The Foundry on Melrose

LOCATION –

The Foundry is located on the famous Melrose Ave at 7465. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. However walk-ins are accepted. There is eating in the bar area and few tables on the front porch. Keep in mind that the lounge tables are low coffee tables and not suggested for comfortable dinning. The staff is extremely friendly, but can be a little slow when packed. Even Chef Eric is readily available to help out, greet and serve the customers when needed.

ON THE MENU –

Being in such a nice place with mouth watering selections might make you second guess your decision to go for something like their Veal Osso Bucco, but don’t do it! Stay on course and order what you came for, The "Patio Season" Burger.

The 12 dollar burger is served on a bed of King’s Hawaiian rolls. A cooked tomato is partnered with baby crunchy pickles tossed on top of the open-faced buns. The perfectly prepared patty is cooked in duck fat then blanketed with cheddar cheese and served with additional toppings on the side, including homemade mayo, apple bacon relish, and cider-caramelized onions. Three pickled then tempura fried red onion rings are placed on the side and are amazing weather you eat them by their selves or put them on your burger. Just writing of the experience of the sweet Hawaiian rolls, the savory toppings, and the flawless beef patty, culminating on my palate makes my mouth water as I am writing this. This delectable burger is nothing less than sheer perfection. (Keep in mind the condiments change with the season)

ON DRAFT –

I would assume a place like this would have a few craft beers, but surprisingly not much of a selection. There are 6 beers on the menu with Sierra Nevada being the most desirable. The bottled beers run about $6. They do, on the other hand, have an expansive (and pricey) wine menu and a full bar.

ON THE SIDE –

The Macaroni & Cheese looked amazing, but was not too impressive. The pasta seemed slightly undercooked. The Cheesy Tater Tots appeared more like hush puppies filled with a potato puree, but these tots had a rubbery outer shell and were served with blue cheese and mustard dipping sauces. On a previous occasion I had the Sunchokes, which were delicious.

For starters order the Caramelized Bay Scallops. They are served over a bed of fennel orange, shiso and absinthe mustard giving this dish a unique and satisfying punch. They were so delicious, I can not wait to have them again.

TIP –

They are only open nights, so get there early for walk-ins or make your reservation in advance. This is also a great place for cocktails and live jazz, blues and more, which usually starts around 8:30pm.

SUMMARY –

One of the best burgers in Los Angeles! Add to your bucket list immediately.

RATING – 9 out of 10

Check out their website.

http://www.thefoundryonmelrose.com/

Umami Burger

LOCATION -

Without any signs, Umami Burger can easily be passed by. The door simply displays the restaurant's logo, a top and bottom bun in the shape of lips. Although they have several locations in Los Angeles I decided to hit up the Santa Monica location in Fred Segal at 5th st. and Broadway.

ON THE MENU -

Of course I ordered the Umami Burger, after all they did name is after the place. This 10 dollar burger is well worth the price. The medium cooked patty is about 3 quarters of an inch thick, oozing with juices and bursting with flavor. A crunchy piece of fried cheese and a couple of perfectly cooked shitake mushrooms, caramelized onions and fire roasted tomatoes create a unique combination. The only downfall is, the awesome meat juices soak the pretzel roll (used as a bun) producing a soggy sandwich by the time you get to the end of it. On the other hand if you had any bun leftover you would dip it in those juices anyway. I have had this burger two times now and it is consistent in flavor and presentation.

ON DRAFT -

Nothing Goes better with a burger than a nice cold beer and Umami has a pretty good selection. I opted for the Deadlift IPA on draft, which hit the spot (they also have a few good wines as well).

ON THE SIDE -

For a side I got the cheesy tater tots, which are outstanding. Unlike the messy tots smothered with cheese that might come to mind, these tots are stuffed with cheese on the inside! On a previous occasion I had the tempura onion rings and cannot complain (think onion rings with a lighter delicious batter). Umami makes their own catchup in-house with an extra sweet kick, so it makes the sides even better.

TIP -

Lunch and weekends are a mad house with all of the people eating there and shopping at Fred Segal, so I would suggest hitting it up a little after lunch (around 2pm or so) then more than 1/2 od the restaurant clears up. They also have outside table for those perfect SoCal days.

RATING - 9 out of 10

Check out their website for locations etc.

http://www.umamiburger.com/