Cafe Salle Pleyel Burger: The Burger of The Times

You may remember that last fall I wrote about the terrific hamburger at the Cafe Salle Pleyel, a restaurant created by my friend Helene Samuel, about whom you've heard me talk before.

Well, today the Cafe Salle Pleyel burger got big-time coverage -- it's the star of Jane Sigal's extensive story In Paris, Burgers Turn Chic.  It's a really good story and, after you read it, you should take a couple of minutes to view/listen to the accompanying audio/slideshow as well - the pictures are swell.

Now here are the two best parts of the story: 

First, there's guest chef Sonia Ezgulian's recipe for the Pleyel Burger with capers and cornichons and Parmesan cheese (my photo was taken when the cheese of choice was a very American cheese).

Second, and unimaginably exciting, wonderful, smart, funny, talented Helene Samuel is the author of The New York Times's Quotation of the Day.  In the space usually reserved for the words of heads of state, Nobel Prize laureates and rock stars, my friend Helene is quoted as saying about the burger:

"IT HAS THE TASTE OF THE FORBIDDEN, THE ILLICIT -- THE SUBVERSIVE, EVEN."

It makes our national favorite sound pretty romantic, doesn't it?

Comments

[S for Kitchen Confit]

What a great looking burger, wow.

[nijou]

My favorite Paris "burger" is the seared tuna steak sandwiched between two morceaux de foie gras poele - looks like a "burger" tastes like instant and mortal SIN. Where can you find this delice - L' EPI DUPIN on the rue Dupin.

http://www.cntraveller.com/Special_Features/Paris_Bistros/L_Epi_Dupin/

[maitresse]

and the Robuchon burger... delish. They serve them at L'Atelier here in Tokyo, too, with a really tangy BBQ sauce and these dainty little onion rings. SO good.

[Chad Edward]

I'd eat that burger! When I lived in Europe, I just stopped ordering burgers after a few months. The disappointment was too much to take after awhile.

[mindy]

Funny, I've been rediscovering the burger lately myself! We have a ranch in the area that produces the nicest grain-fed buffalo--it makes a great summer burger.

Look out, America, the French are going to outdo one of your staples! :)

[Shandy]

Burgers have gone French. . .who could have guessed? Does this mean that Americans are now gastronomically influencing the French? Cafe Salle Pleyel's burger looks phenomenal and there is definitely more burger and colorful toppings then toasted bun. I think my tummy is growling =). Your friend is brilliant!

[dorie]

Maria, I wish you -- and everyone -- could meet Helene. She's always quotable.

Cathy, you're so smart and so right! That quote would have been perfect in the time of ortolans.

[Cathy]

Ha! Fifty years ago, Hélène's quote could well have been about ortolans.

The burger with capers and cornichons sounds especially yummy...

[Maria]

Love that quote! That is quite the burger!!