88 replies to this topic

[g.johnson]

The whole fishes are meant to be shared.  When G and I went we shared a dover sole ($34 per lb, and it weighed in at 1& 1/2 lbs).

Two weeks ago, I had a 24oz Dover sole at J Sheekey and it cost £23, which is about $44.

J Sheekey is a bit closer to Dover than BLT Fish.

[ngatti]

I believe that same sole is 36-38 in toto at BLT Steak.

I think that we are floundering on this price issue, as we don't know the quality of fish that's being used. There are quality levels that would justify their prices.

They are calling it Belgian. That says something to a person with a reasonable amount of experience with the product in NYC.

It has been my not inconsiderable experience that the Flemish producers are cheaper and sell a product that is not as good as the French ones. A POV reinforced by previous discussions you and I have had on this very subject.

[macrosan]

J Sheekey is a bit closer to Dover than BLT Fish.

Are you sure ? Exactly where in New York is BLT Fish, then ?

[eatpie]

I finally made it over to BLT Fish for a lunch on Tuesday. I dined with clients so didn't get to sample much. One thing for sure, I will NOT be going back for lobster rolls. This whole franchise is steering towards mediocrity after a wonderful launch. The lobster roll is the most glaring example. $24 for a ridiculously small amount of lousy (frozen?) lobster meat, slathered in a tasty yet overly applicated mayo sauce with rolls that are way too large. I dont mind paying NY prices for pedestrian foods like lobster rolls, bbq, dumplings, french fries,etc. Just dont make let me feel like you are ripping me off...bleh

[yvonne johnson]

My thoughts exactly on the mediocrity. I have major concerns that the BLT "chain" has over-stretched itself. To bolster my argument, we have decided to go to BLT Prime for a second time, and I was able, last night, to get a 7.30 res for 4 for this Saturday! This can't be that hip or great, for that matter, a place. Or am I rushing to judgement, something I never do?

[Wilfrid1]

You see? Selfless devotion to duty. Reminds me of the last time I went to Mix, just to make sure it was empty and terrible - which it was.

[Daisy]

My thoughts exactly on the mediocrity. I have major concerns that the BLT "chain" has over-stretched itself. To bolster my argument, we have decided to go to BLT Prime for a second time, and I was able, last night, to get a 7.30 res for 4 for this Saturday! This can't be that hip or great, for that matter, a place. Or am I rushing to judgement, something I never do?

Are you doing this because you are the teacher's pet?

Eatpie, did you notice if they are still insisting on the ridiculous oyster service, where all oysters ordered by the table must be presented on the same plate rather than individual ones?

[yvonne johnson]

The things I do for the board. Oh, the other puzzling thing: the fish dishes at BLT Prime were in my view better than those at BLTFish (upstairs and down).

[eatpie]

Didnt notice that ridiculous Oyster rule. I called at 1030am and ordered a picnic style meal to be picked up at 1245pm. I took a car service there, arrived at 1240pm and the order had not been placed. I was annoyed. Finally brought me my lousy lobster rolls at 1pm. Yes, they HAD my cc # at 1030am and had no problem charging me $160 - just couldnt get my food ready on time in a 25% full
restaurant.

BLT Steak has slipped as well. Most of their sides and fish have maintained a good quality level. Particularly, their onion rings which are best in category and their daily farm-fresh sides which are consistently excellent. The steaks on the other hand are consistently inconsistent. Meat temperatures are all over the place. One day medium rare is rare, the next day its medium. Ive also found their cuts to be on the bland side. Both their NY Strips and Porterhouse lack that real beefy depth
I love in a great cut of steak.

[yvonne johnson]

My thoughts exactly on the mediocrity.  I have major concerns that the BLT "chain" has over-stretched itself.  To bolster my argument, we have decided to go to BLT Prime for a second time, and I was able, last night, to get a 7.30 res for 4 for this Saturday!  This can't be that hip or great, for that matter, a place. Or am I rushing to judgement, something I never do?

Are you doing this because you are the teacher's pet?

What do I have to do to disabuse everyone of this silly notion? Just today, I corrected the teacher in that class I'm no longer attending. I am not the teacher's pet!

Eatpie: I hate when businesses have no problem taking the money but make you wait and wait for the purchase.

[Daisy]

I decided to give the bar at BLT Fish another go last night, encouraged by the pouring rain and the establishment's relative proximity to Irving Plaza (I just knew trying Casa Mono at 7 was a fools errand).

Very good oysters--mostly West coast--Hamahama, Fanny Bay, Malpeque, Pearl Point and Kumamoto. The white wine is still served on the warmish side.

Decent fries, beautifully fried but completely and utterly tasteless cod, an OK but too mayonnaisey lobster salad on the roll--and the roll was too big and doughy for the amount of salad served on it. Expensive--I think about $150 for two with medium-priced wine.

[Daisy]

They have left off the schizoid,scattershot oyster service, so that all the Hamahamas are now next to all the Kumamotos next to all the Pine Islands, etc.. Very nice oysters but I continue to think the place is expensive for what it is, although we liked the generously poured $8 glasses of meursault. Good side of green beans with garlic and oil, and the fries continue to be very decent and dusted with Old Bay. They are still serving that weird, icky garlic bread which last night was drizzled with melted cheddar. Ugh.

[Daisy]

I always end up at the bar here as a fallback. Saturday, almost 7 PM. Need a snack. Ssambar overflowing, Casa Mono will give us bar seats in 45 minutes BUT it is a chilly night and not only is Bar Jamon full it's bursting. With among other obstacles a huge stroller and a guy holding a bunch of balloons. So nowhere to wait.

On to BLT for good oysters, excellent fries and $8 glasses of a respectable muscadet. Nice garlickly string beans, too, and friendly if slightly spaced out service They should let the runners, who have the oysters down cold, serve the oysters. Instead the servers huddle at the pass while the runner points out the oysters, slowly and patiently, while the servers repeat the names.

[Daisy]

Made one of my periodic stops in here last week for the usual: oysters,fries, string beans, wine. The bar, where one used to have a very good chance of scoring a couple of seats at most hours, has morphed into quite a scene. I arrived at 6:15 and got the only empty seat . My friend who came later had to wait quite a bit to sit down. It got more and more crowded, and became something akin to a cocktail party. Everyone was practically on top of each other so there was a lot of schmoozing going on. With the exception of the jerk sitting to my left who crashed his bar stool into me three times. He did not appear to be four years old so why he had to keep spinning around on the damn thing is anybody's guess.

The oysters were really very good.