It is a rare thing in Manila to find a restaurant that manages to feel both incredibly sleek and genuinely welcoming at the same time. If you find yourself wandering through Vertis North looking for a spot that feels a bit “special” without being stiff, you have to try Black Bull Steakhouse. It’s got that moody, sophisticated aesthetic we all love for our feed, but it’s backed up by a kitchen that actually knows how to execute a menu.

 The Vibe: Moody Interiors & Millennial-Friendly Lighting

The first thing you notice is their stunning interior.  The design is dark, textured, and very “luxe,” but here is the best part: they actually paid attention to the lighting. As a group of (proudly) aging millennials, we’ve all had those awkward moments where we have to use our phone flashlights just to read the menu. But not here! The ambiance is perfectly moody for a date night, but bright enough that you can actually read the menu and appreciate the presentation of the food.

There’s even a private dining area cum boardroom for those truly high-power business negotiations and deals that is invisible to outside diners. If you don’t know where to look, you won’t know that such an expansive boardroom style dining area even exists in this space.

We were a group of five—my husband and I, joined by an artist friend, a content creator, and an executive boss from the motoring industry. It’s a diverse crowd, and the space accommodated us perfectly. We were seated in a semi-private dining area that felt wonderfully enclosed and intimate, yet it had these large windows facing the side walks. It gave us that “VIP” feeling without feeling like we were cut off from the world.

Beyond our little nook, the layout is quite clever. They have a sleek cocktail area for those “just one drink” nights and a private board meeting room for corporate folks who need to talk business over a serious piece of meat.

The Secret “Japanese Connection”

One of the coolest things we discovered is that the owners of Black Bull also run the Japanese restaurant right next door. This is a total game-changer for groups. If you’re craving a massive steak but your partner is dying for some sushi, you can actually order from both menus. It’s such a thoughtful touch that saves everyone from the “where should we eat?” argument. The fusion of flavors is really where Black Bull shines.

On a side note, my husband says their otoro is the best one he’s tried, both here or even in Japan.

The Starters: A Little Bit of Everything

We started our meal with a mix of comfort and adventure. We started with salad, to give our bodies some reprieve ahead of all the red meat we were about to down. The Ceasar Salad’s greens were fresh, the dressing whetting our appettites and the cheese sharp and tasty.

The Black Bull Chowder that we had after the salad is a must-try—it’s a prawn bisque with a red curry base that gives it a lovely, strong yet subtle warmth.

If you’re a fan of seafood, the Baked Scallops are delicious. They sit on a bed of Cheese Mornet and are finished with chimichurri sauce, pickled onion, corn, and a drizzle of chorizo oil that adds a nice depth.

Since we could cross-order, we also dove into the Japanese selections. The Otoro Sashimi was incredibly fresh, but the real talk of the table was the Flaming Maki, It’s a fried roll with salmon and cream cheese that arrives with a bit of table-side flair. For those who want to skip the rice, the Salmon Sakai is a brilliant option—it’s a fried roll filled with salmon meat, kani, and cream cheese without the heavy sushi rice.

The Mains: Generous & Hearty

If you’re coming here, come hungry. The food portions are unashamedly generous. The  1LB Black Angus Ribeye is the undisputed star—perfectly seared and exactly what you want from a high-end steakhouse.

However, don’t sleep on the Pork Chop. It’s brined for 48 hours, making it incredibly tender, and served with whipped potatoes and more of that delicious chorizo oil.

For something a bit more casual but still elevated, the Beef & Onion Pizza is a standout. It uses “three-way beef”—ground beef, sous vide beef, and a rich beef sauce—topped with both fried and pickled onions for a perfect crunch.

Yes, don’t judge us. We ate A LOT.

A Sweet, Savory Ending

We finished our lunch with two very different desserts. The Wild Berry Brulee is a sweet, classic treat with pistachio and vanilla ice cream. But if you want something a bit more unique, the Miso Banana Brulee is the way to go. It’s a savory-sweet dessert where the miso adds a sophisticated saltiness to the caramelized banana slices.

Because we enjoyed the ambiance, we stayed longer than expected, enjoying a few drinks while exchanging stories about work and travels, Black Bull really soothes you with its calm, relaxing environment.

The Verdict

Is Black Bull a bit on the pricier side? Yes. But you’re paying for an experience that many restaurants in Manila try to hit but often miss. The execution is spot-on, the service is attentive, and the portions actually justify the price tag. Whether you’re there for a high-powered business lunch or a cozy date night, it’s a spot that feels genuinely worth the splurge.