Monthly Archives: November 2012

FlipBurger

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Burger Quest
Category: Gourmet-Style

Today at school I gave a presentation on hamburgers with a couple of classmates (I love school)! To “prepare” for our hamburger presentation, Team Hamburger decided we should eat some hamburgers. Makes sense, right? I suggested we go to FlipBurger since it is the last contestant on my Gourmet Burger Quest.

FlipBurger (not to be confused with Flip Burger Gourmet in the American South), is located in Clayton Park. There it fills a niche unfulfilled by the chain restaurants speckled around the Lacewood terminal. Although I have heard business is good, it was not very busy when we went last Wednesday night.

FlipBurger sources all their beef and pork products from Oulton’s Farm (free-range) in Windsor, and unlike many of the other gourmet burger restaurants, they use a grill. They make their own gravy, batter their own buttermilk onion rings, and make their own French fries, which we saw were blanched and hanging out on metal trays waiting for the deep fryer. I didn’t get to try the rings or fries, since I was responsible for eating two burgers, nor did I get to try the peanut butter, banana and bacon milkshake. Next time, perhaps.

Pictured above is the cross-section of the Maui Wowie ($8.25) which is loaded with apple wood smoked cheddar, caramelized pineapple, Oulton’s double smoked bacon, fried onions, roasted red peppers and sweet chilli sauce. I heard rave reviews from my buddy Chris, who thought the flavours were really stellar. This inside view of the burger reveals the texture of the meat, which is slightly dense and perhaps a little dry. Sometimes I find grills can dry meat out, but the trade-off is tasty grill-marks and less grease – which is personal preference I suppose.

The Nutty Professor ($7.25) features peanut butter (this shouldn’t surprise anyone anymore), Oulton’s double smoked bacon, jalapeños and onion. The beef was meaty and satisfying, but in this case I think more flavours and sauces are needed to make up for the dryness of the meat. Most other peanut butter burgers I’ve eaten have involved ketchup, mayo or cream cheese to create a more complex flavour profile, or at least more lubrication. I really liked the spicy kick the jalapenos gave to this version, but the peanut butter needs more backup.

Flip Burger gets points for offering not one, but two veggie burgers on their menu. They are the only gourmet burger joint in town to serve a portobello mushroom burger, but I went for the newly released “Beaner”. Inside the perfectly crunchy breaded casing, there was a seasoned mixture of quinoa and beans. I was already full from my first burger but I couldn’t stop eating this for some reason. In this case I had to choose my own toppings, and I didn’t do a very good job. I went with garlic mayo, tomatoes and haystack onions. Considering there are 21 free toppings I could have chosen, my selections were a bit of a fail. Next time I would choose: onions, pickles, tomato, grilled green peppers, hot peppers, chipotle mayo and house-made peanut sauce.

I think Flip Burger is a great addition to Clayton Park, but I wouldn’t make a special trip to eat there. Well, maybe for a chocolate, banana and peanut butter milkshake and a veggie burger! Burger prices start at $5.50 for a single burger which you can dress with a host of toppings, or you can opt for a signature burger (starting at $7.25). My advice is to go heavy with the sauces, to assist the dryness of the sandwich. There is also double smoked bacon, pulled pork, and peameal bacon from Oulton’s Farm ($1.50 each) and an array of 75 cent toppings such as guacamole, caramelized pineapple, and tzatziki as well as a plethora of cheeses for ($1.50).

Next week I will announce the winners of my Halifax Burger Quest! Stay tuned!

Flip Burger
277 Lacewood Dr.
Halifax, NS
(902) 453-3547
Web Site and Menu

Flipburger on Urbanspoon

 

Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers & Poutinerie

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Burger Quest
Category: Gourmet-Style

Cheese Curds is a “chef inspired” locally sourced gourmet hamburger haven snuggled between a community college and an oil refinery. Envisioned and executed by chef Bill Pratt, this was the first of its kind in Halifax. Indeed, it is Cheese Curds that broke the sad burger spell in Halifax that at one time almost led me to retire hamburgers from my diet.

