What happens when the man behind New York Burger Week comes down with a stomach bug, but still needs to preview and photograph the once-in-a-lifetime burgers that will offered during New York Burger Week? He invites me to come along on his journey to taste those burgers in his stead.
This year, NY Burger Week will take place from May 1st through the 7th, and will feature six events. At some of these events, burgers will be served for one day only. If you don’t eat these culinary masterpieces during NY Burger Week, you won’t be having them ever. Two such burgers kick off the week with an east-meets-west event at Black Shack.
Black Shack’s Chef Jeff Maslanka has put his own spin on Chef Keizo Shimamoto’s Ramen Burger by making the Spaghetti and Meatball Burger (pictured here). I tried this sucker at the end of a day filled with burger gluttony, and even though my stomach was full the ridiculous flavors emanating from Maslanka’s burger had my taste buds begging for more. Shimamoto will put his own eastern spin on Maslanka’s Western Burger: A Burger Maker Certified Angus Beef Fresh Steakburger patty with a slice of pork belly, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, fried ramen noodles powdered with miso green onions and Ramen Burger barbecue sauce.
On Cinco de Mayo, I’ve teamed up with the folks at NY Burger Week to present the Most Interesting Mexican Burger in the World. For one night only at the Bar Room, you can get a pre-fix meal that includes the off-menu Mexican Burger (topped with aged cheddar, grilled tomato, fresh-made pico de gallo), a side of nachos, house made jalapeño poppers, the Ransom Buck (tequila, habanero syrup, white pepper and ginger beer), and a Dos Equis-based cocktail. I sampled the Mexican Burger and the Ransom Buck; both were stellar and I’m super geeked to share this meal with other burger lovers.
On May 6th, Idle Hands will host another installment of their rock ‘n’ roll burger and beer pairing dinners. The event is called the “AC/DC Back In Black Angus Burger and Beer Pairing.” The menu will feature Burgers and beers “expertly paired” with each track on AC/DC’s Back in Black album by The Burger Week founder, Rev Ciancio. I’ve tried the tater tots and the off-menu burgers that will be served at this event, and everything is up to the usual decadent flavor-level that I’ve came to love at Idle Hands made by Chef Dennis Hatzinger. Go for the booze and music, stay for the burgers and tots.
Other Burger Week events include:
I hope you’re as excited as I am for NY Burger Week. The month of May truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
For more information and tickets to NY Burger Week, click here.
