Gavin Quinn knows the hospitality trade. Not many restaurateurs in the city can claim roots that extend back to the pub trade in Dublin, Ireland. Quinn can, and on both sides of his family.
Gavin and his seven siblings grew up in the trade under the guidance of the late family patriarch, Pat Quinn, who had a chain of pubs in Ireland, as his father did before him, before picking up and moving the family to Canada.
The family foodie empire has expanded and now includes P.J. O’Brien, the Irish Embassy pubs in Toronto and Montreal, Shopsy’s Deli and the new addition to the flock: Quinn’s Steakhouse located in the Sheraton Centre.
Run by Gavin, the steak house kitchen is helmed by Paul Pisa, who has a sizable resumé that includes a stint alongside Keith Froggett at Scaramouche as well as being the personal chef of Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman.
“He was cooking for all kinds of A-listers,” says Quinn, over a pint of Ireland’s finest. “He’s top ten in the city … if not higher. And his passion is way up there. He’s a very inspiring guy to work with.”
Gavin opened up Quinn’s Steakhouse along with a Shopsy’s outlet (following the controversial closure of the Shopsy’s cherished Front Street location).
At Quinn’s the upscale interior features dark shades of red and green with leather chairs and banquettes with wood accents.
The food quality is high, the costs are not. Steaks are a speciality, but the kitchen also shows a deft touch with seafood and a bang on charcuterie plate that would do well alongside a pint of Guinness for lunch.
Quinn’s Steakhouse is located at 96 Richmond St. W., 416-367- 8466.
