Flippin' delicious

Nothing describes classic American food like burgers and milkshakes. Well, leave it to Richard Blais to put his own twist on the American food staple. Ever tried a duck confit burger or a foie gras milkshake? You can at FLIP Burger Boutique. And today, the “Top Chef” contestant celebrates the opening of the second location of his Atlanta-based restaurant.

The self-proclaimed concept chef of “fine dining between two buns,” Blais surprises his guests with unique ingredients and innovative cooking techniques. The burgers are made of any meat you can think of, from grass-fed beef, to veal, to crab, to tofu. The toppings are what really make the burgers stand out from the rest—think radish salad, kumquat, or honey beer mustard.

My absolute favorite is the Butcher’s Cut burger—a beef burger with caramelized onions, blue cheese, and red wine jam. I’ve also tried the tuna burger as a lettuce wrap before—it was incredible.

All burgers come a la carte, so if you’d like a side, you have to order it separately. The fried section is always a popular choice (mmm, parmesan zucchini fries), but do branch out and try some of the salads, like the warm pearl couscous and pistachio one they have right now.

FLIP is also known for its liquid nitrogen milkshakes, which you absolutely must save room for. They come in flavors like Nutella and burnt marshmallow (my personal favorite), Krispy Kreme donut, and yes, foie gras.

Last night, FLIP held an early opening for its VIP guests to sample the new seasonal menu at the new Buckhead location--and I got to go! (That’s right, I said VIP—go ahead, be jealous). The new location is bigger than the original, with great bar and patio areas and plenty of free parking. I tried bites of the new BBQ burger (a little sloppy but still phenom-nom-nomenal) and veggie burger (which you have to try, even if you’re not vegetarian). The best part—it’s a lot closer to my house, which means braving less traffic after work, when I can’t wait to sink my teeth into one of the delicious FLIP creations.