Gibby's, Montreal

We travel from Boston to Montreal at least once a year. We wouldn't think of coming to Montreal & not eating @ Gibby's. We would travel here for the meal even if there was nothing else bringing us here. The gazpacho, the grilled lobster, the creme brulee!!! This place is unparralleled, even by Boston standards.

Gibby's has a reputation as a Montreal institution one of the city's great steakhouses. Based on my horrid experience last night, and an equally bad experience 4 years ago (this second-chance visit was requested by my date), I cannot fathom why. Before going, consider... Cost: Ridiculous relative to quality, e.g. $48 steaks (mediocre at best -- see below for worst) Ambience: Like eating in a huge ski lodge or warehouse, albeit with old stone walls and wood beams. What's more, their operating philosophy seems to be all about turnover: "pack 'em in, rush 'em through." Service: Nothing short of appalling -- servers all rushing, utterly impersonal, going through the motions as if they were all recruited from a cheap diner, complete with odd, ugly brown diner uniforms. (Seriously, in all ways, it was unbelievable for a restaurant with this reputation.) Food: $48 pepper steak came wizened, not cooked as requested, and literally DROWNING in a plate of sauce that looked like cream of mushroom soup. It was nothing short of offensive to look -- especially once this obviously roux-based concoction began to congeal on the plate --and was next to inedible. I would have been embarassed to serve this slop to guests at my own house (and never would have)! Overall experience: I left, after discussing all the above with the manager (who offered simply to take it up with HER boss), feeling disgusted -- utterly taken in and ripped off. Without question it was my all-time worst dining experience -- and worst value for dollar I have ever received. NEVER again!

My girlfriend and I were at Gibby's for a late night dinner and were we very impressed! Everything was delicious. We had checked out many Old Montreal restaurents and when we found Gibby's with the low ceilings, big wood beams and lanterns, we knew it was a nice spot. We spent over 3 hours there, taking our time, enjoying each bite. It was fantastic and I can't wait to go back!

I have been a regular at Gibby's in old Montreal, visiting it several times a year, the last time being last week. The service from Yvon has always been exemplary and a constant. However, the steak has declined in quality if the last 2 visits are indicative of a trend. I always have the Rib Steak done blue and it has generally been outstanding. The last two times have been somewhat less so, in both cases the cut having some inedible sinew. After the first disappointment I made a special point in my last visit that I was not entirely satisfied with the steak the previous time and I was told that the chef would make a special effort to select an excellent cut. Sadly, there was no improvement. The steak was not bad but simply not up to the previous standard. Last night my partner and I went to Moishe's and whilst a bit more expensive than Gibbby's the rib steak was better than any I have had at Gibby's. My partner also commented that her filet mignon was outstanding.

WONDERFUL service, leisurely delivery Excellent food and staff . The four of us really enjoyed the quality of dining will always return and recommend this restaurent to others. Totally memorable experience.

Iceberge letuce, bad dressing, bland lukewarm bread, bland potatoes. The steaks are allright, but one can teach this to a Grill-Chef in no time. It is filled with tourists and THAT is the embarrassing part; Montreal is a culinary mecca ... to have those tourists go back to their homes and speak of Gibby's shames me. As a foody and a chef (forced to attend family event), I cringe as I look around at the tables spotting the well traveled and more sophisticated clients ... please ... please ... I implore you all ... this is NOT Montreal. PS: To the Gibby's Valets ... you are VALETS ... not gods or rockstars. Address the patrons with a mnimum of class, you don't even have to pay attention to me but don't scream amongst yourselves as though you were saving lives and as if I don't exist.

My wife and I have been to many many high quality restaurants in the U.S. and Canada and this definitely cracks our top 5 five, possibly even top 3. Gibby's wows you with it romantic, cozy old world charm the moment you step in off the historic streets of Old Montreal. Ask for a table not by a work station unless you want to get bumped by waitstaff frequently. We asked to be moved from our original table and it was all uphill from there! The steaks we had were incredible -- some of the best we've had. They were cooked to perfection and the peppercorn sauce is superb, worth adding to any steak on the menu as a side item. The wine list was above average and the homemade bread w/real bacon bits and pickles they bring to start were very tasty! We indulged with the Hot Apple Croute on this cold evening and it hit the spot. Real-whip cream -- none of that rediwhip garbage with vanilla bean ice cream and to-die for caramel sauce. We can't say enough positive things about Gibby's. It is reason enough for us to make a weekend trip in the future from Beverly Hills, CA. Go to Gibby's, we sure will go back.

We have been to Gibby's several times and each time we have had a wonderful evening. We are looking forward to going to Gibby's again when we are in Montreal in May with a large group of friends and we are all looking forward to Gibby's again.

we went for my birthday and although we have been many times before, this was absolutely our best time. our waitress, martha was superb. we had brazilian coffee at the table...quite a performance and a must do. the food and drinks were wonderful and the birthday cake and take home photo just added to a perfect evening. try it you will love it.

I am writig from Barcelona, Spain. My wife and I spent our last dinner in Canada at Gibby's. It was a very wonderful experience. The service was excellent, the food was extraordinary. The steaks were cooked to perfection, the side orders were simply perfect. The oysters and the wine couldn't be better. And they have probably the best cheesecake in Canada, with a portion size and a taste that reminded us of the one we had at Carnegie deli. Do not go to any tourist trap and try gibby's.