1032 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-637-0777

Web: http://www.glowbalgroup.com/blackblue/

Twitter: @glowbal_group #Black+Blue

Advice: For many of the steaks you can order by the ounce, they have two private rooms upstairs for larger parties.

I love the stunning gold lights that shine from the ceiling in this three-level dining room. The meat cooler’s Himalayan Rock Salt ‘Wall’ where the salt acts as a canvas for the aged and cured meats on display is a stellar showpiece in the restaurant as well.

My friend Joe Leary joined me for dinner last week and we began our meal by sharing the B+B Cheese Bread ($2) with chive oil served in a cast iron pan, this was followed by the Tomato Salad ($13) heirloom tomatoes, herb oil with Buratta, red onion, balsamic reduction.

On to the mains which were the star attraction of our meal, I had the Snake River Wagyu Rib Eye ($100 for 10 oz steak) and it was the best I have had in Vancouver in recent memory, perfectly cooked, juicy and flavourful. This steak was priced at $10 per oz. Joe had the P.E.I. Blue Ribbon Beef Tenderloin ($42) for a 10 oz steak. Steak is obviously the showcase here and the range of offerings is impressive with an extensive selection of prime cuts available – from Wagyu to US and Canadian Prime. We both then shared some sides including the tasty Potato Cakes ($7) horseradish cream; Broccoli ($8) provençal style that could have had a bit more flavour; along with the very good Onion Rings that were beer battered ($7) served with a spicy mayonnaise.

For dessert, I had the Crepes Suzette ($12) prepared tableside, with Cointreau, whipped cream along with an added scoop of vanilla ice cream. Joe had a bowl of Cassis Sorbet.

I found the service to be a bit off the mark as I expected the very best all-around experience. Hopefully the service side will improve as the months go by.

Review By: Richard Wolak