Black and Blue Steak and Crab

First time I’ve ever eaten here and the Halibut was absolutely amazing! Chief Ramsey Gordon would be proud! I would recommended this restaurant to my friends and family. I will definitely be back! The service was excellent and professional. Thanks for a wonderful evening.

This is a revision to my earlier review. B&B reached out to me after the previous visit/​review and sent $ 100 gift card and an offer to try them again. It took a little while then we wanted to pay a revisit but it was worth the wait. Although the person greeting us and setting up our place settings was a klutz our server was excellent. She did an excellent job describing all of the various aspects of the menu and, although we thought we knew what were going to order, her enthusiasm and skill convinced us to try each of the specials. The halibut was done to perfection, a giant piece of fish that ended up being part of our dinner the next night. The aged Kansas City steak was exquisitely done. Although it came with a sauce of my choice, none was needed as the complexities of the steak were apparent from the first bite. It was perfectly cooked.
The appetizers and desserts were standard fare and really not the point. Nothing stood out to us as interesting, and I’m glad that we skipped them, as the main courses were strong enough to stand alone.
Our revisit was worth it. For the sort of cuisine they are offering – steak & fish – B&B is the best in the area.

This review is long overdue, but with just cause.
For Valentine’s Day, my husband and I decided to go to Black & Blue. First off, the location is a little perplexing considering their fine dining pricing (they’re located next to Burger King).
The interior was nicely crafted, resembling a finer dining restaurant. They had a nice selection of wines and craft beers, as well. Menu was very appealing.
It was a busy night and we expected to wait, but each course was VERY slow coming out. I wouldn’t complain considering the holiday, but it was cold — stone cold. We ordered wine, the lobster bisque, Kansas City steaks and jumbo lobster tails, as well as dessert.
We complained, but the manager never made their way to our table. We paid the $ 370 dinner for two bill and left. We completed their feedback request immediately after. We heard nothing for a month, when finally a woman emailed saying that they were «so sorry» and would love to «win us back» — asking for our address … that was in March.
It’s May and we have not received anything nor have we been contacted. It’s bad enough that the $ 370 dinner was cold, but they just added insult to injury by saying that wanted to «win us back» only to never contact us again.
I’ve had better service (and food for that matter) from Outback, which says volumes about how bad this experience really was.

Great improvements from the kitchen to the server staff, bravo!
Upon tonight’s dining experience I witnessed more of a glow from the server staff, completely on game and professional. While given the Specials for the night, the waitress spoke fast enough to give details on the dishes without dragging it out.
The red snapper was filled with flavor that made the glazed creamy sauce on top just an extra treat. The kitchen staff definitely improved exploring new combinations that will have you coming back for more.
Overall, I was happy by the improvements I saw and definitely recommend this establishment for any steak or seafood lover.

Physically, this restaurant is amazing. Beautiful touches. Rustic, modern, and comfortable all at the same time. The menu is great — lots of terrific choices with unique touches. We planned a visit there — 4 of us. I checked out the menu and the prices online before we went. Given the prices, I expected a quality steak with attentive service. Unfortunately, I found neither of those.
Service — The wait staff was very friendly and frequently apologetic but they just couldn’t get it right. Two of us were served steaks that were significantly overcooked and incorrect. It happens. The staff quickly took our steaks away, leaving our sides to get cold while we waited. Drinks didn’t come — had to be ordered twice. Hot tea came without tea bags. Dessert took 30 minutes (no exaggeration). It was hard to understand because the place didn’t seem that busy.
Food — Very very disappointing. I had high expectations but received a very poor cut of steak. I didn’t order a filet but I didn’t order sirloin either. I ordered medium rare but was served medium well. When it was returned, half of it was charred on the bottom — literally burned. Like ashes burned. The dessert was amazing — kind of a cross between crème brûlée and banana pudding. It was absolutely delicious — unique. Too bad it took 30 minutes to arrive.
In summary, I paid a high quality price for mediocre service and received a chain steakhouse quality steak.

