New Ladera Burger Spot Promises 'Casual Yet Sophisticated' Dining

BLK Burgrz (pronounced “black burgers”), a unique new restaurant has opened in Ladera Ranch, featuring a contemporary American menu spotlighting signature and custom-made American Wagyu burgers served sizzling tableside. The restaurant also has a superb wine list and expertly crafted cocktails to be enjoyed on the spacious patio, along with an elegant firepit and 10 TVs inside and out for catching the day’s sporting events.

The menu features a variety of burgers and sliders made with American Wagyu and Kobe beef blends with sausage, lamb, topped with a peppercorn crust, or deep fried. The burgers can also be stuffed with a choice of blue cheese; cheddar; Swiss; bacon; jalapeno; smoked Gouda and other fillings. For those who prefer a healthier burger, BLK Burgrz offers turkey, chicken, ahi, salmon, veggie and quinoa burgers as well.

Diners can start their meal with small plates ranging from a choice of Flat Breads (pesto, bruschetta or Caesar); BLK Spudz (hand-breaded potatoes with garlic, bacon and jalapeno); an Ahi Stack (seared Ahi over cucumber, topped with fried ginger and balsamic lemon sauce); Edamame (with garlic, sea salt and Ponzu sauce); Veggie Lettuce Wraps (a brown rice veggie blend with teriyaki); BLK Platter, with an assortment of gourmet cheeses and meats from Spain and France; Calamari (hand-breaded and seasoned, tossed in wasabi sauce with spicy ranch); among other selections.

The menu also offers a dozen salads, including Rainbow Kale with fresh mango, pumpkin seeds and a lemon honey dressing; Tri-color Quinoa with Romaine lettuce, diced green apples, roasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries and ginger vinaigrette; Blackened Atlantic Salmon on a bed of spring mix greens, with cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, and a ginger vinaigrette; and an Apple Chicken Salad with grilled Mary’s Chicken, diced green apples, dried cranberries, mixed greens, and a raspberry honey vinaigrette, topped with feta cheese and candied pecans.

In addition to the extensive offering of burgers and salads, other entrees include Blackened Ahi served with pineapple and a brown rice veggie blend; Cadiz Strips (Mary’s Free Range Chicken breast sautéed with garlic and served over a bed of hand-cut fries); Scallop Pesto Risotto (fresh scallops sautéed in a white wine garlic reduction and served over pesto risotto); and Filet Tip Kabobs.

The sides include garlic mash potatoes, grilled asparagus, bacon green beans, quinoa, and a brown rice veggie blend.

BLK Burgrz is proud to be the exclusive restaurant serving freshly baked bread from Pandor Bakery.

Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in BLK Burgrz shakes, Chocolate Bread Pudding, Key Lime Pie, and the signature BLK Burgrz Donut Sundae, a confection of Pandor Bakery donuts, Ben & Jerry’s vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream and strawberries. The restaurant also has a choice of healthy shakes with names such as Anti-Oxidant Recovery, Protein and Berry Power, perfect to accompany a healthy salad or for a post-workout treat.

BLK Burgrz offers a wine list with top California, Oregon and Washington wineries such as Cakebread, Dumel, Atticus and Caymus; more than 50 craft beer including Ballast Point, Firestone, Lost Coast, Stone and others; single malt Scotch Macallan and Glenmorangie; along with signature cocktails. A trio of dessert martinis will also be available, perfect for after dinner or a late night treat with a small plate.

BLK Burgrz has a vintage-industrial feel with polished concrete floors, burlap-inspired fabric on the booths, warm wood tables and galvanized metal accents. There is also custom lighting, and roll up walls that expose the dining room to the spacious outdoor patio. Three separate lounge areas on the patio feature both dining and high top tables, along with two nine-foot tables for communal dining. An outdoor fire feature and an LED-illuminated willow tree are centerpieces on the glass-enclosed patio. The restaurant was designed by co-owner and interior designer Diana Benice.

“Our goal is to serve sophisticated, yet approachable burgers with the highest quality ingredients in a unique and entertaining environment,” said co-owner Jamie Fisher. “We have an outstanding menu with choices for everyone, from the discerning burger lover, to the strict vegetarian, to children who may be less adventurous diners.”

BLK Burgrz also features live music every Saturday night from 6 to 9 p.m.Classical Carnage is a popular quartet of classically trained musicians who play modern and rock music on classical instruments.

BLK Burgrz is managed by Main Street Concepts, which also owns and operates Casa Ranchero in Ladera Ranch, and 2nd Floor and Gallagher’s Pub & Grill, both in Huntington Beach.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. BLK Burgrz is located in Mercantile East shopping center at 27742 Antonio Parkway, Suite 7 (off Windmill), in Ladera Ranch. To make reservations or for more information, call the restaurant at (949) 429-6666 and “like” them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BLKBurgrz.