Commonwealth Cafe closed (aka Tioli's return visit)

(Sorry no photos)

Ben: VENISON BURGER w/ fries. Burger with Poached Red Wine Pears, Mushrooms, Bacon, Cream and Plum Jelly on a bun.

HOW THEY STACK UP:
1. BACKGROUND 1 2 3 4 5
2. BONUSES 1 2 3 4 5
3. BUNDLE 1 2 3 4 5
4. BURGER 1 2 3 4 5
5. BUN 1 2 3 4 5
6. BOLDNESS 1 2 3 4 5
7. BARGAIN 1 2 3 4 5
8. BELT-BUSTING 1 2 3 4 5
9. BURDEN 1 2 3 4 5
10. BUZZ 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE: 36

NOTES:

- decent beer & wine selection, no booze

- pears seem to big in scale, too much pear to burger ration

- pear & sauce don’t seem to add much to the overall flavor, gets in the way of the venison

- would have been better with a nice dry rub & simple sauce

(Sorry no photo)

James: SANTORIN BURGER w/ fries. ½ Lamb, ½ Beef burger with Tzaziki sauce on a bun.

HOW THEY STACK UP:
1. BACKGROUND 1 2 3 4 5
2. BONUSES 1 2 3 4 5
3. BUNDLE 1 2 3 4 5
4. BURGER 1 2 3 4 5
5. BUN 1 2 3 4 5
6. BOLDNESS 1 2 3 4 5
7. BARGAIN 1 2 3 4 5
8. BELT-BUSTING 1 2 3 4 5
9. BURDEN 1 2 3 4 5
10. BUZZ 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE: 38

NOTES:

- average bundle could have used something “crazier” like mint jelly

- the tzaziki sauce was a pretty good compliment b/c it had a minty taste

- the burger was juicy and flavorful

- you could taste both the lamb & the beef, easily demolished

(Sorry no photo)

The Gathering

Ben: SOUTHWEST BURGER w/ fries. Burger with avocado, jack cheese and salsa on a sesame seed bun.

HOW THEY STACK UP:
1. BACKGROUND 1 2 3 4 5
2. BONUSES 1 2 3 4 5
3. BUNDLE 1 2 3 4 5
4. BURGER 1 2 3 4 5
5. BUN 1 2 3 4 5
6. BOLDNESS 1 2 3 4 5
7. BARGAIN 1 2 3 4 5
8. BELT-BUSTING 1 2 3 4 5
9. BURDEN 1 2 3 4 5
10. BUZZ 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE: 26

NOTES:

- trying to be contemporary, but something is slightly off

- bad light jazz could be the first sign of something being wrong

- small outdoor seating area and 4 beers on draft

- this burger is similar to hiking above the treeline – a mountain of meat that’s very dry and lacking in vegetation

- nothing magic about this place

- the mediocrity of this place settles in like a heavy fog, even the customers are boring

(Sorry no photo)

James: BLUE CHEESE BURGER w/ fries. Burger with blue cheese, lettuce and tomato on a sesame seed bun.

HOW THEY STACK UP:
1. BACKGROUND 1 2 3 4 5
2. BONUSES 1 2 3 4 5
3. BUNDLE 1 2 3 4 5
4. BURGER 1 2 3 4 5
5. BUN 1 2 3 4 5
6. BOLDNESS 1 2 3 4 5
7. BARGAIN 1 2 3 4 5
8. BELT-BUSTING 1 2 3 4 5
9. BURDEN 1 2 3 4 5
10. BUZZ 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE: 30

NOTES:

- a denny’s like atmosphere and a middle of the road burger which is appropriate because I felt like I was eating a tire

- not much else to say

- terrible bloody mary, I’d rather pour ketchup in my water

- if any of you readers out there like lite jazz, get the hell off my blog

(Sorry no photo)

Dobson's Bar and Restaurant

Ben: DOBSON’S BAR ROOM BURGER w/ salad. Burger, med-rare, with cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce and onion on a bun.

HOW THEY STACK UP:

1. BACKGROUND 1 2 3 4 5
2. BONUSES 1 2 3 4 5
3. BUNDLE 1 2 3 4 5
4. BURGER 1 2 3 4 5
5. BUN 1 2 3 4 5
6. BOLDNESS 1 2 3 4 5
7. BARGAIN 1 2 3 4 5
8. BELT-BUSTING 1 2 3 4 5
9. BURDEN 1 2 3 4 5
10. BUZZ 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE: 36

NOTES:
- old timey restaurant feel, but not as cool as it could be
- parking is a bit of a hassle, unless you park at Horton plaza
- very good complimentary sourdough bread
- excellent bacon, some of the best I’ve ever had on a burger
- burger cooked perfectly
- good spread on toppings and condiments
- very juicy
- if you come for lunch be prepared to listen to some business schmoozing






James: DOBSON’S BAR ROOM BURGER w/ salad. Burger, med-rare, with cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce and onion on a bun.

HOW THEY STACK UP:

1. BACKGROUND 1 2 3 4 5
2. BONUSES 1 2 3 4 5
3. BUNDLE 1 2 3 4 5
4. BURGER 1 2 3 4 5
5. BUN 1 2 3 4 5
6. BOLDNESS 1 2 3 4 5
7. BARGAIN 1 2 3 4 5
8. BELT-BUSTING 1 2 3 4 5
9. BURDEN 1 2 3 4 5
10. BUZZ 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE: 35

NOTES:
- the burger meat was cooked perfectly, but tasted a little bland
- bun was above average
- a little pricey, and a little to fancy for me
- excellent presentation
- parking sucks with lots of crazy pedestrians who think they’re traffic cops
- bacon was very smoky and delicious
- only one burger on the menu, but it’s pretty good

(Picture same as above.)