Tag Archives: hamburgers

Apr 11 2014
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Burger reviews, Central, Decent, Hong Kong

Linguini Fini (closed)

 

LF Burger

LF Burger

Lingini FiniThe LF Burger is a decent pedestrian hamburger. One might not think to visit Linguini Fini particularly for their burger, in actuality their pizza encounter is vastly better than their burger experience; but upon a first visit as one studies their menu, hidden all the way on the last line, an interesting sounding burger calls out… with spicy ketchup and roasted garlic mayo along with the option to add pancetta (Italian bacon) and mozzarella cheese, the burger, seems to only ask for a chance.

The burger presentation does seem slightly lazy; slumped on the plate lacking a certain burger finesse, it does not come across, and later feel, like a great Italian stallion… it is not a powerful gallop into the stomach – the ingredients, especially the burger construction, do not fully deliver that memorable burger ride – what you get is a satisfactory burger taste balance with a worrisome built.

As one begins to build the hamburger everything appears correct, there is appropriate compression, and more importantly the portions stack up properly. It is immediately after the first impending bite that things begin to go awry, the outstanding offenders being the pancetta followed closely by the patty.

The pancetta ads a pungent salty kick to the burger, and cooked to an unyielding crisp, that bacon kick might just be powerful enough to chip a tooth – needless to say, the pancetta, might not make it to the finale. The beef patty carries a zesty taste to it, it is unknown whether the taste comes from the meat being kept in the freezer for a little too long, as a trained butcher at our table suggested, or from the spices and seasoning in the beef, hopes are for the latter. Worse still is the patty texture, soft and airy, as you hold the burger the patty will begin to tear and ooze away from the hamburger core – a struggle to strategically eat the burger ensues; the result: a center of bread, which is softly toasted maintaining its bun shape, and mushy veggies without meat. The mozzarella cheese doesn’t perform as well on the burger as it does on the pizza; but the burger did have a nice garlic buttery aftertaste. The spicy ketchup felt a little too sour and the fries, which are not included, are alright.

The LF burger has some potential, what it desperately needs though is a hamburger whisperer – but until that happens don’t expect much. For 168.00 HKD (21 USD) for the burger plus 20.00 HKD for each the pancetta and mozzarella think like one of the great four turtles and order a pizza!

Linguini Fini
1/F, The L Place,
139 Queen’s Road,
Central,
Hong Kong
+852 2857 1333
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Apr 04 2014
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Burger reviews, Edible, Hong Kong, Wan Chai

Ham & Sherry

Beef burger...?

Beef “burger”

Ham&SherryHam & Sherry’s beef “burger” is an edible “hamburger”. There’s an odd feeling to Ham & Sherry when one enters with the intention of indulging on a burger; as one awaits the burger’s arrival, as one ganders across the tables, one might begin to wonder why no burgers are being served… certainly, for a dish as popular as a hamburger there must be some other patrons waiting. Tis only moments after your burger arrives that you realize what was happening all along – that the burgers where always there.

I know, it doesn’t particularly come off looking as a traditional burger, and even though assurances were delivered that the meal laid before my eyes is in fact a “burger” it was, sadly, hard to truly enjoy this “burger” experience – from start to end, from presentation to performance, this simply did not fill the burger void within. What you end up with is the burger equivalent of a bicycle wreck – a “burger” with poor burger taste balance, with inferior burger assemblage, with an undeliverable burger satisfaction; a “burger” without its burger essence. What follows is a downward spiral of burger disappointment, one that culminates in a figurative slap to the face of one burger lover.

Upon encountering this small burger, one is rushed by a sense of bafflement and wonder as to why the burger has been cut in half, and more importantly, what to this day still remains an unresolved mystery, where that other half may be. As you gaze and examine through the ingredients, one can’t argue that the right components aren’t present; but even with keeping an open mind, these ingredients seem lost – without a purpose. The ciabatta immediately strikes out, a little too hard, dry, and thin, it just doesn’t feel appropriate; the airy beef patty, even with the correct temperature, lacks seasoning and a genuine beefy taste; the cheese, sharp and somewhat overwhelming, just doesn’t lay well; and the sweet onions, a false hope for vegetables, rebels the “burger” with its sweetness. There was one seeming winner in the bunch, the bacon, a bacon that is soft and chewy with the right amount of crispiness; it did well at first, until you begin to notice its overly greasy perspiration. The garlic fries are alright.

