DISH OF THE WEEK: Burger at MARIETTA

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

Burgers in this city are deceptively expensive. Oftentimes the price you see on the menu might be reasonable, but that’s without all the fix-in’s. You want cheese, fries, bacon, an egg, or chicken liver mousse? Probably, right? But it will cost you.

We tried to keep our add-on’s to a minimum when we came to Marietta. This restaurant (owned by the group behind Smoke Joint and Peaches HotHouse) promises Southern food taken to the next level. And the burger wasn’t the only thing we were ordering. We also had to have their raved-about risotto (which was a little salty but mighty tasty), some fried green tomatoes (excellent), and a beet salad (to keep us healthy).

But the burger was certainly the showstopper. We opted for simplicity (and an affordable meal) and were amazed at how good the patty was on its own.

A blend of smoked short rib, sirloin, and ribeye created a perfect juicy burger. It had a nice smoky quality that worked well with the addition of peppercorns to the charred exterior. And that bun was crisp and buttery and did its job by soaking up every ounce of juice and flavor.

Normally, I can’t imagine a burger without cheese or extra sauces, but the one at Marietta proves when it’s done right, the meat is all you need.