Bar Chimera

Bar Chimera is Simon Kim's first dedicated bar project, a Midtown brasserie at 550 Madison that opened in April 2026 alongside COTE 550 and is organized around three separate bars for martinis, whiskey, and wine. The 550 Burger carries some weight within Gracious Hospitality because it is the group's first burger. It does not eat like a first attempt. We had it in August 2026.

The beef is the reason to order it. The patty was exceptionally high quality, perfectly cooked, very juicy, and seasoned at a level most restaurant burgers do not reach. The menu identifies a USDA Prime blend, and opening coverage documented chuck, brisket, and short rib. What we can attest to firsthand is that the meat stayed the center of the burger with several assertive components around it.

The mustard and onion are what keep it defined. Both cut through the richness of the beef and cheese, and the burger needs that sharpness, because nothing about it is quiet. The Parmesan crisp was the other standout, a concentrated savory layer that adds depth without pulling attention off the patty. The balance here is not the balance of restrained components. Strong elements push in different directions, and the seasoning ties them together. Several bites were among the strongest of the tasting.

The bun is the narrow exception. It is not too airy and it generally works, but in a few bites its chew brought slightly more resistance than the filling asked for. That is the whole criticism, and it is a small one against a construction this complete.

One note for anyone ordering now: the current menu lists the 550 Burger as a USDA Prime blend with peppercorn mustard on a brioche bun, with tallow fries at dinner. At lunch it is à la carte; at dinner it is served as an entrée within the Dinner at Chimera prix fixe. Opening coverage also documents American cheese and an onion component on the build. The Parmesan crisp and the onion are what we ate and describe above, while the American cheese is documented build context we did not assess separately.

Bar Chimera separates itself through exceptional beef quality, precise seasoning, and a highly effective balance between richness and sharpness. The mustard and onion keep the juicy patty defined, while the Parmesan crisp adds depth without distracting from the meat.

A small amount of excess bun chew in certain bites is the only meaningful interruption in an otherwise extremely complete construction.