UMAMI URGES

When I get the urge, which is not often,  the craving can only be satisfied then and there.   There is a problem though.  I am not physically where that particular satisfaction can be easily gratified.

Let me explain the urge. 

I have a sweet tooth and anything chocolaty, sugary caramel, sends me in an ecstatic oblivion.  The other three tastes, piquant savory dishes do the trick just as well as sour tamarind sauces. The bitter qualities of Campari has got to be my favorite aperitif.  But when I discovered Chef Escoffier’s and Ikeda’s Umami, the fifth taste that was dismissed by Democratius, Plato and Aristotle, there was nothing more to be said.  I was in another gastronomic world of  culinary ecstasy.

It was the Umami Burger,  that had me swooning and dreaming and salivating when I think about having a burger.   Nothing compares with the Umami burger in California.  

 I’m not sure what magic they put into their burgers or for that matter the definitive choice of meat.  The mysterious ingredient captured by these awesome chefs just eludes me. 

Preparation is the key.    Little breakfast and hardly anything for lunch  will arguably be the best preparation to sit down, hungry as a wolf, perusing over their wonderful menu at dinner time.

I always go for the Umami burger piled high with Shitake mushroom, caramalised onion, roasted tomatoes and the mysterious Umami house spread.  There’s also Port and Stilton burger, Hatch burger and the Cali Burger.   

To accompany my order, the handsome waiter suggested sweet potato fries, tempura onion rings and a small salad, I didn’t say no – drooling at both the thought of my dream burger and the dream hunk. 

Nothing can describe the delicious, soft and moist burger full of flavor and great texture.   I am spoilt now for I can no longer manage to consume any other food described as a hamburger any where else in the world.  

If it is their magic ingredient, I would not try to imitate it at home but will await patiently for my next visit to Los Angeles at their La Brea's branch for the ultimate in burger cuisine that no one can match.