Sunday, February 16, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Black and Blue
If you're like me and you enjoy a good steak dinner, then you may like Black and Blue.
A downtown eatery on Alberni Street, Black and Blue is upscale and sophisticated for today's picky diner.
We chose this restaurant because we'd heard great things about it; apparently I would have my best steak ever here! (It was not the best I've ever had...)
We tried to make a reservation a few days in advance for Saturday night. I suggest you call with at least two weeks if you have a time preference. They could only give us 3:30 or 9:45, so we chose 9:45.
Dine out Vancouver was on during our visit, but we did not partake.
We parked further away to avoid valet (they appeared to have it) and went right in. We were helped right away and whisked up in an elevator with the hostess to our table.
The ambiance is very nice; deep, dark colors, nice lighting, meat hanging up in a clear glass case near the kitchen. Very interesting and inviting.
The upstairs is like a square with tables all around the sides of the square, and opening up to the downstairs; you can see the whole restaurant (save the rooftop) from upstairs.
It was VERY loud when we walked in; felt like a nightclub. Upstairs it wasn't quite as bad. I would not sit at the bar if you want to have a conversation.
We were seated behind the elevator at a solitary table; it felt very private and looked out over the street.
Unfortunately, it was very solitary, and our server never saw us for the first 12 minutes we were seated (yes, I timed it!)
When he did finally realize we were there, he was very apologetic and made it up to us right away with a complimentary appetizer (Tomato & Burrata Salad....16 seasonal tomatoes, pickled shallots olive oil, sea salt)
That was a nice touch. Of course, we were visited by a manager after that which was a little embarassing...the appie was enough, but he wanted to check in and make sure we'd been helped. Then came the complimentary bread (B+B Blue Cheese Bread....3 chive oil, roquefort butter)
which was also very nice.
We placed our orders (New York Strip for me, a 24 oz ribeye for my husband). The steaks come alone, and we didn't order any sides. Our drinks came out quickly, and when we ordered another (hey, it was a Saturday night out with no kids!) we were told again by the manager to enjoy them, as they were on the house! Wow, the service was extraordinary to say the least.
Our steaks arrived cooked perfectly. I usually order the Ribeye wherever I go, but as it was $59 for a 24 oz steak, I opted for the less expensive $39 12 oz. It was good, but not amazing. I have had better. My husband's ribeye was delicious.
We were encouraged to order dessert, our server suggested the Black+Blue Butter Cake....12 crème chantilly, caramel sauce
But we instead opted for the 20 Layer Chocolate Espresso Cake....12 whipping cream, brandied cherries
It was not the most amazing cake I've had, but it was good. We didn't bother with coffee as it was now after 11pm and I wanted to be able to get to sleep!
So all in all, we had great service following the original seating mishap. Good food, great vibe and atmosphere, and watching the drunk lady being held up by her husband in the elevator on the way back down was just icing on the cake.
I would recommend Black and Blue for a fun and different dining experience Downtown. Bring your credit card!
A downtown eatery on Alberni Street, Black and Blue is upscale and sophisticated for today's picky diner.
We chose this restaurant because we'd heard great things about it; apparently I would have my best steak ever here! (It was not the best I've ever had...)
We tried to make a reservation a few days in advance for Saturday night. I suggest you call with at least two weeks if you have a time preference. They could only give us 3:30 or 9:45, so we chose 9:45.
Dine out Vancouver was on during our visit, but we did not partake.
We parked further away to avoid valet (they appeared to have it) and went right in. We were helped right away and whisked up in an elevator with the hostess to our table.
The ambiance is very nice; deep, dark colors, nice lighting, meat hanging up in a clear glass case near the kitchen. Very interesting and inviting.
The upstairs is like a square with tables all around the sides of the square, and opening up to the downstairs; you can see the whole restaurant (save the rooftop) from upstairs.
It was VERY loud when we walked in; felt like a nightclub. Upstairs it wasn't quite as bad. I would not sit at the bar if you want to have a conversation.
