The Formal Sandwich

At what moment does a sandwich transcend it's genre to become something more? At what point does a sandwich become a meal that you can eat on an anniversary or eat on a first date without embarrassment? It's not very often that you come across a sandwich of this nature, but when you do it's a bit like seeing a falling star or watching a dog walk on it's hind legs. It's something to be celebrated.

Last Friday, Rebecca and I closed on our new house and a celebration was in order. I put on my least wrinkled button-up shirt, my nicest pair of Vans and we headed to Nob Hill Bar & Grill. This restaurant prides itself on putting a new take on bar/diner food. Two of my favorite menu items are the Buffalo Calamari (fried calamari tossed in Buffalo wing sauce) and the Buffalo Meatloaf (homemade meatloaf made with real Buffalo instead of beef). If you were to describe these two dishes to Jessica Simpson (with their multiple meanings for the word Buffalo and the mention of other types of animals) it would cause her head to explode.

But on this night, I'm not here for entrees that will cause the demise of Jessica Simpson. I'm here for one reason and one reason alone; the Kobe Burger. The cheeseburger at Nob Hill Bar & Grill is no ordinary cheeseburger. First off, it's made with Kobe beef instead of just ground beef, which is like comparing a ribeye to bologna. It's served on a French roll with cheddar cheese and served with your choice of two toppings. This is the part where you let your imagination take you where it may. With choices ranging from the ordinary (green chili, avocado, grilled onions) to the more exotic (fried egg, homemade guacamole, foie gras) there's something for everyone.

To a non-sandwich addict, I must have looked like Paul Giamatti's character in the movie Sideways; drinking his prized wine while eating fast food. But as I sat there with the love of my life, enjoying what might be the best hamburger that I've ever tasted and sipping on a $65 bottle of Chianti, I was thinking to myself: 'this is about as good as it gets'. The guy across the aisle from me (with his expensive steak and shinny black shoes) was probably looking down on me, but to me, it doesn't get much better this: dinner with your best friend, a comfortable pair of Vans and a top notch Sandwich.