I love when I find inspiration for writing about a food experience in the most random of situations. I was packing for Barbados' Food+Wine+Rum Festival, when I came across a maxi dress and a vintage dress, both of which triggered by memory of the Soul Food Burger.
Here's are a few pics of the dresses:
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| The two on the right are from Derby Day during the Mint Julep Crawl I hosted May 2012 |
This was my first visit to JM Curley and certainly will not be my last. I've read much about the burgers, but I was also impressed with the mac & cheese, partly because mac & cheese is one of those hit or miss dishes on restaurant menus.
Upon arrival, we had the pleasure of being seated by the iconic Patrick Maguire, author of the blog "Server Not Servant". It's always fun to meet bloggers/industry folks who's work you admire.
We had several servers working in sync taking good care of the section. The atmosphere was dim and mellow with quiet chatter from surrounding tables and the bar area. The menu design was simple and its contents laced with comfort food and entertaining quirky/snarky rules on proper behavior within the establishment with which I absolutely agree! I was just glad to see that the phrase "No Food Photography" did not make the list.
Seated next to us was a group of people whom Chef Monsour apparently knew. He came out to speak to the group, but didn't fail to acknowledge and greet us and others in the dining area...a real class act.
The bar offered two of my favorite cocktail classics of which I had a couple: The Manhattan and a Classic Champagne Cocktail (Called "Mister Bubbles" @JM Curley).
So, this Soul Food Burger was EVERYTHING! I've never been one to order burgers at a full service restaurant, but with this one, I very much identified with Richard Chudy (of Boston Burger Blog) and his perpetual search for the perfect burger.
The Soul Food Burger was well-seasoned and juicy, served on a buttery, toasted sesame seed bun and layered with tender collard greens, pimento cheese sauce, and candied yam crema! It was spicy... it was savory... it was simply wonderful...
...and what a beauty:
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| Sorry KFC, THIS is finger-lickin' good! |
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| The Soul Food Burger! |
The presentation of the squash hush puppies was Thanksgiving dinner on a bread and butter plate! The hush puppies were served with turkey neck gravy, cranberry cinnamon butter, and pop’s stuffing spice. They were moist on the inside and crisp on the outside. Though I am a fan of marrying sweet and savory, I enjoyed the cranberry-cinnamon butter best.
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| Squash hush puppies |
We really enjoyed the cast iron mac & cheese made with Cottrell Old Yankee ale and Grafton maple smoked cheddar. The consistency was perfect, not watery, not dry- which is important to me. Remarkable flavors came through over tender pasta.
The smoked trout rillettes potato skins were topped with charred leeks, sour cream, parsley, smoked trout and bacon.
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| Smoked Trout Rillettes Potato Skin |
Neither my friend nor I were moved by the Beer and Cheese soup (made with Ellie's brown ale, Vermont cheddar, and Texas Pete hot sauce), but perhaps Tabasco sauce (which my friend didn't request) or more Texas Pete could have been helpful. I'll try again.
The braised beef cheek gorditas were apparently so great the kitchen ran out by the time of my visit. I'll be back for those amongst other eye-catching items on the menu.
JM Curley: Consider me a new fan!
