Eat This Week: Fish and Steak at Riley’s

We’re showcasing Vancouver’s best restaurants and special menu items—and why they should be your next meal

Restaurant: Riley’s Fish & Steak

Location: 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver

The Dish: Glowbal Group’s new restaurant

The Details: If you haven’t checked out Glowbal Group’s newest restaurant yet, book a reservation… now. Riley’s Fish & Steak features an absolutely stunning space (think warm woods, lush greenery, modern decor)—and it’s the perfect place to impress clients, celebrate a special occasion or have a romantic night out. But it’s the food that’s the real draw here.

Start with one of the three chilled seafood towers. The Grand ($139) includes fresh shucked East and West Coast oysters, poached tiger prawns, snow crab legs, marinated mussels and clams, and halibut ceviche. If you’re looking for more, try The Deluxe ($198), which also includes scallop crudo, or The King ($269), which additionally features Atlantic lobster. All the towers arrive tableside smoking (who doesn’t love a little drama?), and the seafood is super-fresh and expertly seasoned to let the natural flavours shine.For mains, the chef-recommended Coq Au Vin ($36) is a highlight: red-wine braised chicken with pearl onions, forest mushrooms, pancetta and stewed tomatoes. We also loved the miso-maple-marinaded sablefish with potato risotto, parsley purée and confit cherry tomatoes ($44).

Steak is a must-have at Riley’s, so we went with the 14-oz prime beef sirloin ($64), which was delicious and perfectly cooked. Like at many chophouses, you order your sides separately. Try the buttermilk-battered crispy Brussels sprouts ($12) with chipotle aioli (these are different than the ones at Glowbal’s other restaurants, Italian Kitchen and Trattoria, but equally craveable). And don’t miss the potato rosti with sour cream, bacon and chives—it’s the best, most elevated version of a fully loaded baked potato you’ll ever have.While listed in the appetizer section,  the house-baked garlic and gruyère brioche ($10) makes a wonderfully decadent side, served with whipped butter, smoked Maldon salt and lobster oil. If you have any left over (it is a large portion), bring it home and spread some jam on it for breakfast the next morning (trust us).

Desserts are also served with a dash of drama. The S’mores-inspired pastry is unveiled from a smoke-filled cloche at your table to give you that real campfire feeling. Throw in some expertly crafted cocktails, exceptional service and live music (Thursday to Saturday nights  from 6 to 10 p.m.)—and you’ll have a fabulous night out that you won’t forget.