Spellcaster Spellburger – Book & Burger Pairings From That Burger

That Burger at Idle Hands Bar & Billy Hurricane’s
http://thatburger.com
http://idlehandsbar.com 
25 Avenue B
(between 2nd & 3rd Streets)
New York, NY 10009

THE CONQUEST
Dan Petersen from That Burger makes one of the best Burgers in NYC, let alone anywhere. They’re a high-end, yet affordable version of a fast-food Burger made with his own proprietary blend of Pat LaFrieda Beef, all fresh Produce and Martin’s Potato Rolls. For a relatively thin Patty, Dan knows just the right way to still cook them medium rare (if that’s what you ask for) and top them without ever masking the amazing flavor of the Beef. Whether it’s his signature “Blues Burger” with sauteed Onions, Jalapenos & Blue Cheese, the “Wake Up Burger” topped with Bacon, Egg & Cheese (add Jalapenos for an extra kick) or the off-menu Burger he made for my birthday; “That Rev’s Burger” with Meat marinated in Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Grilled Pancetta, Crunchy Peanut Butter & Hot Sauce, EVERYTHING on That Burger’s Menu is outstanding.

You can wash it down with an incredibly large selection of Bourbons & Craft Beer or the libation of your sort, 7 days a week at Idle Hands (or upstairs at Billy Hurricane’s.) You can also say that I am biased because Dan’s restaurant is located inside the bar I own. Well, if you don’t trust my opinion on Burgers yet, you should either get off this blog or keep reading. Besides that, here’s proof that I was loving Dan’s Burgers way before we ever invited him into the place.

Don’t even get me started on Dan’s Tater Tots or Totchos, a Tater Tot / Hamburger / Nacho Hybrid.

You know who else is invited into the place with amazing talents? My wife, Cara Lynn Shultz. You can say I’m biased and I definitely don’t have a link to a post I wrote on http://wifeconquest.com to prove it, but I don’t need to, I know it. So do the thousands of other people that she calls family, friends, co-workers and fans. Yes I said “fans” and when I do, I’m referring to her amazing career as an author.

Cara just released a book called “Spellcaster,” the 2nd in a series of young adult books. It’s about a teenage girl named Emma who moves to NYC only to find out not only is she a witch but she’s the victim of an eternal curse. She discovers it when she meets her “Spellbound” true love, Brendan. I won’t tell you more than that and even though I am clearly not the target demo, I can tell you that the book series is truly entertaining. Cara has an amazing way of telling a congruent story, full of twists and turns with no plot holes and littered with the kind of humor that appeals to everyone from teens to adults. It’s slightly off-color, never-offensive, very creative and always hilarious. Buy a copy for yourself, or a friend, family member, etc and see for yourself.

I’m incredibly proud of Cara for making her dreams of becoming an published offer happen not once, but twice. Most people talk about writing books and maybe even start but to not only put out one book, but to get two a second book, that’s pretty damn amazing. I’m not surprised though, that’s the kind of person Cara is; determined.

Congrats Baby! You are the magic in my life.

THE BURGER
Oh right…this is a Burger blog right? Not just some online pulpit for me to talk about things I love (or is it?). We celebrated the release of “Spellcaster” at Idle Hands with a huge book release party. Dan from That Burger collaborated with Cara to create a special off-menu Burger for the party; “The Spellburger” – A Burger topped with Sauteed Mushrooms, Sauteed Onions, Lettuce, Cheddar Cheese, Ketchup and Mayo.

Was it good? No. It was GREAT, just like Cara’s books. But then again, Dan Petersen, much like Cara Shultz can do no wrong in my book.

8 out of 10 ounces
-Rev

THE BURGER COUNTQUEST
490 Burgers

Mar 27, 2012 – 8:00 pm