Umami Restaurant & Bar not your typical "super juicy hamburger" joint!

Michael Hepworth

Scott adding the final touch The Unidentified Fried Object consisted of two fried oatmeal cookies with raisons and nuts sandwiched in between, an elegantly light caramel sauce, a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a sprinkling of fresh tart raspberries.

By Kay Schroeder

UMAMI BURGER

(It’s Definitely Not Your Typical Hamburger Joint)

Irvine,CA(Perfect Meal Today)2/3/15–Leaving the theater after an early movie Tuesday, I perused the many restaurants located directly across from the Edwards Movie Theater at the Irvine Spectrum. Remembering a recommendation from a Starbucks friend, I decided to try Umami Burger. It was touted as having awesome burgers, each one served with interesting ingredients not usually found on burgers. I arrived at the restaurant at 3:00 p.m. so the restaurant was quiet and unhurried with music easily heard but not overly loud. Later into the afternoon and evening, the music and pace kicks up to a bustling, fun filled restaurant/bar scene.

Here’s what I found.

Just about everything that Umami offers is unique, from their drinks to their burgers, and especially their signature dessert the Unidentified Fried Object. More about the UFO later.

Umami offers eight labels of Bottled Beer: Saint Archer Blonde, Singha Lager, Coronado Mermaid Red, Allagash Saison, Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, Duvel Belgian Ale, North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, and Victroy Golden Monkey – no Bud or Mic here! Bottled beers are priced from $4 to $10 with most beers $7 or under.

Eight labels of Draught Beer offered are: Bud Light Lager, Allagash White, Fat Tire Amber Ale, Oskar Blues Mamas Lil ‘Yella Pils, Brewery Ommegang Rare Vos Amber Ale, Stone Brewery Stone IPA, Great Divide Yetti Imperial Stout, and Rotating Handle. Draught beers range from $6 to $8. All beers except one are $7 or under.

Umami Bar stocked with imported beers, hand crafted drinks.

The six specialty cocktails (containing vodka, rum, bourbon, or tequila) are handcrafted and made with all natural ingredients. The cocktails are Luna Mule; Big Buffalo; Oh, Henry; Black Razz Mojito; South County; and Black Roots Julep. All cocktails are priced at $11 each.

Non-alcoholic beverages are: Mexican Coke, Diet Coke, Mexican Sprite, Orange Fanta, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Abita Root Beer, Lemonade, Tropical Green Iced Tea, Fiji Still Water, and Babbit Sparkling Water. These drinks are priced at $3 each. All sodas are made with real sugar.

The wine selection consisted of five reds and four whites: 2013 Benvolio Pinot Grigio (Italy), 2013 La Capra Chenin Blanc (South Africa), 2013 Mohua Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), 2012 Byron Chardonnay (California), 2013 Cono Sur Pinot Noir (Chile), 2013 Honoro Vera Garnacha (Spain), 2012 Calina Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile), and 2013 Tinto Negro Malbec (Argentina). Wine prices range from $8 to $10.

Umami Burger a Tower of Favor — Umami Burger a Tower of Flavor

It was time to focus on the main course. Selecting a burger was not an easy task. Umami offers 10 of them, each with exotics such as parmesan encrusted hamburger patty, caramelized onions, fried egg, truffled aioli, roasted garlic aioli, smoked salt onion strings, and truffle glaze to name a few. They also offer an ahi tuna burger and a vegetarian burger. I settled on the Truffle Burger with truffled aioli with a side of thin fries. For an FFF like me (French Fry Freak), these fries were a real hit.

Umami Burger & Bar Welcome Scott — Umami Burger & Bar Welcome My courteous and attentive waiter Scott

They were served hot, crispy, salty and with no trace of oil. The burger was awesome however there was an abundance of aioli on it. I would recommend you order this burger with the aioli on the side and then adjust the amount to your taste.

Big Bonus Here: The restaurant will cook your burger to your desired doneness, something not often found in other restaurants today.

A caddy of sauces is delivered to your table along with your meal. The sauces are Ketchup with Truffles and Spices, Diablo Sauce (kicked up with habanero peppers), Jalapeños Ranch Sauce, and Roasted Garlic Aioli.

For light appetites, a Truffled Beet Salad, Umami Caesar Salad, and a Simple Salad are available from $4 to $8.

Side Dishes included: Thin Fries, Truffle Fries, House Pickle Plate, Sweet Potato Fries, and Tempura Onion Rings from $3 to $6.

Umami Sauces Add Favors — Umami Sauces Adding Extra Flavors

My courteous and attentive waiter Scott surprised me with a complimentary dessert. The Unidentified Fried Object consisted of two fried oatmeal cookies with raisons and nuts sandwiched in between, an elegantly light caramel sauce, a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a sprinkling of fresh tart raspberries.

Don’t even think about it! I wouldn’t divulge the calorie count even if I knew it.

This is a fun restaurant and it is definitely not your typical hamburger joint!

The restaurant’s location and store hours are:

Umami Burger

31 Fortune Drive, Suite 527A

Irvine Spectrum, Irvine, CA 92618

(949) 396-1830

Retail:

Hours: Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Friday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Restaurant and Entertainment:

Sunday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Friday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Attractions and Giant Wheel:

Sunday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Friday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Irvine,CA(Perfect Meal Today)2/3/15/–The All-American burger will go glam thanks to the growing Umami empire of gourmet burgers. Must-tries? The Manly Burger, with bacon lardons and crispy onion strings laced with smoked salt, or the Hatch Burger with roasted Hatch chile peppers, garlic aioli and a housemade American cheese.

Photography Kay Schroeder

Enjoy a savory burger with live music entertainment. The ambience is really fun and awesome! The improv center is right next door. My server was Vivian T and she was the best. Ordered the spicy bird, which is a secret item and not on their menu. So bommmmb! It’s basically a special turkey burger with their chipotle sauce topped with jalapeño and onion crisps. Thanks Vivian for the recommendation! The burger was super tender since Umami makes their own patties. So much flavor and everything just melts in yo mouf: like cotton candy. The truffle fries really complements the burger too because of the cheese fondue. Overall, I give this place a 5 stars because the live music, great servers (Vivian T), and the super juicy burgers. Superb stuff !!!