Burgers and Beer for $10 at Voice

Voice Box.

I love the Hotel Icon. Something about the gilded ceilings, rich carpets and endless draping always makes me want to talk in the clipped 1940s manner of Katherine Hepburn. "Life is hard, kid. After all, it kills you."

"It's definitely the décor," my girlfriend says. "It's Hollywood Regency: a throwback to the golden age of Hollywood. It's actually a mix of several ultra-glam styles. Very in right now."
It's Tuesday evening, and it is ladies night. At least for my dining companions and me. We've been drawn to this glamorous setting by Voice's "Tuesday Two" - a Voice Burger, fries, and beer pairing all for the unbelievable price of $10. What's more, for a mere $3 more, your burger can be upgraded to lamb, bison, or Kobe beef.

Near the special on the menu I notice a few very high-class beers, including Brooklyn Local 1 ($22), Ommegang "Three Philosophers ($25), and North Coast Brewing's "Le Merle" ($28). These obviously are not included in the beer pairing, but hey, a girl can dream.

To start we opt for the "Voice Box," which allows for a smaller sampling of any four appetizers ($24). Our selections include the San Leon Crab Cakes, Roasted Japanese Mushrooms, Artichoke Shrimp & Pesto Bruschetta, and Tomato Tartare with Gruyere Cheese Chips. The standout of the group is the Tomato Tartare, which, according to executive chef Greg Lowry is prepared by "boiling the tomatoes and removing the skin, then preparing the dish exactly as you would a steak tartare."

Our burgers arrived promptly afterwards -- one Kobe, one not, both cooked a perfect medium. The meat was seasoned a good deal, making it hard to distinguish between the two. Either way, we cleaned our plates.

I was surprised to hear that this promotion, as well as $1 Martini Wednesdays, has been going on since April. According to Lowry, "The response has been great. We're working on our new promotions right now." I can't wait.