This was my first visit to Black and Blue. The interior is absolutely beautiful: lots of wood and metal and blue and copper, very modern and clean. Impressive two-​level wine storage on display. We got there right at open on a Sunday and were sat in a two person booth by the bar. I liked the shape of the booth; it allowed for my and my boyfriend to sit side by side, facing the bar. The bartender was our server and she was very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and the differences between the types of steak. One weird thing: I don’t think you can actually order wines by the bottle, only by the glass, which means you spend waaaay more on drinks than you normally would. I imagine that’s intentional, though I was very surprised that a restaurant of this quality would only offer by-​the-​glass wine options.
We ordered the crab and lobster fondue. Very rich (like SUPER rich) with homemade pita chips. Honestly, it was very good, but if I had to do it over I would forego the appetizer. It was extremely filling, to the point that I was kind of not hungry anymore even before our dinner came.
I ordered the Kansas City strip with a side of roasted mushrooms and the gorgonzola sauce. Let me just say: this was hands-​down the best steak I’ve ever had. Ever. The waitress explained that their Kansas City strip was dry aged, as opposed to the NY strip which was wet aged; apparently there’s a process where the beef is hung and allowed to grow a layer of mold for the duration of the aging process, after which the mold is (of course) all scraped off. The difference in flavor is noticeable. The steak was seriously so, so good; after every bite I’d kind of forget how good it was, and would assume that it was just the first bite that was so unbelievable, but then I’d take another bite and it would all just keep rushing back. I couldn’t finish the steak because I was so full from the appetizer, and I really, really regretted that. The side of mushrooms was quite good, and the gorgonzola sauce was excellent quality (if there’s anything I’m a snob about, it’s cheese). I ordered crème brûlée for dessert and it was right on point.
Total bill? About $ 200 including tip. Not cheap. But the appetizer was $ 15, and four glasses of wine between the two of us at about $ 10 each; without the unnecessary starter or the alcohol, the bill would have come to about $ 100 before tip. The one thing I’d say is, seriously, they need to offer wines by the bottle. Other than that, the experience was excellent and we’ll be back.

Great food. My husband and I ate at Black & Blue for lunch. We had their Kobe meatballs, and a bowl of lobster bisque. We will be back to try their dinner menu. The bar area has the most comfortable barstools I’ve ever sat on. Other bars in the area should definitely take note. Their staff is very friendly. The restaurant is very clean and the ambiance is amazing. Enjoy!!!

Visited for lunch recently with a group of friends after driving by on my way to work every day since they opened. As many have stated, the location may be a bit odd, as it seems like a restaurant you’d see in a big city, but I actually think that works in their favor. Parking isn’t an issue, and Guilderland is a highly populated area that is lacking a more high end dining experience. There are also many businesses nearby, and students from UAlbany who may be looking for a fancy dining out experience when their parents are in town visiting.
One thing I really enjoyed about the restaurant was the décor, and the juxtaposition of various elegant aspects with some rustic elements. There are beautiful chandeliers, but also exposed brick and farmhouse doors. Definitely unique. The other clientele in the restaurant were dressed casual, as I was, so I didn’t get the stuffy, pretentious vibe that you might assume comes with a place like this.
The waitstaff was dressed nicely, and our server was very attentive and friendly. Our table ordered the shrimp cocktail appetizer to start, which I am typically not a huge fan of. But, I did have a couple and was impressed. For my meal, I opted for the Kansas City strip, medium rare, which was cooked to perfection. The rub on the outside provided excellent flavor, and the side of green beans I ordered were crisp and flavorful as well. My opinion may not carry much weight as I am no steak connoisseur, but I have to say it was probably the best I have ever had.
As we finished up and were preparing to leave, we were provided with chocolate truffles, which were decadent and delicious as well. Upon walking out, I noticed the beautiful bar area, which was very large and elegantly decorated as well.
It’s not a place that will be in my regular dining out rotation, obviously due to their price point. I would, however, love to go back for a special occasion. Visiting the bar area for drinks and possibly appetizers may be an option as well. Overall, very impressed with the food and service, and I highly recommend!

Finally got a chance to come here for lunch last week and I was very pleased and impressed — would be 4.5 if I could but there were a few minor glitches. First thing I noticed was how nice the restaurant is on the inside. The tables and chairs are very nice and the décor is pretty also. The big open windows in the front are very nice and let in a lot of nice natural night. I checked out the bar area upon leaving and it was pretty big and also very nice.
We started with shrimp cocktail which was really good… kudos to the kitchen for putting the lemon half in stretch wraps so I didn’t have to get my hands too dirty. The shrimp were large and fresh tasting, and the cocktail sauce was great also. The bread we received was hot and crunchy and I liked how they gave a couple different types of breads instead of just one. I ordered the rib eye cooked medium and a side of mashed potatoes. I was happy to see that one side was included in the price of the meal instead of most traditional steakhouses where everything is a la carte. Prices of the steak were pretty reasonable I thought.
When our steak arrived, it lacked presentation. The plates that they use to serve the steaks on are really ugly — it looked like there was grease splattered all over my plate. Not that this mattered too much, but I was surprised because everything else in the restaurant was so nice. When I cut into my steak, there were some grey areas and some pink areas. While it was still very good, a restaurant specializing in steak should be able to cook steak perfectly throughout. I also thought there was a little bit too much rub on my steak but I still ate the whole thing so I guess that didn’t matter too much. Some of my silverware had watermarks on it also. You might think I sound like a snob but the with impression that I think this restaurant is trying to give, these minor glitches wouldn’t be acceptable to someone who really is expecting a 5 star experience. I was just happy to be there with good company and enjoyed a great meal. The mashed potatoes were really delicious and the demi glacé sauce was perfect. I ended my meal with a nice lite, but generous portion of lemon sorbet.
Overall, I would definitely return. It was a great time and a very beautiful restaurant. Food was great if not excellent. I’d be interested in coming back and trying the other cuts of meat and appetizers.

