Custom House Tavern -- The Verdict

We expected more, Custom House.  We loved your spacious dining room; cool, clean feel; and flavorful, peppery beef.  However, the delicious patty was lost in a bun that, to its fans, was a bit overwhelming, and, to its critics, was dry, if not stale.  Either way, the bun was so hearty, we found ourselves gnawing on it long after the beef was gone.  For every thing we liked -- the tasty, perfectly seasoned fries -- there was a counter-point, such as the cheese, that was so mild and flavorless, some had to resort to photographic proof that it was there in the first place.  The burgers were cooked to perfection; but the service didn't seem to quite congeal.  The homemade steak sauce pleased most of our group, and is worth a special mention.  At a $15 price point, we didn't quite get the experience we so richly deserved.  Low of 72; high of 82; average of 76.

Exhibit 29 -- Custom House Tavern

Pump Room -- The Verdict

To quote our high scorer: "Exactly what I want a burger to be. Phenomenal house made pickles & pickled jalapeno, arugula, and a big risk on the dry grated cheddar cheese that paid off hugely. I will come back for this burger." Another fan found the burger "perfectly created" with "wonderfully beefy flavor," "terrific cheese," deliciously seasoned fries, with "salad + dressing + pickles = RIGHT OUT." Even the low scorers were relatively complementary, with one noting that the burger was undercooked, with a medium rare order coming out like a flash grilled tartar. Another just could get fully behind the overall taste. We all had a lovely time, and enjoyed the appetizers almost as must as our heated debate about the role of arugula on a burger. On this one, at least, it seemed to work. Low of 80; high of 90; average of 86.

Exhibit 28 -- Pump Room

Exhibit 28 -- Pump Room (Preview)

Look at this burger! Impressive looking, and impressive tasting. Further photos and a review, once the blogmaster returns from Spring Break.

Blackbird -- The Verdict

Sous-vide = so good! A lot of effort went into this burger, and it showed. Flavorful, juicy, creative, yummy! The chicken-skin mayo and capers were crowd pleasers. A wonderful, freshly baked bun held up perfectly. "Perhaps the tastiest, best-built burger to date . . . but so small." Impeccable presentation, service, and atmosphere. Even the frou-frou winter squash salad got raves. The fries, however, dragged down the score. "The fries sank my battleship." For our group, they were average at best, with detractors finding them on the soggy side. The communal ketchup also earned a demerit. Low of 80; high of 94; average of 86.

Exhibit 27 -- Blackbird