Mark T.
Yelp
This is my third experience with the Gordon Ramsay brand; and the best of the three. However, despite all the high notes, I can't say it was as mind-blowing as I'd expect from Mr. Ramsay.
I had the opportunity to try:
* Hell's Kitchen Burger
* Just Fries
* Smoke on the Water
* Slow Byrne
Hell's Kitchen Burger: As far as burgers go, this one was solid. The patty had very good 'meaty' flavor, and was cooked to a true medium as requested. It had enough moisture to not be dry, but not so much it quickly became burger soup on the plate. On the flip side, I found it light on the seasoning. A little extra S&P would have gone a long way. Not all is lost, however.
The toppings helped bridge the gap. The fresh mozzarella, roasted jalapeño, and roast tomato had seasoning enough to get us most of the way there. Speaking of, while I generally like a crisp element to add contrasting texture, the combination here worked well. Finally, while I was grateful for the generous amount of avocado, it made the burger a slippery little bugger!
Thus, while assembled with care, cooked appropriately, and with mostly tasty ingredients, there was nothing to elevate it from "really solid".
Just Fries are, well, just fries. The potatoes were cooked perfectly and seasoned nicely. They were hot and fresh, and did not seem to have spent time under a lamp. The chives were a nice touch, though I am not sure they did much. The chipotle ketchup, though, I was definitely a fan of.
Smoke on the Water was fantastic! Out of all the smoked old-fashioned (and others) I'd had, here the smoke definitely was not lost. Every sip had a little whiff of smokiness. Even outside of smoke and fire, this is one of the best old fashioneds I'd ever had. Despite being a spirit-forward cocktail, it went down silky smooth and was borderline refreshing! If you're not a whiskey drinker, do not be intimidated, this one is approachable and enjoyable for both whiskey drinkers and non-whiskey drinkers alike!
Slow Byrne retained the best qualities of Smoke on the Water while being a wholly different cocktail. It was also smooth, and had a gentle, not overpower sweetness. It had a noticeable booziness, and a terrific level of tang. I was also very fond of the spice bequeathed by the Ancho Reyes!
The service was excellent! It was just the right amount of attentive in making sure I was happy, and responding promptly to the subtle eye-contact-and-smile. Also, something I loved is they asked before clearing a plate of glass, even if it was empty. This was terrific, as sometimes, even though a plate/glass is empty, you don't quite want it taken away yet.
The value was surprisingly good! A $17 burger and $15 cocktails are very reasonable considering the area and the name on the door. The $6 for a plate of fries I will let slide, just this once.
The vibe inside is inviting, open, clean, and casual yet upscale. Not at all crowded either, which is always a plus in a city.
Finally, just a quick note: only cold water in the washrooms? During a hot and humid 90° day this may be forgivable, but much less so when the harsh New England winter shows it's head. At the Gordon Ramsay level, some warm water would have been appreciated.
Thus, a solid value for a solid burger. The experience is enhanced by stupendous cocktails and service. However, if it comes to the Hell's Kitchen Burger, while I did not at all leave disappointed, I was expecting something a little more "Whoa!"