A Burger Born in Brooklyn

As PSbklyn owner Steve Sohmer bluntly stated, "Burgers are not the next big thing and new places come out all the time. To make it work you need delicious burgers and something different." That's exactly what Steve has created at PSbklyn located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, except he doesn't only have good burgers. PSbklyn is an eclectic restaurant where you will find an excellent assortment of perfectly grilled burgers with gourmet toppings and tiny appetizer plates that make fried pickles and spring rolls seem sophisticated. Did I mention the plethora of martini options and craft beers?

Given a glance of the menu, PSbklyn seems just like any other upscale burger joint, but after entering the restaurant, it's quickly revealed that the goal is to please diners of all ages. Along the right wall near the entrance of the restaurant is a long, wooden bar, perfect for those looking for that quick 'beer and a bite'. There are also many tables spaced out away from the bar making it a great atmosphere to enjoy a drink almost feeling the laid back vibes of a dive bar, but with an artistic setting that invites you to make yourself at home. The second part of PSbklyn is a hair more strategic. Located in only four booths are televisions at the end of the table. Adjacent to each booth is another close freestanding table. The genius in this schematic floor plan that is quickly being noticed and admired by locals is that parents can sit with another couple enjoying drinks and dinner, while their kids can relax in the booth and watch the tube. With this idea, PSbklyn continually gets repeat offenders looking to enjoy a great meal while their children remain entertained, also enjoying food that they like to eat. If that isn't enough of an innovative idea, there is also a game room in the basement. Stocked with traditional games like skee ball and air hockey, kids love going down to enjoy the arcade while their parents finish their cocktails. When it starts to get later, it's not only the children who enjoy the games, but also adults (after they've had a few drinks of course).

Besides mouthwatering burgers dressed up in toppings like scallion and ginger teriyaki glaze or fried zucchini with a basil walnut pesto (out of all the delicious toppings my favorite was the simple smoked bacon with Vermont cheddar), there are pizzas, salads, larger dishes like chicken Milanese, and so many small plate appetizers to choose from. I thought every dish was good, but I particularly like the wild mushroom spring rolls and fig and baked brie, which as the name suggests is brie and a puff pastry surrounding a sweet moistened fig.

If you haven't had the pleasure of trying PSbklyn out yet, May is a perfect month to give it a shot since the restaurant will be implementing its very first amateur slider eating competition. On May 25th, contestants will have only three minutes to down as many sliders as they physically can. Even if you aren't the type to gorge yourself with sliders, May still will have a different specialty burger of the week (last week was called "Heaven on a Burger," which had truffle cheese and smoked tomatoes.) And don't forget that burgers are always served with fries, so even if you're watching your carb intake, skip the diet when you eat at PSbklyn because the fries are phenomenal.

Overall, if you're looking for a setting that you can truly kick back and relax while eating less than healthy, but tasty food (they have salads too, but you'll be jealous if anyone at your table gets a burger) check out PSbklyn and learn why the residents of Park Slope have found a new place to become regulars.

— Written by Valerie Cario

Photo credit: PSbkyln

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Tags : PSbklyn, Park Slope, Steve Sohmer, Valerie Cario, burgers

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