The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Yaletown — Restaurant in Vancouver

We reserved on Open Table for a birthday dinner on the patio. We love the patio and we were here because we enjoyed our previous visit so much. We were seated in a small side area with four tables, the furthest away from the main patio area as possible. It was surprisingly loud here. I don't recall a noise problem last time, but we enjoyed bopping to the music.

You can see from my previous reviews that I am not a picky person. I don't write reviews just to complain. Maybe I am just unlucky, because there were many small things wrong with our visit.

Our waiter was very polite and likeable, and he helped when things went wrong. The restaurant can do better to make his work easier.

My bread plate was dirty with some gritty substance stuck to it along with a separate mystery drop of something yellow. It was promptly changed out after I asked about it. Then two of my dinner companions noticed my water glass was dirty, whereas all the other glasses looked clean. It didn't bother me, but one of them insisted that I change it out.

The complimentary bread was excellent. The waiter offered to bring more, but it never came and we didn’t ask him a second time.

We ordered two prime rib dinners, and appetizers from Happy Hour. I really enjoyed my tuna tartare with avocado, especially with the lime juice, and my bacon wrapped scallops. I would order them again.

The prime rib dinners were 10 oz and 14 oz, but it was hard to believe the 14 oz was 40% bigger, because it looked very similar to the 10 oz in diameter, and did not look 40% thicker but it was definitely thicker. Maybe the 10 oz was oversized? I'll never know for sure. The Oneida knives provided to cut the beef were not up to the task... they were all dull and so you needed some strength and patience to saw through the prime rib.

One of our dinner companions was 15 minutes late. This might have contributed to the problem of not receiving both of the prime rib sliders we ordered, as one was ordered by me before she came, and then she ordered one for herself. The waiter graciously said it was his error, but I asked for the second slider to be cancelled as I was already full when we asked about it. Unfortunately, when the bill came, the second slider was still on the bill. This was happily corrected.

We asked for a water glass for the late arriving companion, and it did not come until much later. By then, her drink had arrived so we just asked for an empty glass so we could share her cocktail.

We did not ask for the birthday Billy Miner Pie because the birthday woman was full.

It was a busy evening so we can understand if there were some hiccups in service. Overall we were disappointed with the service. We had a total of four different servers bringing out our food. This may have contributed to the errors. One server came out with a third tuna tartare when we had only ordered two. And we had to ask for the second one because it didn’t arrive in a timely fashion.

Being a waiter at a busy restaurant must be very difficult. I don't think I could do it well and remember so many things. I would recommend coming here when it is less busy because the food was still good. But if you want clean dishes and accurate service on a busy night, this would not be my...

I have been going to the Keg for years. I mean close to two decades, and I'd like to make something clear about this review. I'm addressing some issues in comparison to what the Keg used to be, which was a force in Vancouver when it came to steaks and a complete evening out. For me, this is no longer the case and I'll tell you why.

The Keg used to be known for not only its steaks, but also its alluring energy and vibe. It was THE PLACE to be on the weekends. Why? Because of it's lively service, amazing bar, very good cocktails and relentless attention to detail.

Last night as I arrived the front staff was wonderfully welcoming and helpful as I was sat on the rooftop awaiting my two friends. They had a special on margaritas so I decided to try one. I ordered a double and even though the taste was refreshing it tasted like a single. This is not an accusation toward the bar as I don't know how much they poured, but what I can say is that I know my drinks, and what was supposed to be a double tasted and felt like a single. This was not only with mine, but with the other two margaritas my friends ordered. They ordered a single and mentioned that it was quite weak. I make a point to mention this, because when you choose to dine at a restaurant of the calibre of The Keg, you expect a level of standard, and this standard is not only good business, creating repeat guests, but it is that mere standard that runs dine out roots and makes it untouchably unique. So, to serve weak drinks to guests that are coming to enjoy an evening at the bar is compromising the culture of the establishment and its purpose.

The menu has been changed and reduced quite drastically as well as the portion sizes not only reflect a tint of stingy but the prices do not reflect on the plate. With the Mushrooms Neptune I did not taste any mushrooms, just the cream cheese mainly with tiny shreds of crab. The calamari was half the size of what is used to be and what it should be. Ok, we all get it, post pandemic we all had to endure economic changes. If you're going to cut the portions, shouldn't you cut the cost as well? The Keg caesar salad was famous at one point, and now what they serve is a caesar salad you see anywhere. They've lost the quality and increased the prices. Side plates were either missing or not replaced and even though the server was friendly, attention to those details should've come with her pretty smile.

Honestly, this is the second time I've had this experience at this location, and I didn't write about it the first time, as I was hoping it was an off night. Unfortunately, as many wonderful memories I have of the Keg, I'm afraid I'm going to have to let it go.

It's just not the...

We decided to switch up our KEG dinner to a different location. Our occasion was my birthday dinner. We usually eat at the West Vancouver location but today choice the Yaletown location.

Atmosphere and Service: The decision to celebrate my birthday dinner at The Keg Steakhouse + Bar in Yaletown turned out to be an excellent choice. From the moment we stepped in, the service exuded warmth and hospitality, setting a welcoming tone that resonated throughout the evening. Compared to our usual spot in West Vancouver, the Yaletown location felt particularly inviting.

Drinks: To kick off the evening, we indulged in a selection of cocktails. I opted for the classic Famous Keg Caesar, which proved to be a delightful blend of flavors with just the right amount of spice. My fiancée, on the other hand, sampled the Black & Blue Margarita, a visually striking and flavorful concoction that set the tone for the evening's culinary adventure.

Appetizers: Our taste buds were further tantalized by the arrival of the famous Keg bread and butter. The fluffy texture of the bread paired perfectly with the rich, creamy butter, offering a delightful prelude to the main courses.

Main Courses: For the main event, I savored the Keg Classics Filet Mignon accompanied by a twice-baked potato. The Filet Mignon was cooked to perfection, bursting with robust flavors and succulent juices. The accompanying twice-baked potato, adorned with bacon bites, added an extra layer of indulgence to the dish. Meanwhile, my fiancée opted for the BBQ Pork Ribs with fries, a savory choice that left her palate thoroughly satisfied.

Wine Pairing: To complement my steak, I enjoyed a glass of R&D by Culmina, a wine that epitomized smoothness and delectability, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Dessert: The culinary journey reached its crescendo with the indulgence in Tyller Cordoviz's masterpiece, the Mile High Chocolate Cake. With each bite, the explosion of flavors danced across the palate, leaving an unforgettable impression. Despite being full, every morsel of this decadent dessert was savored, marking a perfect conclusion to our memorable evening at The Keg.

Final Impressions: Overall, the Yaletown location of The Keg Steakhouse + Bar exceeded our expectations in terms of service, food quality, and atmosphere. However, one lingering question remains: the stack of five fireplaces above one another by the bar adds an intriguing visual element to the ambiance, sparking curiosity and conversation among patrons.

Once again big thank you to Tyller...