Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar, Vancouver

Foodies love a prodigal chef’s return. That’s why epicurean-minded blogs are in full-salivation mode over Executive Chef, Erik Heck’s new menu at the re-revived Glowbal. When Emad Yacoub announced that he was revamping Glowbal into a satay and steakhouse joint, keyboard keys were being worn out with speculation.

Yacoub is no stranger to world travel and he’s become an expert on tapping into trends and modifying them for Vancouver’s culinary masses. Glowbal itself is a success story. Last year he opened Society in Yaletown in the old Coast Restaurant location. And now Glowbal has been rethought, reworked, and released to the masses as an entirely new entity: a steakhouse. Yes. A steakhouse. Just as Morton’s has shuttered and other high-end players such as Hy’s and Gotham are suffering due to economy woe, the Glowbal Group is determined to bring some sexiness to its concepts.

There’s nothing old school about this re-invented “steakhouse,” from its nouveau light fixtures and soothing dark wood flooring to the chocolate-hued seating. And Glowbal is the first place in town to display its cuisine inside a glass meat cooler where you can select your exact cut. It’s impressive and tempting. While Executive Chef Heck’s new menu is heavy on steak, there are some great seafood options, and you could even bring your vegetarian friends, but the meat cellar probably won’t sit well with these types.

Start with a selection of satays – like the sea scallop, ahi tuna with a panko crust, wild spiced salmon, and the coconut chicken – get your greens with a spinach and wild boar bacon salad, and then dive into the main attraction, your choice cut of the perfectly aged beef: Tenderloin, striploin, bone-in tenderloin, striploin and the 24-ounce porterhouse. Or go for the Cadillac of steaks – the Australian Kobe Wagyu, raised in the traditional Japanese method. It’s a steal at $15 an ounce with a 6-ounce portion minimum.

You can’t possibly leave without a whole new appreciation for both cattle ranching and people watching, as Glowbal is the new (again) place to see and be seen. Even the servers look like they’re just they are between modeling jobs, so wear your finest. Seats at the bar are perfect for viewing those entering and leaving, and come with a great view into the open kitchen. There’s also a signature ten-seat table if you’ve got some friends to entertain. The drinks attract those stopping in on their way to or from other adventures. The Glowbal Group has once again found the winning formula. Within the first few days they’ve had to restock the meat cellar twice and there have been plenty of orders for the Wagyu. One diner paid over $500 for his daily meat fix. Recession? What recession?

Address: 1079 Mainland Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5P9
Contact: 604-602-0835
Cuisine: Steak
Area: Yaletown
Venue: Restaurant, Lounge
Hours: Daily: 11:30am – 3:00pm
4:30pm – 1:00am
Price Range: $$$ (Within Reach)
Payment: Master Card, Visa, American Express

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