BURGERS N' BLING: LES KITCHEN

I'm no food critic—just a fashion girl who loves a good piece of red meat. Not one to let an opportunity pass me by, I created this column as an excuse to eat burgers while wearing jewelry on a regular basis and tell you about my favorites. Welcome to Burgers N' Bling—accessory features with a side of beef. 

(from left): Flea Market (from India) bangles; Vintage ring; LES Kitchen burger (available here); Flea Market (from India) bangles

LES BURGER @ LES KITCHEN, $6

15 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002

Despite being one of the city's most exciting food meccas, the Lower East Side is shockingly sparse when it comes to burger joints. Welcome LES Kitchen, a chill, counter-dining spot created to satisfy your 9 pm craving for Pat La Frieda beef. Yes, PAT LA FRIEDA, the god of ground meat, beef. With limited seating and a simple menu (5 main items - two of which are burgers) LES Kitchen evokes that cozy, neighborhood vibe, like a 1950s soda shop. Wanting to start simple, I went with the namesake LES Burger. Served on a potato bun -- one of the softest, most comforting burger envelopes imaginable, this juicy hunk of beef oozes with creamy, subtle flavor only enhanced by the caramelized onions and american cheese. Even better? They serve TATOR TOTS. Which arguably might have been my favorite part of the meal and YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT BURGERS! They don't serve alcohol (yet), but CHILLAX. Beverly's (aka the best bar ever) is right next door. Now step downtown and take a bite out of this easy, homestyle classic. 

LES Burger by LES Kitchen: cheeseburger topped with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomatoes, Pickleguys pickles, & house sauce on a toasted potato bun

(from left): Flea Market (from India) bangles; Vintage ring; LES Kitchen burger (available here); Flea Market (from India) bangles

(from left): Flea Market (from India) bangles; Vintage ring; LES Kitchen burger (available here); Flea Market (from India) bangles

[Photos by Lucas Shanks]

BURGERS N' BLING: MOB BROOKLYN

I'm no food critic—just a fashion girl who loves a good piece of red meat. Not one to let an opportunity pass me by, I created this column as an excuse to eat burgers while wearing jewelry on a regular basis and tell you about my favorites. Welcome to Burgers N' Bling—accessory features with a side of beef. 

(from left): Mob Brooklyn burger (available here); Issy Salomon Friendship bracelet and Memphis bracelets in blue and orange (available here)

CALIFORNIA MOB BURGER @ MOB BROOKLYN, $14

525 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

I will probably never eat another vegan burger again -- I adore red meat and these imposters just aren't as photogenic. However, if I do venture to the darkside again, I can assure you it'll be the signature California Mob Burger from Mob Brooklyn. If i've learned anything about vegans it's that they may pass on the beef, but they definitely don't scrimp on the fat or salt. Covered in gooey caramelized onions, creamy herbed cashew cheese, and hefty chunks of avocado, I probably wouldn't have even noticed if the crimini mushroom patty wasn't there at all. A choice beef imposter, I learned from my vegetarian lunchmate, for its similarity in texture, this particular shroom not only satiated me like a real burger -- I left feeling overstuffed. Packed between a deliciously soft potato roll and served with a heap of thick-cut potato wedges (or salad if you're having a fat day), the California Mob Burger is the next best thing to not being vegan. 

California Mob Burger by Mob Brooklyn: crimini mushroom burger, house baked sweet potato roll, avocado slices, herbed cashew cheese, caramelized onions 

(from left): Issy Salomon Memphis bracelets in pink, yellow, & purple and Dinosaur necklace (available here) 

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BURGERS N' BLING: BILL'S BAR & BURGER

I'm no food critic—just a fashion girl who loves a good piece of red meat. Not one to let an opportunity pass me by, I created this column as an excuse to eat burgers while wearing jewelry on a regular basis and tell you about my favorites. Welcome to Burgers N' Bling—accessory features with a side of beef. 

