On April 1, 2008, Old Homestead Steakhouse (56 Ninth Avenue between 14th & 15th Streets, 212-242-9040) will be proud to present the most deliciously decadent item to grace its 140-year-old menu: The $81 "Burger". It might be April Fools Day, but this burger is no joke. Made from 100% Grade Five Japanese Kobe Wagyu, this American steakhouse classic with a Japanese accent is well worth the price tag.
While "Kobe" has been a buzz word recently, with many American restaurants jumping on the bandwagon by serving inferior "Kobe-style" imposters at inflated prices, Old Homestead Steakhouse uses only the highest grade, authentic Japanese Kobe Wagyu imported from Japan. This Kobe Wagyu has been designated as "Grade 5", the highest classification, prized for its unbeatable level of marbling. It's this intense marbling that lends Old Homestead Steakhouse's burger its melt-in-your-mouth flavor and texture, unmatched by any ordinary domestic beef burger.
Each 18oz $81 Burger is made with 14 ounces of ground Japanese Kobe Wagyu with a 4 ounce barely seared sirloin medallion tucked inside, allowing the flavor of hundreds of years of perfecting traditional feeding and raising techniques to shine through in each bite.
Who needs foie gras on their burger when you've got marbling this intensive that melts in your mouth? And all that marbling actually contains higher levels of cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fats and has a much healthier fatty acid profile than all other domestically raised burgers (or foie gras, for that matter). In addition, unlike other higher end domestic cuts, the strict, traditional method of raising Kobe Wagyu ensures that these cattle never see a feed lot or industrial farm and that this burger is always free of hormones and antibiotics while full of flavor.
Foregoing the Heinz and french fries in favor of Executive Chef Oscar Martinez's housemade sake onion ketchup, miso & ginger aioli and a side of tater tots, Old Homestead Steakhouse raises the profile of this humble staple from midweek "working lunch" to Saturday night "working it". You already know what 99 cents tastes like – "charbroiled" antibiotics? "grilled to perfection" growth hormones? – maybe it's time to find out what a real burger tastes like.
For further information or materials on the $81 Burger, please feel free to contact me at:
BRIAN SMITH The Hall Company 646-638-0771 brians at hallpr.com