People ask me all the time, “What´s your favorite restaurant?” I always struggle with this question. It really depends upon my mood. However, someone asked me recently, “What´s the best burger in town?” Five outstanding ones immediately popped into my head. These are not your $6 Carl´s Jr. burgers. They cost a bit more, but they´re worth it.
Bar Verde
102 Caruso Ave., Glendale
It´s the Fiscalini Farms white cheddar and the balsamic roasted onion that makes the Bar Verde Burger special ($13.95). Peppercorn aioli, organic tomato and freshly ground meat from local ranchers doesn´t hurt either. Find your way to this quietly elegant eatery on the top floor of Nordstrom in the Americana at Brand for a darn good burger and perhaps a specialty cocktail. All ingredients on the menu promise a seasonal, farm-to-table focus.
Bourbon Steak
237 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale
Around the corner from Nordstrom is the posh Bourbon Steak, recently reinvigorated by a new head chef, Kyle Johnson. The prices are normally sky high here but those on a budget can take advantage of Chef Johnson´s skills by mining the lounge menu. They have three good-looking burgers, but the one that haunts my reverie is the Blue Burger ($22) with blue cheese, caramelized onions, truffle aioli and mushrooms. See if they´ll bring you the Baby Iceberg Wedge from the main menu ($15) too.