I've been using Peak for a long time, and am generally satisfied with the
b&w service though mainly just for proofs. I had a very fruitful discussion
with them when I started using the service, and for the look I wanted I
specify high contrast printing which does lift the whites more. I think this
is as good as you will get without hand printing. I recommend that you call
them (or any other lab) to discuss your requirements. Customer service is
always a good indicator of eventual satisfaction.

As an aside I also have an Epson 1290 fitted with Lyson Small Gamut inks to
make my own b&w prints from scanned negatives. So far I've only found it
marginally better than printing 'black only' on a normal inkset. Though it
is occasionally useful to impose a colour cast, it would be much better
avoiding one in the first place. I find that the Lyson prints tend towards
green eventually whereas prints from the Epson inks go a little magenta in
comparison. I've yet to try printing b&w on the Epson 2100 though I'm very
pleased with the colour (on mat paper).

Nigel
www.nigelatkinson.biz