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 Seattle Kitchen


Seattle Kitchen recommends: Best burgers

BY Jamie Skorheim  on April 27, 2012 @ 9:04 am (Updated: 9:16 am - 4/28/12 )

burger
Sunshine means it's time for grilling. With the first sights of sun appearing in the Northwest, the Seattle Kitchen Show decided it was time to talk burgers. (MyNW.com/file)

Sunshine means it's time for grilling. So with the first sights of sun appearing in the Northwest, the Seattle Kitchen Show decided it was time to talk burgers.

First the hosts went over the elements they think are necessary for grilling up a fine burger at home.

Seattle Kitchen host Thierry Rautureau said his French tastes have him calling for a good bun.

"To me, a burger should be something with good bread, good bun," said Rautureau. "I like to have something a bit chewy that has been toasted or grilled and have a nice char."

Co-host Tom Douglas and edible correspondent Katie O agree toasting the bun is a must.

"If you don't make the effort to toast your bun, you might as well just step out of the room," said Douglas.

To balance out the fattiness of a burger, Rautureau suggests topping it with some strong greens. "I like to have something like Arugula, something that is going to bite through."

Katie O said acid can help on this front as well. "I have to have some sort of acidy pickle on it."

Douglas seconds the acid inclusion. "When you toast a bun it's got a little fat on it. You've got the aioli that's got fat. The burger's got fat. You need that acid in there."

Rautureau also says the coolness of a fresh tomato can be a good compliment to the arrangement.

"In good summer season," said Rautureau, "I love a good slice of yellow or red tomato."

Each of the Seattle Kitchen staff had different recommendations for burger sauce. Rautureau recommends a homemade aioli. Katie O suggests Dijonaise for its bite and creamy smoothness, and Douglas likes a classic barbecue sauce.

As for restaurants around town that they visit for their burgers, each person the Seattle Kitchen Staff recommended three.

Douglas went classic Seattle with Dick's, Red Mill and also went for one of his own joints - Palace Kitchen.

Rautureau also named one of his establishment's, Luc, for their burger made with homemade aioli and tomato jam. He also seconded Red Mill and Palace Kitchen.

Katie O added Loretta's and Spring Hill to the list.

But the Seattle restaurant most recognized for its burger, nominated by all three on the Seattle Kitchen staff appears to be Palace Kitchen, with Katie O adding her vote to give it the unanimous support of the whole team.

Seattle Kitchen can be heard on the new 97.3 KIRO FM weekend, Saturdays at 8 a.m, Sunday at 10 a.m. and anytime ON DEMAND at MyNorthwest.com.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • Steve Dallas wrote...
    Don't forget...
    April 29, 2012 6:58 am
    Lunchbox Laboratory...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 62moons62 wrote...
    a great burger
    April 29, 2012 10:49 am
    has no pink slime
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sohojo wrote...
    Also
    April 29, 2012 1:51 pm
    good chese,bacon and grilled onions.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Country_Dog wrote...
    Somewhere,
    April 29, 2012 2:41 pm
    a vegan is crying.

    And I like "pink slime" because it is only finely processed beef.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • biteme wrote...
    Ciabatta bread
    April 29, 2012 4:12 pm
    those buns are the best for making your own back yard BBQ burger. Smear em down with butter and minced garlic, toast over the grill then add yer favorite STUFF,pickles, onions etc. It won't disappoint.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Boy could I have fun with one, but the . . . .
    April 29, 2012 4:24 pm
    kids are still up. Fireboy - kop- and last but not least 0-0.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • jabailo wrote...
    Come To Kent
    April 29, 2012 5:42 pm
    Cal's American at Kent Station. Mega delish!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    Jak's Grill (U village/West Seattle)
    April 29, 2012 9:10 pm
    has the best burger IMHO. $9.95 so it's not the cheapest, but it tastes so good I would not even order cheese. If you really want to kick it up a notch, skip the fries and try their potato pancakes!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    burgers are in the mouth of the beholder
    April 30, 2012 8:52 am
    I like 'em big, and I like 'em small. I enjoy a simple Dick's cheese on occaision as I'm not a huge eater. Once in awhile I loves me a hot off the Weber fat hamburger like the one I had at a friend's bd party Saturday night (I just struggle with at 'processing' part of the equation, if you get my drift).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }