BLT (Bistro Laurent Tourondel) Brand Coming to Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Mirage continues to grow its
roster of innovative dining concepts with the introduction of acclaimed Chef
Laurent Tourondel's BLT Burger. Slated to open in spring 2008, the restaurant
will unite the nationally renowned BLT brand with an approachable dining
environment at this famed resort.
Tourondel, recently named Restaurateur of the Year by Bon Appetit magazine,
marks his return to Las Vegas with BLT Burger. This city is where he earned the
first of his culinary accolades as one of Food & Wine magazine's Best New
Chefs in 1998.
"It's exciting to come full circle," Chef Tourondel said. "The Mirage is one
of Las Vegas' leading resort destinations, and I'm excited for BLT Burger to
join the mix."
BLT Burger's hip and casual setting, designed by Rockwell Group, will feature
a neutral color palette accented with red brick, golden upholstery and plenty of
wood. Table tops will be lacquered with large table numbers while the
illuminated bar, decked in yellow-glazed lava stone, will have overhead
flat-screen televisions for watching sporting events. Rock 'n' roll music will
pulse throughout the restaurant, creating an energetic environment for lunch,
dinner or a late-night bite.
BLT Burger's diverse menu will offer quality ingredients including beef
(sirloin, short rib, chuck and brisket cut), American and Japanese Kobe, lamb
and Ahi tuna burgers along with soft, no-frills buns. Onion rings and a variety
of French fry options, including waffle-cut, sweet potato and chili cheese, will
complement the meal. An array of milkshakes in classic and spiked varieties will
be available along with a selection of ice cream floats. Nostalgic glass-bottled
sodas, innovative cocktails, as well as a focused selection of wine and beer
will quench every guest's thirst.
Awarded Time Out New York magazine's Reader's Choice Award for Best Burger
Joint 2007 in New York, BLT Burger is part of the successful BLT Restaurant
Group that opened its first restaurant, BLT Steak, in New York City in March
2004. Other restaurants in New York include BLT Fish, BLT Prime, BLT Burger and
BLT Market. BLT Steak locations opened in 2006 in Washington, D.C., and San
Juan, Puerto Rico.
Scott Sibella, president of The Mirage, said, "Burgers, fries and shakes
prepared by a chef as talented as Laurent Tourondel is a winning combination.
BLT Burger will be a wonderful addition to our offerings and is certain to be a
great success."
ABOUT LAURENT TOURONDEL
Honored by Bon Appetit as Restaurateur of the Year in 2007 and by Food &
Wine as a Best New Chef in 1997, Tourondel also has received an array of "Best
of ... " awards from publications that include Esquire, Travel + Leisure, Saveur
and Wine Spectator. Tourondel has changed the approach of fine dining by
creating accessible menus prepared with the finest ingredients and presented in
a casual, comfortable dining room. By adhering to his belief that ingredients
should be stellar, food simply prepared and service kind and efficient, BLT
restaurants have become household names.
With the passion and skill of a French-trained chef, and the sensibility and
style of a metropolitan restaurateur, Tourondel has successfully infiltrated the
rarified world of New York restaurants and the national dining landscape, much
to the delight of critics and diners alike.
ABOUT BLT RESTAURANT GROUP
BLT Restaurant Group is owned by Jimmy Haber, Laurent Tourondel and Keith
Treyball, and comprised of BLT Steak in New York City (2004), Washington, D.C.
(2006) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (2006); BLT Fish (2005), BLT Prime (2005), BLT
Burger (2006) and BLT Market (2007) in New York City. Additional locations of
BLT Steak are scheduled to open in Los Angeles, White Plains, Dallas, Miami,
Scottsdale and Atlanta.
