BLT Prime – Top-notch steakhouse in NYC

“BLT” brings to mind “Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato” for most, but for gourmets and foodies in New York, DC and Puerto Rico, BLT is a Bistro franchise named after Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel. BLT Prime is the latest in Tourondel’s specialty line of restaurants featuring high-quality, dry-aged Black Angus prime beef. Located in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan (111 East 22nd Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues.; Telephone: 212-995-8500), this clean line, modern décor steakhouse is popular for business and pleasure. Its sky lights provide a bright open atmosphere and its bar scene and mouth-watering food draw customers back for more.

The menu, accompanied by friendly wait staff, guides diners to steakhouse bliss, providing an education on various cuts of meat and recommendations for scrumptious side dishes and savory sauces. In addition to the Certified Black Angus or USDA Prime steaks, BLT Prime offers American and Japanese Kobe Beef, Lamb, Chicken and Fish.

To start, diners are presented with piping-hot gruyiere cheese-crusted popovers and pate with toast points. They’re delicious, so be careful, you may not leave enough space for your main meal.  During our recent visit, we ordered a flavorful New York strip and tried both the horseradish and red wine sauces. We also enjoyed side dishes of creamy spinach and Parmesan gnocchi, both served in cast iron cocottes. We suggest sharing a few with the table. Rest assured, your taste buds will be happy. We never made it to desserts, but they looked great. If they are anything like the desserts served at its sister restaurant BLT Steak, you won’t be disappointed.

While we did not use it, the private event space downstairs is attractively decorated and spacious. Typical attire is business causal to dressy. Prices are in line with other prime beef steakhouses. If you are not used to these types of venues, they meat prices are high. Net-net, we would recommend this place to steaks lovers.