Tag Archives: Jeff Schlesinger

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven #4 Cherry Street East

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The second week of the countdown to the best Bar Burger from Greenwich to New Haven continues. And in the Number 4 slot is Cherry Street East. This institution burnt to the ground several years ago and the owners and locals joined forces to rebuild an exact replica of the former CSE. I am glad they did, since the Vermonster combination is one of my favorites in the area.

Minolta DSCThe “Vermonster” was served on an English muffin with bacon and sharp Cheddar cheese. The 8-ounce burger was ground and hand-formed daily on-site and cooked on a gas-fired indoor grill. The meat reminded me of the old-fashioned soda shop burgers and the Cheddar cheese and bacon added great flavor. The English muffin was a great addition and added just a little bit of tang. The fries (regular and sweet potato) were very good but the house cut onion rings were probably the best in the area and a perfect side for this great burger.

See the full list of my Top-10 Bar Burgers at:

http://www.ctbites.com/home/2013/5/5/top-10-bar-burgers-from-greenwich-to-new-haven-2013.html

Cherry Street East on Urbanspoon

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven #5 Burgers Shakes & Fries

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EO_BSF_Double2

For number 5 on my list of Best Bar Burgers from Greenwich to New Haven I bring you Burgers, Shakes and Fries. The brain child of owner Kory Wollins, BSF started the burger revolution in these parts several years ago and is still going strong, with a second, larger  location in Darien. Many want their burger on a bun, but I think the BSF burger is just fantastic on the griddled bread.

There are two locations, but the burgers were significantly better in the Byrum location. The meat was delicious and cooked to order. My selection was the single with bacon. American cheese and fried onions, plus fries and a chocolate shake. The meat was rich in flavor and perfectly prepared, the bacon and cheese added saltiness and creaminess, respectively and the grilled onions were the best in the area. I loved the buttered and grilled toast as the “bun.” The fries were also fantastic and for a change of pace the sweet potato tots were also a good option. The burger, shake and fries were a fantastic meal.

See the full list of my Top-10 Bar Burgers at:

http://www.ctbites.com/home/2013/5/5/top-10-bar-burgers-from-greenwich-to-new-haven-2013.html

(photo courtesy of CTbites.com)

Burgers Shakes & Fries on Urbanspoon

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven #6 Dinosaur BBQ

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The countdown continues to the best bar burger from Greenwich to New Haven. And unlike other lists, I actually tasted close to 70 different hamburgers for this list.

us burgerThe “Dino Burger Deluxe” was 6 ounces of Angus beef topped with BBQ caramelized onions, melted cheddar cheese, tomato, house-cured pickles and BBQ mayo. The patty was cooked over a wood grill and the flavor of the meat absorbed a lot of great smoky flavor. The onions were a little pungent but the cheese and BBQ mayo were both great additions, the latter added just a touch of spice. The griddled bun was basic but the grilling increased the flavor and crunchiness. The Dino Poutine, fries covered with cheese and pulled pork, was a great side to go with.

For a full list go to…

http://www.ctbites.com/home/2013/5/5/top-10-bar-burgers-from-greenwich-to-new-haven-2013.html

Dinosaur Bar-b-que on Urbanspoon

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven #7 Barnum Publick House

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Barnum Publick House seems to stay below the radar…and when I visited, the staff was fantastic. I had a great conversation with the server, who was extremely passionate about the burger, telling me it was the best around. He was not far from the truth. Something about an English muffin brings back fond memories of burgers I made as a teen back in NJ.

So my #7 burger from Greenwich to New Haven is Barnum Publick House.

bl barnum publickThe “Barnum Burger” was 100% Angus beef with shredded Iceberg lettuce, tomato, Special Sauce served on an English muffin and I added Cheddar cheese and bacon. House-cut fries were included. The burger was prepared on an indoor grill and absorbed a tremendous amount of smokiness. The patty was perfectly charred on the exterior while the interior was moist and flavorful. Two slices of basic bacon added a little saltiness and the cheese was nicely melted. The English muffin was a great complement plus the fries were delicious.

Barnum Publick House on Urbanspoon

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven #8 BJ Ryan’s Pub

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I tasted over 60 hamburgers to develop the list, yes I actually tasted versus just cut and paste from the menus. And I rated the Top-10 Bar Burgers from Greenwich to New Haven. The first two listings were in New Haven, and for #8 we move to Fairfield County and BJ Ryan’s Pub in Norwalk.

bl BJ Ryan

The B.J. Ryan Burger was delicious; a simple burger served on a soft roll. The meat was perfectly charred on the exterior and juicy on the interior. The grind of the patty was not too compressed or too loose and a slice of American cheese brought all of the saltiness that was required. The fries, which are extra, were not in the same league and not worth the additional cost. (Not to be confused with the one that is sold at its sister restaurant BanC House).

See the full lists of my Top-10 Bar Burgers at:

http://www.ctbites.com/home/2013/5/5/top-10-bar-burgers-from-greenwich-to-new-haven-2013.html

B.J. Ryans on Urbanspoon

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven #9 Prime 16

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Yesterday the first of the Top-10 was published with old stand-by Louis Lunch grabbing spot #10, and today, a second New Haven favorite makes the list.

Over the last year I sampled over over 60 burgers in search of the best Bar Burgers and Best Restaurant Burgers. And since May is National Hamburger Month, I will countdown the best of the best from Greenwich to New Haven.

Each of these was sampled and enjoyed and not just a description from their website.

