By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Nov 21, 2011 at 2:13 PM

In my continuing and just about life-long search for great burgers I've found one that is clearly a contender, not a pretender, with one quality I've almost never found before.

I had dinner at the Ovation Restaurant in the iPic entertainment center at Bayshore over the weekend.

After a battle between the shaved rib eye steak sandwich I opted for the burger recommended by our server. It was a mushroom Gruyere burger.

I am very particular about my burgers and I eat them medium rare, given the choice. When you go somewhere like Solly's or Mazo's (two of my all-time favorites) you get it the way they cook it.

The burger I got at the Ovation was incredibly good. A high-class ground Angus patty with a crisp and well-seared outside and a nice pink and hot inside. The Gruyere cheese didn't overpower the taste of the meat and the mushrooms were freshly sliced and added a nice touch.

But the most amazing thing was that the burger was the absolute same size as the bun. I mean, it was perfect. No meat dripping and hanging over the edge and no bun dwarfing the meat inside.

If you're a burger fan, this is one I'd be anxious to give a try.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.