Dining in the Next Normal: Take A Big Bite With These Burger Picks

A juicy and savory slab of meat slapped on a bun just never fails to trigger one's appetite. From the usual fastfood variety to gourmet creations, the burger has endured the test of time even in the new normal. Hotels, restaurants and chefs unveiled their burger offerings in response to changing consumer habits with dining at home on the uptrend and the continued rise of the food delivery culture. From classic flavors to innovative new expressions of the all-time favorite, here's five savory burgers that are now available for delivery to your doorstep...

Chef Chele Gonzalez of Gallery by Chele kicks off our list of burger picks with his Mini Chori Burger, tasty sliders with homemade chorizo, jamon, caramelized onions, cheese and lettuce in between two pillow-soft brioche buns. The Mini Chori Burger is part of Chef Chele's new offerings specifically created for dining at home, the AT HOME Spanish Signatures. From traditional Croquetas to Clam Fiduea, Pulpo a la Gallega"Chele Style" and the specialty Burnt Basque Cheesecake, Chef Chele lets you experience authentic Spanish flavors right in your own home.

And it's these Mini Chori Burgers that will have you going for another bite, delivering a savory richness in that elegant culinary style of Chef Chele. The quality and freshness of the ingredients deliver clean and vibrant notes that pop in your mouth as one more bite adds yet another layer of rich flavors and before you know it, you're reaching for the second bun. The combination of the distinct notes of the thick and juicy chorizo patty and jamon combine for intense flavors complemented by the sweetness of the caramelized onions, creamy cheese and garden-fresh and crisp lettuce.

Don't let the "mini" in Mini Chori Burger fool you, these burgers pack solid flavors and quite filling too. Each order comes with two Mini Chori Burgers and a side of thin and crisp chips. Chef Chele elevates the slider to a whole new level with his Mini Chori Burgers, and you'll wish you ordered a double serving (for more on Gallery by Chele's authentic Spanish and sumptuous AT HOME offerings, see my earlier post, Dining in the Next Normal: AT HOME Spanish Signatures Delivered to Your Doorstep from Gallery by Chele).

Novotel Manila takes on the new normal with its lavish offerings for take-out, pick-up and delivery with their innovative Take Me Out by Novotel Manila. Packed, boxed and ready to go, Take Me Out by Novotel Manila offers a wide range of options from fresh salads to sandwiches, soups and pasta, pizza, fresh baked bread, cakes and indulgent gelato to Chinese, Filipino and Indian dishes. Take Me Out by Novotel Manila makes it easy to serve a sumptuous feast at home without the fuss. They also offer a mean burger...

The Novotel Classic is one of the many offerings from Take Me Out by Novotel Manila with a double patty of juicy Australian beef patties layered with cheese, tomatoes, onions and lettuce on a soft brioche bun. Served with fries, The Novotel Classic brings a one-two punch of bold beefy notes with every bite. And everything just comes together with another bite weaving its rich savory notes. The soft brioche buns absorbs all the flavors perfectly while maintaining its form all the way, released in a flavorful burst with another bite. It's the perfect option for burger purists, clean and uncluttered with pure beefy notes.

The Novotel Classic is aptly named, highlighting the beefy notes of the iconic burger with its double premium beef patty execution. It's an uncomplicated burger with all the elements of your favorite burger, executed perfectly with the freshest and finest ingredients. And you get to experience full flavors with this double patty version from Novotel Manila (for more on the wide range of of offerings from Take Me Out by Novotel Manila, see my earlier post, Dining in the Next Normal: Enjoy #NovotelManilaAtHome with Take Me Out by Novotel Manila).

Resorts World Manila pulls all the stops for its resort-wide Grand Fiesta Manila Holiday Offerings with 11 Thrills of Christmas, including innovative burger creations from all its food outlets collectively dubbed as Bad Ass and Delicious Burgers or simply BAD Burgers. Infusing unique Asian spins like Filipino, Korean and Chinese flavors as well as classic western notes, BAD Burgers features eight new and playfully inventive creations for a refreshed burger experience.

