I started writing this post with, “Ever since I read about PJ Clarke’s on Mona’s Apple,” but when I went to look for her post about PJ Clarke’s to link, I discovered that I was sadly, sadly mistaken. Though she did post about PJ Clarke’s, that’s not the post I read, written almost a full year before I began reading Mona’s blog (which is awesome, guys, check it out!).
I had read about JG Melon on Mona’s Apple. Ok, fine, so it’s got initials, it’s someone’s name, but I have no idea how PJ Clarke even hit my radar then and how I wound up linking the two in my head, but thankfully, PJ Clarke’s is also known for its burgers, and I wasn’t too much an a-hole for begging DT to go with me last week. Well, PJ’s had been (mistakenly) on my list for 2 years now, and after reading about it on Serious Eats, then on Blondie and Brownie, all in the same week… I really wanted a burger.
Before we get to the meat of this review (har. har.), I insist that you know this: I am not a burger snob. I like burgers. But looking over the past 20 times or so the word “burger” has graced this blog, I’ve eaten more fast-food-slanted burgers than gourmet burgers than otherwise. I don’t know, I just don’t seek out burgers that often that I’ve been to the highest of the high end burger places. I don’t work in Midtown, either, so normal places a person might go for a lunchtime burger just escape me. My favorite burger is the Shake Shack burger, and of course, my own burger.
Okay, enough disclaimers… onwards to the food.
A note: I arrived at 6:40. Yes, a full 40 minutes after we were scheduled to meet, and I apologize to DT again… But my point, for the readers, is that though the bar area in the front was PACKED with people with whom I would not get along, the dining area had a few scattered free tables here and there, so we were seated immediately.
DT claimed to want comfort food, which is how we wound up here instead of the previously agreed-upon Kampuchea (which we will get to, oh yes we will). Ironically, she decided to order all seafood, which, while delicious, doesn’t strike me as comfort food. (I see heavy dishes as comforting; something that fills my stomach, warms me up, and makes me feel sleepy and sated. Between our orders, I would say I definitely ordered the more comforting food.)
Shortly after we placed our orders (we opted to get a LOT of food), my Cadillac burger arrived. First.
Which wouldn’t be so odd, we DID tell her to bring the food as it was ready, but DT had ordered raw oysters to start. How my burger managed to be ready quicker than 8 raw oysters is really beyond my comprehension. And while I knew my burger was arriving solo, I just hadn’t expected it to arrive so… lonely. On what can only be called an appetizer plate, a bread plate, slightly larger than a saucer. Well, no big deal, I’m all about quality, presentation can be nice, but it doesn’t make for good food.
*sorry, I struggled with the lighting in here greatly
My burger was cooked to my specifications of medium rare nicely, and there was a good flavor to the beef itself. (While I clearly like my toppings, I am definitely in the school of thought that thinks the patty itself should have a good taste, and not rely on toppings to become greatness.) I liked my burger, finding it a touch too oily for me, but overall, a solidly outstanding burger. I maintain Shake Shack as my favorite, but I do note that this burger makes a good showing, and that I would be more than happy to return to PJ Clarke’s, if only to try other items on their delectable menu, but would feel comfortable recommending the burger to other people. Yummy.
Though I’d read Blondie really enjoyed the home fries, after a quick discussion, I decided that since most of our food was to be eaten with our hands, it made more sense to order the fries. These were only okay – though not blah, not amazing, either, and in hindsight, we probably could have done without since we didn’t do more than nibble at a few of the fries each.
DT opted to start with 8 Kumamoto oysters. I was surprised there were on offer; I’ve only seen these at a handful of restaurants, mostly sushi places or more upscale joints. DT loves and loved these, I thought she was having an O the way her eyes rolled back, half closed, and she whispered, “Like. buttah.” almost with tears rolling down her slim cheeks. Of course, oysters are oysters and there’s no skill required here, just a good supplier, which clearly PJ’s had. And a wide selection of oysters, so two points to PJ’s.
DT ordered the mussels for two, intending to eat them all herself. Unfortunately, she ate one, grimaced, and looked at me. “There’s still sand in this,” she said hesitantly.
Me: “How bad is it? I mean, can you still eat it?” I’m not big on complaining at restaurants; I like to mostly fly under the radar (not that I ever expect to be “recognized”, anyway, just that I don’t like being a fussy diner).
