I really like steak, which is why I took my vegetarian girlfriend to Asado Argentinean Grill Restaurant one Saturday night. Some would say this was a folly that would end up with me sleeping on the balcony (again). I, however, believe it demonstrates my commitment to trying new places as well as my penchant for steak.

I suggested we tried Asado after hearing about it from a friend. It has only been open a couple of months but it’s part of the Fancy group of restaurants and they rarely let you down.

After confirming that my girlfriend would be catered for (well, they must do salads right?) we entered the restaurant after passing through two big wooden doors that complemented the contemporary and stylish exterior. The interior followed a similar fashion with grey slate floors, smart modern tables with elegant cutlery surrounded by walls with a huge black-and-white photo of a cooked steak and several squares of cow hide.

The restaurant was, however, completely empty so I was surprised to be asked if we had reservations by the smart waitress who then shuffled off to consult with the manager. We were seated at a table for two next to a whole wall of wines from around the world and just close enough to the open log fire to get some heat.

Kristi hadn’t seen the massive "wall steak" yet and was impressed by the stylish interior. The waitress brought the menus and filled the wine glasses with water. Looking over the menu I was in heaven! There was every kind of steak imaginable, however I realised that only two or three items on the card did not contain some bi-product of animal and that I could well be in trouble here. Even the salads had steak in them!

I then spent some time pointing out the two or three meat-free items, lying through my teeth that my friend had said his wife had tried them and this was now her favourite restaurant. I then quietly prayed she would never find out my friend was, in fact, unmarried.

Kristi suitably placated, we ordered while the Argentinean guitar music lapsed into Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone. I went for the Chorizo (6.90 leva) and, just when I thought I may get away with it, one of the other waiters produced a large wooden board with various cuts of beef and held it unnervingly close to my girlfriend’s head. To expedite proceedings I pointed at what I thought was a big slab of fillet and declared "that one", to be told by the waiter it was the rump cut (22.50 leva for 300g). Good enough for me but I had to literally "shoo" him away with his "board of death" (her words, not mine) while Kristi regained enough composure to order the vegetable Empanadas (3.90 leva) and spinach pudding with cheese sauce (6.40 leva).

She also requested a Bloody Mary (apparently a house specialty at 8.90 leva) and declared it "ok" while I ordered a bottle of Argentinean Consulta Cabernet at 26 leva a bottle and was very pleased.

Complimentary fresh bread was served with a very nice vinegary piquant sauce that Kristi devoured and seemed very happy with (thank God for free bread) and our starters were soon served. Kristi’s Empanadas came (the customary five minutes before my starter) and can only be described as two doughy Cornish pasties that did not seem to hit the mark at all while my Chorizo appeared as a fantastic course, spicy grilled pork sausage served on a pepper.

The spinach pudding arrived before my steak and looked amazing... even for a man who hates spinach and was about to get what looked like a very good steak. Drizzled with a yellow/grey sauce it was well presented on a fancy glass plate. I held my breath as she tried it and exhaled loudly when she declared it "very good". Off the hook again!

My steak arrived served on the same glass plate with a side order of those skinny French fries. I tested the grill man by cutting it in two to see if the three finger thick rump had actually been cooked to my requested medium rare (yes, they actually asked how I would like it cooked!) By God it was! My knife passed through it like it was butter and it melted in my mouth just the same. Fortunately, Kristi still had her head down in her main dish and did not notice the amount of juice from my steak being absorbed by the fries.

After we had cleared our plates a dessert menu was offered. Kristi ordered the banana and chocolate cheesecake (4.90 leva), a square slab of cake topped with sliced bananas hidden under dollops of vanilla ice cream. I could tell I was really off the hook after her first mouthful and the way she never offered me any.

When it was time to ask for the bill I noticed that the restaurant was now full with only one table spare. The total came to a little less than 100 leva which I thought was good value for money and I will certainly be returning again.