1.08.2011

Is Boston Best Burger at The Oak Room?

Getting back to the ritual Friday Burger with Richard from Boston Burger Blog, we thought we'd kick off the year with a more high end burger (i.e. expensive).  After all, it's the start of a New Year and it also just so happened to be my final day in corporate America.  Clearly an extra good celebratory cheeseburger was in order. That being said, we don't always get what we want and sadly this was the case at The Oak Room.

The Oak Room Cheeseburger 
Located in the luxuriously lavish Fairmont Copley Plaza, there is no doubt about it, The Oak Room is upscale.  Walking through the bright and extravagant hotel lobby, heels click-clicking on the gleaming marble floors to get to The Oak Room, my expectations ran high.  I was then ushered through a dimly lit lounge that seemed straight out the 1920's.  The walls were covered in deep oak (makes sense, doesn't it?) and golden chandeliers hung from the ceilings while deer heads hung on the walls.  Once seated, the staff seemed confused and disorganized.  We were offered a choice of waters on three different occasions and were met with a rather frustrated "as you wish" each time various high end waters were declined in favor of simple tap water.

As we waited for our burgers, we noticed how many other diners had ordered the burger.  In a dining room full of guests, I saw only one item being served that wasn't a burger (it was a lobster roll).  This only amplified the anticipation for a juicy and perfectly cooked cheeseburger.  Maybe they all knew the secret of where Boston's best burger is kept?


When the cheeseburger was presented to us, it even looked sad.  Limp fries laying next to an average looking bar burger.  When I bit into it, the first thing I noticed was how dreadfully over cooked it was.  I had requested medium rare and was presented with well, well, well done.  The meat itself was so over salted I could swear I felt the graduals of salt crunching with each bite.  The bread was stale and there was entirely too much of it and the cheese didn't even participate in the overall flavor of each bite.  When asked by our waiter how everything was, I admitted that things were "just okay" the waiter absently and as if not even paying attention said, "great" and rushed away.  Waitering/Waitressing 101, if customer states that things are less then stellar, especially in a fine dining establishment, things should be made right.  Once the burgers were cleared (I had removed the offending bun after the first bite and only ate about half of my actual burger) we were then asked on two different occasions if we'd care for dessert or coffee and were even questioned "Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy a cappuccino?"  Understood that up-selling is a part of the restaurant business but done without tact and with visible frustration when the offer is declined is rude.

I'd expect things like this from the local watering hole but when coughing up $19 for a burger, I'd expect things to be spot on.  In addition, I'm also looking for an element of surprise to be included to the plate that would warrant such a price tag.  When you compare this pricey burger to others, there is an an extra twist added to them that makes them luxurious.  The Bristol Burger has truffled Parmesan fries and is cooked to perfection and enough to comfortably feed two people.  The Back Bay Social Club utilizes a blend of meats that makes for one of the juiciest burgers I've ever had.  All things considered, sadly, The Oak Room burger has surpassed Cafeteria for the title of worst burger in Boston that I've had to date.

Oak Room on Urbanspoon

11 comments:

Meghan@travelwinedine said...

I don't eat burgers, but it is too bad that you didn't have a great experience at the Oak Room. It is one of my favorite places to go for cocktails. Congrats on your last day in corporate America!

burgerboy said...

You write your reviews too quickly, stop making me look so bad!

Kristen Haley said...

Would also like to congratulate you :) but you HAVE to try the Radius burger. And if you're not looking for gourmet, try Tasty Burger next to Fenway. My fave is the shroom (w/ bacon). $5.55 for any burger on the menu, and they have PBR and Gansett tall boys to wash em down.

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

I think it is great that you are taking on Richard's mission to find the best burger in town! Too bad the Oak Room didn't meet your expectations. I've had some wonderful cocktails at the bar and perfectly cooked steak there!

Jen said...

Wow $19 for a sucky burger stinks.

Elizabeth said...

Before I even read the review, I thought, those fries look sub par

Kristen said...

I can't believe it!! and I feel bad because I told you to go here! I had the kobe burger which was $18 & came with crispy onions on top. it was juicy and cooked perfectly. I am so sorry yours was overcooked and under par!! You can totally tell your bun is stale from that picture. that's it, if radius lets you down i won't know what to do with myself.

Alicia said...

what a bummer!
Those fries are an abomination. And I agree - for 19 bucks there should be something more going on in that (stale) bun!

ashleigh said...

There's nothing worse than paying very good money for really bad food.


Congrats on your last day though :)

Anonymous said...

My husband and I went to the Oak Room when we had I believe a Groupon so we went for brunch. It was good, but I definitely wouldn't want to pay full price!

Justin said...

It doesn't get much worse than an over-done burger. You should add Neptune Oyster to the list. My dad swears by that burger.

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