Santa Monica Saturday and Burger Blogging

Since I'm a valley dweller it isn't often that I venture to the Westside.  I often scoff at the idea when a friend suggests that we ride bikes in Santa Monica or grab a drink on Abbot Kinney... you want me to take the 101 to the 405 and the 10??!! That's too many freeways for a weekend meant for relaxing!  But I've been feeling adventurous lately and the warm weather makes me want to constantly be by the water, so this weekend I made the trek (including all three freeways) for a little adventure in Santa Monica.  Even after parallel parking only to discover that I was on a permit only street, thus crushing all my hopes and dreams of being the best parking spot finder ever, it proved to be very worth it!  I love walking along a street lined with cute restaurants and shops, filled with people dressed in beach attire and their bikes parked out in front.  Feels like life stops and there is only the weekend.  Sigh, if only everyday really was the weekend.

First stop: Library Ale House for a few beers. 

Since my early twenties I've always loved beer.  I wasn't one of those girls at a college party who HAD to have a girly drink to have a good time.  I could throw a Bud Light back like the best of the boys.  Thankfully, since then my palate has sophisticated; and armed with my partner in beer drinking escapades who has an extensive (and frankly quite frightening) amount of knowledge when it comes to beer, I have discovered the art that is behind great beer.  Which means beer drinking is my activity of choice (and eating, but you already knew that).  Unfortunately though, the two beers I had at Library Ale House didn't quite stand out to me, but I liked the ambiance of the place and would happily come back to munch on sweet potato fries and drink beer at the bar.

Second stop:  The famed and hailed as having the best burger in LA Father's Office.

We met friends there who suggested we go early cause the place is small and it's dog eat dog when it comes to getting a table, so we grabbed beers at the bar while Tim and Sabrina stared down a girl sitting at a four top until she left and we claimed victory.  I had a Craftsman beer called Honesty which was described by the bartender as "having the taste of tart cherries balanced with the taste of butter and biscuits."  Sold.  Oh man, just smelling this beer was heaven.  It tasted just as he said, the tart cherry taste was wonderful -  sweet and tart and not too overpowering.  And the beer was rich and complex, not like most fruity beers.  I loved it!  And then the burger came and I simply died.  How could I ever have called myself a burger lover and never had a Father's Office burger till now?!

{photos courtesy of Diary of a Cookie since I ate my food too fast to take any}

**This post will also serve as my first official post in my QUEST TO FIND THE BEST BURGER! Look for more posts with the title "Burger Blogging" as I eat my way through burgers around LA (and even some outside of LA) and report back to you with my findings.**

My thoughts on the Father's Office Burger:

It was delicious.  Caramelized onions, Maytag blue cheese, Gruyere, arugula, and a thick, juicy patty all on a french roll.  Loved it.  Didn't even need ketchup (and I really like ketchup on my burgers).  It really could be the best burger.  But I will have to revisit some of my old favs and search out some new ones before I can truly decide. 

I will score the burgers based on 7 criteria - 5 main components and 2 overall factors on a 1 to 5 scale.  Making the highest possible score a 35.  The 5 main components are:

1. Bun: based on texture, taste, and the way it complements the burger. Things that just won't do are: too soggy buns and too dry buns.

2.  Meat: looking for good texture, flavor, quality, and seasoning.

3.  Juiciness: applies to the overall juiciness of the burger including the patty, the sauces, and anything else that makes the burger juicy.  But beware being too juicy might drop the score down.  I want to be able to pick up my burger.

4.  Cheese: mmm... cheese... do I need to explain this one?

5.  Fixin's:  Everything else that comes on the burger from lettuce to caramelized onions and roasted tomatoes.  Whatever it is it better complement the burger and be delicious.

The 2 overall factors are:

1.  The Perfect Bite:  how well everything on the burger comes together.

2.  Creativity: use of unique ingredients and pairings.

The Father's Office Burger Score Card:

Bun: 4

Meat: 4.5

Juicy: 5

Cheese: 5

Fixin's: 4.5

Perfect Bite: 4

Creativity: 4

Total: 31

I left happy, full and drunk, although the bill sobered me up a bit - this burger's got a price tag that matches its hype.

Third Stop:  Intelligentsia Coffee Shop for a latte to top off the night.

I'm not much of a coffee drinker but the cute design with the steamed milk won my heart.

A successful evening of eating and drinking in Santa Monica, even if I got us lost on the way home.

Peace, love, exploring the Westside, and happiness!