Archive for 'West End Bar & Grill'

West End’s $10 LaFrieda Burger is Worth the Riff Raff

West End Bar and Grill FrontSpeaking of Burger Week, the other week we noted that West End Bar & Grill (49th & 8th Ave) was open for business, with a former Jean Georges line cooking helming the kitchen. I dropped to try their burger, which uses a Pat LaFrieda blend, and comes with your obligatory lettuce/tomato/onion and a side of fries for $10. During my stay, I found out that West End is backed by the same guys that own Social and Latitude, just a few blocks south on 8th Ave.

I’ll include a cheap shot here – the crowds at those places tend to attract the unsophisticated New York newbie, primarily the tourists, the recent college grads, and the lecherous old men and women who lust after them. The crowd at West End is no different – a rowdy environment of Theater District appropriate riff-raff, fueled by $6 pints, stock tips, and Yankees gossip in Midwestern and Long Island accents. Food is hastily shoved down, as customers watch sports on slick over-sized flat screens. The food here doesn’t deserve such disrespect.

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West End Bar and Grill Opens; Will Serve Pat LaFrieda Burgers

West End Bar and Grill

Back in January, Ciro restaurant (49th & 8th Ave) quietly shuttered, though the Midtown lunch populace didn’t seem too concerned. I walked by over the weekend and noticed that the (seemingly) generic West End Bar and Grill had opened in its place. The drinks on tap are your standard variety, though the restaurant staff promised a daily rotation of happy hours (Mamacita, here’s your cue).

I took a quick peek at the menu, and noted that its your standard line-up of pub grub, wraps, obligatory chicken wings and the like – most of which are over the $10 mark. However, I did notice that their burger, an 8oz Pat LaFrieda patty that comes with fries and all the fixin’s only costs $10. I confirmed with the restaurant staff that the kitchen would be open 7 days a week, including weekday lunch service. Also, according to TONY, the Chef of the restaurant is a former Jean Georges line cook.

Although this type of restaurant is tough to get excited about, the $10 LaFrieda burger and fry deal definitely piqued my interest. If any early adopters try the food here, please chime in with your thoughts in the comments.

West End Bar and Grill, 813 8th Ave (btw. 48+49th)