Rib N Reef Steakhouse — Restaurant in Montreal

Having been to a few high end Montreal steakhouse restaurants over the past 40 years, and being quite underwhelmed by them all, I was’t expecting to be wowed when treated on March 4th to dinner at Rib N Reef. I had figured I merely was not a steakhouse kind of person (preferring to explore more international fare, such as Thai, Indian, Laotian, Japanese, etc.). Well, my dinner at the Rib N Reef was one of the best dinners I’ve ever had, of any variety.

The ambiance was what I'd expect at a steak house - rich dark brown walls and subdued lighting - quite elegant, with waiters dressed in white shirts and black vests and pants. There was no shortage of wait staff and the six of us were served by three gentlemen who were very efficient and pleasant. The wine list was more like a book than merely a list, with wines from obvious areas of the world and as well as some not so obvious, such as Lebanon and Greece. The wines we chose were decanted at the table by the waiter, who kept our glasses filled. The bar looked plentiful but one odd thing was that we were told there was not a single bottle of sherry in the house, so the person in our gang that had wanted a glass joined the rest of with a caesar. It wasn’t a big deal, but thought I’d mention it since I know a family that always starts their restaurant meals with a glass of sherry each and none of us had ever heard of a bar not stocking it.

Our meals were amazing! We all chose the Table d’hôte and started with Shrimp Cakes in Mustard Sauce. They were devine! There was only one cake per serving and we all agreed it was just the right amount, knowing how much food was still to come. The sauce was really delicious and didn’t taste of strong mustard, so it didn’t overpower the shrimp cake. 

Even though I’m not a big beef eater and had anticipated having seafood for my main dish I ended up choosing Mignonette and Bone Marrow. There was a dark brown sauce on the beef (but I don’t recall what it was called) which was wonderful and topped with deep fried crispy onions. A nice final touch. I tasted someone’s roast beef (served with Yorkshire pudding and peas) and it was top notch as well and we both agreed it was cooked to perfection. Most of us ordered a side of Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Be still my heart! They were outstanding! Despite it being a large portion, I ate all of mine and finished the servings of two of my friends who were too full to finish it themselves (I just couldn’t help myself; that’s how good they were). On the table were complimentary warm pumpernickel and white breads, bread sticks, the biggest dill pickles I’ve ever seen and a nice coleslaw. 

For dessert our Table d’hôte included a substantial slice of chocolate cake. Personally, it reminded me of chocolate cake made with a cake mix so I was a bit underwhelmed by it (but full disclosure - chocolate cake is not something I’m very keen on at the best of times and would have much preferred a small dense brownie or home made cookies). The chocolate fiend at our table just loved his - so what do I know?

At the end of the meal one of the waiters handed out hot wet hand towels to freshen up our hands. The cars were quickly brought around by one of the friendly valets. Note that valet parking and coatcheck are free so they rely on tips.

Yes, this meal was pricey and if not for someone treating us due to it being a special occasion we would not have considered eating at this renowned Montreal restaurant, but let me tell you, you most certainly get your money’s worth in terms of both quality and quantity of food, friendly and efficient service and a beautiful ambiance (even the restroom was lovely, with real hand towels). I even liked all the other guests, who seemed unpretentious and often joined in when someone was served a piece of birthday cake and their dining companions sang Happy Birthday. All six of us agreed that we will indeed splurge in the future and make a return visit when we have a fancy occasion to celebrate. This upscale restaurant really lived up to its 63...

My wife and I drove to Montreal (2 hour drive) for our 20th wedding anniversary for the weekend. We had our trip planned for over a month, and had reservations at Rib'N Reef before going to the Comedy Nest.

Back to my review: this restaurant is very high end looking, and they have a valet that offers to park your car when arrive, the restaurant decor and music ambiance is very nice and classy as well.

Anyway, we were seated at our table and our waiter (Mathieu) presented himself, and explained that the steak is their expertise. He explained that the prices are high because of the quality the meat.

He even went to the kitchen and grabbed a steak to show us the cut, marbling and explained that it was aged, etc... So far so good; we were impressed and we were looking forward to our meal.

My wife and I ordered the same thing: New York steak (Medium) with garlic mash potatoes and mushrooms.

In no time at all, our order arrived at the table and everything looked absolutely delicious. My wife cut into her steak and the temperature was perfect (Medium). I cut into my steak and it was very red and bloody. I took another bite, and my wife said: I can see they didn't cook it right - you don't look like your enjoying it (and I wasn't - it was too bloody).

I stopped eating it, and Mathieu came by our table and asked if everything was okay. I let him know that the steak was Medium Rare and showed him the blood in the plate. He took it back, and said that he would fix it for me.

I was slightly embarrassed because I really wanted to like it, and don't like sending anything back; but at $53.00 for a 12oz steak, I figured I should have it cooked to a Medium like I wanted it. Besides we're all human and can make a mistake right?

About 5 minutes later, Mathieu came back with my plate - the piece I originally cut off the steak was now cooked where I couldn't see the red anymore. Mathieu almost seemed embarrassed and didn't even wait to see if my steak was okay, dropped off the plate and left right away.