DT: “Well, maybe it’s just this one,” and gamely ate another. Then gasped. “The beards are still on these!!!”
Me: “No!!!”
DT: “Yes.” *checks another one* “Oh, this is so gross. I cannot eat these. I don’t understand why these weren’t cleaned.”
And so, the mussels were sent back. I can’t claim to know if this is a regular occurrence and the mussels are just terrible and an overlooked part of their menu, but know that this was what happened when we went, and DT was a pretty good sport about it I think. She didn’t make a big fuss, she was polite about it, and the waiter quickly resolved it, without giving us attitude or arguing with us or anything. I was kind of embarrassed, since I picked the place (without having gone before), but DT didn’t seem to hold me accountable, phew.
In addition to my burger – yes in addition I told you we ordered a lot of food and I did it on purpose muhahaha – (I’m going a little nuts at my office job and need to blow off steam somehow; have you read the papers lately?! I need something to make myself laugh…) I ordered the baked mac & cheese with peas and bacon. Dude. You mention bacon with cheese and pasta? I’m totally sold. Baked mac and cheese is one of those things I adore and will order nearly any chance I can get, but as you can see above, this wasn’t baked mac & cheese. Sure it was in an oven dish, but baked mac & cheese is supposed to have a crunchy baked topping. Oh, and did I mention – this isn’t mac & cheese, either? It was closer to carbonara than anything… Am I being too picky? While we dug in eagerly, it was definitely delicious and slightly cheesy, but it was definitely not mac & cheese. In fact, I wound up taking some home, and packed it for lunch the next day, but when I went to heat it up in the morning, I noticed the “cheese” wasn’t… cheese. It was oil mixed with maybe a little bit of cheese, maybe a bit of egg… the bottom of the take out container they’d given me was swimming in what looked suspiciously like straight up oil, and reminded me distinctly of the time I’d made carbonara. Which, don’t get me wrong, was delicious. I love carbonara. But I wouldn’t make it with shell pasta and call it mac & cheese by any means. (I’d still order this again… haha)
To replace her order of mussels, DT opted for the three mini-cheeseburger slider platter, which came with a side of bubble & squeak. We joked that the real reason it’s called bubble & squeak is because, as ladies, you’ll be squeaking after eating… Ok, that was lame. Whatever! You try writing this after not sleeping for days on end… ANYWAY 😛 DT didn’t find her burgers to be anything special, though they were cooked inconsistently – the first one was overdone and a bit dry; the second one, to perfection; and I’m not sure about the third one. The bubble & squeak wasn’t quite what we’d expected from reading the Wiki entry on it, though she find it mildly blah. I’d thought it would look more like home fries from a diner, and we both didn’t think it’d come looking so… patty-like. Eh. It was interesting to try, for sure.
At the end of the night, the bill came to be $140, with a generous tip. The oysters clocked in at a whopping $3 apiece, a bit pricy (DT wound up ordering 14 of these babies), glasses of wine were $12 each. It wasn’t a cheap dinner (my portion came to $40, paying for the fries, the burger, and the mac & cheese), but it was quite tasty. If I went back, I’d order much more judiciously to keep it reasonable… but I DID have plenty of leftover mac & cheese to eat for a lunch and a side dish for a later meal as well.
Yvo says: Overall… the atmosphere is very good old boys, and a bit loud if you sit in the front. The people are nothing interesting in my opinion, but the food? The food was mostly solid, aside from the unfortunate incident with the mussels – which was taken off our bill, and taken care of promptly, discreetly, and without fuss. I wouldn’t mind going back to try some of their daily specials, or even having another burger, which was definitely tasty. I foresee myself going back, if I’m in the area or if I’m really craving some of their items… great pub style selection on their menu.
not sure why they don’t have regular PJ Clarke’s on UrbanSpoon, but it’s this location
Swan says
the place is good for business dinners.
kampuchea is eh… i have to go 2 more times to get a better reading but my initial reaction is that it’s overpriced.
Anonymous says
The reason that your burger came so quickly was because PJ tended to pre-cook the burgers during peak hours. Go during off-hour and they will cook your burger as your order, much fresher and hot.
Also, you should go to the downtown PJ Clarke’s (in WFC) where they have happy hour with $1.25 oyster and $0.75 oyster of the day special. Great for your friend!