Cafe Margaret Double Bay — Restaurant in Sydney

It's rare that one encounters a hamburger so transcendent that it defies categorisation, but the creation at Next Door is nothing short of an artistic masterpiece. A symphony of flavors that elevates the humble burger to the realm of fine art. This burger does not merely satisfy hunger; it orchestrates an experience akin to standing before an inspirational art work in the Louvre or absorbing the crescendo of an operatic aria.

The moment it arrives at your table, its form captivates, a toasted brioche bun gleams like a polished sculpture, cradling a perfectly charred patty, juicy, smoky, and exuding an aroma that commands undivided attention.

Every bite is a harmonious ballet, where each ingredient plays its role to perfection. The sharpness of pickled onions cuts through the richness of melted aged cheddar, while fresh greens provide a delicate contrast, as if a painter had chosen the precise brushstroke to balance bold strokes with subtle hues.

The condiments, a house-made aioli kissed with garlic and a tomato relish that feels hand-plucked from a garden, are thoughtfully applied, like an artist's final touches that breathe life into the canvas.

Then there's the patty itself, a decadent mosaic of texture and taste, with each bite resembling a perfectly composed stanza of poetry, intense, flavourful, and complex.

It would not be hyperbole to say that this burger stands alongside the greats of culinary craftsmanship. Much like Michelangelo's David or Van Gogh's Starry Night, this burger transcends its medium and becomes a thing of wonder. It leaves an indelible mark, not merely on your palate, but on your memory, setting an impossibly high standard for all future chefs to aspire to.

Next Door has accomplished what few can. They've taken the everyday burger and transformed it into an edible masterpiece. This is, without doubt, the apex of hamburger artistry, an experience so profound that it doesn't just feed you,...

Sat 3 Feb 2024: I've been to Margaret many times and it's wonderful. I've tried to get walk-ins at Next Door before and have always found the staff very unfriendly and unhelpful. Finally ate lunch here with a booking - the staff certainly are very unfriendly and unhelpful. One was good, the rest did not want to be there, did not want to smile and a couple looked violently hungover.

The food was good, not very good. However, they cook their burgers medium rare. I asked about this: "all our steaks are cooked medium rare". "Including the burgers?" "Yes". Nothing more. No "do you want us to cook it a bit more" or "is this ok for you?" or advising this up front.

I love rare steak and will happily eat a raw steak tartare. Yum. I prefer burgers well done and maybe apart from New York City, most places cook burgers more well done than medium rare to focus on the crust / Maillard reaction. I think this should have been advised upfront. I still ate it and the produce / beef is excellent, but wasn't for me.

They were also terrible at refilling our wine - had to keep asking the waiters. Guy who did it was super friendly though - the only one!

It is also overpriced for what you get, I would prefer to pay extra...

Main dish I ordered was the crab linguine which was great in flavor, however, it was the oiliest dish I have ever had. The bowl was literally one-quarter full of oil, making it quite challenging to enjoy the meal. With each bite, I could feel the excessive oil coating my tongue, overpowering the delicious flavors of the crab and linguine.

As I continued eating, it became apparent that the excessive oil was not only affecting the taste but also making the dish difficult to finish. With every forkful, I had to carefully strain out the oil before taking a bite, hoping to salvage the flavors without the greasy residue. It was an arduous task, and by the time I reached the bottom of the bowl, I found myself with a pool of oil that needed to be separated from the linguine and crab.

The experience left me feeling dissatisfied and uncomfortable. The heaviness of the oil weighed me down, both physically and mentally. As the night went on, I could still feel the lingering effects of the oil, making it difficult for me to find a comfortable position to sleep in.

Tossing and turning, I couldn't help but reflect on the unfortunate culinary experience. While the flavors of the crab linguine...