The steakhouse has long been the place where deals are made, and in a city like Charlotte, home to big banks (Bank of America is headquartered in the Queen City and Wells Fargo once was, too), brokering a power play over a filet and finger of Knob Creek is an everyday occurrence. But until the opening of Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte and its upscale in-house restaurant, BLT Steak, the city lacked a true a power lunch — and dinner — spot.
With its proximity to Bank of America’s headquarters (the hotel is owned by BoA and connected by a breezeway), BLT Steak makes perfect sense for both business breakfasts and after-work cocktails for not just bankers, but for out-of-towners and Charlotteans alike.
In lieu of the usual steakhouse dark wood paneling and heavy décor, the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended restaurant is a breath of fresh air with natural light streaming into the white-walled dining room.
With its proximity to Bank of America’s headquarters (the hotel is owned by BoA and connected by a breezeway), BLT Steak makes perfect sense for both business breakfasts and after-work cocktails for not just bankers, but for out-of-towners and Charlotteans alike.
In lieu of the usual steakhouse dark wood paneling and heavy décor, the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended restaurant is a breath of fresh air with natural light streaming into the white-walled dining room.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The 350-bottle wine selection, which features old and new world labels, is one of the best in the city. Sommelier Sebastian Emery has carefully curated a vast list of cult varietals from Napa Valley, Spain, France, Italy and more.
- Unlike most steakhouses, BLT Steak is bright, airy and decidedly welcoming with natural light flooding the 72-seat space.
- The patio right on College Avenue is one of the top though overlooked tables in the city. On fall and spring nights, the breeze is just right and the people-watching is ideal.
- The expansive wine cellar is on display in the dining room via glass windows and a nearly floor-to-ceiling ladder to access all of the varietals. Wine Spectator bestowed the Charlotte restaurant with its 2017 Award of Excellence for its impressive overall collection.
- Sunday brunch is a must. Featuring classic Parisian brasserie items from chef de cuisine Matt Slezak, such as brioche French toast and steak frites, the menu also offers staple dishes, including the lobster Cobb salad, which boasts a whole lobster tail and claw.
Things to Know
- The 30-seat private dining room is great for small dinner parties, but to feel less boardroom and more French brasserie-meets-steakhouse, the staff can section off smaller, more intimate areas of the restaurant for meetings and events.
- Sunday dinner was off limits for years here until August 2017, when the Charlotte steakhouse began offering evening service seven days a week.
- Though it’s a hot spot for business people and visitors alike, reservations are generally easy to come by midweek. However, Thursday through Saturday, expect a wait — even at the bar — as the Ritz-Carlton itself overflows with diners and drinkers from the adjacent K Lounge.
The Food
- Known for its high-quality cuts, BLT Steak ensures each dish is packed with flavor by sourcing all of its Certified Black Angus and USDA Prime steaks from Atlanta’s Buckhead Beef.
- BLT Steak’s popovers have become renowned and for good reason: these fluffy puffs of buttery pastry melt in your mouth. To elevate the restaurant’s already delectable signature treat, build your own — sweet or savory — at Sunday brunch using ingredients such as Gruyère, candied walnuts, goat cheese, country ham, lobster and bananas.
- Don’t discount the seafood. Though the steaks are the big draw here, the restaurant’s fish dishes are just as notable. The Dover sole, which is flown in fresh every day, is a can’t-miss menu item.
The Bar
- Plan on arriving early if you want to snag at seat in the bar, especially on a college football Saturday or during a Carolina Panthers or Charlotte Hornets game. The bar is packed early — and late — and it’s first come, first serve.
- Featuring an abbreviated menu, the bar still offers BLT Steak’s widely popular lobster Cobb salad as well as the BLT bacon and cheddar burger.
- The artisan cocktail selection varies at each BLT Steak location. The Charlotte restaurant features tipples that are decidedly (and appropriately) Southern-inspired, such as Summertime Heat, a jalapeño-infused tequila with fresh watermelon and lime sweetened with Cointreau and topped off with a chili-lime sugar rim.
Amenities
Bar
Breakfast
Brunch
Dinner
Lunch
Private dining
Getting There
Stories
