Prime Time
A Steak Empire Lands in Miami

It's nice to feel validated.

For a while there Miami's dining scene was looking like the illegitimate sibling to New York and LA's strapping older stepkids.

But we get the feeling things are changing in this town, three initials at a time. 

Introducing BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel, now taking reservations for their Monday debut.

Let's get a few things out of the way before we get down to business (and by business we mean steak). The BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, he of a restaurant empire with locations in exotic places (like… Scottsdale) that pin the chef's unpretentious French spin on everything from burgers to fish. Now he's chosen the restored Ocean Drive hotel, with its colonial architecture and Hamptons-y interiors, as your new home for Beef Greatness.

Start off in the lobby bar, where National Geographic-like photos make you feel a bit like Hemingway after a hard day at the bullfights. After slaking your thirst on a 6 Train Side Car (it offers a bit more brandy than a regular Sidecar), head back to the dining room and let the steaking begin. LT knows his way around a Kobe strip, but don't hesitate to call out a sizzling NY strip or ribeye as well.

Combine that with the ample raw bar and eight different potato-based side dishes, and there's plenty to keep you interested.

And away from an airport…