Do you have a favorite burger in Boston or the city in which you live? Since long before I even moved to Boston, my Aunt raved always about the burgers at the Bristol Lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel. And every time I went to the Bristol Lounge for lunch with her, I always ordered the Bristol Burger. And she was right. But it’s been a few years since I’ve dined at the Bristol Lounge, so when Kristan, Four Seasons Boston’s Director of PR, reached out to me and Chels and asked if we’d like to design our own burger for National Hamburger Month, we jumped at the chance! We would be learning from the very best and knew it would be an amazing opportunity 🙂
We weren’t quite sure what to expect when we arrived at the Four Seasons last night. But we immediately felt welcomed when we walked in and met Kristan, Chef Brooke Vosika, and everyone else who greeted us. Everyone was amazingly warm and friendly.
It also didn’t hurt that they filled our wine glasses right when we walked into the kitchen 🙂
We talked for a bit about what makes the Bristol Lounge’s burger so amazing (they consistently win Best Burger in Boston) and Chef Vosika explained exactly what we would be doing for the evening.
Chef Monica is also fantastic and helped us bring our burger creations to life.
We started with the basic Four Seasons beef burger. Because really why change an already awesome thing?
All of the burgers at the Four Seasons are freshly ground and grilled to order.
Check out the spread of toppings we had to choose from to make our burgers. Everything from sun dried tomatoes to fennel cole slaw to mushrooms and more.
And lots of roasted garlic.
And deliciously caramelized onions.
Any kind of cheese you could dream of. Of course, there was bacon, too!
And fresh produce.
All the condiments you could imagine.
And house-made pickles.
We were also told we could name any ingredient we wanted and they would try to find it for us. Time to get creative!
Plus, while we were planning our burgers, we got to snack on some of the Bristol Lounge’s best treats. Always good to get the creative juices flowing.
Like fried avocado.
And buffalo brussels sprouts.
Both were absolutely amazing! And we had to try really hard not to fill up… Because we knew we’d be trying LOTS of burgers.
The chef warned us we might wake up in two weeks desperately craving this green sauce for the fried avocado. And I’m pretty sure he’s right.
But we’ll also be dreaming about these french fries and all their dipping sauces (the sweet potato fries may just be the BEST I’ve ever had!).
While I’ve always known the Bristol Lounge had fabulous food, I don’t think I realized they were so fun! I mean, fried avocado and buffalo brussels sprouts? Incredible!
After some serious snacking, it was time for Chels to get her burger-making on.
Both of us went back and forth and back and forth trying to decide what combinations we wanted to use. Neither of us are very decisive… We even took lots of notes. This was serious stuff.
But Chels ended up going with a garlic mayo (amazing!!), mushrooms, bacon, swiss cheese, and lettuce and tomato.
And then it was my turn…
I did a bacon and cheddar burger with guacamole on one side of the bun and a chili mayo on the other. And topped it with tomato.
It was a total last-minute plan for me as one of the chefs happened to mention he could get me guacamole if I wanted it. Of course I did! If forced to name it, I alternated between “Martha with a Kick” or “Jekyll and Hyde” since it was mild on one side with the guacamole and spicy on the other with the chili!
We got to build our own “big” burger and then the chefs recreated our burgers into mini versions so we could all taste them.
Oh, and then they brought out these house-made potato chips, which were absolutely OUT of this world. Not only are the Bristol Lounge’s burgers incredible, but all their sides seem to match, too! Everything we tried, we loved.
We were super proud of our burgers and had SO much fun. We got to take our regular-sized burgers home (where Chris immediately dug into my creation!).
We also learned that our burgers are going to be featured on the Bristol Lounge menu in May for National Burger Month- with our name beside our burger! How cool is that? I’ll definitely be going back when my burger is featured. And maybe Chels’s too. OK fine, I want to try all the burgers again!
Talk about an amazing evening! Plus, we got to meet so many bloggers we’ve been reading FOREVER but have never met in person. I seriously feel like I know Daisy, but hadn’t actually met her until last night. Finally! The same goes for Small Boston Kitchen and the girls from Just Add Cheese (who sadly got cut out of the below photo!) And if you want to learn more about burgers in Boston Burger Blog is the place to check it out!
Now that I’m all in wedding planning mode, Chels and I obviously had to check out the beautiful venue that is the Four Seasons on our way out. Definitely a stunning location. And I was obsessed with these flower arrangements in the front lobby. I LOVE tulips and think these are so perfect for spring.
