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Burgers are the thing at Bistronomy B2B, a Nob Hill establishment that opened recently. (Marla Brose/Journal)
Simplicity in menu construction leaves little room for error, yet can be freeing both for diners and chefs alike – less choice makes for easy selection and easy cooking. At Bistronomy B2B, the newest gourmet burger joint to sprout in Nob Hill, the specialty burgers number just eight, sides two (sweet potato and regular fries) and salads five.
The one-page list includes a diagram of burger construction, as well as the story behind the ingredients and it still feels roomy. Time will tell if simplicity blended with quality ingredients ensures restaurant longevity; so far, it’s looking good.
Bistronomy’s “B2B” means Burgers to Beer: You’ll see the beer commitment on the other side of the menu – nearly three dozen New Mexico suds from La Cumbre to Turtle Mountain fill the page with a short list of wines for grape lovers. Happy hour is grin-inducing for craft brew fans with $2 glasses of local beer between 4-6 p.m. After 7 p.m. the dining room begins to fill and orders can slow down a bit – this isn’t a fast food joint, not by a long shot. Just have another sip and keep the tummy rumbles at bay.
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Bistronomy B2B LOCATION: 3118 E. Central, 262-2222, www.bistronomyb2b.com HOURS: 4-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, noon- 9 p.m. Sundays BEER AND WINE |
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Since walking in the door the aroma of grilled meat and toasted buns have filled the air, making that brief menu a welcome sight. Within the brevity a world of flavors are yours to create: from specialty burgers one can construct a masterpiece, starting with the patty. The â…”-pounder beef (or chicken, turkey, or veggie) is $7, while â…” of a pound of beef, salmon or tuna runs $9. Typical burger condiments are included by request, or pile on the fancy stuff for extra a la carte charges. It is confusing that premium toppings like bacon or mushrooms are 80 cents while cheeses are 75 cents. I’d suggest taking a cue from the rest of the menu: simplify!
Picky eaters will find enough options from low-carb to fancy brioche buns, but the house specialty burger Rosa ($9) is an easy sell with chipotle queso and Hatch green chile. The Rosa’s description includes tortilla chips – a crunchy condiment perfect for the gooey burger. Fries are just $2 with one specialty sauce, or $3 for a large order with two delicious saucy options. I recommend the curry ketchup and the spicy mayo with plain (rather than Cajun) fries.
Once your burgers have arrived, check the underside of each bun for the signature B2B grill mark etched into the butter before squashing everything down to take your first two-fisted bite. Wait a few seconds as the euphoria rushes in, the meat is flavorful, done to perfection and the condiments are copious and threatening to drip out on to the plate.
This is one of the best burgers I’ve had in years. Could the grass-fed pedigree of the beef be a factor? Probably, but grill technique never hurts, either.
Even if beef isn’t your thing, the same care is applied to everything from the sesame-breaded tuna patty (medium-rare is best for the lean fish) to the plateful of greens, roasted poultry and goat cheese that is the Lemon Ginger Chicken Salad ($8).
