Bourbon & Blues and Bar Burgers at Bourbon Steak

Looking for something to do tonight? How about something that involves chicken and waffles, five types of burgers, live blues music and bourbon? I thought you’d be intrigued. Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak at Fairmont Scottsdale recently debuted Bourbon & Blues, a fun- and food-filled Thursday-night event. From 7 to 11p, every Thursday in the Bourbon Steak lounge, a blues band takes the stage and hand-crafted bourbon cocktails and an entree of chicken and waffles ($19) is served. My husband and I got to partake in Bourbon & Blues recently and had a fabulous time. The blues band was wonderful–as were the audience members that joined the band for a song or two. And the chicken and waffles were magical: A beautiful tower of buttermilk-fried chicken, waffles with bacon baked right into them and a topping of maple-bourbon jus. The entire event was so very casual and laid-back–a great Thursday-night getaway.

That same evening, we sampled four of Bourbon Steak’s five new Bar Burgers ($12-$18). The handy-dandy menu features a check-off system where diners check off the type of burger they want (salmon, beef, lamb, turkey or falafel), followed by the types of cheese, veggies, greens, sauces and dressings they desire. Or you can order from the pre-determined signature burgers. I very much enjoyed the salmon steak burger with cilantro, carrots, lettuce, mayo and jalapenos, while my husband’s top choice was the heritage turkey burger in which the meat was mixed with onions and spices and topped with jack cheese, harissa aioli, roasted peppers and mixed greens. I found the “lamburger” to be the most unique with its Greek-inspired toppings of yogurt raita, feta cheese, tomato and arugula. The all-beef burger was incredibly hearty and great for those who don’t want to experiment when it comes to hamburgers. The dry-aged burger was topped with cheddar, shredded lettuce, balsamic onions and Bourbon Steak’s secret sauce. The only burger we didn’t taste was the falafel, but this would be a swell option for vegetarians or those just wanting something truly different (when it comes to burgers, anyway). Our meal of bar burgers was rounded out with Mina’s famed duck fat fries–I swear, I could eat those all day long. Patrons also have a choice of pairing their bar burger with red onion rings or a market green salad. To wash it all down, we sampled the “adult milkshakes.” The Grasshopper was refreshing and minty (great following the lamburger or salmon steak) and the bourbon praline, topped off with salty caramel, was decadent and delish. 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale, 480.513.6002, http://www.michaelmina.net/mm_bourbonsteak_scottsdale/.