BLT Burger

By Judy Thorburn
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BLT Burger at the Mirage Celebrates Grand Opening

In July, acclaimed chef Laurent Tourondel, who was honored as Bon Appétit magazine’s 2007 Restaurateur of the Year and named one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs in 1998 while cooking in Las Vegas at Palace Court Restaurant, has opened a spin off of his award-winning New York City BLT Burger at The Mirage, the first in Las Vegas. However, the grand opening celebration didn’t take place until Wednesday evening August 26, when VIPs and members of the media were invited to check out the latest new eatery at the resort and taste some of the items on the menu.

As a modern take on the classic diner, the hip and casual dining environment designed by the Rockwell Group, seats 198 and features comfortable banquettes and booths in the front section of the restaurant, a 16 seat, yellow glazed lava stone, illuminated bar with overhead flat-screen TVs, table tops lacquered with large table numbers and simple school house style wood chairs.

Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn

As a couple who does not eat meat, my more strict vegetarian husband and I were very pleased to discover that the restaurant is vegetarian friendly, offering several options as well as the traditional burger that is hard to find in most burger joints.

Throughout the evening friendly, accommodating servers passed around a variety of burgers in mini sampler portions including those made of Asian beef, lamb, as well as delicious turkey, meatless veggie falafels, and Atlantic salmon. Each was served on soft buns, with tomato, red onion, iceberg lettuce, pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise, and much to our delight our choices couldn’t have been tastier. Of course, burgers are the draw, but BLT’s diverse menu offers a variety of sides including, but not limited to the evening’s complimentary servings of fried mozzarella sticks, fried dill pickles, sweet potato fries and parmesan fries that were all scrumptious.

Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn

BLT also has many options to satisfy anyone’s thirst buds, from bottle sodas, to an array of shakes in classic or spiked varieties, to cocktails, beers and an impressive wine list. On an amusing note, the selection of milk shakes available for sampling included those whimsically titled Nut Job (a mix of hazelnut and chocolate ice cream), The All Nighter (Kalua, espresso, Baileys and coffee ice cream), and Malibu Barbie (rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk, vanilla ice cram and a touch of strawberry sauce). As a nod to Las Vegas entertainment, the cocktail list includes specialty drinks such as The Showgirl (gin, liqueur, lemon, grapefruit and cranberry juices), Jackpot (Stoli O,Midori and pineapple juice) and Tumblin Dice (bourbon, Ferne Branca bitters and a splash of cherry).

For dessert, satisfaction comes in the form of a Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwich, i.e. a French twist on the usual Ice Cream Sandwich in strawberry, vanilla and chocolate-hazelnut flavors; “Krispy Kreme” Doughnut Bread Pudding with rum-raisin coconut sauce, a rich S’More with peanut butter, marshmallow and milk chocolate, among other “sweet” fixes to complete the meal.

Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn

So if you love a good burger with all the fixings, as well as a varied selection of mouthwatering side dishes, desserts and beverages, you have got to try BLT Burger. For meat lovers or vegetarians there is plenty of delectable choices on the menu. In addition, the service is great, the environment is warm and casual, and the prices are affordable. If that doesn’t add up as a welcome addition to Las Vegas dining options, nothing does.

BLT Burger now is open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 a.m. Reservations are not required. For more information, please visit www.bltburger.com, www.mirage.com or call 702.792.7888.