Radius

Overview: Out of all the burgers in Boston, none has received more attention than the Radius burger. Time and time again, this burger tops the list of Boston foodies, and in 2008, it was the winner at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival Burger Bash. So if it is so highly acclaimed, why did it take so long for us to try it? At a steep $19, this burger required a special occasion, at at last one came: a Radius special of half price burgers at the bar.

Medium Well: Although I was willing to knock the hype, I must acknowledge that the Radius burger is one of the best gourmet burgers in the country. I wouldn't recommend paying full price for it, but if you are able to catch a half-price Saturday, it is well worth it. When comparing this burger with others we have recently had, I couldn't ignore the similarities between this burger and Garden at the Cellar. True, they are made with different ingredients, served in much different atmospheres, and do not taste anything alike (I did say similarities, right?), however they both are prepared with the same, invaluable equation that results in a good burger. (The best quality ingredients available + a chef/cook who knows what he/she is doing = A Good Burger). So which is better? It depends on your personal preference. Horseradish or aioli? Crispy onions or arugula? Try both and let us know what you think.

Medium Dead: The cheeseburger at Radius was voted #1 in Boston by Boston Magazine and because of that it has been at the top of my list since we started this blog. Everything that comes out of Michael Schlow's kitchen is gold, and this burger is no exception. The first and most distinct flavor is the onions, then subtly the creamy horseradish flavor melts in, and finally you are hit with an explosion of perfectly seasoned seared beef. Describing this burger makes me sound like a wine snob describing all of the phantom flavors in a Chardonnay. The Radius burger is absolutely on par with the other gourmet burgers from the Boston celebrity chef Rat Pack.

Boston Magazine also voted the fries at radius the best in the city, but I disagree with this assessment. Don't get me wrong the fries are great. Every shoe string fry is perfectly crispy with flakes of fresh chive, but Garden at the Cellar's truffle fries would win in a fight any day of the week.

Bonus Bites: Before the burger we shared the crab meat gyoza as an appetizer. The pan fried dumplings were full of fresh crab meat and served on mango and jicama salsa with with avocado spread. The mix of flavor was excellent and reminiscent of a California roll. From the photo, you can tell we were so excited to dig in we forgot to take the picture.

After dinner we shared the Boston creme donuts. Warm sugar covered donut holes, fresh vanilla cream and dark chocolate ganache served side by side. Heather loved these because they weren't covered in chocolate. I loved them because they paired well with the espresso.

The Verdict: I am not sure if the Radius burger is the best in the city, but the quality and flavor ensure that it is in the playoffs every year.