For 108.00 HKD this is not a commendable “burger”, I’m sure Ham & Sherry have great dishes, but for a burger you can and will find better. One awkward thing did happen after being there for an hour or so… in front of us, amongst two pretty looking ladies, something resembling a beef burger with the proper bun and proportions appeared, it was a beef burger – slap. Yet, after this experience it would have probably also been a disappointment.

Ham & Sherry
1-7 Ship Street,
Wan Chai,
Hong Kong
+852 2555 0628
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Mar 21 2014
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Burger reviews, Central, Exquisite, Hong Kong

Restoration (closed)

Burger

Burger

Restoration

Restoration’s simple burger is an exquisite hamburger. It is a gorgeous southern belle in the center of Hong Kong; the hamburger, vivacious in both appearance and taste, makes a grand entrance, charming your senses as it releases a waft of its delightful burger perfume into your nostrils – preparing your body for what should be a beautiful burger experience. What follows moments after that whirl, from the instant you envelop this hamburger, is a rich and tasty burger taste balance rush; and the realization that prudence has gone into the ingredients as well as the construction – resulting in mouthfuls of exquisite burgerness.

Often encountered in Creole cuisine, one might notice that black pepper has a well distinguished role in this burger, a role that achieves a welcoming kick of southern spice; furthermore, the beef patty, full of flavorful meat juices, accomplishes a neat beef taste that is subtly accentuated by the apt peppery seasoning. Although the texture of the patty might feel slightly coarse at times, the patty is offered with the right thickness and correct diameter – creating a near perfect ensemble with the bun and other ingredients.

The melted cheddar cheese, which clings to the patty with a thick radiant summery yellow, properly manages to softly gleam throughout the burger experience; the vegetables, finely tuned to the portions of the burger, establish an evident sense of freshness and, particularly the tomato, natural taste. The bacon does leave something to be desired for, not because of its slightly charred appearance – which surprisingly doesn’t have a blackened taste, but more so because of its heavy saltiness that can disturb the burger. Though I have to mention, the bacon is not included in the burger. The tasty toasted bun, spring and soft, appropriately adjusts to the inner workings and assemblage of the burger, absorbing the juicy remnants while keeping the burger tightly held under its arms – it gives a feeling of satisfaction as you hold this solid burger. The piquantly seasoned fries are great.

Served only during lunch, for 108.00 HKD this burger is definitely worth a try. As part of a set lunch it’ll come with a choice of soup or salad, and four cheese options for its cheesy topping. However, it is unfortunate that the presence of fries, though good and plentiful, comes at an additional cost of 25.00 HKD. One last thought, I really hope that Restoration preserves the consistency of this exquisite burger, as one of the best burgers in Central – i’m sure Louisiana detectives Rust and Martin would approve, laissez les bon burger temps rouler!

Restoration
1st/F, 63 Wyndham Street,
Central,
Hong Kong
+852 2536 0183
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Feb 28 2014
1 Comment
Burger reviews, Central, Decent, Hong Kong, Sheung Wan

Blue Butcher

Butcher's Wagyu Beef Burger

Butcher’s Wagyu Beef Burger

Blue butcher quick reviewThe Butcher’s Wagyu burger is a good decent hamburger. It is reminiscent of a simple cheeseburger – a thick patty, a bun, a shred of tomato, and a slice of cheese; a cheeseburger that is just a little more classy a little more expensive, that can probably be tied to, as its name suggests, a meat lovin’ butcher’s idea of a hamburger – which makes for a fine idea, this execution on the other hand…

The presentable but desolate hamburger does offer an enjoyable burger experience, a nice hamburger taste balance. The rightly chewy bun shows a shiny firm outer shell that is soft to the touch; and the well textured patty which has a good beef taste but lacks that serious Wagyu flavor, is complemented by competent seasoning that doesn’t overindulge the burger taste balance – which is heightened by the rich truffle mayo. Together in taste, these ingredients work adequately; in construction, there are some faults. Holding and eating the hamburger, as the bun tightly encapsulates the patty, there is a pleasant feeling of compression and soft tear. Still, moments before, even with a grand presentation, one can already see the abstract construction – a patty too thick and mismatched for the bun, that’ll lead to a thoughtful strategic first bite and a likely defeating last bite, that dreadful incomplete final bite that is only bread.

