Bistro Heaven

Montparnasse
230 East 51st Street (b’twn 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-6633
[map] [subway directions]

Rating: 5/5

Notes:

- Burger: Montparnasse served a high quality angus beef patty that was cooked perfectly to order. There was little hint of seasoning in the meat, but a nice, slight char flavor on the outside.

- Bun: A tasty buttery brioche that was slightly toasted on the grill. A delicious bun that really held the sandwich together.

- Garnish: Our burgers came topped with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms and gruyere cheese. The sweetness of the onions and the rich mushroom flavor really helped this burger standout.

- Mess factor: A perfectly neat burger.

- Fries: Thick-cut, crunchy fries that were fried well and topped with just a little bit of salt. Very nice flavor.

- Price: $15, with the gruyere, mushrooms, and onions – a bargain for a burger this delicious.

- Bordeaux: We selected a 2003 Shiraz / Cabernet blend from Pennfolds Koonunga Hill, which was served just a little cooler than room temperature. As the wine warmed up, it released a nice subtle fruity flavor. This was a great wine to pair with the burger and salty fries.

- Atmosphere: You could take a girl there.

- Overall: A super tasty burger, bun and fries made this a great overall experience. And, the toppings on this hamburger were a delicious diversion from the standard bacon and cheddar. The restaurant had a nice Friday evening buzz and a classic bistro décor that made Midtown East feel a little like the Right Bank. Once we added a nice bottle of wine (even if it was from Australia) we found ourselves solidly in the presence of a burger worthy of our highest rating.

Add comment December 17th, 2006