What a Catch!

By Lisa Loverro

The BLT restaurant group has long been a favorite with New Yorkers and all their brands, BLT Steak, BLT Prime and BLT Fish, have enjoyed a huge success. We recently visited BLT Fish on West 17th street to see what's new and happening in this long-standing establishment.

Located in an elegant townhouse, BLT Fish celebrates all things seafood with the freshest hand cut, line caught fish. There's a retractable glass roof in the main dining room and a large, open kitchen, giving guests a peek into the hectic behind-the-scenes preparation of their plates. Downstairs, there is a seafood parlor aptly named "The Fish Shack," where you can enjoy their highly acclaimed lobster roll, along with other fish sandwiches, raw bar and small bites. There is a private dining space on the second floor of this three-story townhouse. It's an airy space with exposed brick and soft lighting, perfect for any business or personal celebration. The private dining space has a full service bar, DVD and ipod capability allowing for a custom and personalized experience. The main action, however, takes places upstairs in the main dining room where dishes are prepared under the supervision of Executive Chef, Luke Venner.

The meal started off with a home run when their warm, cheesy biscuits served with maple butter arrived at our table. Moving on it only got better as a selection of fish from wild Alaskan Halibut to New Zealand Pink Snapper, were all cooked to perfection. Add a side of grilled fennel, chestnut gnocchi and roasted cauliflower and you've got a little piece of heaven in the heart of Manhattan. For those diners seeking a "Not Fish" option the Chef offers roasted chicken and a 28-day aged strip loin that rivals those found in the best steakhouses. Don't miss the Crispy Whole Red Snapper, Salt Crusted Branzino or the Yellowfin Tuna and leave room for dessert because their caramelized Meringue with banana-passion fruit sorbet is as refreshing as it is filling. The wine list offers a wide selection of sparkling, red and whites along with a cocktail menu that will satisfy all those gin, bourbon and vodka lovers out there.

The BLT family of restaurants is part of the ESquared Hospitality group that began their operations with the opening of their flagship BLT Steak on 57th Street and has grown to 22 restaurants around the world. BLT Fish, (BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, the original Chef behind the brand) doesn't miss a beat in the service department either as the restaurant's attentive service has not diminished since its inception. BLT Fish will consistently deliver not only extraordinary seafood dishes but in it's customer service as well.

21 West 17th Street

New York, NY 10011

212.691.8888

e2hospitality.com/blt­fish­new­york