Montreal’s storied steakhouse restaurant Gibbys is no longer in the hands of the family who opened it back in 1969. Quebec-based Grandio Group — the company behind iconic Moishes steakhouse and the Cage aux Sports — recently acquired Gibbys’ Old Montreal and St-Saveur restaurants from their founding family.
According to the Montreal Gazette, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed though Grandio Group CEO Jean Bédard did say that the price tag was in the seven-figure range.
Founding brothers Gilbert (Gibby) and Allan Rosenberg, were true foodies who traveled the globe to experience world-class restaurants. Curating their findings and ideas, they opened their first restaurant in Saint-Sauveur and their second location opened up three years later in 1972 in Old Montreal in a historic 18-century stable on Place d’Youville.
Gilbert’s widow, Soryl Shulman Rosenberg said in a statement that by selling to Grandio, “our family is ensuring the continuation of the restaurant’s legacy and the magic of its unique dining experiences.” Gilbert passed away in 2018.
Known for its elevated meat dishes and fresh seafood, Gibbys was heralded as “arguably Montreal’s most popular restaurant” by food critic Lesley Chesterman. The restaurant’s Old Montreal location also made OpenTable’s 2022 list of the 10 most beloved restaurants in Canada.
Bédard says he has no plans to change the iconic steakhouse’s brand.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gibbys and its employees to the Grandio Group. Gibbys is an iconic brand, known as a premier celebration venue and a popular destination for those who want to enjoy high-quality steak and seafood,” he said in a press release. “We will continue to operate both Gibbys locations with the same care and attention to detail to honour its founders and keep their story alive.”
Bédard also told the Montreal Gazette that new Gibbys’ locations could also be in the works.
“I think there is a market for this kind of steakhouse with seafood that would allow us to have three or four more restaurants — maybe one in Old Quebec, on the South Shore or even in Ottawa,” he said. “This is a brand that has legs.”