The best way to get to Cheese Curds (from Halifax) is to carefully check the Woodside ferry schedule, which runs at inopportune times for food questers, but which essentially carries you right to their doorstep. Your other option is to take the #60 from the bridge terminal and enjoy all the wonderful characters who habitually ride the #60. Either way, the scenery is … interesting.

Speaking of scenery:

The Legendary CC Porker

That is one honkin’ beauty of a burger, fully equipped with bacon, cheese curds, fried onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and CC sauce ($8.75). If you don’t like making decisions, then I should warn you that there is a whole onslaught of extra toppings which you will be prompted to choose from. I don’t personally enjoy the Subway-style of burger artistry. I like being TOLD what to eat. However, you may love the thrill of the distinct possibility that you could damage your burger with poor decision-making. Choose your own adventure.

Pork Schnitzel Burger

I should mention there was a bit of a burger party on this night, as I joined forces with some Twitter foodies (@rosebeefe, @lauriecburns, and @courtsuemaloney) for my burger quest and their #burgvember celebrations. Luckily they ordered all the burgers I wanted to review but couldn’t. The pork schnitzel burger ($8.75) looks excellent, and the peameal bacon is reportedly pretty awesome. It is recommended you go with some bolder toppings to electrify the otherwise neutral-tasting schnitzel.

TNT Spicy Burger

The TNT Spicy Burger ($7.95) is a blackened burger (cool!) with hot Brothers Pepperoni, fried jalapeno rings, chipotle mayo and jack cheese. Looks like we got some cilantro and tomato on there for extra effect. “My tongue is burning!” I heard  @courtsuemaloney say, though she insisted this was a good thing.

Honolulu Burger

The Honolulu Burger ($7.75) features double smoked bacon, caramelized fresh pineapple, cheese curds, lettuce, tomato and CC sauce. I had heard rumours that Cheese Curds doesn’t core their pineapples prior to serving, which has prompted many an online complaint. Cheese Curds must have listened, though, because this pineapple was cored! The bacon was perfect, and my only complaint about this burger was that it fell apart a little. We discussed “bun integrity” and how this seemed to be lacking at Cheese Curds. I don’t personally blame the buns; I blame the toppings for jeopardizing sandwich stability. Since the customer has an overwhelming selection of toppings to choose from, it can be difficult to avoid this catastrophe. If you are a sloppy-burger-fiend, then disregard my warning.

Veggie Lentil & Bean Burger

The Veggie Burger ($7.75) is another non-frozen-soy-puck addition to the Halifax veggie burger repertoire. More spring roll than hamburger, it is sure to either please you or confuse you. It involves a curry infused lentil and bean patty which is wrapped in what seems to be a spring roll wrapper. It is then topped with ketjap manis, sweated bean sprouts, pickled onions, and mango chutney. We added carrot and cilantro. The first few bites were like wowza! – that’s pleasantly different! But after a while the sweetness of the mango chutney became too sweet for us, and reminded me of plum sauce on an eggroll.

So what are my thoughts? I went home with a really full belly and lots to contemplate. Hamburgers are so subjective, and the added complexity of choosing your own toppings makes each burger personal and unique. It’s too much pressure for me! Cheese Curds gets big points for using local products, environmentally friendly packaging, and a medal of bravery for setting up shop in gritty ‘ol Woodside.

The beef was well seasoned, which the others seemed to enjoy, whereas I’m more of a beef purist. A well seasoned patty makes for well seasoned burps late into the night! Also, the structural integrity of the burger is easily sacrificed to high-risk toppings.

I should also mention that all the sub-par reviews I’ve read about the poutines are completely unwarranted. The poutines were quite satisfactory, and we enjoyed flavours such as house curry sauce and brandy peppercorn sauce being on offer.

Hats off to Cheese Curds. Next up, Flip Burger!

Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers & Poutinerie
380 Pleasant St.
Dartmouth
(902) 444-3446
Web Site

Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie on Urbanspoon

Ace Burger Co.

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Halifax Burger Quest
Category: Gourmet-Style

This post was supposed to happen a week ago when I made the unfortunate assumption that Ace Burger would be open for both days of City Harvest. It was a very disappointing Sunday, when it seemed as though no restaurants were open in north end Halifax.