Surprisingly, for being a butcher’s burger, there isn’t any bacon or other fanciful meats in the composition, even more startling is the incorrect meat temperature; this, together with the slivers of vinegary tomato, that kinda make up for ketchup, leads to a feeling that this burger needs a little more care in order to reach a level of minimal exquisiteness. In the end it’s just meat and bread, a ghostly cheese that is there but hard to experience, and a longing for a little greenness. And I know what you’re thinking, but don’t do it, don’t put the salad in the burger… the dressing will overpower the burger in a husky sourness – leave it be. The fries were good, though a little too salty, but distinguished with the truffle mayo.

For 190.00 HKD i’d like to have a more enriched burger experience, with a wide variety of layered tastes, not just a fancy cheeseburger that tastes great but feels like something is missing – oh and by the way, just for your information, it’s only served during lunch time.

Blue Butcher
108 Hollywood Road,
Central District,
Hong Kong
+852 2613 9286
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Feb 14 2014
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Burger reviews, Central, Decent, Hong Kong, Lan Kwai Fong

Gold by Harlan Goldstein (closed)

HG Burger

HG Burger

Gold by Harlan Goldstein

The HG Burger is a decent hamburger, its lacklusterness isn’t so much derived from its average burger taste balance, but more so from its abysmal proportions; this burger, the Mr. Magoo of hamburgers, small and expensive, is comprised of cumbersome shapes that result in an uncomfortable construction. From a gold restaurant this sure is a bronze burger.

At first, awkwardly spread out, this slight burger is met with a troubled feeling; as you gander at all the ingredients, ready to build the hamburger, you won’t be entirely sure how exactly they’ll all fit together. The greens, in desperate need of some fine slicing, lack a certain elegance; a gaucheness that becomes clearer as you forge this short stocky hamburger – the tomato and onion, too thick for the good of the burger taste balance, are likely to become unlucky characters taken out before the finale.

The patty, which has the right amount of herbiness to complement the burger taste balance without overwhelming, has an acceptable beef taste. Still, juicy splotches followed by a dry center become a puzzling revelation; to add to the perplexity, the patty is shaped like a freak’n oval! Molded too high and too thin, it’s proportioned well enough to, one, not cover the whole assigned bun area, leaving the last bite as bread and soaked up juices, and two, an uneasy overly extended first bite. Due to pork fat in the mix, the restaurant won’t serve a medium rare patty – you can ask for medium, but it doesn’t really matter since it’ll arrive well done.

If there is a bit of gold to be found in this burger, it’s the white truffle mayo; your taste buds will certainly fondle and appreciate the thick cream buttery texture that accentuates both the burger and the fries. The bun also makes a pleasant sweetish addition, a certain softness in the innards with a firm surround keep the bun robust; sadly, it doesn’t make the hamburger any less of a struggle to hold and devour. The one single solitary half piece of apple wood smoked bacon was good and crunchy; and the Gouda cheese with a strong visual presence, passes on pretty mildly. The fries are good.

In the end, some ingredients do a good job while most underperform; which is too bad, because for a burger that is priced at 228.00 HKD one wold expect that everything would at least be bearing on golden… at least they didn’t skimp out on the truffle mayo.

Gold by Harlan Goldstein
Level 2 LKF Tower
33 Wyndham Street Lan Kwai Fong
Central
Hong Kong
+852 2869 9986
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Dec 11 2013
2 Comments
Burger reviews, Central, Decent, Hong Kong

Bloom, Lily & Bloom

Bloomberg-er

Lily & Bloom review

The Bloomberg-er, a decent burger, is one filled with ups and downs; from when you first lay eyes on it to the last bite, from its assembly to its flavor. At first, with its round bun and enticing inner workings, the burger looks attractive; an appeal that is soon diminished as you consider how structurally unstable the hamburger seems. The hastily piled ingredients and the top heavy feeling the burger gives to the eye, create a sense that the burger might collapse at any moment – if it weren’t spiked through.

