Long-time refuge of uplifting burgers 50th Street has transcended from Western comfort food to sophisticated gastronomy with some blitzing new additions to its menu.
New chef Matthew Boloten, a Canadian native previously of Chom Chom Restaurant in Hong Kong, has spiced, seared and sautéed things up at the downtown favorite.
Nothing has changed on the interior front: it’s still a beautifully renovated space. Background music (often overlooked) is still tasteful and non-intrusive. Some may find feasting out there a tad expensive, but the promise of quality is delivered in fresh, innovate dishes and happily large portions.
First up, a plate of spicy cream cheese, green onions, and diced jalapeno rolled in crispy baked tortilla (4,500 kyats plus tax/service charge) has the perfect little kick, especially with the accompanying salsa dip. Shared among a few cocktails, this could become a staple snack here.
For something slightly more substantial, two juicy pork skewers, marinated in five-spice powder and lightly grilled with green peppers (5,000 kyats) did the job. The hefty gristle won’t be to everybody’s taste, but can be easily separated from the meat – meat that cries for liberal dunking into the thick jackfruit chutney.
One of 50th Street’s beers would wash down those skewers but as it was an early lunch we had two creative fruit smoothies before the star of the show: a chunky slab of seared Norwegian salmon fillet perched on quinoa risotto (17,000 kyats). Lemon parsley sauce oozed over the creamy quinoa was a sensation, as were the straw mushrooms hidden inside. The shredded lemon on top punctuated its zesty edge.
The 50th Street fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs (19,000 kyats) lived up to their name. Tender and delicious, coated in homemade sauce, they came with cornbread and a chorizo and corn slaw – all superb, and surely a welcome fixture for US-BBQ aficionados. The menu now also has a slow-cooked brisket and cheddar sandwich choice (15,000 kyats).
In fact, step aside salmon: the real star was a cheesecake (8,000 kyats) topped with berry compote that swirled crimson into the fluffy cream and golden crust.
Also brought out was the strudel-y apple pie and vanilla ice cream (also 8,000 kyats) presented in a delightful pastry bundle.
The burger list also now boasts a veggie option – black bean and corn (12,000 kyats) – completing 50th Street’s next evolution. Once a printing house for kyats, then a sports pub, and now a venue for top quality food.
Address: 9/13 50th Street, Botataung Township, Yangon
Phone: 01 397 060
Opening hours: 10.30am-1am