Thank you SO much to the Four Seasons for inviting us to this fabulous event!
Oh, and be sure to head to the Bristol Lounge throughout May to get a chance to try our burger creations! We’ll let you know exactly when they’ll be on the menu as the time gets closer 🙂
What’s your dream burger creation?
Bristol Lounge
at the Four Seasons Hotel
200 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 338-4400
[Sues]
Your guacamole burger sounds amazing! And I seriously need to try those fried avocados.
You got your post up so quick, I am impressed!! So glad we finally met, so so glad. I can’t wait until we find out what day our burgers are on. The month of may at The Bristol is going to be quite the feast!!
What a great event. I’ve never had the burger there, but now I really want to go. Especially since I can try a blogger friend’s creation!
I’m just amazed by all that roasted garlic!! This actually sounds like one of the best foodie events I’ve heard of in a really long time. So fun!
oh my gosh! Josh would have been in burger heaven! Love all of the topping options. And buffalo brussels sprouts??? I must try making these at home. Deliciousness. Favorite burger combo? I like either turkey or black bean burgers topped with pineapple and bbq sauce 😉
What an awesome event! I have not had a Bristol Burger in AGES and need to get there ASAP. And I hope I get to meet you guys soon too! 🙂
What a fun event!! Seriously this one looks like th most fun/delicious one in a while. I think the blog world is telling me to have a burger…its been WAY too long! Your burger creations sound so delicious too!!
Garlic mayo. Umm…yum! Haven’t been to the Bristol in ages. Thanks for the reminder that I need to go back!
Nice work, ladies. Those look amazing. Sometimes a little indulgence is totally worth the fat. Those are some drool worthy burgers for sure.
TAKE. ME. WITH. YOU.
My dream burger has bacon and guac on it… and maybe some onion jam. YUMS
Great to meet you guys too! Let’s grab a burger soon!!
Avocado on any veggie burger always makes me happy! Well..avocado on anything always makes me happy. 😉
that is awesome. and i need to get there, stat.
That sounds like a great event! I’d have to add cheese and a fried egg to my dream burger!
fried avocado and buffalo brussels sprouts?!?! whattt!?!?
I love avocado on burgers, and lately, have been loving a fried egg on there. not with the avocado- that might not work well, but one or the other!
I have had the biggest burger craving lately and now it is even bigger! I need to make some burgers asap. Great topping inspiration:-)
Oh I’m buying my ticket to Boston ASAP! This looks like it was a fantastic experience for everyone. Those burgers are making my mouth water.
Looks like so much fun – love the Bristol Burger 🙂 I would have been happy with those fried avocados though!
that is so cool you got to make your own burgers and that they’re actually going to serve them! now i really want a burger, with ALL of those toppings, haha.
Such a fun night, so great to finally meet you!
Oh my god, can I please just have that roasted garlic?
I don’t even eat meat and I was salivating from this post!
Another great event posted by you! Pictures are terrific! Burger with all the toppings for me!
What a FUN event!! I love all the roasted garlic-beautiful!!
You had me at fried avocado
When you find the right place to eat your burger, its a good thing. Looks like Four Season may be holding your next delicious burger.
Awesome.
Velva
Whoa this sounds like a SUPREMELY awesome event! The burgers alone are amazing…but fried avocado? I”m pretty sure I could die happy after eating that.
What a fantastic opportunity the two of you had… and what awesome burgers you created! I bet that was so much fun!!!
what a fun experience, those burgers look so awesome!
never having had the opportunity to cook using real mise-en-place, but always having craved the opportunity, I was really pleased by your shots. looks like a load of fun and, hey, you got to eat some fat burgers at the end of it!
what an amazing opportunity for you ladies!! i would have just died :). and your creations sound fabulous!
Wow this looks like so much fun! The burgers look fantastic!
ahh, how lucky you girls are!! it looks like such a fun time!!
your burger choices have my mouth watering. they look amazing.
I can’t wail till your burgers will be on the menu at the wonderful Bristol Lounge…Please let me know exactly when they will be featured as all of my friends want to try one of these fantastic burgers.
Best of luck you two…With each step you will be a little closer to your fulfilled dream! All the very best to you!!
Dear lord, that place looks like heaven! I’m craving a burger now! :))
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