As Barbie said, “Math is hard!” I couldn’t remember the math term for the equation that comes after squared (a number times itself) and cubed (a number times itself, then times itself again). It’s quartic and that’s the end of today’s math lesson, except for this equation 4 x B =? The answer is delicious; if B equals burgers, booze, beer and brunch, as it does at the two places we focus on today.
B Square
Burger + Booze
1021 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
954-999-5216
bsquareburger.com
Restaurateurs Tommy Febbraio and Marc Katzenberg and chef Rafael Palomino took almost a full year to convert the former market on Las Olas into B Square and during that process they had plenty of time to decide exactly what they wanted to offer in their restaurant. The result is a well thought-out menu, in a comfortable, casual environment. The menu’s primary focus is on the not-so-humble hamburger, although there are plenty of options for those looking for something lighter, healthier or a full entrée.
Make no mistake, though, the star item here is the burger, whether it’s your unadorned beauty or one all gussied up, the B-burgers feature hormone and antibiotic-free beef, unless of course, it’s made with tuna, duck, turkey or the veggie version, which combines black beans and brown rice. In addition to the standard burger combinations, check out some of the restaurant’s special concoctions. The “Big Daddy”, is topped with pastrami and melted matured cheddar, while the “Dad Bod”, features melted Maytag bleu, truffled mushrooms, caramelized onions and a sunny-side-up egg. The rest of the options don’t feature the same daddy issues, but are just as delicious.
If the burgers don’t entice (and I can’t imagine why), there are a variety of salads, including a clever design your own version for $10.95, for which you get a checklist and tick off what you want on a bed of your choice of five greens; five additional ingredients from a list of two dozen (if you really can’t stop at five, it’s 75¢ for each addition) and a choice of five dressings. You can even add on additional proteins if you want to make it an entrée. For those looking for an entrée, the options include; salmon, pork chops, churrasco steak, shrimp fried rice, ahi tacos, rigatoni and a choice of chicken, either parm or in lemon-yogurt caper sauce.
B Square’s also recently inaugurated weekend brunch, served from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. We checked it out and thoroughly enjoyed the lobster eggs Benedict; two perfectly poached eggs atop chunks of lobster (at least a tail’s worth) with a tasty and hearty potato hash. The same hash accompanied the filling and meaty short rib Benedict, served atop two cheddar biscuits. Other options include a three meat skillet, banana nut French toast, a smoked salmon pizzetta or a frittata with roasted tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms and Gouda. The B-Square Bloody Mary is a great accompaniment for brunch, as is the prosecco cocktail. As a matter of fact, the cocktail menu alone makes B Square worth a visit.
B&B
Burgers N Beer Joint
14775 Lyons Rd., Delray Beach
267-348-0544
bnbjoint.com
The first Burger & Beer Joint opened in South Beach in 2009 and soon expanded to six locations open throughout Florida and Puerto Rico. The latest location is in the new Market Place Mall just west of the Florida Turnpike in Delray. B&B is part of the Frank’s theater complex, which also includes a bowling alley and arcade as well as the reserved seat and I-Max theaters, making it a one-stop entertainment complex.
As you can tell from the name, the main focus is on burgers and brews. In fact, it offers more than 75 beer options. The signature burgers offer unique sauces and toppings that make B&B a special dining experience. The standard burger mix is a blend of brisket and Black Angus beef. Among some of the burger combinations (all named after songs) are: “Hotel California”, topped with sharp cheddar, grilled onions, fried egg, guacamole, jalapeno relish and cilantro sour cream on a brioche bun, while the “Mustang Sally” pairs a special Wagyu beef blend with red onion marmalade, brie cheese, sliced prosciutto on a brioche bun.
For those seeking something healthier, there is a fantastic ground chicken burger as well as a very tasty veggie version that is no after-thought. The “Dr. Feelgood” veggie burger is a 7 oz. house-made patty of toasted rainbow quinoa, smoked cumin beans, roasted red peppers, and oats, topped with roasted red pepper & corn salsa, manchego cheese and basil-mint pesto on a brioche bun. Burgers either come with skinny fries or fries made from sweet potato, mushroom or zucchini. Each beer comes with a suggested beer pairing, or try a beer flight.
Large groups may want to try the $150 Mother Burger, a ginormous beast the size of a manhole cover, sandwiched in a bun that resembles a couch cushion! For another $25 you can add bacon and cheese, which sounds like a lot, but keep in mind it takes a couple pounds of bacon and cheese to cover that enormous patty. It arrives at the table with great fanfare; a parade of servers banging pots and pans. While it is intended to feed a crowd, if you finish it yourself within 2 hours, it’s free!
