BLT Steak in Atlanta
Photo: Our Labor of Love for The Reynolds Group
Despite the grim mood blanketing the country, January was a banner month for superstar chef Laurent Tourondel. New locations of BLT Steak (which originated in New York) opened in Hong Kong and Atlanta, and Miami is slated for March, which will bring the tally to nine. Charlotte is on the 2009 horizon as well.
During a visit to oversee the launch of his Atlanta location, which is nestled at the entrance of Downtown's sleek new W hotel, the chef explained why this Southern city made the cut. “It was a combination of the W owners’ enthusiasm about the city and this property and good friends in the business telling me that people here were ready for us.” Tourondel is also comfortable being in the good company of his friend Jean-Georges Vongerichten (who now has two spots in Atlanta) and is inspired by local greats such as Kevin Rathbun (Rathbun’s, Kevin Rathbun Steak, Krog Bar). “He’s a great chef and a super-nice guy. Finding someone like Kevin in Atlanta made a big impact on my decision.”
Acknowledging that it’s a rather scary time to open a restaurant anywhere, the chef is optimistic. “I have been very surprised by how busy we have been since opening,” he says. “If we do things right, I think we will be successful here.” Additions to the Atlanta menu play into regional preferences: collard greens, grits and spicy barbecued corn join a plethora of potato choices and vegetables as popular sides. “It’s fun to be able to change the menu,” he says. “We’re also working on a ‘T-bone of halibut’ with different sautés.” Another deviation from the national BLT recipe: steaks are broiled first, then roasted with garlic butter. “It is very flavorful,” says Tourondel, who might employ this technique elsewhere. After all, there’s nothing like an extra dose of butter to make us all feel better about things.
BLT Steak Atlanta
W Atlanta-Downtown Hotel & Residences
45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30308
404-577-7601
BLT Steak Hong Kong
Shop G62, Ground Floor
Ocean Terminal, Kowloon, Hong Kong
2730-3508
– Shelley Sawyer