Now that we’ve had a chance to take a closer look at the Minetta Tavern menu, we’re feeling a bit funny. Though there aren’t many big surprises here—most dishes are Continental classics, some with an American bent—a few of the choices just seem off. Witness the $26 Black Label burger with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions (that’s without the $8 à la carte fries).
We know City Burger lacks the je ne sais quoi of a McNally production, but for the record, its Black Label burgers (using the same LaFrieda beef) cost around $12. More importantly: Is now really the time to debut yet another designer burger? We would have given Keith-O bigger ups if he had acknowledged that the days of the foie gras–stuffed patty and their ilk are feeling a bit over. And don’t even get us started on exhibit B, the $99 côte de beouf. The menu description beneath it reads: “for two with roasted marrow bones.” What it should say: “for the stray Wall Street asshole who still has money to flaunt.”
We understand, in theory, why there are some exorbitant prices on this fairly straightforward menu: The BP crowd that McNally typically attracts wouldn’t have it any other way. And to be fair, there are dishes that would sate more frugal folk (one that appeals to us: cream soup with saffron and mussels, a thrilling $10) or those who would prefer not to spend $16 on a Minetta Burger (presumably the downmarket cousin to the Black Label) when Corner Bistro is a few blocks away. While we doubt there will be a backlash against Minetta Tavern, something seems awfully disingenuous about turning a humble neighborhood fixture into a devil-may-care bling magnet in today’s economic climes.
And don’t even get us started on exhibit B, the $99 côte de beouf. The menu description beneath it reads: “for two with roasted marrow bones.” What it should say: “for the stray Wall Street asshole who still has money to flaunt.”
Hahahahah! I whole-heartedly agree.
How ignorant of the author… please get your facts straight before embarrassing yourself.
“We know City Burger lacks the je ne sais quoi of a McNally production, but for the record, its Black Label burgers (using the same LaFrieda beef) cost around $12”.
Please… the two burgers are light years apart. The blend Minetta uses is different from what City Burger uses. The Black Label blend is exclusive to Minetta Tavern. Other restaurants use a different “Black” blend customized by La Frieda.
First, since when is a food “review” based on reading a menu?!?!?!? Second, you’re totally wrong, City Burger is not the same meat and not LaFrieda black label. Minetta has an exclusive with the LaFreida black label. That’s old news. Third, did you ever think to actually eat the burger before you post your comments??? The $26 burger is fantastic and worth every penny. It strikes new ground in the burger category - why can’t burgers be made with high quality meat!! And those who eat it, get it. Fourth, for those who don’t choose to spend the $26, there’s a perfectly delicious $16 burger that is still better that most around town and definitely LIGHT YEARS BETTER than the long over-rated Corner Bistro burger which is only a memory from bygone days. And fifth, get the chip off your shoulder and try to give a straight commentary without the obvious looking-down-the-nose comments about people you are assuming constitute the majority of the customers - wrong again. It’s unfortunate that anyone can call themselves a food reviewer and toss off a lot of erroneous posturing without taking any credible responsibility for accuracy.
Hello “are you for real???”. This isn’t a review, it’s a blog post that analyzes the Minetta Tavern menu. For the Time Out New York review of Minetta Tavern, click here. Please note, are you for real???, that our critic agrees that the $26 burger is worth every penny. Now you can breathe easy.