Myra & the Best Burger Yet.
I have been craving the intersection between meat, cheese, tomato, onion and bun for quite some time now. But everywhere I go out to eat, there are so many phenomenal options, I say to myself, “really, self? You’re going to get a burger?” And then self feels bad and orders something fabulous, like red curry mussels or red snapper, or something that I can’t get just anywhere, and seems worth the price I’m paying.
But last night… last night I met my burger match.
The night did not begin there, though. Rather, it ended with the burgerstravaganza.
I began my evening at Googie’s, above the Living Room on the Lower East Side. My ears were treated to Myra Flynn, who is fabulous on so many levels. 
She is a teeny, tiny talented musician, based out of Burlington, VT (my old ‘hood) who busts out big in performance (on the keys and voice) and she is stylish beyond my wildest dreams, perfectly vintaged out each time I see her. And given all this, what blows my mind most about Myra is how humble she is. She is the most non-assuming and gracious, welcoming and friendly, funny and full-of-life performer you will come across. She is grateful for her fans and friends and yet, she is also very smart about the business of music. I admire how she not only makes her passion work, but makes it work well.
It was Myra who led me to Epicerie Cafe Charbon, home of the best burger my mouth has tasted in New York (maybe in life).
(Photo by Shanna Ravindra for New York Magazine)
Les soirs, Cafe Charbon is half-bar, half-restaurant, so dance hits were blasting on the other side of the joint, while Myra’s crew sat and enjoyed drinks and dinner on the restaurant side.
(Photo by Shanna Ravindra for New York Magazine)
I was hungry, but not starving and I was late to the table. So everyone was nearly done their meal. Surveying the landscape, I spotted many-a-burger, and quickly decided that it was time. Time to indulge in the craving.
I was greatly rewarded. It was a cheeseburger, there isn’t much to describe to help you get there mentally… except to note that the perfectly soft bun and the perfectly cooked meat, enhanced with the basic accoutrements and melty swiss, accompanied by a perfectly small side of salad greens, was perfect. And I did not arrive at this conclusion via Bacardi-induced illusions. All around the table agreed that it was a winner. At $8.95, it took the grand prize.
I broke the cardinal rule of healthy eating: I was definitely full half-way through my meal. But this experience was not going to waste, no sir. Every bite went down.the.hatch. and I will tenderly savor the memory of this burgersperience until the next time I find myself chez Epicerie Cafe Charbon.
Hopefully a bientot.
