BY SAM LOMBARDO

Some believe that the mankind’s greatest creation was the invention of the light bulb and some argue for the discovery of fire, but I tend to side with the people who think it’s the Sublime Doughnut Burger – or wait, maybe that’s just me! Located Just behind the Biltmore on West Peachtree Street, Cypress Street Pint and Plate is a pub with a hole in the wall feel.

The eatery’s interior made me imagine I was in an up-to-date version of a pub from the “Lord of the Rings.” A large bar, loud conversation, and dim lighting set the scene for the perfect pub atmosphere.

I seated myself at a cozy table for two, tucked away on one of the side walls of the restaurant, just below a massive black-and-white hanging mural. Within seconds, my waitress arrived with a food and drink menu featuring a wide variety of burgers, salads and southern fried chicken.

Lost in an endless sea of tantalizing choices, I asked my server for recommendations, and was met with only the utmost goodwill and guidance. Following my server’s recommendation, I settled on the kale salad, buffalo wings with blue cheese and the Sublime Doughnut Burger with a side of mac and cheese.

A plate of piping hot buffalo wings arrived first. It was immediately apparent  that the wings had been made with care; a crunchy shell drizzled in spicy-sweet buffalo sauce covered the meat. The wings also came with creamy blue cheese dipping sauce, four sticks of fresh carrots and two moist towelettes inconveniently positioned in the food. Wet wipes aside, I grabbed the first wing I saw, dunked it into the blue cheese, and practically ate the whole thing in one bite. Three contrasting flavors, the crunchy and juicy chicken, the zesty and bold buffalo sauce and the rich blue cheese, collided with my tastebuds. The flavors swirled in my mouth, leaving an aftertaste that put a smile on my face. At $9.50, about a dollar per wing, this appetizer was certainly worth the sticky fingers.

The kale salad arrived next, complete with a tart vinaigrette. Interspersed blue cheese crumbles and candied bacon created a dining experience similar to an Easter egg hunt. The bed of greens was so fresh that I actually enjoyed veggies for once. Fresh green apple slices on top of the kale gave the dish an extra fruity kick. This dish did the impossible; it made me forget I was eating a salad. The dressing’s  surprisingly creamy texture caused me to finish the whole plate in record time. At about $8, this salad provided the perfect addition to my meal.

When I saw my waitress carrying my Sublime Doughnut Burger to the table, my eyes fixated on the hearty patty. It was coated in melted cheddar cheese, layered with bacon and caramelized onions, and encased between two glazed Sublime Doughnuts. A huge plate of steaming mac and cheese with white cheddar shavings accompanied my burger.

I made the executive decision to bite into the mac and cheese first. The fresh pasta shells were topped with perfectly melted cheese and paired with a blend of spices. While the side was delicious, I couldn’t give it my full attention because I was so busy looking at the doughnut burger. At the low price of $4, the mac and cheese easily delivered the most bang for my buck of anything I tried.

Once I was stuffed with cheese, I closed my hand around the sugary doughnuts holding together my burger. I raised the masterpiece slowly to my mouth, closed my eyes, and took a bite. The juices from the burger, combined with the fluffy texture of Sublime doughnuts, created a unique taste that I will never forget. The bacon, cheese and caramelized onions provided a tangy aftertaste to the ultimate hamburger. Soon enough I found myself on the verge of licking the plate to find any scrap I might have missed. This life-altering burger was relatively inexpensive at $14.

Cypress Street Pint and Plate’s only hitch is its occasional late-night rowdy bar crowd. In order to cater to both families and young adults, the restaurant has strict guidelines on the days children are allowed to visit the bar. On Wednesday and Thursday, the bar is only open to patrons 18 years old or older and on Friday and Saturday, only people 21 and older can get in the door. While this may seem a bit of a deterrent, the restaurant’s mouth-watering food is well worth possible scheduling conflicts.