London’s Burger and Lobster Has Arrived in NYC
Do you like eating lobsters? I sure do. Especially one of those whole steamed beauties, where you pull out the sweet meat, dip it in butter… man, what a treat. How about eating burgers, do you like to do that? Me too! Big juicy burgers with bacon and cheese and pickles, maybe some kind of special sauce… YES! Great idea for dinner. Ok, so if you're like me, here's where you have to go before it gets too crazy crowded: the brand-new Burger & Lobster, a short walk from any of our Midtown West Apartments. The huge, designed-for-a-party restaurant that only has two items on its menu–you can probably guess what they are–for the set price of $20 each. Fun, right? And the best news is this: on the night I went last week, both dishes were great, prepared with skill and attention, wholly satisfying.
There's Burgers. There's Lobsters. Then There's Burger & Lobster
Burger & Lobster is an amazingly simple concept ("surf and turf" reduced to its essence, plus fries) that has proven to be a massive hit in London, where all six locations apparently and routinely have lines out the door. The Flatiron Burger & Lobster–which, by the way, is equally close if not closer to Union Square–is the first outpost in America, and they are really going for broke with their choice of space. Seriously, this place is just ridiculously large, with tables for 340 gorging guests, two levels, a long bar area upstairs and a smaller one below, lobster tanks and traps everywhere you look, soaring ceiling, expansive open kitchen in the back. If they can pack them in here (it was thankfully empty when I went early on a Tuesday), it will be LOUD, especially when the after-work crowd gets a few drinks into the evening. It also seems tailor-made for office birthday parties and celebrations and such, with its crowd-pleasing menu and boozy ambiance. Plan accordingly. But if you're in the mood for a lively night out (it is open for lunch, too, but you will then likely need a nap), Burger & Lobster is well worth a visit.
The Working Man's Surf & Turf: Big Burger & Lobster Rolls
My steamed lobster–you can also get it grilled–was excellent, nice and fat and juicy, big chunks of knuckle meat and hefty claws, fresh and sweet. You have to work a bit (they split the tail, but you need to crack the claws), but whatever, that's part of experience as far as I'm concerned. A real bargain for $20. Less of a bargain: the smallish-looking lobster roll, which they also serve and seems beside the point. My burger was also really good, a ten-ounce monster, Pat LaFrieda-blend patty, cooked perfectly to my requested medium-rare, crisp bacon and gooey cheese no extra charge, pickles adding some bite, and wasabi mayo as the stealth-winner ingredient. The seeded roll couldn't quite keep up with all of juiciness–this may have actually been the messier of my two meals–and it's not quite as much of a deal as the lobster, but still, this is a big, tasty meal. Both items come with plenty of decent, salty fries and a small balsamic-dressed salad. If you think you'd like Burger & Lobster, you probably will actually like it here.
For More Information on Burger & Lobster
Burger & Lobster is located on West 19th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday until 12:00 midnight. For more info on B&L, check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted in Downtown, NYC Dining, Other Neighborhoods | Tagged best burger in nyc • Best burgers in New York City • Best lobster in nyc • Burgers and Lobster • flatiron district • January • lobster nyc • restaurant • restaurants
