Five Napkin Burger
630 9th Ave, at 45th; 212.757.2277
For every spin-off that works (Frasier, A Different World), there are a million that don't, like Joey, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., and The Partridge Family 2200 AD. For a restaurant gloriously spawned from a star menu item, hit up Five Napkin Burger, opening Wednesday.
Decked out with bistro-style white tiles and slaughterhouse-style meathooks, 5NB's a cow-centric pleasuredome devoted to its namesake: a 10oz, comte-cheese-topped meaty prima donna so acclaimed at UWS resto Nice Matin the owners decided to honor it w/ its own restaurant. Besides the signature 5NB, supporting burgers include the Rarebit Bacon (8oz, white cheddar), the Ahi Tuna (ginger, scallions & soy, sesame egg roll), the Lamb Kofta (tomato & onion salad, green tahini salad), and the 5 Napkin Veggie (but really vegetarians, by this point you'll be flying on a contact meat-high). Beyond meatwiches, 5NB has you with schloads more protein, e.g., chipotle pork salad, barbecued lamb ribs, and the enormous broiled cowboy steak, which you'll look at longingly before muttering "I wish I could quit eating you."
Other treats-wise, 5NB serves up specialty cocktails, plus a 21-varietal-strong bourbon list (Baker's, Blanton's, Tuthilltown, etc), the drinking of which'll lead to your own failed spin-off: My So-Called Life on the Floor.
Feast your eyes on the menu