(from left): Lulu Frost Ravenna cuff and Lucid bracelet (available here and here); David Yurman ring; Bill's Bar & Burger Spicy Jalapeño Burger (available here); George Frost Enemy ring and Allegory charm bracelet (available here and here); Vintage watch

SPICY JALAPEÑO BURGER @ BILL'S BAR & BURGER, $10 

85 West Street, New York, NY 10006

Pepperjack is an extremely underrated cheese. Zestier than cheddar and classier than nacho cheese, pepperjack deserves to be more than just the most overlooked cheese at the deli. Who the hell is handling the PR for pepperjack? Someone bring in the people behind those "PORK: The Other White Meat" and the "got milk?" commercials STAT before it disappears from our lives forever. But there's hope. Some people, namely the chefs at Bill's Bar & Burger, have taken notice of this dairy underdog and served it up in the best way imaginable—melted on a Pat LaFrieda beef patty and covered with jalapeños. Crisp, spicy (with a little extra fire from chipotle aioli sauce), and deliciously juicy, the Spicy Jalapeño Burger is a must-try for any adventurous beef lover—and don't forget the cheese fries. 

Spicy Jalapeño Burger by Bill's Bar & Burger: roasted hatch chile and jalapeño, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, chipotle aioli

(from left): Bill's Bar & Burger Spicy Jalapeño Burger (available here); George Frost Enemy ring and Allegory charm bracelet (available here and here); Vintage watch

And because another burger on the menu, the Fat Cat, caught my eye with its "CNN Top 10 Burger Award" credential, we went ahead and ordered round two...  

(from left): Lulu Frost Ravenna cuff and Lucid bracelet (available here and here); David Yurman ring; Bill's Bar & Burger Fat Cat burger (available here); George Frost Enemy ring and Allegory charm bracelet (available here and here); Vintage watch

FAT CAT @ BILL'S BAR & BURGER, $11 

85 West Street, New York, NY 10006

Boasted as one of the best burgers not only in NYC but in the entire country, I knew I had to try Bill's famous Fat Cat, particularly because its brief menu description already summed up my idea of the perfect burger. Served on an english muffin (my choice bun due to its petite size that allows one to focus on the savory fillings), the Fat Cat is just that—meat heavy and melty. Not one but two Pat LaFrieda patties are covered in gooey American cheese and caramelized onions, in a way where there's little need for condiments (and I'm usually a ketchup or die kind of girl). In fact, you don't even need the standard garnishes of lettuce, tomato, and pickles that come with it—with this kind of meat and cheese, the Fat Cat definitely punches above its weight.

Fat Cat by Bill's Bar & Burger: caramelized onion, american cheese, english muffin, ltp

[Photos by Christina Mannino]

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BURGERS N' BLING: MILLER'S NEAR & FAR

All my dating profile says is that "I hate cats, I love burgers" because, you know, that really tells you a lot about a person. Despite Taylor Swift's efforts, cat people are weird, and there is no way a hard-core carnivore could end up dating a vegetarian or, even worse, a vegan. Luckily I live in a city that is essentially a mecca for burger joints and enthusiasts like myself. Not one to let an opportunity pass me by, I created this column as an excuse to eat burgers on a weekly basis and tell you about my favorites. Since I am not a food critic and rather just a fashion girl who loves a good piece of red meat, I figured I'd shake things up and give you Burgers N' Bling -- accessory features with a side of beef. 

