Yso F.
Yelp
i made a reservation for happy hour at black & blue at 4:45 pm on a thursday, for a party of four, as a couple of people in our party were interested in the $39 happy hour prime rib special. there was some initial confusion as we discovered the prime rib happy hour is only available in the dining room, and not the rooftop. while this was disappointing at first, the dining room's festive ambiance quickly won us over.
upon arriving, there was a short backlog at the front desk. the hostess eventually greeted me and, in a thoughtful gesture, asked for the proper spelling of the birthday girl's name, but unfortunately, her name didn't make it onto the dessert plate.
black & blue exudes elegance, especially during the holiday season. the space is adorned with lavish decor, including a striking golden bull sculpture surrounded by garlands glowing with white lights, gold and black baubles, and ribbons. the dining room is equally polished, with crisp white table linens, sparkling glassware, and towering wine racks creating a sophisticated yet celebratory vibe. a warmly lit bar area adds to the charm, and a beautifully decorated christmas tree in the background completes the festive feel.
one of the standout features is their incredible dry aging meat display. large racks of ribs are encased in glass, glowing against a backdrop of himalayan salt. it's a unique touch that showcases their commitment to quality and becomes an instant conversation piece.
for our meal, two of us ordered the happy hour prime rib, while the rest of the group opted for dishes like the stuffed yorkie, phyllo prawns, steamed mussels, beef sliders, and a beef carpaccio pizza. the pizza was served on a thin, crisp flatbread with arugula, chimichurri, and mustard aioli, a delicious combination of textures and flavours. everyone seemed happy with their choices, though one person who had the prime rib felt unwell later and noted they were charged $6 for extra jus, which felt excessive.
service was attentive, with multiple staff checking in on us throughout the meal. however, our reservation indicated we had the table until 7:15 pm, but by 6:30 pm, a staff member arrived unprompted with the bill and a point of sale machine. it felt a bit rushed, which left a sour note on an otherwise enjoyable experience.