Beer Dinner at 5 Napkin Burger

Last night 5 Napkin Burger hosted its inaugural beer dinner featuring four distinct brews by Schmaltz, each paired with dishes from the restaurant's menu.

The restaurant, which has been open about three months, officially debuts its new menu today. The new menu features an increase in the number of available sushi items, a smaller burger, some additional salads and other items. Several of the items served last night are additions to the new menu.

The Coney Island Lager, my personal favorite beer of the evening (that's made with 8 malts, 6 hops, and Czech pilsner yeast), was paired with several appetizers including this spicy tuna wonton...

...and a lamb kofta skewer, fried pickle and pastrami, and spinach and artichoke crostini:

The delicious lamb skewer featured the same meat and flavorings used in the lamb burger. Based on this bite alone I'd say that burger is worth a try.

The beer and cheddar soup with candied bacon was served with Messiah Bold, a tasty nut brown ale. I'm not a fan of beer cheese soup but this particular version was good enough to tempt me to keep dipping my spoon into the bowl for another taste:

The main course was paired with Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A., a rye-based double IPA.

The Italian turkey burger is topped with melted mozzarella, spicy tomato sauce, vinegar peppers and served on a sesame roll:

It's off-the-hook delicious, our favorite dish of the evening. A manager explained that Italian meatballs were the inspiration for this burger.

The 5 Napkin Burger is beef topped with gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and rosemary aioli:

It was very juicy, thus the name. We preferred the turkey burger.

Sides included crisp onion rings and fried mashed potato balls...

...and salty sweet potato fries:

Dessert was paired with Hebrew Origin Pomegranate Ale. (This lineup shows all the beers served in order from front to back):

The bourbon pecan pie featured just enough of the spirit's flavor to add interesting depth of flavor without overwhelming the dish:

Bottom Line: Value-priced* fun event at a good restaurant that's worth visiting whenever you crave a burger.

*The beer dinner is $35 per person, which includes more beer than any one human should possibly drink plus food.

5 Napkin Burger's next beer dinner will be held December 15 and will feature beers from Red Brick Brewery. Click here for details.