We were seated behind the elevator at a solitary table; it felt very private and looked out over the street.
Unfortunately, it was very solitary, and our server never saw us for the first 12 minutes we were seated (yes, I timed it!)
When he did finally realize we were there, he was very apologetic and made it up to us right away with a complimentary appetizer (Tomato & Burrata Salad....16 seasonal tomatoes, pickled shallots olive oil, sea salt)
That was a nice touch. Of course, we were visited by a manager after that which was a little embarassing...the appie was enough, but he wanted to check in and make sure we'd been helped. Then came the complimentary bread (B+B Blue Cheese Bread....3 chive oil, roquefort butter)
which was also very nice.
We placed our orders (New York Strip for me, a 24 oz ribeye for my husband). The steaks come alone, and we didn't order any sides. Our drinks came out quickly, and when we ordered another (hey, it was a Saturday night out with no kids!) we were told again by the manager to enjoy them, as they were on the house! Wow, the service was extraordinary to say the least.
Our steaks arrived cooked perfectly. I usually order the Ribeye wherever I go, but as it was $59 for a 24 oz steak, I opted for the less expensive $39 12 oz. It was good, but not amazing. I have had better. My husband's ribeye was delicious.
We were encouraged to order dessert, our server suggested the Black+Blue Butter Cake....12 crème chantilly, caramel sauce
But we instead opted for the 20 Layer Chocolate Espresso Cake....12 whipping cream, brandied cherries
It was not the most amazing cake I've had, but it was good. We didn't bother with coffee as it was now after 11pm and I wanted to be able to get to sleep!
So all in all, we had great service following the original seating mishap. Good food, great vibe and atmosphere, and watching the drunk lady being held up by her husband in the elevator on the way back down was just icing on the cake.
I would recommend Black and Blue for a fun and different dining experience Downtown. Bring your credit card!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Toby's in North Vancouver
Good afternoon!
We saw in ad in the paper for a new restaurant in North Vancouver called Toby's. Saw they offered breakfast and decided to try it out!
Their website showed their menu and it all looked good.
We headed down there this morning (well, afternoon I guess as it was 12!) and found a spot outside the restaurant.
It's an Irish theme inside, lots of wood and dark colors; very pub-ish looking but also family oriented. We spotted two kids eating with special kids cups, so thought that there is probably a kids menu as well (there is).
Nice decor, soccer on all the tv's (not your usual restaurant!) and plenty of servers all wearing black.
We were helped out right away and got our drink orders in.
I ordered a veggie omelet (comes with toast, hashbrowns or pancakes) and my husband ordered the Irishman's breakfast.
Food came out quickly, and was very appealing looking and fresh. The portions were generous.
I enjoyed my omelet, but not so much the pancakes (they were buckwheat and had not much flavour). Maybe it was because they were not traditional white flour pancakes.
Service was efficient and friendly and the place was quite busy.
We saw in ad in the paper for a new restaurant in North Vancouver called Toby's. Saw they offered breakfast and decided to try it out!
Their website showed their menu and it all looked good.
We headed down there this morning (well, afternoon I guess as it was 12!) and found a spot outside the restaurant.
It's an Irish theme inside, lots of wood and dark colors; very pub-ish looking but also family oriented. We spotted two kids eating with special kids cups, so thought that there is probably a kids menu as well (there is).
Nice decor, soccer on all the tv's (not your usual restaurant!) and plenty of servers all wearing black.
We were helped out right away and got our drink orders in.
I ordered a veggie omelet (comes with toast, hashbrowns or pancakes) and my husband ordered the Irishman's breakfast.
Food came out quickly, and was very appealing looking and fresh. The portions were generous.
I enjoyed my omelet, but not so much the pancakes (they were buckwheat and had not much flavour). Maybe it was because they were not traditional white flour pancakes.
Service was efficient and friendly and the place was quite busy.
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