The Camp in Costa Mesa is the new home of L.A.’s hottest burger joint.
Are you ready to experience the 5th taste sensation? Well, the time has come no matter if you are ready or not. L.A.’s hottest burger joint has made its way past the Orange Curtain and has opened its first of three locations in Costa Mesa.
Opening day was March 31 and over that weekend the new restaurant, located inside The Camp off Bristol and Baker Streets, served more than 1,000 customers. Two other Orange County locations will be popping up in Laguna Beach and in downtown Anaheim sometime soon.
The mastermind behind Umami Burger is chef Adam Fleischman, an L.A. self-taught chef, and entrepreneur of a few Culver City wine-focused hot spots such as Bottle Rock and Vinoteque. Not only has Fleischman put a new spin on burgers by incorporating a 5th element, but he has also created this generation’s diner.
Traditionally four basic tastes are taught – sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Well, have it be known there is a fifth, which is named umami. Over a century old, this definition is more difficult to grasp, but is explained as the savory taste.
The signature Umami burger is to have captured the 5th taste with its roasted tomatoes, shitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, Parmesan crisp and house-made ketchup .
To help patrons identify the five elements at The Camp location, local artist Seth Bauer has painted a mural depicting them. The ocean is salty, the cherry blossom tree is sweet the sunset is the sour and there is a umami samari that is trying to destroy the bitter element represented by the dragon.
Another example that hits closer to home is Costa Mesa’s restaurant-only Tandoori burger with a Shelton farms chicken tandoori curry patty, black beluga lentil spread and cucumber herb tzatziki salad. That’s something not seen on any other menu. And for $13 a burger it probably won’t, but that’s what Umami Burger is known for- its twist on the norm.
Instead of a malted shake, try a Boozy Breakfast Coke float. The ice cream comes from the L.A. Creamery and tastes a-maz-ing! And you can’t have a burger without fries. Order the smushed potatoes to dip away in house-made condiments that include jalapeno ranch, roasted garlic aioli and Umami Diablo sauce.
Tiffany and Robert Greene were among the first to try the popular burgers. Tiffany ordered the Hatch, while Robert had the Manly burger. They both agreed that the burger was juicy and full of flavor.
No matter if you order off the regular or the secret menu, there is no wrong choice. Yes, there is a secret menu. Hint: cheesy tots.
~Nicole Lyons
