Nevertheless, the burger I had last night was worth the hour it took to get from my place to 5 Napkin Burger at W 84th and Broadway.
5 Napkin Burger is known for having some of the best burgers in the city. (They have sushi on the menu, too. But when you're at a place called 5 Napkin BURGER, what fool orders sushi? Am I right?) Anyway, the fact that they can wear the crown for having one of NYC's best burgers is saying A LOT, considering how many contenders there are. 5 Napkin also has some of the BIGGEST burgers I've ever found at a restaurant.
Just how much cow do you get? Try 10 ounces of premium ground chuck. That's more than HALF A POUND of meat for the metrically-challenged, completely grilled to perfection with a nice char on the outside and meaty juiciness sealed within.
Specifically, I went with their signature 5 Napkin Burger, which is topped with Gruyere, caramelized onions, and a dollop of rosemary aioli. The Gruyere provides a little earthy gooey-ness, compared to the old standby, American cheese. Then, the caramelized onions bring a sweet note to everything as you get little hints of rosemary from the aioli. I also snuck a little Grey Poupon onto mine, because I can't have a burger without a little mustard.
But the single thing that makes this burger so good for someone with gluten allergies is the Gluten Free BUN. Yes, I said BUN. If you're like me, you've accepted the fact that most restaurants that offer a Gluten Free burger are going to serve you a lonesome patty and your toppings, sans bun. Occasionally some chef will feel a tinge of pity and plop it all on a bed of lettuce as a consolation prize.
But at 5 Napkin Burger, you get an actual BUN that has an amazing mouthfeel and texture. It was so good, in fact, that we decided to flag down the manager and have him verify that I'd actually gotten a Gluten Free bun. (It was.)
While we had him at the table, he ran through a list of what could and couldn't be prepared Gluten Free. Apparently, any burger--except the Turkey burger, which contains breadcrumbs, and the Ahi Tuna Burger, which is marinated in a ginger soy sauce, can be made Gluten Free. Same goes for the sushi, which is all Gluten Free and can be paired with tamari instead of soy sauce. (He actually kept calling it "tahini," but I got his drift.)
My only criticism would be the fries. They're alright. But, they're like McDonald's fries--thin, shoestring potatoes that go a little limp after they've been sitting there on your plate for a while. They also tend toward being a little greasy for my taste.
But, I consider this a minor infraction in light of how good the burger was. It also might have been the batch I was served. (I'll have to go back and Quality Test the fries again, I guess...)The atmosphere is fun and a little up-market, with the decor hearkening to Manhattan butcher shops of the 30s and 40s: shiny white tile, a big chalkboard, meat scales, and, umm...meat hooks hanging from the ceiling. Probably could have done without that last design touch, but it lends to the authentic feel.
The place appears to get very crowded very quickly. We went without a reservation and got seated inside immediately at 8pm on a Saturday night. Total luck. Because we no sooner slid into our booth that we looked up and saw a line, 10 people deep at the door. So, do make a reservation well in advance.
Seating is a bit tight and the noise level loud, but if you're in the mood for a fantastic burger, don't hesitate. 5 Napkin Burger is your Gluten Free Burger Mecca.
2315 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(212) 333-4488
http://5napkinburger.com/upper-west-side-new-york
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