So heads up burger eaters! Sunday is not your day for grass-fed Nova Scotia beef burgers starting at $6. Ace Burger’s web site states: “Still closed Sundays – Except when we’re not!” Well, I’m not taking my chances any more.

The kitchen is open during the lovely punk, metal, and indie rock shows that infiltrate this venue on Thurs/Fri/Sat. Otherwise the kitchen is open til 9pm. Since Gus’ Pub is lovingly known as a dive bar, the atmosphere is better enjoyed by some than others. Personally, I love the atmosphere of this north end gem and advise any delicate souls to check it out early before the raunchy music and bottles of Olands start filling up the place. And remember, CASH ONLY.

Deluxe Burger @ Ace Burger

And here is what I came for, finally. The Deluxe Burger ($8) is the same as the Classic ($6) only with PEI cheddar and Brothers’ back bacon added to it. Otherwise it would be a Getaway Farms grass-fed beef patty with frisee lettuce, frizzled onions, pickle and Dijonnaise on challah. This combination is apparently the same burger that is served at the Brooklyn Warehouse (the restaurant that has taken over the kitchen in Gus’ Pub, thereby creating Ace Burgers, FYI).

Even though the patty is thin, it is lovely and complimented by the surprisingly tender local back bacon and gooey cheese. The frizzled onions are crispy but still have some onion-y goodness on the inside. The Dijonnaise  is the perfectly creamy condiment. This burger was made in heaven.

I brought a small crowd with me to Ace Burger, partly for the tail-end of my birthday celebrations, but mostly for the hamburgers. My friend Aaron wasn’t as impressed with the Deluxe as I was. He desired more seasoning in the meat. I blame his lack of enthusiasm on his hangover.

The pork burger @ Ace

Stu had the Pork Burger ($7) which, as you can see, features giants slabs of pork loaf in a bun! Upon closer inspection you would be able to see carrot, daikon and cilantro garnishes and a brown sugar sriracha glaze. Exciting! It’s like a banh mi burger! I took a sub-par photo and took a sub-par bite since Stu was hell-bent on devouring this impressive sandwich in record time. His only adjustment involved asking the kitchen for a bottle of sriracha to amplify the heat.

Clam Po’ Boy @ Ace Burger

Isn’t it gorgeous? Garnished simply with iceburg lettuce, smoked tartar sauce and pickled onions, this “burger” allows for an abundance of Nova Scotia clams. A “Po’Boy” is a type of sub originating in Louisiana often stuffed with deep fried oysters, shrimp or clams. Here the concept is fused into a burger. Unfortunately, we found the clams to be a little chewy, but I’ve heard enough rave reviews of this burger to consider maybe it was an off day for the Clam. Aesthetically, it is a thing of beauty, and I would give it another chance.

The Veggie @ Ace Burger

The Veggie Burger ($7) is a sliced loaf, much in the style of the Pork, and consists of roasted mushrooms, shredded veggies, lentils, oats, miso & tahini. Well, that’s awfully luxurious compared to the dried up soy patty that wins ever year in The Coast Awards, now isn’t it? The patty has a nice crispy exterior and soft tasty insides, aided by mint-chevre yogurt, pickled beets and a satisfying herb focaccia bun.

Lamb @ Ace Burger

The Lamb Burger ($8) features ground lamb from Wood ‘N Hart Farm with lemon-sumac mayo, goat cheese and arugula on that delicious herb focaccia. The lamb meat is infused with spice and the goat cheese exploded into my mouth with every bite. My vegetarian correspondent had this to say: “It smells really good”.

The fries ($3.50) were decent, and poutine ($5) is available (though I was hoping they would make the Newfie poutine from City Harvest part of the regular menu). There is also “seasonal salad” ($5) and food and drink combos. I mention the prices because they are super cheap for such amazing quality! Mini glasses of draught are only $2.25 – take advantage of these.

I think the Deluxe Burger from Ace is the best burger I’ve had in Halifax so far. Tune in next week when I join some fellow Hali-foodies at Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers!

Ace Burger Company

2605 Agricola St.
(Gus’ Pub on Agricola & North)
Halifax, NS
(902) 423-7786 (Gus’)
Web Site

Ace Burger Co. on Urbanspoon