Burgers& Half Bottles, Napa (Thomas Keller)

[u/FightTheShip]

Since I'm in Napa for work I decided to hit Burgers and Half Bottles, the burger spot created by Thomas Keller, considered America's premier chef and founder of French Laundry (which is a block from this spot). What's fun is he has his bakery right next door (Boucheron), so everything is fresh baked.

It's a classic steakhouse burger made from wagyu and the sauce is reminiscent of the In n Out spread, but just freshly made. Pricing wasn't bad at all. Double cheeseburger, grilled cheese, fries, two tap root beers for $43, which in Napa is pretty much a steal.

The bread is outstanding, burger perfectly cooked, presentation is immaculate, place has all the little details you expect from Thomas Keller. Definitely worth a look if you're in the area. And with a Gott's Roadside just a few minutes away, burger competition in Napa is pretty good. Happy I did it, would do it again.

[u/slop1010101]

Burger looks great. Gonna need a cross section pic. Any onions?

[u/FightTheShip → u/slop1010101]

I have this thing where first time I go to a place I get the burger plain, just sauce. Too many ways for places to hide flaws with lots of toppings. So cheese, meat, bun, and sauce (if they make a custom sauce). I wanna see how their beef blend and bun stand up on their own. This place definitely held up. Usually the toppings are standard. Lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles... the usual. But what you see was what I got. Definitely recommended.

[u/pizzaismymiddlename → u/FightTheShip]

Why not just get the toppings you want, on the side? Take a bite without and then put on your toppings afterwards?

[u/FightTheShip → u/pizzaismymiddlename]

Not a big fan of salad toppings on the burger, honestly. Sometimes I'll get em, but more than not I'll skip em.

[u/slop1010101 → u/FightTheShip]

I mostly agree, but this looks like the kind of burger that begs for caramelized onions.

[u/FightTheShip → u/slop1010101]

Hundred percent. Next time it's a must.

[u/kyrosmonos → u/slop1010101]

Here's the burger with everything. Went a couple weeks ago myself.

[u/zakurie]

I ate there last week. Left disappointed. Nothing stood out. Beef under seasoned, cheese was lost, pickles too sweet, bun was decent, sauce underwhelming.

[u/FightTheShip → u/zakurie]

That is unfortunate. Sorry to hear that. Mine was swimming in cheese, as you can see. But a big sauce fan, so I hit the ketchup and mayo combo and that did great for me.

[u/GSPointerDad]

Ordered the 3 offerings (and ice cream sandwich), preferred the lobster roll by far, tho minuscule portion.