I saw a note on Instagram about a new location of the Pepper Lunch restaurant having a “soft opening” event on Saturday and knowing that I was going to be dropping my family off at YVR that morning, I added a comment to say that I would attend the soft opening.
When I walked in, the woman behind the till (one of the owners) recognized me from my Instagram account on her feed and thanked me for commenting on her Instagram post and for coming to visit their new restaurant location.
The concept behind Pepper Lunch is pretty cool. Or rather, it is pretty hot because what they do is bring you a tray with a smoking hot cast iron dish on it with your food – almost raw. And then you let it cook as long, or as short as you like. I ordered the Kobe burger and sliced Angus steak so I didn’t want it over done.
I like beef on the rare side of medium rare so I barely had to turn over the slices of Angus steak and they were done. Once they are cooked to the level you want, you take the tongs that come on the tray and move the beef off the heat by placing it on the side of sprouts and veggies on the cast iron dish.
I chose to add an egg to my lunch – you know steak and eggs. But back to the ordering procedure. When you come in, you go up to the cashier and tell them what you want. Then you pay, they give you a receipt, and on the receipt is your table number where you go and wait. On the day of my visit they were bringing out trays very quickly. I don’t think I waited more than 5 minutes before my tray was on my table. Admittedly, they don’t have to cook the food – that’s the customer’s job!
As for taste, the Kobe burger was outrageous. Such a flavour explosion; a perfect balance of salty and fatty beef. I would definitely return to have their Kobe beef again. The slices of Angus steak were also very tasty, and I might add, cooked perfectly.
My only complaint was that I paid for green tea and I got a mug of hot water and a green tea bag. I would prefer if they had a pot of tea to fill my mug from. Also, for the soft opening they didn’t yet have their fountain drink or coffee machine installed. That’ll be done very soon. Same as the sign for out front – hopefully before their official grand opening this Tuesday.
- My lunch order of Kobe beef and sliced Angus steak with an egg, miso soup, and a green tea was just under $20
- The bottom line, I have no hesitation recommending Pepper Lunch and I will definitely be returning.
- The newest location of Pepper Lunch is located in unit 1625-4791 McClelland Rd in Richmond – right near the massive new Walmart located on Alderbridge.