The Burger Bar recently opened to much fanfare in San Francisco. One Friday afternoon I took the crowded elevator to the sixth floor of Macy’s in Union Square. I almost couldn’t get off with the crowd waiting to get in the restaurant. I went in and noticed no one sitting at the tables, but the hostess quoting a half hour wait for a table. So I sat at the bar without waiting. There was lots to look at with a full complement of booze behind the bar and memorabilia for sale.
After perusing the menu I chose the basic Black Angus Beef Burger ($9.75). I added Swiss cheese (75 cents), Bacon ($1.15) and got it on the sesame bun. The choices of buns (6), cheeses (8) and other toppings were endless. They even offer a half lobster ($12). I also ordered buttermilk onion rings ($3.55).
The burger arrived very quickly and I dug right in. The burger patty was thick and pink and perfectly cooked. It was especially light and airy and had not been over-packed like so many often are. The bacon was crisp and all the toppings, lettuce, onion, and tomato, were fresh and crisp. The sesame bun was toasted and firm, but fresh. I must say it is one of the better burgers I have tasted this year.
The onion rings were also fabulous. Crisp batter covered sweet and juicy onions.
Next time, I think I will go for one of the many combo burgers, maybe the Rossini with Kobe beef, sautéed foie gras and truffles for $60. But more likely, I will try the Country Natural made with sustainable beef for $10.50.
Burger 5 spatulas out of 5
Onion Rings 5 spatulas
Burger Bar
6th Floor of Macy’s
251 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-296-4271
www.burgerbarlv.com
Scott R. Kline is a photographer, father, traveler, husband and burger-lover based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He loves road trips, Burning Man, scotch whiskey, mid-century furniture, his dog Rex, building houses in Mexico, and seeing what comes next in life.
