Burger Fetish

As I type this, am experiencing a slight aversion to burgers. For the sake of hunting down the best burgers in Singapore, have consumed countless calories culminating in today's entry. Honestly, there isn't really a bestest burger per se and it boils down to individual preferences. As such, my biased assessment as follows:

1. Nicest Gourmet Burgers - Relish

Tucked away in Cluny Court, I like the the way Relish has given a different spin to their burgers. While I usually go for the "usual" Relish burger (medium-rare juicy beef pattie topped with sundried tomato relish), my friends have enjoyed interesting renditions like the Soft-Boned Char-Siew Pork Open Foccacia Burger and Seafood Burger. While their desserts are interesting with offerings like a deconstructed strawberry cheesecake, I usually just save stomach space for the mains and onion rings. Perhaps I expected too much but the spam fries were so-so only and it was a case of it sounded more interesting on the menu.


Burger chow down [bottom left, clockwise]: the "usual" aka bacon and beef burger, seafood burger, onion rings, char siew pork open foccacia followed by chocolate cake and deconstructed strawberry cheesecake. Finally, the same "usual" burger but with spam fries.



2. Best Value for Money - Handburger

Accessibly located in places I frequent like Raffles City and 313 Somerset, Handburger offers reasonably priced set lunches while they offer great milkshakes (this is an unusual rave since I'm a non milk drinker). Having been there so many times, I have gotten my order down pat and will usually order *takes a deep breath*: "Handburger original add sunny side up and pesto mushrooms with fries and change my drink to a nutella with marshmallow milkshake".

The calamari is also a great add-on for sharing while one can even split the milkshake into two separate portions to share if you want to stick to a normal drink like iced lemon tea. *beams*

Although I haven't tried the other burgers like duck confit or chicken caesar, got the impression that the real draw was the original burger or with everything on top aka "The Works".

Going Handburger crazy [starting from left clockwise]: The Works which offers a grilled 150g NZ ribeye beef patty topped with battered onion rings, sunny side up egg, sauteed pesto mushrooms, sweet onion jam, cheddar cheese handmade bbq and aioli sauce on a toasted caramelized onion bun followed by the chicken caesar burger and my "usual".

Yummy milkshakes: I really enjoyed the nutella with marshmallow while the chocolate peanut butter was a little too jialat.



3. Best Comfort Food - House

As I had shared earlier, this is my place for comfort food. Contrary to my apparent persona, I am not always an adventurous eater. In view of their lovely brunch offerings AND awesome sweet potato nibblets that go so well with my American sliders, this deserves a noteworthy mention. Enough said...

Alas, I realised I don't have a good stock picture of my beloved sliders. Till the next visit...

3. Cheaper Alternatives - Fatboys and Carl's Juniors

What Fatboy's lacks in ambience and limited service, they make up with generous portions and the ability for customization. *eyes glint with excitement*

After perusing the chalkboard for at least ten minutes, I settled for a "medium done beef patty topped with fried egg and emmenthal cheese with homemade bbq sauce enclosed within a supposedly healthy honey oat bun". Taste wise, it was a hearty burger which allowed one to really dig into all that juicy goodness. For about $12 per person, it's a good option for that nice meal at even nicer prices.

Check out our smirks! While I felt alittle ill after the overly fried beer battered onion rings, it's still a place that warrants a repeat visit especially if one is looking for affordable meal options.

For some fans, Carl's Junior is also another viable option if one doesn't compare them to other fast food chains. While the Portobello mushroom burger was decent and Ed rather enjoyed the thickburgers, expect to spend at least $12 for their set meals.


Happy with his evening snack...

 4. Fine Dining - Daniel Boulud's db bistro

For that chi chi burger experience, db bistro at Marina Bay Sands is worth a visit. Priced at a jaw dropping (so I exaggerate slightly) $38, one would definitely expect this to be a burger worth raving about. This is where I sometimes think that one risks being disappointed in view of rave reviews, very lovely pictures that stalkerish me spied on Facebook and celebrity chef status.

While the original db burger was good and it was a visual feast as one spied braised short ribs stuffed within the sirloin beef patty (didn't quite see or taste any foie gras or black truffle), was remarking to Ed that one shouldn't expect anything less in view of the price. The pasta was also well done and the mix of flavours was excellent. Next time however, I might just stick to their burger range or attempt the steak frittes.

I was most impressed with their desserts where I discovered the best ever profiteroles as well as dug into their innovative sundae with chestnuts nestled within the ice cream. When our profiteroles arrived, the server poured hot chocolate sauce over a chocolate disc resulting in an awesome combination of hot (chocolate) and cold (rocky mountain ice cream). *slurps*

Lunch at db bistro [bottom left, clockwise]: the highlight here being the Orecchiette Pasta comprising of a venison Ragout, smoked bacon, squash and brussels sprouts.



Different views of "The Star" aka original db burger: sirloin burger filled with braised short ribs, foie gras and black truffle, served on a Parmesan bun.



Post burger showdown, think I will just stick to my usual House (if I want brunch) and Handburger (for casual dining) while Relish is reserved for nicer meals.

Let me know if there are any other burgers out there worth trying!