While the location of the restaurant is a little out of place, walking in the place is beautiful. It’s dark and modern and kinda sexy. But beyond that you’ll get a little black and blue with the prices. We didn’t want to wait for a table so headed to the bar to eat and drink. While the menu had lots of choices, not overwhelmingly so, the prices had us a little overwhelmed and not because I’m cheap! We choose three appetizers instead of dinners, they were all yummy and the portions fairly large.
The staff were efficient and a seem a step above from what has seemed to become your average I’m just here for the tip
crowd.
I’m not convinced the prices are in keeping with the food but that being said I wouldn’t stay away, just save a few extra pennies before heading back.

We went here for Valentine’s Day and had a great time. 6:30pm reservation and were seated on time. They start us off with complementary champagne. The blue crab appetizer that we shared was extremely fresh. She had the red snapper and I had the surf & turf. Both dishes came out absolutely perfect.
I’m not easy to please when it comes to restaurants but I’ve got to say this is probably the best steak I’ve had in Albany!
An appetizer, two dinners, wine, and two martini’s totaled $ 127. We will be returning

From the moment we got there, we knew there were problems. We asked and were confirmed for a table for three and the seating hostess tried to have us sit at a 2 top.
The waitress couldn’t pull a cork.
All the food was so salty that it could barely be eaten.
I will say that they tried to make up for it by comping the steaks.
Would not go back EVER.

Black and Blue is a newer restaurant to the area — my girlfriend and I decided to check it out one night. We sat at the bar and ordered some food.
First impressions is that it is very nice inside. Very elegant interior and would make for a nice evening out with a significant other or a group or friends. The bar is extremely beautiful. I loved the openness and set up being able to see outside from the open window set up. Definitely a must see even if you’re just stopping in for a drink.
The bartenders and staff were all very knowledgeable and attentive. We ordered a few drinks and later ordered a couple plates to eat on.
«Crab cake» ($ 17.50) — colossal and jumbo lump blue crab cake, pan seared with an avocado~lime aioli. A generous portion of crab meat (cold) — very good as an appetizer.
«Short ribs» ($ 31.50) — slow braised beef short rib, onion rings, and blue cheese mashed potatoes. (Pic)
A very generous portion of short ribs, very tender with great flavor. I ended up getting regular mashed potato without the blue cheese. Over all was large enough that I took a good portion of this home for a late night snack.
Overall a very nice atmosphere, a tad bit on the pricey side but you get a generous amount of food that is savory enough for the price.

Came here for a quick dinner on a drive back to Manhattan. This restaurant is really pretty and well designed. The bar area and inside are super modern and sexy. Definitely a change from the typical chain restaurant!
For appetizers, I tried the chopped salad and crab claw special. The salad was pretty good and the crab claws were fresh. There were only 3 in serving but it was still good.
For my steak choice I decided to try the Kansas dry aged steak with the white cheddar fries. Overall the meal was good. I actually split the steak with a friend and she wanted it medium rare which I knew was a mistake because the moment I cut into it, the meat was barely even pink. I always order rare/​medium rare.
The fries tasted like cheetos — too much powder consistency.
Overall it was a good meal and it’s probably a great spot for locals!

Not eager to go back.
We ordered a bottle of wine — a Malbec after a bit of contemplation. We asked the waitress for some suggestions and she suggested bottles that were well over $ 100. We are a young couple (celebrating 25^th birthday), and I’m not sure many 25 year olds are ordering bottles of wine, especially ones that are priced well over $ 100!
We started off with a salad that was tasty, but pretty overpriced. It has fried chick peas as croutons which I thought was clever, but my boyfriend said he thought it was unnecessary to fry them.
Then our steaks and crab came. My boyfriend ordered the special, a wet aged steak with a side of lump crab meat ($ 9 extra) and a side of asparagus. I ordered a ribeye with a side of crab legs, supposedly a ½ pound ($ 18). My boyfriends steak and crab were great however his steak was very rare and he ordered it medium rare. His crab was a decent portion. My steak was cooked rare and tasty. The crab leg portion was ridiculously small. I will NEVER order crab there again. I was served a single crab leg that was supposed to be ½ a pound AND it cost $ 18. I was appalled. I figure at least 2 – 3 legs, definitely not a single leg!
My boyfriend told the waitress it was my birthday, so when j said I didn’t want dessert she was visibly annoyed and made us feel a little uncomfortable.
The meal came out to $ 182. While we are accustomed to spending around that on each other for special occasions, we normally are more satisfied with both the food and the service. If you are visiting this restaurant, avoid the crab or order the lump crab. Splitting a salad was a great app because they pre-​split it and gave decent portions.
We probably won’t be back to visit anytime soon.

