Harvey’s Angus Mushroom Melt 3/5

Harvey’s are currently pushing their Angus Mushroom Melt, and as I’m often up for one of their regular Angus burgers this was a product I just had to try. But first, to build anticipation, just check it out on their website. The picture of the burger is animated, the damn thing is *steaming* or at least wafting waves of beefy, mushroomy deliciousness out of the monitor at you.

The good news is Harvey’s pretty much deliver on the flavour and texture. But then it is based on their Angus burger, so they weren’t going to screw that up. It’s juicy, roasted and meaty. The bad news? The burger can’t possibly live up to the advertising image. Maybe the slice of cheese I got in mine was Swiss like in the picture, maybe not, it was too melted to tell based on the appearance, and in my experience Swiss doesn’t melt quite like this had…it looked like a melted slice of processed cheese, unappetizing. Furthermore, from the ground up the burger should be: bun, meat, cheese, ‘shrooms and bun on top. When I got mine I had to take it apart to find the mushrooms as I thought they’d left them off. Turns out they were there, on the bottom bun, hidden under the ‘cheese’ and not piled high and spilling out like I’d been promised. Perhaps I have too high an expectation, but if you’re going to show me a picture of something like this, it better look somewhat like the product you’re going to serve me. I know they wanted to make it look good, but if you underdeliver on appearance quite so comprehensively folks are going to be so underwhelmed they may never come back for a second try, and it’s all about repeat business in the fast food game, isn’t it?

In spite of my reservations, I have to admit, it’s a nice burger, representing good (but not great) value for money, and I might even buy another next time I’m at Harvey’s. After all, if I do buy it again it might just be put together right, with more mushrooms, and a little more care, and that would make all the difference.

Costco Steaks 4/5

photo courtesy of djnordic

Steaks - previously a non-existent entree in my cooking repetoire, because of the following:

• a) my dad (aka the expert chef) makes great ones on the bbq, so no need for me
• b) an entree usually reserved for a night out at some fancy schmancy restaurant (steak frites at L'Express in Montreal...drool), and
• c) the intimidation factor - can I really cook a steak to medium rare on a frying pan?
  

Hence, here enters Costco, warehouse giant extraordinaire. I tried to stay away from this shopper's bonanza of multi-packs and 10 kg bags of commodities (do you really need that much flour??), but I concede defeat. I have been finding myself frequenting Costco a lot lately, thanks to my sister's membership. Thus, leading me to hobnob through their meat section, where those well-marbled and meaty sirloin steaks caught my eye.

I decided to take the plunge and bought a 3-pack home to see how well I could concoct a meal with them. How did it turn out? Let's say the meal was amazing. I do not usually gloat like this, but I must say I dished up a fine meal of rosemary, garlic and olive oil marinated sirloin, cooked to the medium-rare pink perfection. I've since replicated this recipe twice for friends and both times perfecto! Here-in lies my brand loyalty to Costco forever and ever for steak purchases.