From left: Dannijo jeweled cuff/ring; Eddie Borgo five finger ring (available here); Glitter Bomb bracelet (available soon); Vintage Gucci watch

THE N & F BURGER @ MILLER'S NEAR & FAR, $14 

65 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10001

Set in a low-lit space with vintage decor and sparse seating, MIller's Near & Far gives off the vibe of an underground hangout -- it's glamorously discrete -- and this quaintness makes it the perfect spot to waltz into on a Sunday evening for some cozy bites. As soon as I saw Pat LaFrieda's name listed under ever burger on the menu, I knew I had found THE SPOT. For those of you who aren't as well-versed in the language of "meat celebrities," this is the guy behind almost every steak and burger on your best-in-the-city list (think Minetta Tavern and Shake Shack). Chef and owner Chris Miller further enticed me with his restaurant's namesake creation, the N & F Burger, and its Big-Mac jingle of a description: "two 4 oz Pat LaFrieda patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun." Who could resist a gourmet version of America's classic double cheeseburger? Served as rare as you want it, the N & F burger is a melted stack of juicy beef and white american cheese only amplified by its exclusive secret sauce. Zestier than the mayo and ketchup combo made famous by McDonald's, Miller's Near & Far steps up the super burger game again with its amped up, garlic-infused rendition. The point is that when you are using good beef you can get away with anything -- even re-creating a fast food sensation -- and I'm excited to try the more adventurous selections on the menu, particularly the Bialy Brunch Burger (crispy bacon weave, runny egg, cheddar cheese, on a toasted kossar’ bialy). Hungry yet? Head to the LES and give Miller's a try. 

Burger by Miller's Near & Far - 2 all beef 4 oz Pat Lafrieda patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun with fries

From left: Dannijo jeweled cuff/ring; Eddie Borgo five finger ring (available here); Glitter Bomb bracelet (available soon); Vintage Gucci watch

From left: Dannijo jeweled cuff/ring; Eddie Borgo five finger ring (available here)

Starving? On a date? Try the 2 CHEESEBURGER MEAL: Pat LaFrieda patty, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, on a potato bun with fries

Photos by Lucas Shanks 

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BURGERS N' BLING: WHITMAN'S

All my dating profile says is that "I hate cats, I love burgers" because, you know, that really tells you a lot about a person. Despite Taylor Swift's efforts, cat people are weird, and there is no way a hard-core carnivore could end up dating a vegetarian or, even worse, a vegan. Luckily I live in a city that is essentially a mecca for burger joints and enthusiasts like myself. Not one to let an opportunity pass me by, I created this column as an excuse to eat burgers on a weekly basis and tell you about my favorites. Since I am not a food critic and rather just a fashion girl who loves a good piece of red meat, I figured I'd shake things up and give you Burgers N' Bling -- accessory features with a side of beef. 

From left: Kate Spade bangle (available here); Snash Jewelry gold cuff (available here); Custom chain bracelet (want one? email us here); DEIVIE ring (available here); Kirna Zabete x Target lips cuff (available here); Maybelline Color Show nail polish in Audacious Asphalt (available here)

FAMOUS "JUICY LUCY" @ WHITMANS, $12 

406 E. 9th Street, New York, NY 10009

It's always fun to try a burger from a place that specializes in them -- these are the spots that get really adventurous with their flavor combinations. In the mood to shake things up, I finally tried the East Village burger bar, Whitman's, and the experience was a montage of *pow* emojis. After some serious menu anxiety (I am the worst at food decisions), I finally settled on the Famous Juicy Lucy, a pimento cheese-stuffed short rib delight topped with caramelized onions. Served on a super soft sesame seed bun, simple enough to complement the otherwise decadent burger, the Juicy Lucy is a gooey, cheesy dream. I was literally on the brink of hanger mania when I arrived, but once my order of sauteed kale arrived, salty and crisped to perfection, and I took a bite of this burger, all was at peace. Not to mention they serve Genesee beer, which scores them extra points just for being cool.  

Burger by Whitman's: Beef short rib blend burger stuffed with pimento cheese, served with caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, spicy pickles and special sauce on a sesame seed bun. Caution: juicy lucy is very hot in the middle and might squirt.

Whitman's Famous Juicy Lucy 

From left: Custom gold chain bracelet (Want one? inquire here); Kirna Zabete x Target lips cuff (available here)