Starting a new job can often be disorienting.  You have to establish new routines, figure out how to find all the office supplies, meet new coworkers and establish new relationships… most importantly, figure out were the best places are to eat.

Fortunately, I now work with a group of really great people, some of whom invited to me participate in my very first Meeting of the Burger Club. The object of said club is, of course, to seek out the perfect burger.

Well, the bar has now been set quite high as the lot of us ventured off to the neighboring BLT Steak.  For those of you that are unfamiliar with this chain of high end restaurants (BLT Steak and BLT Fish), they are white-linen French bistros with a special focus on either beef or fish, respectively. 

I first ventured into a BLT Steak on a business lunch about four years ago at the East 57th Street, NYC location.  I was taken aback by the huge signature popovers and outstanding pomme frites served in a paper cone.  Now, I find myself in the White Plains, NY location.

We had an unusually large “burger club” gathering for my first venture, as we also celebrated our colleague Ben’s Birthday.  Ben received such cool gifts as temporary Spiderman tattoos and lederhosen dolls. 

We broke into three tables.  I sat with Russ and Peter, and we each ordered burgers. I opted for the Greyre and mushroom accouterments and the three of us split an appetizer of grilled bacon in a garlic, basil and cherry vinaigrette. 

Our conversations paused as we each savored each complementing flavor element.  About half-way through our feasting, we noticed that the center table – the “birthday” table – did not yet receive their meals.  We each looked compassionately, somewhat guiltily at one another and debated pausing until they received their food.

“You know, the kitchen put effort into serving us a hot meal, we should really honor their efforts,” Russ said.

“That’s true, we would dishonor the kitchen staff and the food itself,” added Peter.

We guiltily resumed our hedonistic consumption of medium rare beef.

Of course, an hour later, I needed a nap... but hey – how often does one have the chance to gather with the elusive Burger Club after all?