Sonia's Birthday Dinner
At Glowbal
Vancouver, BC, September 26, 2023
We love dining out, but we rarely indulge in upscale restaurants. Special occasions give us the perfect opportunity to explore more up-scaled dining experiences. Living in the lower mainland of Vancouver, we’re lucky to have a diverse selection of top-notch restaurants at our fingertips.
For Sonia’s birthday, I decided to book a table at Glowbal Restaurant, a renowned West Coast steak and seafood spot in downtown Vancouver. We’ve been eager to visit this restaurant, and we’re excited to finally give it a try!
The Pre-dinner
I picked up Nathan after school in the afternoon, and we went to Metro Flowers at Metrotown Mall to pick out a bouquet of flowers for his mom.
He was thrilled to choose the flowers himself, knowing how much his mom loves them. He was quite particular about the colors and types of flowers, taking his time to make the perfect selection. In the end, his choices turned out beautifully. His mom was so happy with the bouquet, and it was extra special because Nathan picked them out himself.
My parents kindly offered to look after him for the night, allowing us to enjoy a lovely dinner together. We headed to Downtown Vancouver and arrived at the restaurant a bit early to sort out the parking situation – it was our first time there. Conveniently, the restaurant shares the parking lot with Telus Garden, as they’re in the same building.
The Dinner
Taking our time and exploring is part of the joy of dining out. We checked in with the hosts and they were really friendly and welcoming. As we waited for our table, we wandered around the restaurant and we can’t resist capturing the moment with a quick snapshot of us.
Our host settled is comfotably into the patio, facing West Georgia street. The outside space was stunning, and the weather is ideal for al fresco dining. Vicki, our waitress, welcomed us and made us feel at home immediately.
We kicked things off with a couple of cocktails. Sonia opted for the Lavender Gin Fizz, a refreshing mix of Arbutus Empiric Gin, crème de lavande, lime juice, and lavender syrup. I went for the Empress Martini, which combines Empress Gin, chamomile syrup, lime juice, and musk willow water. I had seen the drink’s edible smoke bubble on Instagram and was eager to try it for myself. It was as impressive as it looked, and both cocktails were delicious.
One dish you absolutely shouldn’t miss is the Wagyu Steak Tartare. This appetizer features a perfectly smoked egg yolk on top, accompanied by crispy chips on the side. The raw wagyu steak was simply phenomenal. We placed the beef on the chips and ate them together—the combination of the melt-in-your-mouth meat with the crispy, savory chips was incredible. It was the highlight of our meal, and we highly recommend trying it if you get the chance to dine here.
Sonia opted for the Canadian Prime Striploin as her entrée. This 12-ounce striploin was expertly cooked to medium-rare perfection and served with a luscious Yukon gold pomme purée, tender broccolini, and a rich Merlot Jus. I couldn’t resist to take a couple bite off her plate. It was an outstanding steak dish.
As for me, I decided to try the Sablefish, and I can confidently say I wasn’t dissapointed. The buttery fish practically melted in my mouth – it was cooked to absolute perfection. The combination of flavors of aromatic lemongrass chili nage paired with the roasted eggplant was delightful. These are excellent choice to try at Glowbal.
During our conversation with Vicki, our attentive waitress, she found out that we were celebrating Sonia’s birthday. Later, to our surprise, Vicki presented us with a complimentary macaron and a chocolate truffle, with a heartfelt “Happy Birthday” message on the plate and a birthday candle to make a birthday wish. We were touched by Vicki’s thoughtful gesture. She truly went out of her way to make Sonia’s celebration memorable.
The Conclusion
Our evening at Glowbal Restaurant in Vancouver was truly a memorable experience. From the elegant ambiance to the exceptional service, everything was top-notch. The staff are absolute gems, and the extra attention to detail with the food and the service exceeded our expectations and left us wanting to come back again.
Whether it was the perfectly crafted cocktails or the thoughtfully prepared dishes, Glowbal delivered an evening of culinary delight that we won’t soon forget. If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply indulge in a fantastic meal, Glowbal in Vancouver is definitely worth the visit.
Looked like a great celebration! Will have to go and try that sablefish!
And Nathan looked so proud with his bouquet.
We definitely recommend it. Be sure to share your experience with us the next time you visit! 🙂