Sandwich of the Week: Kefi's Lamb Burger

A good burger can be hard to come by on the Upper West Side. Sure, Shake Shack is reliable, but equally reliable are lines around the block. Our solution: skip the wait and head a few blocks up Columbus to Kefi, a neighborhood gem from attorney-turned-restauranteur Donatella Arpaia and James Beard Award-winner Michael Psilakis, where a unique and different Cypriot-inspired lamb burger awaits you. "The patty is seasoned with coriander, cumin and fennel -- and instead of using the ground versions, we like to toast and grind our own. This makes for a much more complex and flavorful burger, and people don't usually realize where that boldness comes from," Psilakis explains. This rustic Mediterranean burger is leaner than its American counterpart, but the condiments are what really make this dish a hit. "We top our burgers with a house made htipiti -- a combination of feta, roasted pepper, herbs and garlic," says Psilakis. "It's tremendously rich, and compliments the lamb very nicely." Agreed.