Iconic Montreal steakhouse Moishes to live on at new downtown location
What makes a great steakhouse?
A dozen different cuts? Maybe. Searing hot charcoal? Yes. Side orders of karnatzlach and verenikas? Also yes.
Those were, at least, some of the things that kept Montreal’s legendary Moishes institution around for the better part of a century.
During that time, Moishes fed the greats. Quebec’s darlings, Leonard Cohen and Celine Dion were among many more politicians, artists, actors and the like who have sat down for a meal there.
It’s long been a staple of the Main, along with its former near-neighbours: Warshaw’s, the Rachel Street Market; their physical locations exist, but their stories of bustling crowds of locals, of garment workers, immigrants and refugees, have ended.
Many feared a similar fate for Moishes which, in 2020, announced it would close its doors on Saint-Laurent.
While the pandemic certainly stuck a wrench in the gears, Moishes was set to move for some time. The restaurant had been bought by a Quebec company in 2018, and with the lease on the building set to expire, it was an organic end for Moishes as many knew it.
The new owners, those also at the helm of La Cage Sports bar, said they would move the steakhouse downtown.
Details have since come to light: Moishes new home will be on the corner of Viger Ave. off Square Victoria. Construction on the new location is set to begin in May. If all goes well, the dining room will open in the fall of 2022.
An artistic render of plans for Moishes' new dining room in downtown Montreal (Image: Patty Xenos Design)
An artistic render of plans for Moishes' new dining room in downtown Montreal (Image: Patty Xenos Design)
With a swanky new interior, and plans for a more-visible kitchen and bar, the new Moishes is probably going to be a great steakhouse. But there’s another question: with new owners, a new location, and new clientele, what makes the new Moishes Moishes?
“What we're trying to do is to keep the iconic items of Moishes there,” said Jean Bedard, president of Groupe Sportscene, which now owns the restaurant.
“I think that we’re keeping the DNA of the past, but we’re bringing Moishes into the future,” he said, “which is a very delicate operation.”
Bedard told CTV the group developed the plans for the new location with previous owner, Lenny Lighter.
The menu will evolve too, he says.
“The winners will stay there,” he said. “You know, the pickles, the famous coleslaw, the steaks, obviously, but I think we can go a little bit further, maybe in terms of a fish” option, he said. “People are eating very differently.”
Staff from the previous location will be invited to work at the new one, said Bedard, and the workers’ union structure will remain in place.
Bedard has big plans for Moishes as an international brand as well, and he says Sportscene has plans to expand exports of Moishes retail foods across Canada and in the United States.
“Moishes already has … a good retail business,” he said. “So, if we put that business together with La Cage … we believe in (its) potential.”
“First, have to move the restaurant and get back on track in Montreal,” he continued. After that, though, “maybe we can expect have more Moishes (across) North America.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest finally got down to musical business Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man arrested after allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Toronto police say a man has been taken into custody after he was allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's mansion in Bridle Path Saturday afternoon.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.