Looking forward to my Medium steak, I cut into it again and it was still very red and bloody. At this point, our supper has totally turned badly, as my wife couldn't enjoy her supper while I still hadn't had mine (except for eating mash potatoes and the free bread)...

Mathieu comes back and I show him my steak again (still medium rare) and point to my wife's steak to compare (her's is beautifully pink and juicy - mine is still very rebloody).

At this point I am so disappointed that I send the meal back and tell him to never mind bringing me anything else (my wife is almost done her steak at this point). Mathieu looked at me like he was insulted and it was my fault for not having cooked the steak properly... Anyway my wife finished her plate, and the high end staff removed everything from our table, and we were treated like we were lepers!

A few minutes go by, and another waiter comes to the table (Mathieu didn't come back, but we could see he was talking to the other restaurant staff, talking about us), and provides us with a menu of deserts. At this point we just felt like crawling under the table - we felt so very much uncomfortable.

I start looking over the desert menu, and my wife says that she can't eat anything else because she feels too uncomfortable and judged. So I asked Mathieu for the bill.

When he comes back: the bill had my steak removed and nothing else - but that just insulted me more. I looked at Mathieu and explained that my supper was ruined, and couldn't believe it that he still charged me for my little plate of mash potatoes - I was really shocked

He grabbed the bill off the table, looks at me and says: It's not OUR fault that we can't cook your steak to your expectations, but I'll remove the mash potatoes too.

Oh my god! I just couldn't believe that he was blaming me for not being able to cook a steak to Medium - incredible!!

I honestly cannot express how much this experience totally ruined our evening - I would highly NOT recommend this...

If money is no object and you want the BEST seafood and steakhouse in town - and renown for years with this distinction by public option, then come here and be sure to make a reservation in advance. Here is why you come here. impeccable service with above server to customer ratio and attention to detail. the highest quality ingredients the highest quality standard in a every aspect of the business top quality Dry and wet aged USDA prime beef on premise and antibiotic free and corn fed decades (63 years) of consistent success classic dishes of past like made fresh in front of you such as Caesar Salad, steak au poivre sauce flambe in front of you, crêpes Suzette and cherries jubilee made in front of you and flambé fun, home made (the best in the city ) Apple pie with hand made small batch ice cream from “Glacier Bilboquet” and so so much more a wine list any world class sommelier would be jealous of table set up with super fresh breads of all types and bread sticks (unlimited) on the table, crunchy crisp kosher dill pickles, homemade Cole slaw, creamy cottage cheese all plentiful and unlimited.

But the real experience is that it’s all old school from the attire of the staff to the elegant rich wood interior and decor, to the ambient soft music in the background, to the respectful and happy staff who are amazingly attentive to make certain your experience is nothing short of exceptional. Everything is made in house and there are NO shortcuts at this establishment as it’s all a la minute and fresh. The decades seasoned owner Peter has stuck to his principals like a religion and like a religion his patrons have remained loyal in return. There is no other steak place in the city that comes close as its many, many “cuts” above the rest on numerous levels. Must try’s: Rib steak ordered Chicago (charred on the outside) Monte carlo potatoe with bacon Caesar or wedge salad order as a side, their peppercorn sauce for dipping and drizzling - thigh the steak need not any accoutrements to make it taste good, it’s just the peppercorn sauce is wicked homemade delicious and a real treat to experience as it’s also made in front of you shrimp cocktail apple pie a la mode for sure!!! red wine, they have many and at practically every price point for good quality wines but my fav red is J. Lohr a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon you bc any go wrong.

You can park yourself but they also have valet as well as you can take your coat to your table but they also have the classic coat check when you enter.

So I need to modify - and I am very very saddened to have to do this. I was there with a group celebrating a birthday and this was not the restaurant I remember from last. Here is why: Lamb chops - smelled foul, tasted worse. Veal chop: Not cooked properly, poorly seasoned, very chewy and sinewy, Gristle, veggies were room temp at best Potato Montecarlo: Appearance looked as if it was sent back to the kitchen and then reheated in a microwave a second time... Tasted horribly and nothing what it should and always was... total wast of calories and money. the bread: Ya, the bread. Normally a plentiful basket of FRESH moist bread... this time, a basket of 'SIX' pieces of bread that were 1000% hard and stale if not borderline stale. I actually asked the waiter to please bring us some soft fresh bread. This followed by a manager coming and explaining that the bread is specially made and brought in - who gives a _ _! As a customer paying top cash to top quality in all areas of the experience, I expect the bread to be served fresh - is this too hard to ask? Rib steaks: enormous amounts of Gristle and fat! At these prices this is a crime and the first time we have ever experienced this and on all steaks!! Saute rapini & onions: Left 80% - who is doing taste quality before serving? Baby spinach with oil and garlic: Again, 95% left over, poorly tasting. Pie: Burnt! Cesar salad - thank goodness a 100% consistent winner. Nearly $800 for dinner - with a sour after...