As you begin to endeavor through this burger, initial bites bring a sense of satisfaction that soon turn into dismay as you notice the taste imbalance within. The patty, a minefield of flavors that combines great use of herbs to accentuate the beef taste with peppery patches that overwhelm the burger, is further sabotaged by a thick dry patty that breaks off into robust chunks. The truffle mayonnaise, a high point for this burger with its rich and luscious taste, is given in glimpses that create a desire to proceed with the burger in an attempt to palate the condiment; bites that soon turn into alarm as an abundance of onions dominate and drown the whole Bloomberg-er. The Gruyere cheese, which passes without leaving a mark; the vegetables, which feel ordinary; and the bacon, which tastes good but is too hard, don’t add anything special.

The bun, fried and warm, tasted great as it held its shape throughout the burger. Yet, the disproportionate construction that leaves you with too much bread at the end of the burger, produces a sense of distress as you’re forced to not enjoy every bite with an equal part of the key ingredients. The french fries are awesome.

The Bloomberg-er was a let down, even more at 175.00 HKD, but I believe it has the potential to be great if more care is involved, and I would give it another chance. Lily and Bloom is a great place, one that I’ve become a regular to, a place with a stylish atmosphere, where people know my name, and where the drinks are magnificent; and if you have the chance visit Lily and Bloom, but not for the burger. Perhaps my expectations for this burger were too high, and you know what they say about expectations – they make an ass out of you and me.

Bloom, Lily & Bloom
5/F & 6/F LKF Tower
No. 33 Wyndham Street,
Central, Hong Kong
+852 2810 6166
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Nov 20 2013
1 Comment
Burger reviews, Central, Hong Kong, Majestic

MO Bar at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental

Traditional burger with blue cheese and hickory smoked bacon.

Traditional burger with blue cheese and hickory smoked bacon.

MO BarThe traditional burger is definitely one of the most satisfying burgers I’ve had in Hong Kong. The burger has a rich balanced flavor, which makes it possible to enjoy both the ‘burger’ taste and the individual ingredients; because of the distinct sharp and salty characteristic of the blue cheese this ingredient does stand out more than others, but not to the point that it takes away from the beef or drowns the burger down. The beef, Wagyu beef, is cooked perfectly – properly seared with a well-cooked outer layer and a warm delicate pink center, and has a strong clean beef taste undisturbed by the addition of other ingredients.

Throughout the experience the burger maintains its shape, it’s sturdy, tender, and easy to eat – which is one of the great qualities of this burger. Every mouthful tears into the whole burger with the smallest amount of force, it feels like your teeth glide through each bite and the taste gently lands on your palate. I’m sure that this patty is massaged properly, and good care is given to the patty as well as the rest of the ingredients. The bread is a soft multi-cereal bun, fresh and toasted, that holds the burger together until the end. The vegetables also enhance the burger, the lettuce is finely shredded and in addition to having fresh tomatoes the burger is accompanied by a tomato and red onion relish; which adds a semi-sour but pleasant tomato/onion tang. The softly crispy bacon also makes a distinguished appearance. This all culminates in a well build burger that has an incredibly good and balanced taste, a flavor that is strongly accentuated by the tenderness of the whole burger. The french fries are also great.

MO Bar has a nice ambiance to it, it is and it does feel like a hotel bar, and at the ground level of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental you’ll get a view of Queen’s Road. It does feel like a place to sit back and enjoy a drink and/or dinner – I had a pretty good man-date with a friend there. At 258.00 HKD for the burger, and 33.00 HKD for each additional topping, the burger is a little pricey – after you’ve tried it once the price might keep you at bay for only special occasions, but its worth at least one try.

MO Bar at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
15 Queen’s Road Central,
The Landmark,
Central, Hong Kong
+852 2132 0188
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