No Tomatoes

There is another meal that has been pressing for my attention, yet once again I battle against burger imbued wits on this Friday afternoon. I have a feeling that Authentic burger may be the subject of this literary quest; if it changes forgive me.

Authentic burger is a joint found by new old guy Danny, a slightly robotic Anglo-American who expresses little but designs well. He also dresses and eats well, meaning our typical trek to Wolfgang Puck (told you I’d return), is omitted from his diary. But he has proved an adept researcher and found this gem at the foot of his building. Authentic burgers are light, deeply spongy and layered with mayo and relish; almost the vegetarian of burgers, except for the beef. Fries are few, but the marginal grease-free environment and clean surfaces keeps the whole thing feeling pleasantly organic, in the most fair-trade be-sandled way.

A swift calculation deduces the avocado burger with cheese is less expensive than a cheese burger with avocado; I order one and put it in the bag, put it in the bag. There is an A5 sheet that neatly and grammatically-waywardly points to several necessary steps required for the enjoyment of your meal. A paper bag is, accordingly, vital. This is supported by a line drawing of a crab with hands for pincers, a foot-note adding that it has nothing to do with the meal. If all this sounds like a set-up of the confusions usually made by Japanese in English, well, it probably is. But while it amuses us, and while I keep earning loyalty stamps to acquire a tea-towel, so we shall continue to return. A welcome change to the norm.

Authentic, Akasaka 2-18-19, 03 3505 8584