Todd English Burger Joint?

[tamerlanenj]

I heard that Todd English is opening up some kind of burger shack near the Back Bay post office. Anyone have any details?

[JudyHP]

I posted this in one of the earlier Todd English rant threads that was going but couldn't find it...so am reposting a Herald Blurb on his upcoming burger joint in Post Office Square:
Burgers by Todd

Todd English in the burger business?

You might see it soon.

The jet-setting celebrity chef, whose name is slapped on trendy eateries from Seattle to Boston, plans to open what’s being billed as a "gourmet burger bar" in Post Office Square. Tentatively called Oliver’s, it will feature innovative burger toppings and new twists on old burger-joint favorites, such as pumpkin-flavored milkshakes.

Oliver’s is slated to open in the fall -- about the same time English intends to open his as-yet-unnamed Spanish-themed Hollywood restaurant with "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria.

[hiddenboston]

Hmmmm, well it sounds like Oliver's might be worth checking out. I'll be looking forward to trying a burger there this fall (first round of pumpkin shakes is on me!).

Uh, Eva Longoria? What the....

[wittlejosh]

Three comments:

1. The Utimate Margarita is ridiculous. In their defense, however, the $35 price tag is right there on the cocktail menu.

2. The expensive burger is really tasty and they understand how to cook a medium-rare without making it too raw near the center or too well-done. And the truffled fries aren't bad either.

3. Some of the tacos are just kind of, eh, but their skirt steak tacos are worth every penny. A sweet, spicy, tangy marinade in the meat, then charred to perfection. I could eat 10 of them. (On payday, of course.)

3a. No, I don't work for Todd English.

[BeantownHound]

Hopefully the Burger Joint takes after the Shake Shack (run by uber-restauranteur Danny Meyer) in NYC. The Shake Shack is defintatley very popular and very good in my mind. Not too pricey, perfect for lunch in the park (Also see wichcraft owned by Tom Colocchio). They should have considered opening Oliver's in the Spring though to get all the summer crowds and such.

[Buddernut]

I will be curious to check out Oliver's, if only once to be nosey. I Love anything pumpkin and will definitely ask how old the pumkin was before I order the milkshake. I don't want to get sandbagged for a mature pumpkin shake !

[Joanie]

Did you see the blurb in Improper? It sounds like it could be decent, basic stuff in the $6-12 range.

[tamerlanenj]

Hmmm...hopefully he's taking his cue from Danny Meyer in NYC!! Big time celebrity chef opens up cheap burger joint that takes the city by storm. If that's the case, we could have the most worthwhile thing that Todd English has done since...well...ever!

[StriperGuy]

I gotta say, I won't hold my breath. With Mr. English we are more likely to get half decent overstuffed burgers for $14.

[hoplover]

Bonfire has really delicious burgers and yes they are a bit pricy but juicy, salty and flavorful! Last time I went my SO and I ordered two burgers and three ultimate margaritas. The bill came and it was 210.00. We told the waitress that she had made a mistake on the bill. She said no I am sorry but each ultimate margarita is 65.00. We laughed our asses off, we could not believe it! They felt badly and took the price of one of the margaritsa off the bill. We paid and laughed about it for days. I have a good sense of humor as you can see. I won't do that again!

[heathermb]

That has GOT to be a joke? What was in the 'ultimate' margarita to make them think they can charge that price? I know there are premium tequila's, but come on.

[basachs]

The ultimate margarita uses Casa Herradura Suprema tequila and Grand Marnier 150 year.

Restaurants usually charge about 40 dollars a shot for the tequila. Almost as much for the Grand Marnier and it retails for about 220 a bottle.

My question is if the types of booze were listed in the drink description? If so, I cant really be sympathetic.

[lisa13]

oh good grief - using a tequilla like that in a margarita is an abomination!!!!

[StriperGuy]

Not everyone keeps these price tags written on the back of their sleeve. Any decent server would at least give a heads up before letting you order three $65 margaritas.

[basachs]

i agree on the server bit, but if it says Grand Marnier 150 Year, that should be a clue, price tag on the back of their sleeve or not.

[liveforfood]

This makes the audacious assumption that the average person even knows that "Gran Marnier 150 Year" means huge bucks--while some are well acquainted with the gourmet spirit world, most are not. What a scam! I think its wholly unethical to (a) put such a substance in maragrita, and (b) for the server/bartender not to ensure that the customer understands they have ordered a $65 drink. Often in restaurants when ordering drinks, people expect to pay within a certain range, with $15-25 per drink on the high end, and they may not pay attention to prices on a drink menu. I think its appalling that this happened. I'm glad hoplover was able to employ his/her sense of humor after such an exploitation.

