Empirehouse Urban Palate

Ben: ZENMAI BURGER. Burger with zenmai (marinated Japanese fern shoots), Havarti cheese, mayo and lettuce on a seeded 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:

- nice amount of outdoor seating with both sun & shade

- one of the better pickles I’ve had, homemade?

- great bun that was perfectly toasted and sized for the burger

- a very subtle burger that gets better with each bite

- not overpowering in flavor, which is nice for a change

- not overly large, probably want to add a side if you’re hungry at all

- interesting way to cook the burger: cast iron skillet, which only allows medium and I normally get medium-rare, however this did not cause a lack of flavor or juiciness

- $5 bottled beer was a little steep, but the frosty pint glass that accompanied it helped to ease the pain slightly

James: BBQ BACON BURGER. Burger with red miso bbq sauce, bacon, Havarti cheese, garlic aioli and pickled red onion on a seeded 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: 39

NOTES:

- cool outdoor patio nestled between two houses

- kitchen in one and dining in the other

- the flavors were complex & delicious between the aioli, pickled red onions and house bbq sauce

- bbq was tangy & sweet like teriyaki sauce

- burger was juicy and well seasoned

- burger was $8.50 w/ no sides and presents no obstacles to even a mild hunger

- beer selection was decent, but all 12 oz. bottles for $5

- you will be satisfied, but you’ll be wondering how you managed to spend $17, still be hungry and want 8 more beers