Black & Blue — Restaurant in London

After a long and tiring journey in cold weather, we finally arrived at the restaurant. My initial impression was positive. The restaurant was large, and for a moment, I felt a sense of excitement, it seemed posh and sophisticated, exactly what one would expect from a high-end London establishment. However, this excitement quickly faded once we were shown to our table. We were seated in a cramped corner that felt more suited for a quick-service café than a premium steakhouse. The table was small, the chairs were uncomfortable, and the entire setup screamed “eat quickly and leave” rather than inviting us to relax and enjoy a fine meal. It was disheartening, to say the least. The seating arrangement was another let-down. The tables were packed so closely together that there was little room to move or speak without fear of being overheard by the neighbouring diners. It didn’t feel private or comfortable. My son and I joked that perhaps having a drink or two might help us forget the lack of privacy and ease our discomfort. Looking at the menu, I was still hopeful that the food might make up for the subpar atmosphere. I left the decision-making to my son but couldn’t help dreaming of a perfectly cooked steak served by professional, attentive waitstaff. Unfortunately, reality hit hard when the drinks arrived. We had ordered diet cokes, which the waiter placed on the table with all the finesse of a fast-food worker at a busy counter. It wasn’t what I expected from a supposed high-end establishment. The starters didn’t fare much better. I must mention, We were served dry and hard pita slices accompanied by a few coloured pepper strips, which felt cheap and uninspired. I kept my focus on the main course, hoping the steak would be the saving grace of the meal. Before the main course, I decided to freshen up and visit the restroom. This, too, was a disappointment. The toilets were located upstairs, accessible either by stairs or a lift, and were housed in what felt like a temporary container structure. They were small, basic, and resembled something you’d find at a pop-up event or a boot sale. It was shocking for a restaurant of this stature to have such inadequate facilities. In my opinion, toilets should have been located downstairs with proper structures, especially if the upstairs was designated for seating. When the steaks finally arrived, my initial optimism resurfaced but only briefly. I had ordered my steak well-done, and to their credit, it was cooked as requested. However, my son had opted for medium-rare, and his steak arrived with a large chunk of uncooked fat hanging off it. It was unappetizing and could easily have put anyone off their meal. The steaks were served with fries and a basic salad. My son had also ordered cooked mushrooms, which he had read glowing reviews about. Sadly, they turned out to be a huge let-down. The fries were served in a basket-style container, but they were thin, overcooked, and dry. Worse still, many of the potato slices were broken, as if they’d simply emptied the fryer’s leftovers into the basket. Honestly, if my wife had gone into the kitchen one Sunday morning, grabbed some frozen chips, mushrooms, and a steak from the freezer, and cooked us a meal, it would have been far superior to what we were served at this restaurant. And it would have cost a fraction of the price, my son paid approximately £60 per person for this meal, excluding alcohol which we did not have any. Overall, the experience was a massive disappointment. The service, ambiance, and food all failed to live up to the expectations one would have for a London steakhouse. It was a sobering reminder that dining in London isn’t always a luxury to envy. While I’m sure there are exceptional restaurants in the city, this wasn’t one of them. I’m grateful to have had this experience, as it has taught me to lower my expectations when it comes to dining in big cities. If you’re planning a special occasion or looking for an outstanding meal, my advice would be to do thorough research and perhaps look beyond the...

Atmosphere & Ambience – 4.8/5

Black & Blue offers an exceptional dining atmosphere. The interior design strikes the perfect balance between modern elegance and classic steakhouse charm. Dim lighting, exposed brick walls, and dark wood give the place a cozy yet upscale feel. Whether you’re dining with friends or on a romantic date, the vibe is welcoming and stylish without being pretentious. I especially appreciated the spacious layout—tables are far enough apart for private conversation, a rare luxury in central London.

Food & Flavour – 4.7/5

The food was the true highlight. I ordered the ribeye steak, cooked medium-rare, and it was absolutely spot-on—tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. The peppercorn sauce added a lovely depth without overpowering the steak’s natural flavor. On the side, the truffle fries were crisp with just the right amount of aroma, and the creamed spinach was rich and comforting.

For starters, I had the tuna tartare, which was refreshingly light and beautifully presented. Dessert-wise, the sticky toffee pudding is a must—warm, moist, and paired with the perfect scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Service – 4.5/5

The staff were professional and friendly. Our waiter gave great wine recommendations and was very attentive without hovering. The service felt personal, and the team clearly takes pride in delivering a quality dining experience. Food arrived promptly, and we never felt rushed.

Location & Value – 4.4/5

Located just a short walk from Borough Market, Black & Blue is conveniently placed if you’re exploring central London. Prices are on the higher end, but the quality of both the food and the service justifies the cost. It’s not an everyday spot, but for a special night out or a memorable steak dinner, it’s worth it.

Would I go back? Absolutely. It’s the kind of place that combines solid steakhouse staples with an elegant twist, making it a standout choice for meat lovers and...

My daughter and my partner had arranged a birthday celebration meal for me at Black & Blue in Borough Market in January 2022, I had never been to any of their establishments before so did not know what to expect – which is I believe why they call it a Surprise!!

We arrived at 7pm on a Friday evening and were greeted warmly by the door staff and quickly directed to a very nice table in an enclosed seating area. Our waitresses Perla and Barbara were so professional whilst remaining courteously warm and friendly that we were talking like old friends within 15 minutes.

Before one can truly enjoy food at a restaurant the level of service is what prepares you for the gastronomical treat to follow, this would be a very hard act given the exceptionally amazing service we had received just to the point of receiving pre meal cocktails – which were fantastic and full of tropical flavours (Mai Tai & Espresso Martini).

The ambience was very relaxed and laid back and we soon settled into an evening which would be full of laughter, stories and great food, we all fully enjoyed our meals and without going into too much detail, I had the Baby Back Pork Ribs and if I had one criticism the portion was quite modest, which led me to ordering a second portion (the first time I had ever done that!).

A few more rounds of cocktails and dessert and we all agreed that the night had been a great success and made even more so by the attentive Black & Blue staff of Monica, Barbara and Perla, thank you guys for making my Birthday...