[basachs]

I dont find the assumption audacious at all. the description of a booze with 150 year after it is common sense.

i agree thought that the server should havve said something. But a certain responsibility is on the customer as well.

[MC Slim JB]

I wouldn't necessarily assume that because something says "150 Year" that it is a genuinely old and fabulously expensive product. Outsized fibs and grandiose names on cheap liquor labels are as old as the hills. Ever seen a $20 "Napoleon" brandy? There are lots of them. I spend quite a bit of time eyeballing the top shelf, and I had no idea that this product existed.

I think it's ethically dubious that this drink appears on the website for $35 and on the bill for $65, even with a "prices subject to change" disclaimer. But it is the kind of crass money-grubbing that you should expect of English establishments at this point.

[liveforfood]

That is a good point, McSlim JB, and I thank you for making it. You are right, there is a lot of fabrication out there to make a buck. And even if it is the "real thing" and not a hoax, I think that the "common sense" basachs notes above is rather condescending. It is possible that a person could miss this detail or not realize the magnitude of the cost involved if they ordered something with such a label and still have common sense. What might be "common" sense for some may not be for others. Let's face it, in an establishment like Bonfire, would this be expected? Sure, customers should beware and understand what they are getting for what they are paying, but this situation is way over the top and should not occur in reputable establishments. I do realize its not an ideal or ethical world--and the world of food and beverage is particularly rife with unnecessary snobbery, all in the name of making money. It is just shameful that it happens, and I am still appalled that people are making margaritas with 150 year Gran Marnier! Shouldn't something considered to be so special and revered be enjoyed on its own versus mixed with lime juice and tequilla? What is the point of that? In my opinion this is quite silly, and a sign that the food and beverage industry is out of control. Everyone's trying to make a buck convincing people that what they serve is the best--to the point of absurdity.

[emilief]

What on earth is in an ultimate magarita??? Yikes! you do have a great sense of humor.
Also, Striper Guy, what is an "overstuffed burger" ?

[StriperGuy]

I was really getting at the "Sirloin, Ribeye, Angus, Waygyu, Foie Gras, Grass Fed, Dry Aged, Wet Aged" hooey that would be typical at a Todd English establishment. When what really makes the optimal burger is some good old, slightly fatty ground chuck. Also, I stand by the implication that only a lousy server would let you order a $65 margarita without at least a slight heads up.

[StriperGuy]

Classic Todd English rip. Don't you think one of the servers might have actually warned you that you were ordering a $65 Margarita, as you ordered it...

[hoplover]

You live and you learn. Was I Mad? No I thought it was funny.

[twentyoystahs]

The only way I could find this "funny" would be if money were not an object. But I suspect that it probably isn't with you, which is why you didn't even notice the price of the drink when you ordered it.
I also agree with one of the OP who said that putting premium tequilia and grand marnier in a margarita is a waste. I'm not a tequila drinker but i believe the whole point of ordering those special, aged tequilas is to be able to slowly sip the tequila and enjoy and observe the different nuances in the drink. Maybe a little lime juice wouldn't be so bad but to mix it all up with sour mix doesn't seem to make all that much sense. That $65 (or $35) drink is clearly for folks who don't really know or care....

[Chickpea]

I'd assume the drink menu lists the price of the drink. The prices appear on Bonfire's online menu (although the Ultimate Margarita is listed as $35 online, not $65).

[hiddenboston]

I guess that's why Todd English is rich and most of the rest of us are not. ;-b

[hoplover]

It was 65.00 each. I am positive! They must have changed it because Bostonians do not buy 65.00 margaritas.

[BostonBarGuy]

No he's not.

[Blumie]

According to the website, the ultimate margerita is $35.

http://bonfiresteakhouse.com/menu_rec...

[hiddenboston]

Definitely agree. Ordering a Margarita with Grand Marnier 150 year is like buying a Rolex clock radio. But my guess is, people do order them (especially if it's part of a company meal), otherwise it wouldn't be on the menu.

Back to the burger joint, though. I'm a bit intrigued, especially if the burgers are good quality at fairly reasonable prices. If they play their cards right with this one, it could be a big hit. Let's just hope Mr. English is reading this thread and decides not to go the overpriced route!

[MrsCheese]

It was listed as $65 in a recent Dig article. I remember I about choked when I read it.

[jjbourgeois]

$65 for a Margarita!?!?!?!?!! The Ultimate Margarita better be damn close to an orgasm for that price!

[Alcachofa]

I was at Bonfire for the tacos one day. I saw one of the burgers come out.

Surprise!! It was stacked as high as a skyscraper. :o)

[bachslunch]

Got a taco at the bar the one time I went. Good, but definitely way, way overpriced. And it's not like they're using the equivalent of Grand Marnier 150 ingredients in it, either.