BLT Prime Opens Inside the Trump Hotel Today

BLT Prime opened doors today at The Trump Hotel in D.C. with a medley of high-priced seafood and meat options, and with celebrity chef David Burke behind its menu.

ESquared Hospitality’s BLT Prime brand — known for its dry-aged steak at two existing locations in Miami and NYC — is the upscale, pricier sister of BLT Steak, which has already been in D.C. for years (and is located not far from this new restaurant at 1625 I St. NW). The Trump Hotel's ritzy lobby bar Opo, serving up $27 tater tots and $120 seafood Trump Towers, opened earlier this week on Monday, in conjunction with the property itself.

Entrees at BLT Prime [Photo: Official]

The 130-seat steakhouse boasts a similar color scheme to the hotel's lobby, with marble accents and fresh greenery located throughout the restaurant’s two-story expanse. A sampling of Burke’s offerings include a pastrami salmon carpaccio with arugula, red onion and mustard oil ($16), and a $21 steak tartare with foie gras. For entrees, there’s a bone-in Tomahawk steak with prawns for two ($120) and a duck steak au poivre ($36). Burke will also focus on fish and shellfish dishes ($49 grilled lobster, $61 dover sole), and offer an extensive raw bar selection. Sides are a la carte ($12-$16). For breakfast it’s all about steak and eggs ($25), $16 brioche French Toast, and $8 cappuccinos.

The hotel faced controversy before opening. Originally it was to house restaurants from celebrity chefs José Andrés and Geoffrey Zakarian, but both pulled out after controversial remarks from Trump (who had a political press event at the hotel property today). Both Andrés and Zakarian pulled out of the project after statements made by the presidential candidate about Mexicans, and all are embroiled in a legal battle right now.

BLT Prime, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, website

Check out the full dinner menu below: