Podthigh
Stephen Starr may be a restaurateur extraordinaire, but when it comes to the iconic example of American cuisine - the hamburger - his originality is less than brilliant. The Teriyaki Kobe Beef burger ($10) on the Pod lunch menu offers little of the creative spin that Starr's restaurants are known for. The teriyaki marinade provided a subtly sweet layer of flavor to an otherwise plain hamburger. The kitchen tried too hard to make the burger fit with the Asian fusion items on the menu, but after the first bite, the hint of teriyaki disappeared. What the dish needed rather than ketchup on the side was some sort of spicy ginger or wasabi sauce to offset the sweetness of the meat.