Perhaps I am teasing myself because these juicy burgers are definitely not on my eating plan post-New Year’s, but just looking at the pictures of Chef David Boulud’s Original DB Bistro Burger makes me salivate. 

One of the first ultra-burgers publicized in the United States, Boulud’s burger is juicy sirloin with a center of braised short rib, foie gras and black truffle. Need I say more?

While it’s no bargain bite at $32, I don’t think you will find a more memorable burger easily. It comes with either traditional French fries or “pommes soufflees,” which are crispy, house-made potato chips. 

Of the many times I have dined at DB Bistro Moderne, I keep going back for the burger. The other items certainly show the kitchen’s craft, especially delicate preparations of fresh fish. But the burger… is what dreams are made from.

I am a skeptic about signs that claim “the best” anything, especially in New York City. But the combination of a sign and recommendations from neighbors was enough to make me investigate the Piper’s Kilt further. 

Open since the 1980s, this pub has all of the requisite items: large TVs with American sporting events, a weekly trivia night, a wide selection of beers, and pub food made from scratch.

I’ve now visited the Kilt four times, and each time has been rewarded with friendly conversation, good food, and cold beer - at very reasonable prices. Today’s Manhattan Burger (Canadian bacon, swiss cheese, grilled onion and tomato) and a pint of Coor’s Light came to about $16 including tax and tip. Try doing that in midtown Manhattan.

But it’s not just the price that made me like it. The burger was a plump, probably close to a half-pound, mound of fresh and moderately lean ground beef. It had the distinct flavor of meat that had been freshly ground - a fact that the bartender verified, informing me that the custom-ground beef is delivered fresh seven days a week. 

The burger menu includes the Manhattan (pictured,) the Bronx Bomber (swiss cheese, grilled onions and barbecue sauce,) the Eastchester (bacon, cheese, onion rings, lettuce, tomato and a side of chili,) and eight other variations. The prices range from $7.50 to $13.25.

Other menu items include a daily soup, a variety of salads and sandwiches, daily entree specials, plus chili, steaks, chicken and pasta dishes.

Good martinis, too. 

On my list of things to-do is the Piper’s Kilt Sunday brunch, which includes typical brunch entrees and a choice of an unlimited beverage.

I stopped into Sushi Yu 2 on West 181st Street yesterday for the first time in many months, and for the first time since the restaurant earned an “A” from the New York City Health Department on September 1.

Because I was only getting a quick snack, this isn’t a full review, but I was interested at the staff member’s response when I congratulated her for the “A” rating. She smiled, and when I said they had to work hard to get it, she smiled again and nodded, and I could tell there was considerable relief and accomplishment behind the smile. (The health inspectors found numerous violations on several previous visits over the past year, until the most recent successful inspection that earned the “A.”)

My quick snack (a spicy tuna roll) was good, and I will return for a more complete evaluation soon.

For more on the city’s health inspection system, see my earlier post on the subject.

This is a work-in-progress but I decided it’s time to get this going seriously, so I’ve created a Google Map that combines both the general listings from Google and added my comments for the places that I have checked-out. I will keep updating this as I have time but I wanted to post this and get some reactions.

If the location is indicated by a regular blue pointer, I have not yet added comments. I have tried to use the fork-and-spoon to indicate sit-down options, the sandwich and drink for fast-food or carry-out, and the coffee cup for, er, coffee.