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.