Burger Club

[picaman]

I think Suzanne actually ordered the crisps and hush puppies. Did they not charge us?

Ahh..there was a "freebies" rumor about this at my end of the table. So I guess the milkshakes were the only freebie? Still, most unexpected and welcome.

Jamie

[laurenmilan]

Upon reflection, I think I nudged my scores up a bit because the service was attentive and the burgers arrived without much delay -- just as I think I nudged my scores down more than a bit at Landmark because the service sucked so outrageously. Word to any restaurateurs out there:  service does matter.

A Danny Meyer trademark, to be sure...

As for a future trip for BBQ, I'd certainly be game. Although I should note that the desserts at Blue Smoke got some poor reviews. Any suggestions for good after-dinner spots nearby?

Hmm, considering how disappointing otherwise good restaurants' desserts can be, maybe a Dessert Club is in order...

Edited January 4, 2004 by laurenmilan (log)

[elyse]

I think Dessert Club would be difficult to do well, as would be Dinner Club, Breakfast Club or any other of the like. Now Apple Pie Club, or Chocolate Club, or Creme Brulee Club would be in the vein of what we're doing here. Do you know what I mean?

[Suzanne F]

Yeah, I ordered the apps. If we didn't get charged for them . . . I wish I'd ordered more. I wonder what Malawry would have thought of the hush puppies: golf-ball-size spheres of scallion-y dough (a bit on the sweet side), deep-fried to a golden crust (maybe rolled in dry cornmean before frying?) No, actually, they and the cheddar wafers (very different from Elyse's PdeQ) were just enough to keep us occupied while the burgers were being cooked. I mean, you know we all just sat around the table and stared at each other in silence.

The Blue Smoke people were indeed very, very nice to us. Even before Elyse gave them some of her fabulous gingersnaps. If I can figure out how to use my scanner, I'll post an image of the menu. They gave us a big long table up on the mezzanine, which while HOT, meant we wouldn't scare away any of the other customers. And the burgers were indeed the best so far: great char, good quality meat, excellent bun, even decent slices of tomato and good slices of dill pickles. Just the right size, too. I only wish they hadn't taken the potato salad off the menu for winter. Mmmm, potato salad. And that chocolate cake was pretty good, too. Certainly a big enough wedge for all of us! But nowhere near as good as Elyse's gingersnaps and Sherribabee's chocolate chip-oatmeal cookies.

It was definitely the best birthday party I've ever, ever had. And having some new people attend was great, too, along with some of the BC regulars and irregulars. (The only no-show was Mr. Cutlets. Bad Mr. Cutlets.)

But OMG, I hope the Times runs a picture of anything except me Now THAT was a surprise!

[elyse]

Yes, bad, BAD Mr. Cutlets! He needs a spanking too!

Yeah, I don't want my picture there either. We can but hope!

The bill was definitely too much to not have paid for the apps.

Edited January 4, 2004 by elyse (log)

[laurenmilan]

I think Dessert Club would be difficult to do well, as would be Dinner Club, Breakfast Club or any other of the like. Now Apple Pie Club, or Chocolate Club, or Creme Brulee Club would be in the vein of what we're doing here. Do you know what I mean?

LOL too true!

Then again, I've always loved those threads in "Pastry & baking" talking about the problem of desserts in restaurants. (People don't order them because they're too full, the pastries are too expensive, and/or too mediocre, and restauranteurs don't improve their offerings because diners apparently don't care.)

Mmmm, pie...

[elyse]

Too true too.

[bloviatrix]

Happy Birthday Suzanne!!

I'm glad it was such a fun birthday.

[MHesse]

They may well have charged us for the apps. They just appeared and I thought they were being nice to the group. I didn't read the check that closely (didn't even count burgers), but merely figured out what multiple of 17 we needed to cover the bill. Our server got a nice tip (and cookies to boot).

[elyse]

Actually, Donna's and my burgers were comped.

[JosephB]

Actually, Donna's and my burgers were comped.

What a deal. $23 for a comp!!

[JosephB]

Let's see now ... my two suggestions are now ranked #1 and #2 by the BC. I predict that my third and fourth suggestions, Fairway and PJ Clarke's, will make it a clean sweep of the top four.

[elyse]

I paid too.

[JosephB]

I paid too.

With so much good feeling in the room, money was not an issue.

[elyse]

Not heat stroke?

[elyse]

...

Edited January 4, 2004 by elyse (log)

[Suzanne F]

AND HERE'S THE TIMES ARTICLE: clickety

[Bond Girl]

My catfish was very well executed. It had a nice crunchy crust and was nice and juicey on the inside. The okra stew that went with it was nice as well but could be much spicier. I will definitely go back for the grill shrimp.

The company was terrific. I really enjoyed meeting everyone. Happy B-day suzanne!

[johnjohn]

I really enjoyed my first burger club experience, and look forward to more in the future.

I thought the burger was very good, but the company was even better.

thanks

johnjohn

[MHesse]

hmmmpf

"no real expertise in beef"

Just throw me out of the club right now.

Wait till you taste my pie in two weeks - I have less baking expertise.

[Pan]

That article was fun.

Edit: Whoops...

Edited January 4, 2004 by Pan (log)

[elyse]

Gosh. Did I sound that scary?

M, I noticed that too. Hmph. For what it's worth, I think you are all knowing in the area of beef.

Edited January 4, 2004 by elyse (log)

[Suzanne F]

Damn them-- they didn't mention egullet!!! :mad:

I'm writing to the Times to complain. Picaman, pm me with your last name, please.

Edited January 4, 2004 by Suzanne F (log)

[elyse]

Uh oh.

[JosephB]

Damn them-- they didn't mention egullet!!! :mad:

I'm writing to the Times to complain. Picaman, pm me with your last name, please.

I can't believe it! Maybe we're all naive.