Had a great meal at Black & Blue. The short ribs were excellent and my dinner partner said the surf and turf was great. The steak cooked perfectly and the scallops were orgasmic. The seafood fondue was also excellent. Only gripe is the service at the bar was REALLY slow. Will come back again

Let me start off by saying that the ambiance of the restaurant is perfect. The décor and the lighting is modern and refreshing. The service is great and our waitress was attentive and very helpful in describing and suggesting meal options.
We started with the calamari, which I am usually a hard judge of because it is one of my favorite appetizers. While I thought it could have used some salt or a lime it was an interesting take on fried calamari which I enjoyed. Calamari can be a hit or miss depending on how it is cooked and if it was fresh. Let me tell you it was not a bit chewy, it was extremely tender and almost melted in your mouth. Although it was fried it was not overly greasy. Overall, I would recommend it.
We then had the steak, my filet was perfectly cooked and charred on the outside. Let me tell you that black truffle butter is amazing! I highly suggest getting that as your sauce. Both of our steaks were delicious and cooked to perfection.
Also if you want something very different for your side try the sweet potato dumplings! Very unique.
My only bad things to say about the restaurant were the onion rings. I love onion rings but I couldn’t eat these, they were so doughy and honestly not enjoyable.
Great place, a little pricy for what you are getting though.

They tore down the Ninety-​Nine on Western Avenue before I had a chance to take it out myself.
And over the course of many moons the workmen came and they built and we found out what was coming and wondered «Who spends $ 55.50 on an 18 oz jumbo lobster tail as an add-​on to dinner?», and then we asked, «and are they looking for a date?».
The Black & Blue Steak and Crab opened in June to not alot of fanfare. B&B is in Guilderland, a nice area of the Capital Region where suburbanites and businesspersons can now go to for a pricey meal in a classy setting and slap down those flat rectangular gold things that serve as their special currency.
The bar is beautiful and wines by the glass are reasonably priced. The staff were all better than excellent. The food was good– pretty standard stuff. My steak was medium well well and pretty badly charred and the au poivre was pas ici, so that was a disappointment.
But I will go back and try again. Good for a special night especially if someone else is buying.

I was really excited to try the new restaurant, and booked reservations through Open Table. When we arrived, we were told that the online reservations don’t really work, and that they do not have a reserved table for us, but they will seat us shortly. There were a few benches in the waiting area, and the bar area was nearby, so it was mildly annoying, but not the end of the world.
Once seated, our waitress’s assistant introduced herself, brought us menus, took our drink orders, and collected the wine glasses.
We then had a chat with our waitress, who gave us a description of every item that we were curious about, gave us her recommendations, and then left us to decide.
We went with the seafood fondue, scallops, steak, blue crab, and mashed potatoes.
The seafood fondue was edible, not nothing exciting. We ate about half of it, and did not bother taking the rest home.
The steak was cooked perfectly as ordered, but it wasn’t anything exciting either.
The scallops were cooked perfectly, and were phenomenal.
The blue crab was good.
The mashed potatoes were OK. Seemed to be a bit dry, and I wasn’t a huge fan of the flavor, but my fiancé didn’t seem to have an issue with them.
The bread basket wasn’t bad, and the truffles we were brought at the end of the meal were a nice touch.
Overall, this is not a restaurant that I will go back to. Their menu seems comparable to Prime, but I find that I liked the food options, taste, and atmosphere more at Prime.

I was disheartened to see a brand new place in Albany open up with such harsh reviews because I think we should be welcoming new restaurants to a city in dire need of anything new. We went here for our date night and I am happy to report we had a great experience. Service was by far the best part of our meal here. Our server Nina was fantastic, attentive, funny, and engaging.
We started with the mixed greens and baby rock shrimp. Mixed greens were great with a subtle vinaigrette and delicious cornbread croutons (and I actually hate croutons). The baby rock shrimp was dull and lacked the burst of flavor that would have made it an excellent dish.
I ordered the steak arabica which was coated with coffee and chocolate??? I like my meat well done and this was. Despite that was full of flavor, was moist, and delicious! The side of sautéed spinach was lackluster but is hard for anyone to pull off without another ingredient to share the limelight. My husband’s scallops were excellent, the risotto was creamy and flavorful. The fried onions on top were less than stellar.
The atmosphere is sort of trendy but not pretentious. The inside is really quite beautiful. It’s full of all the bells and whistles millennials have come to demand: Edison bulbs, exposed brick, tile that looks like wood, two-​story glass wine storage displays. It would be a nice place to go for a special occasion, our meal was $ 90, and we didn’t order any alcohol or dessert. So yes a little pricey. Good for a date night.