Lapeer Steak and Seafood — (Left to right) Co-Executive Chef Andy Long, owner Louis Soon and Co-Executive Chef Blake Hartley. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

A Georgia-based restaurant known for fresh seafood, prime steaks and a playful “steakhouse on the beach” atmosphere officially opens to the public today. Located in The Hardwick along Rotary Trail, Lapeer Steak & Seafood will be led by Co-Executive Chefs Andy Long and Blake Hartley, an accomplished chef who began his career at Hot & Hot and Bottega.

We met with owner and designer Louis Soon for an inside look at the new restaurant.

Georgia-based Lapeer Steak and Seafood opens new Birmingham location

Founded in Alpharetta in 2019, Lapeer Steak & Seafood is a chef-inspired steak and seafood concept bridging the best of a classic steakhouse and a breezy coastal restaurant. After finding success in Georgia, owner and designer Louis Soon decided to open a second location in The Magic City.

“Birmingham is a community that appreciates great food and hospitality, and we want to be a part of it! It’s such a friendly and sophisticated place. Plus, our Co-Executive Chef Blake Hartley grew up in Tuscaloosa and got his start here at Hot & Hot and Bottega, so it’s a homecoming of sorts.”
Louis Soon, owner and designer, Lapeer Steak & Seafood

Located inside The Hardwick—an adaptive reuse development of a 110-year-old steel fabricating plant along Rotary Trail—Lapeer’s new Birmingham location combines elements from Louis Soon’s Carribean roots and The Hardwick’s historic industrial aesthetic, with exposed brick and natural textures layered with elements like linen drapery, Edison bulbs and gold accents.

“We loved the history of this building. It’s got character. While our Alpharetta location is light and bright and leans into our coastal personality, The Hardwick allowed us to take a different approach. It’s warmer and moodier here. It was a fun challenge to work with this historic space as I designed Lapeer.”
Louis Soon, owner and designer, Lapeer Steak & Seafood

Capable of seating 272 guests, Lapeer Steak & Seafood interior is divided into four distinct spaces:

Two dining rooms anchored by a central lounge and bar
A private dining room for 36-48 guests
An upcoming outdoor patio

“Lapeer Steak & Seafood is a warm and welcoming restaurant that offers something for everyone. You can have a long lingering steak dinner in our dining room or a quick drink and lobster roll at the bar. It’s a beautiful restaurant – we hope it’s a place where people just want to be!”
Louis Soon, owner and designer, Lapeer Steak & Seafood

Expect a rotating menu that moves with the tides and seasons

MCF 2217 scaled Lapeer Steak & Seafood now open in The Hardwick, co-led by Bottega vet — (Mary Fehr / Lapeer Steak & Seafood)

Co-led by Chefs Andy Long and Bottega + Hot & Hot vet Blake Hartley, Lapeer’s menu features a raw-bar selection of oysters and seafood as well as premium cuts of beef, all complemented by regional produce and seasonally-inspired desserts. The result is an elegant, approachable dining experience—perfect for dinner with friends or that special date night.

“Guests can expect warm welcome, delicious food and great hospitality. We want to become the place you think of for a meal on an ordinary night as well as a place to celebrate the special moments.”
Andy Long, Co-Exec Chef, Lapeer Steak & Seafood

Offering both lunch and dinner service, Lapeer’s menu is sorted into:

Raw bar and starters
Entrée offerings of steaks, including Center Cut Filet, Prime Ribeye and Prime NY strip as well as seafood like Whole Branzino, Lobster Pasta with House Made Pasta, Gulf Grouper and NC Trout topped with West Indies Crab Salad and Brown Butter
Vegetable forward sides like Squash and Beet Panzanella, Creamed Corn with Serrano Peppers and French Beans Almondine
A selection of delectable desserts created by In-house Pastry Chef Elise Harshbarger

“Our menu will rotate with the seasons, and we are excited to partner with local folks like Big Spoon Creamery and Evans Meats and Seafood.”
Blake Hartley, Co-Exec Chef, Lapeer Steak & Seafood

Lapeer's dishes are complemented by its robust beverage program, led by Beverage Director Richard Ramirez. As a Level One Sommelier, Ramirez aims to have something for everyone, whether it’s a classic Napa Cab for a traditional drinker or a light, juicy Gamay for guests open to something new. His cocktails rotate seasonally, categorized as shaken or stirred to help guests navigate the menu and choose between fresh, crisp, and playful drinks or bold, spirit-forward classics. He's also not afraid of putting his take on a crowd-pleaser: his Frozen Espresso Martini has been a guest favorite since 2022 and is the only cocktail that’s never left the Menu. — (Mary Fehr / Lapeer Steak & Seafood)

To complement the menu, Lapeer Steak & Seafood enlisted the expertise of Level One Sommelier Richard Ramirez as Beverage Director. In addition to the crowd-pleasing Frozen Espresso Martini, Lapeer’s beverage program will have something for everyone, from classic Napa Cabs to seaonally rotating cocktails, categorized as shaken or stirred.

Lapeer Steak & Seafood now open in The Hardwick

Now open on Rotary Trail, Lapeer Steak & Seafood will be open Monday through Saturday for dinner service and Monday through Thursday for lunch, offering free lunch parking and a complimentary valet for dinner.

Reservations are recommended, but not required, and can be made online via OpenTable.

Lapeer Steak & Seafood: Website | Instagram | Reservations
Address: 2308 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Hours:
- Lunch: Monday – Thursday 11AM to 2:30PM
- Dinner: Monday 5PM to 8PM; Tuesday – Thursday 5PM to 9PM; Friday & Saturday 5PM to 10PM
- Sunday: Closed