffle burger from Umami.    


1) A Sexy Bite On The Plate      

     
    As a meat fanatic for years, I've tried lots of burgers from all over the world. The classic greasy angus beef burgers from Texas, the mouth-watering foie-gras bacon burger from Toronto and the mini whopper with apple slices and hollandaise sauce. Among these, the truffle burger still leaves a lasting and tasty memory in my heart. A flavor bomb of house truffle cheese, roasted garlic aioli and a truffle glaze, this burger is just dangerously sexy, So fragrant with so much butter and fat.     Opened last summer in Greenwich Village, Umami Burger is one of the local favorites burger chains from L.A.. With a three-hour opening-week waits, this gourmet burger place made a strong statement upon its first arrival and it didn't cease to impress. The owner, Adam Fleischman is the biggest fan of the umami, the elusive fifth taste after sweet, salty, sour and bitter.  It is also a savory flavor sensation connected with beef, soy sauce and Parmesan cheese. 


2) Cheap Choice For The Truffle Craze
        



    Missed the white truffle season in the city? No problem. Umami burger offers one of the richest truffle-flavored burgers in New York, also with less bucks. While most of the gourmet truffle burgers cost more than $50 per serving, Umami Burger provides a much more economic alternative for New Yorkers, priced only at $12.50. This time, the truffle season is no longer the season of decadence.     The world of truffle has always been mysterious. The nature of truffles has captivated people for over a thousand years. These black pearls of the Earth has the dazzling, irresistible aroma that continues to draw generation after generation to the delicacy. This subterranean mushroom is found within the roots of oak, hazel and beech trees. Dated back to as early as ancient Egypt, people held truffle in high esteem and ate them coated in goose fat. The Greeks and Romans used truffles for therapeutic purposes, believing they gave eternal health to the body and soul. Seen as having exotic qualities in aroma and flavor, truffles were quite popular among the noble classes.      


3) Try It Without The Bun
        


    Is the burger without a bun still a burger? For me, it's still the same indulgence. Instead of brioche buns, the gluten-free Loco Moco beef burger is sandwiched between two rice patties, topped with a fried egg and drizzled with a chicken demi-glaze. Even more, the meat patty can be replace by portobello mushroom.  Want something different? The Five Spice Burger ($15) is a restaurant special with a patty made from whole fresh duck, layered  with sauteed parsnip, Chinese Five Spice, Madagascar Pepper, Peach Chutney and Garlic Aioli. It has a nice fruity essence, plus the peppery kick and great duck flavor.