Moules et Frites

Syosset, NY
www.moulessyosset.com



The Order: BBQ Brie and prosciutto burger, medium rare. Brioche bun, lettuce, tomato, onion.
Side Order: Comes with fries
$15
Shared Appetizers: Mussels Mariniere Traditionnel (15), Mussels Pernod et Creme, Bretzel Bavarois (9)
Drink Order: Hacker Pschorr Dunkel



Seven of us came for Manly Burger Time, our counterpart to my sister's Bridal Shower. None of us had previously been to Moules et Frites, but let me tell you, this place is fantastic. A Belgian biergarten and bistro, with a selection of 40 beers and an enticing menu, it promised to be a good brunch.

We started with two orders of mussels and a Bretzel Bavarois, a gigantic soft Bavarian Pretzel, with two kinds of mustard. All three appetizers were delicious. The mussels were all tender and the sauces were so delicious that we had to order bread in order to sop it all up and eat it. No sand in the mussels at all, and they were all fairly large. The pretzel was great, and the horseradish mustard was especially good, but probably not worth the $9 it cost if you're getting it by yourself.

And then the burgers. Oh. My. God. These are large burgers. Large is a tame word for how big these burgers are. Because it was Manly Burger Time, we all had to be up to the challenge of finishing those burgers, after three ridiculous appetizers and a healthy amount of beer.

I ordered their special, the BBQ, Brie and Prosciutto burger. The BBQ sauce wasn't too sour, as some BBQ sauces can be, and it had some similar flavor to tandoori chicken, which may have been cumin or something. It definitely made it more interesting, as each bite of the burger I was trying to figure out exactly what I was tasting. It was all delicious, and not overwhelming at all.

The fries on the side were pretty tasty as well. Actually, everyone at the table though they were excellent. They came with three dipping sauces on the side. Ketchup, aioli, and garlic mayo. The garlic mayo was by far the best.

Verdict? This may be a drive, but a visit to this place is entirely worth it. A good European beer selection, fantastic burgers and mussels. I'm already looking forward to the next time I can get out there.