LT Burger
Contact Info:
Address: 8 West 40th St
City: New York, NY
Zip: 10018
map: View the Map
Phone: (212) 582-8200
Website: http://www.ltburger.com/bryant-park
Food Info:
Menu: View the Menu
Cuisine:
Burgers
2nd Cuisine:
American
Cititour Review:
From the outside, LT Burger might look like your run-of-the-mill burger joint. But the inside paints a very different picture. Marble floors, huge art deco-style lamps hanging from the ceiling and curvy chocolate colored leather banquettes make this space very special. The other special thing is the guy running the joint, star chef Laurent Tourondel, who chose Bryant Park as the showcase for his new burger palace, which also includes a full bar.
The other thing you'll notice is the aroma. While the smell of beef cooking on the grill can be a turn off to some, burger lovers will eat it up. It definitely made us hungry for one. I sampled The Standard, a 7-ounce certified Angus beef patty, about three-quarters of an inch thick. It arrived with just the right amount of char and stacked high with lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles on a toasted potato bun. It is a large burger ($9) and I guess I liked it because it was gone in a matter of minutes.
But there are plenty more reasons to make a return trip to LT. Other burger choices include the LT Backyard ($12) topped with hickory smoked bacon and NY state cheddar, and the American Kobe ($16) with portobello, baby spinach and truffle paste. There is also a veggie burger, Heritage turkey, and a pulled pork version with a horseradish slaw. The restaurant is also serving up "Kickass Wings" with a sweet & sticky or BBQ sauce, along with apple smoked BBQ baby back ribs ($22).
You will also find a nice assortment of classic shakes and floats, along with adult versions like The Librarian made with chocolate ice cream, Oreo, amaretto and Godiva liqueur. Desserts include a brownie "Wonka" with caramel-bourbon sauce and Banana Foster.
This upscale burger place is already drawing a business-type crowd, but being that the hostesses are clad in bright orange converse sneakers, I'm betting you can get away with the same.
Review By: Thomas Rafael