Take the Ube Cheese-Sig Burger by S Kitchen and Oori of Sheraton Manila which takes its cue from comforting Filipino flavors. The savory pork sisig is recreated in a juicy patty with all its comforting richness on crisp lettuce slathered with creamy mayo topped with a pickled red onion in a soft purple yam cheese bun. One experiences a whole range of familiar notes, from the pork sisig to the mildly sweet and nutty ube cheese bun yet it all works together delivering fresh notes.

Then there's the Donut Burger by Casa Buenas (L) with a juicy Angus beef patty topped with Cheddar, smoky and crisp bacon and egg in between a glazed donut. The play on sweet and savory notes are highlighted with each bite with seemingly contrasting notes in a fine and delicate balance of pure burger goodness. You may have tried a donut burger before, but Casa Buenas upgrades the combo with its Cheddar, bacon and egg components to complement the juicy Angus beef patty. 

The Tapsilog Burger by Casa Buenas (R) is another creative twist on local flavors with its juicy Angus beef patty topped with fried egg and pickled papaya draped in a creamy yet sharp and silky smooth pinakurat aioli. The savory richness of the burger is tempered by the pickled papaya and pinakurat ailoi for balanced notes. And the icing on the cake? The usual bun is replaced by a crisp Garlic Rice Cake Bun for a play on both textural contrast and flavors. That's just three fresh new takes on the burger, with five more on the must-try list. Try all eight for a new burger experience (for more on Resorts World Manila's Grand Fiesta Manila Holiday Offerings and creative BAD Burgers, see my post, Dining in the Next Normal: Resorts World Manila Launches Grand Fiesta Manila Holiday Offerings with 11 Thrills of Christmas).

Fire up the home grill for the Frozen Chori Burger Patties by Chef Redd Agustin's The Pork Project. Each juicy patty is a blend of ground sirloin, pork fat, ground pork, smoked paprika, cider, pimenton, garlic, Kosher salt and cracked pepper for that sweet and smoky finish. Conveniently delivered to your doorstep sealed and frozen, freshness is guaranteed by The Pork Project for its wide range of products. Plus all the unrestrained flavors Chef Redd is known for with these patties. 

Construct and customize your own burger creation at home with the Frozen Chori Burger Patties by The Pork Project, all you have to do is fire up the home grill (for more on The Pork Project, see my post, Dining in the Next Normal: Chef Redd Agustin's The Pork Project Rolls Out Savory New Offerings).

Beef, chicken or shrimp? Chef Mike Santos of Nanka Japanese Steakhouse adds his own creative flair with his trio of new burger creations, the Premium Angus Burger, the Fried Chicken Burger and the Ebi Burger.

The culinary style built around simple yet fresh, bold and real flavors of Chef Mike Santos are reflected in all three of his new burger creations. And he adds scale to his take on burgers. Using a single grind blend of ribeye and brisket for his beef patties, the flavors just punch through with each bite of his Premium Angus Burger. And Chef Mike insists on doing everything from scratch right in the kitchen of Nanka Japanese Steakhouse from the pickled jalapeños to the soft brioche bun made fresh in-house. And go for the Double Premium Angus Burger. 

Large whole plump and succulent shrimps draped in a delicately crisp batter make the Ebi Burger another serious option to satisfy your burger cravings. The briny sweetness of the shrimps come through followed by an audible snap, complemented by the fresh cucumbers, shredded lettuce and grilled onions slathered in Wasabi Aioli for that subtle and contrasting sharpness.

Made from unground whole chicken breast, the Fried Chicken Burger offers another tasty option. Lightly crisp on the outside and juicy inside, the clean notes of the chicken breast is perfectly complemented by the shredded lettuce, grilled vegetables, house pickled jalapeños and creamy aioli. And you get a thick slab of crisp and juicy chicken breast for your burger. Aside from the specialty premium steaks, these burgers are just more reasons to visit Nanka Japanese Steakhouse (for more on the new burger creations at Nanka Japanese Steakhouse, see my post, Dining in the Next Normal: Chef Mike Santos Unveils His New Burger Creations at Nanka Japanese Steakhouse).

We've seen a number of creative culinary innovations during the quarantine, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. There's a whole lot more the metro has to offer in this new normal, with more mouthwatering lists including noodles, savory dishes and fresh baked artisan creations to follow in future posts so stay tuned. And stay safe.