As I was getting my daily fix of nymag.com, I came across an article promoting Patty & Bun (P&B), the new and appropriately named burger spot in the village. Glancing at the menu, I knew I had to visit, not because I am a burger person but because they had what looked like amazing mac and cheese. Cheddar, goat and sheep’s cream cheese? Yes, please!

So off I went with a friend in tow. The restaurant had a fresh, yet intimate vibe, complete with low lighting, dark wood decor and the smell of recent construction. Once seated, I decided to try one of their patties and buns, ordering the cremini-stuffed turkey burger with guacamole spread ($10), and the highly-anticipated mac and cheese ($9) on the side. My friend got the P & B burger deluxe with fries ($14). When our meals came, they looked beautiful, except I realized our waitress gave me fries when I didn’t ask for them. Curiosity and greediness got the best of me, as I told her to leave the plate as it was. The fries were just crunchy enough on the outside with great color, although not enough seasoning for my taste. However, after adding a little salt and pepper, they were good to go. And as someone who’s pretty apathetic about her burgers, I enjoyed my turkey burger more than I thought I would. The patty itself was cooked just right with a charred exterior and a light pink interior. But neither the fries nor the burger beat my beloved mac and cheese. Creamy, rich and topped with pieces of bacon, I was more than pleased with the dish. My only brief thought (as I hungrily consumed the bacon) was that they should mention bacon on the menu for all of the unsuspecting non-pork eaters out there. As for my friend, he enjoyed his burger and fries, polishing off every, and I mean every, last bite.

Overall, I genuinely liked my meal. Unfortunately, what I did not love as much was the service. The fries mishap was not a big deal, although when there is a $4 difference between the regular meal and the deluxe, it never hurts to repeat the order back to the patron. Also, several more service-related incidents occurred throughout the night that could have been avoided. New Yorkers are a critical bunch, especially to restaurants that are not yet established, so good food, and good service, is a must. Luckily, Patty & Bun has potential. Whether it lives up to that potential remains to be seen.

Click through for pictures of a meal that was, if not entirely perfect, definitely satisfying.

Posted by: Tausha Cowan
Order: Cremini stuffed turkey burger with guacamole spread and mac and cheese
Price: Burgers-$$; Steaks and Chops-$$$
Location: 61 W. 8th St (near 6th ave)
Type of Food: American
Veggie friendly? N

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