I guess you know you’re getting “old” in the restaurant writing biz when you can name three restaurants that have been in the same space.  I’m sure there were more before this, but since I’ve been writing for YS, I’ve seen Bim Bamboo, The Pinyon, and now H|Burger occupy the same space on east Pearl.

Here’s hoping the space isn’t cursed or something, because H|Burger makes a great addition to the Pearl Street scene.

Upscale burger places are enjoying the same sort of popularity as upscale pizza joints right now, and H|Burger, based in Denver, is capitalizing on it. It’s got a sleeker look and feel than places like Larkburger or Smashburger, with table service, top shelf burbon, and a menu that goes beyond your average patty and cheese.

I got to sample the eponymous H|Burger, an Angus beef patty with roasted Hatch chile, smoked cheddar, bacon, and a house-made tomato red pepper jam that pretty much secured a spot in one of my top 10 burgers of all time (TheChive.com picked it as one of the top 10 burgers in the country, and it won the Denver Burger Battle by a landslide).

But the veggie burger definitely held its own, too.  I really loved the chickpea flavor (a little like falafel) and the topping of sweet and spicy bok choy, red peppers and greens.  YUM.  Both went well with their hand-cut fries; the truffle fries were certainly tasty, but the regular fries were nearly as good, so don’t feel bad if you skip the cheese and shrooms.  They were served with their H|Sauce for dipping: a garlic mayo spiked with roasted ginger.  Forget the ketchup.

I’ll be interested to head back and try some of the other stuff on the menu.  The sweet and spicy hot wings did just what they said on the tin, and they were pretty darned spicy.  But I’d like to try the fried artichokes, the lamb burger, the pulled chicken club, the Thai beef salad… Yeah, I pretty much want to try it all.

Save room for dessert, because the Nutella marshmallow shake, spiked with liquid nitrogen for some special effects, was pretty darned tasty, too.

I’m getting hungry again just writing about it.

H|Burger Boulder
Opens Thursday, May 17
1710 Pearl St., Boulder
hburger.com

The post H|Burger Comes to Boulder appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

A compilation of recent food news, events and awards:

Openings/Closings

The StarLite Diner and Lounge is now open on the 29th Street Mall. /  PastaVino, a modern Italian bistro, opened in the former Juanita’s space on Pearl Street. / H|Burger has teamed up with Troy Guard of TAG to start T|ACO, opening in Boulder on Walnut St. in the old Pizzeria BOP location. / Rumor has it that Oskar Blues is looking at the old train station in Boulder for its foray into the People’s Republic. It was the end of an era as Daddy Bruce BBQ of Boulder closed. / And The Pinyon (pictured) in Boulder closed quite suddenly when chef and co-owner Theo Adley decided to sell the space to Denver-based H BurgerCo. Adley is reportedly looking at opportunities in Denver.

News

Boulder County Farmer’s Markets celebrates their 25th season this year. Markets are open in Boulder and Longmont. / Twenty-three-year-old Tyler Nemkov was the executive chef at Mateo for about a week before deciding to return to CU to finish his degree. / Frasca Food and Wine, Jennifer Jasinski and Jason Sheehan were named James Beard Award finalists. / Frasca was also named one of the top 40 restaurants in the country by Gayot. / The Comida restaurant in Longmont has expanded their hours to include lunch and brunch. / Tillamook cheese announced a partnership with local Top Chef winner Hosea Rosenberg. / Oak at Fourteenth announced that they will host a quarterly pig roast; the first was on April 3. / And in WTF news, the Comida restaurant and Tina the Comida truck were both egged last month. Police have no suspects.

Amuse Bouche: Mini Review

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria brings authentic Cuban food to Boulder. Try the excellent traditional Cubano sandwich, of course, with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles or the equally awesome lechon asado bowl, with roasted pork, sautéed onions and mojo over white rice and their addictive black beans. Fried plantains are almost a must, and skip the boring soda fountain drinks for an authentic Cuban flavor like watermelon or ironbeer—or go for a mojito on the patio.

Events

The Blind Café returned to Boulder May 4 and 5. Details at theblindcafe.com. / Colterra will offer the third in its series of cooking classes with executive chef Michael Drazsnzak, “The Art of Risotto” on May 20. The class is $35 with a glass of wine and tastings included; reservations required. / On June 8 at 5pm, Gateway Fun Center will host a food truck party including The Tasterie Truck, Heirloom, RollinGreens, Comida, Blackbelly Catering, Verde Food Truck, Top of the Hill Grill West, Crock Spot and Street Eats. The event will benefit the non-profit Parenting Place.

The post The Foodiest News of the Month appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.