Celebrated chef Laurent Tourondel opened this week his award-winning restaurant BLT Burger at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. BLT Burger is an accessible but innovative addition to the Mirage’s gastronomic options; chef Tourondel was named “Best New Chefs” award by Food & Wine magazine's in 1998 while he was working at the Palace Court Restaurant in Las Vegas. He has opened several other restaurants in the U.S and was awarded with the 2007 Restaurateur of the Year by Bon Appétit magazine. Tourondel has also been awarded by other famous culinary magazines and publications including Esquire, Travel + Leisure, Saveur and Wine Spectator.

"It's exciting to come full circle. The Mirage is one of Las Vegas' leading destination resorts, and I'm excited for BLT Burger to join the mix." Chef Tourondel said.

BLT Burger offers a variety of gourmet burgers including beef, American Kobe, lamb and Atlantic salmon, each served on soft buns with tomato, red onion, iceberg lettuce, pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. The beef patties are a blend of Certified Black Angus sirloin, short rib, chuck and brisket. The restaurant’s specialty burgers include the Tex-Mex, a 7-ounce beef burger with jalapeños, chili, avocado, salsa, jack cheese, onions and sour cream; Lamb Tandoori Burger, a slightly spicy Colorado lamb burger topped with mint-cilantro yogurt sauce, cucumber, olives, red onion and tomato; and an exclusive Meatball Burger made of ground veal, pork and ricotta cheese and served with garlic and tomato sauce. The restaurant also offer “The Stripper”, a 7-ounce beef burger served with lettuce, tomato, onion and bell pepper without the bun.

BLT Burger's assorted menu also features a number of fascinating entrees, starters and including eight types of fries and ring (waffle-cut, sweet potato, jalapeño poppers and fried pickles) and select salads. Beer lovers will be impressed with BLT’s extraordinary beer list. Wine connoisseurs will also be satisfied, but if you’re in the mood for something more casual, you can try any of the cocktails on the menu including “The Showgirl” (Plymouth Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur and lemon, grapefruit and cranberry juices), “Dancing with the Devil” (Sauza Blanco Tequila, Crème de Cassis, lime and ginger beer), “Tumblin' Dice” (Knob Creek Bourbon, Fernet Branca, bitters and a splash of cherry) or BLT Burger's Spiked Milkshakes such as “The All Nighter” (Kahlua, Baileys, espresso and coffee ice cream), “The Highlander” (Guinness Stout, Coole Swan Irish Crème and vanilla ice cream) and “Malibu Barbie” (Malibu Rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk and vanilla ice cream).

"Burgers, fries and shakes prepared by a chef as talented as Laurent Tourondel are a sure hit. BLT Burger is a wonderful addition to our offerings and certain to be a great success." said Scott Sibella, president and COO of The Mirage.

Planned and designed by Rockwell Group, BLT Burger is perfect spot to taste Tourondel's unmatched hamburgers. According to designer David Rockwell, "BLT Burger celebrates the DNA of the burger with the central grill, which is surrounded by beautiful glazed red brick tile. I wanted to emphasize the ritual of grilling burgers in the midst of the Nevada landscape."

BLT Burger is located at The Mirage Hotel and Casino,