A taste of the black label beef
I've always had this problem with the notion of deliciousness. Take for example, Dr. Pepper. There's nothing like the first sip out of the can of a Dr. Pepper. It's really amazing and delicious. Not everyone love it though. Yesterday I tasted an aged beef cheeseburger. It was delicious, but does everyone love the taste of aged meat? Aged beef is part of the new La Frieda Black Label blend that's being used at City Burger. When City Burger first opened in Midtown, I didn't like them at all but now they may deserve more consideration and praise.
When City Burger opened in May of 2008, they were touted as a new burger joint using the famous Pat La Frieda blend of meats. Only one little problem... they kind of fucked it all up. Back then, they grilled the meat instead of griddled it. They used a sesame bun that was not soft and give in to your bite. They cooked your burger all the way through and the service was less than stellar.
It seems all that has changed. Yesterday when I went to City Burger, I was greeted with a really tasty burger that's far more interesting than any of its peers. I heard about this when The-Feedbag reported that City Burger would revamp and be the first on the market with a burger with the new black label blend. Just what is this black label blend? Nick Solares of A Hamburger Today reported it as, "a mix of skirt, brisket, short rib, and a secret cut that is actually dry aged! It has an extremely generous 70/30 meat-to-fat ratio."
I was skeptical about this whole aged beef thing and whether it really makes a difference. If you're also skeptical, I encourage you to try this burger. Not only can you taste the difference, you can even smell it. Yes, without tasting the burger you can distinguish it from a plain burger. Some would probably even go as far as to call the pungent delight a sort of perfume. I wouldn't go that far but man... it smells good.
City Burger used to have issues with cooking your burger to temperature. Yesterday they were totally spot on with my medium rare burger. At $12.90 with the cheese option and tax included, this is one of the most expensive take-out burgers you will find. So is it worth it? I think so. Would I always choose this $13 over a $5 shake burger? Probably not every time. We are after all, in a recession and I'm just as cautious as the next person about hoarding my money. $13 dollars feels like a splurge and a luxury in this economy but once in a while you should treat yourself to such a luxury. If you're comparing aged beef burgers around the city, then this has to be one of the steals.
The other important lesson about this burger is that a restaurant can change and make things better. City Burger totally changed their cooking process and they even went as far to change the little things like their buns. You gotta love them for the effort, as well as the enhanced product as a result of their overhaul. Now if the auto industry could do that...
Speaking of the recession, places like Picholine are even doing recession specials named after the economy! (Menu d'Economie) I guess right now it's a great time to go to expensive restaurants for their recession specials. But where are you going during times like these? Are you staying home? Eating out more? Eating $13 burgers? Or saving money by drinking orange soda for breakfast?
City Burger
1410 Broadway.
New York, NY 10018
212-997-7770
The burger looks kind of small for $13, or is just the picture. I like dry aged steaks but I don't know how well it would make a burger taste. But the second picture is making me drool -=D:::
wonders
December 5, 2008 11:26 am
That second pic made me pee my pants a little. Where did you take this pic?
Yvo
December 8, 2008 2:51 pm
@wonders,
You're right about the burger size, it's not huge by any means. I guess if it was slightly larger, it would be more filling. But it was still quite satisfying and worth a try!
@Yvo,
Hopefully you had some Depends on then... the pic was taken on Broadway on the side of the street.
Danny
December 9, 2008 11:04 am