NUMBER 9…BL Prime 16

Prime 16 (New Haven) – Prime 16 served an excellent bar burger, 100% organic and humanely raised ground beef cooked to my requested medium-rare. Even though the meat was compressed, it was a large patty, delivered excellent flavor and was juicy throughout. There were two thin slices of bacon that added just a little saltiness and the soft brioche roll was the perfect choice to encase the patty and added a little sweetness. The russet fries were very good but I would recommend the sweet potato fries, which were excellent, some of the best I tried.

Go to CTbites and see the entire list:

http://www.ctbites.com/home/2013/5/5/top-10-bar-burgers-from-greenwich-to-new-haven-2013.html

Prime 16 on Urbanspoon

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven #1 Parallel Post

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People ask me all the time where they can find the best bar burger. And when I tell them, “The Trumbull Marriott” I love to look at their reaction. “The Trumbull Marriott?” Yup, the Parallel Post in the Trumbull Marriott is my 2013 choice as the Best Bar Burger from Greenwich to New Haven.

The brainchild of Chefs Dean James Max, Chris Molyneaux and Ali Goss this unexpected pleasure was fantastic. Chef Dean is an incredibly gifted Executive Chef, and when I spoke to him, he was in Southern California overseeing the opening of yet another restaurant to add to his portfolio. A resident of Boca Raton Florida and owner of several high end Florida restaurants, Chef Dean worked with Chefs Chris and Ali to create a delicious menu of farm to table cuisine, and the burger was one of those items.

bl parallel postThe “Double Burger” created by Chefs Dean James Max, Chris Molyneaux and Ali Goss was my perfect Bar Burger. Comprised of seven ounces of grass-fed beef from Ox Hollow Farm, topped with Vermont cheddar cheese, Benton bacon and served on brioche bun from Brothers Bakery in NYC. The flavor of the meat was delicious, deep, rich and then grilled to achieve a nice char on the exterior. The Cheddar was perfectly melted and just sharp enough to complement versus overwhelm the meat. The Benton bacon added great saltiness and smokiness to the burger. The brioche bun was sweet and buttery and grilled for just a little crunch. The fries were also fantastic, crispy on the exterior, soft and moist on the interior and slightly salted. This was a perfect burger from top to bottom.

So hat’s off to everyone at Parallel Post in the Trumbull Marriott for creating the Best Bar Burger from Greenwich to New Haven – 2013.

See the full list of my Top-10 Bar Burgers at:

http://www.ctbites.com/home/2013/5/5/top-10-bar-burgers-from-greenwich-to-new-haven-2013.html

Parallel Post on Urbanspoon

Jfood’s Top 10 Bar Burgers – Greenwich to New Haven – #10 Louis Lunch

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Over the last year I sampled over over 60 burgers in search of the best Bar Burgers and Best Restaurant Burgers.

NUMBER 10…

Louis Lunch (New Haven) – This institution is still serving a great patty using its patented vertical flame grills from 1895. You can ONLY order cheese, onions or tomato, served on toasted bread. The beef was excellent, great flavor and nicely seasoned. The cheese was well melted and the toast held it together. The tomato and bread were not in the same league as the incredible meat, but the historical claustrophobic ambiance and its inclusion on everyone’s “Burger Bucket List” gave Louis the #10 slot.

BL Louis lunch

Apologies for the poor photo. Impossible at the table with so much pushing and shoving.

Read the entire Top 10 List at:

http://www.ctbites.com/home/2013/5/5/top-10-bar-burgers-from-greenwich-to-new-haven-2013.html

Louis' Lunch on Urbanspoon

Lobstercraft – Very Cool Truck Food

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BL LcraftLobstercraft features four different combinations. The basic “Coastal” includes buttered lobster claw meat (it looked like approx. 4 ounces) on a toasted bun or you can add some spicy butter and enjoy their “Heatwave”. And Captain Mike has two additional combinations up his sleeve. His “LBLT” adds bacon, lettuce & tomato) and the “California”tops the lobster meat with avocado, cucumber and a wasabi soy sauce. I chose a Coastal and some bisque.

BL Lob rollThe lobster claw meat was delicious, moist, with good buttery flavor; but the ingredient that elevated the flavors was the “secret seasoning” on top. The sandwich also includes a side of truck-made spicy coleslaw, which adds little heat and was a great side for the roll. The Lobster Bisque was more broth than the creamy version I expected. Captain Mike adds a scoop of chopped lobster meat to the bisque at the last minute. A second visit is in the cards to try another cup of bisque plus I made grab some MAC. The location varies. I saw the truck on Bell Street at lunchtime the other day but you may also find it at Harbor Point.

Lobstercraft on Urbanspoon

Tavern on 7 (Norwalk) – Not a Good Burger

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As my search for great bar burgers continues, I wandered up the street from my office to try Tavern on 7. Located just north of the DMV on the opposite side of the street, there is parking on the side and when I entered midway through lunch service the place was bustling with a full house. Evryone seemed to be enjoying their meal, including burgers, fish & chips, salads and sandwiches.

I was there for a burger and the menu included five choices, an “Angus Cheeseburger,” a “All-Star Burger,” A “Veggie Burger,” a “Turkey Burger,” and my choice the “Tavern Brew Burger,” which included black angus beef topped with Fontina cheese, smoked bacon and caramelized onions.

As I waited for the burger to arrive I was impressed with the energy and the chatter around me. This was a go-to spot for many. The burger arrived and after one bite my disappointment kicked in and nothing in the subsequent bites eliminated this first impression. The meat tasted as if water was added to give it a level of juiciness, the bacon was very basic and boring and the onions were more greasy than tasty. The bun was cold and right out of a plastic bag.

I am glad others enjoyed more than me, but I am not anxious to return and have another burger.

Tavern on 7 on Urbanspoon