It’s been a while since we wanted to go to Saxon+Parole to try their burgers. Especially their vegetarian burger that is called the “impossible burger”, a plant based patty supposed to taste like meat. Are we there in the future? I do not know but I have seen more and more places proposing the beef like patty from Impossible Foods. The secret? Well still a secret but they provide some clues on how they can come close to meat, per their website:

Protein: wheat protein and potato protein deliver that meaty chew and essential nutrition.
Flavor: turns out the key to craveable flavor is the same molecule that makes meat a great source of iron: heme (I looked up for what it is but sorry, I do not have a PhD).
Fat: coconut oil and a dash of soy. It’s what’s give the impossible burger that fatty juicy sizzle.
Binders: to bring it all together we use konjac and xanthan, common ingredients in Chefs’kitchens.

So here we are, Jodi with the impossible burger, served with a mushroom purée, roasted oyster mushrooms, sherry onions and truffle cream.

On my side, the Saxon burger, made with dry aged beef, Pennsylvania Harvati cheese, maple bacon and a fried egg or what I would call “a heart attack on a plate).

I started with the beef burger that was really good: juicy, tasting like meat (I always mention this because some restaurants put too much seasoning that overpowers the whole thing), with the egg yolk adding some smoothness to it. Definitely a good burger. Then, I tried the Impossible burger. Was it good? Yes. Dis it taste like meat? Very slightly. The texture was there, it was moist and not juicy like a good patty would be. Considering you have toppings with it as well as the bread you could be fooled to think it is meat though.

The cheeseburger was served with french fries that were pretty good and we also ordered some superb creamy corn gratin topped by an arugula pesto. I washed all of this down with their Manhattan on tap that is a cocktail made with their own whisky distilled in Kentucky (well I guess I should call it bourbon then).

For dessert, we had S’mores, made à la Saxon+Parole with a warm chocolate pudding, Graham cracker, marshmallows and a whisky barrel smoke to keep the whisky theme alive. Delicious, it was a good way to end a fantastic and surprising meal.

Now you may wonder if the Impossible Burger convinced me. Yes, a bit: this is a good alternative to meat if you dine in a vegetarian restaurant and want something as comforting as a burger, but the taste is not as delicious as a good meat patty as far as I am concerned. It can also be a good substitute for converted vegetarians who miss the taste of meat they had before though...It is worth trying in all cases!

Enjoy (I did)!

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Saxon+Parole - 316 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

Burger competition at Saxon+Parole

I Just Want To Eat!