Background: BLT is a "boutique chain" of 15 steakhouses located mostly in North America (I see you, Seoul!). The main Chef at the Charlotte location is Ben Miles, who was previously at Table in Ballantyne.
Order This: We have a simple philosophy at scallionpancake: order steak at a steak restaurant. Don't try to get cute and order a salmon filet (although I am sure it is excellent) or a salad. Don't be that bro, bro! When in Rome, act like a carnivorous Roman and order a steak. That being said, we highly recommend either the New York Strip or the Filet Mignon. Both of these cuts were seasoned and cooked perfectly (perfectly rare, the other chief component to the above philosophy). We tried a variety of appetizers and sides including the Tuna Tartare, Crab Cakes, BBQ Potatoes, Ricotta Gnudi, and the Grilled Double-Cut Bacon. All of them were fabulous, but the standout of the bunch was the BBQ Potatoes. They smashed fingerling potatoes, deep fried them, and then sprinkled bbq seasoning over them. Or, the real winner, besides the steak, may have been the amuse-bouche: Chicken Liver Pate´ and Grilled Toast Points. They also give you, fo' free, the most giant, delicious Gruyére Popovers. Both of these are worth putting in your purse and taking home for later consumption.
Dessert: The Peach and Blueberry Crisp stole the show here. They prepare their crisp with a large amount of cinnamon and granola and less fruit, which is the way God intended. We also sampled their Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse, which was excellent as well. And don't forget the amuse-bouche dessert--tiny, round bites of brownie heaven. Is it still an amuse-bouche at the end of the meal? Don't care, fo' free.
Drink: Their cocktail and wine list is very expensive--er, extensive. Jason had the Uptown Tea Party (tea-infused cognac, lemon, and housemade ginger beer), which he enjoyed. The birthday boy in the group had a few Shades of Pink (hanger mandarin, aperol, peyschaud's bitter, grapefruit, and prosecco), because real men drink pink drinks. All the cocktails were delicious--as they should be for $14-18 each.
Atmosphere: The restaurant is located inside the Ritz Carlton, but it doesn't feel stuffy or like you're walking into a vault filled with money. BLT has a cozy, modern vibe going for it, making it very easy to linger over dessert and coffee.
Southern Hospitality: Our waiter was exceedingly nice (and funny). He handled all of our questions, foul language, and inappropriate humor with ease--in addition to giving great recommendations on the best dishes on the menu. The fire alarm went off midway through dinner, but the BLT staff handled it smoothly and didn't allow that event to negatively impact our experience.
Frankie's Notes: Don't you dare order a salad here; Popovers are the new black; Don't put food in your purse, unless you have a really big purse; When waiters think the girly drink is mine, not Jason's; False fire alarms can add a level of adrenaline and intrigue to dinner; You only turn 273 in dog years once, Matt--happy birthday!
Parking: It's Uptown so good luck. The Ritz has a valet service and there is street parking off of College Street.
Ranking: 5 out of 5
Et Cetera:
110 N College St
Charlotte, NC 28202
Monday-Friday: 7:00-2:30, 5:30-10:00
Saturday: 7:00-12:00, 5:30-11:00
Sunday: 11:00-2:00