Moishes Steakhouse

Reception held at Moishe's Restaurant, 1946

Moishes Steakhouse is one of the oldest and most respected^[1] restaurants in Montreal, Canada. Founded in 1938 by Moishe Lighter,^[2] it was initially called "Romanian Paradise." Legend has it that Lighter, an immigrant from Romania to Canada, became the owner of the restaurant in a card game. The restaurant's name was changed to "Moishes" at the outset of World War II. The restaurant remains a fixture of Montreal and "The Main" neighborhood of Montreal today. The Main and its residents are prominent in Montreal literature and culture, as most famously represented in the writing of Montreal's Mordecai Richler. (Richler himself was a long-time Moishes client, and the restaurant features prominently in much of his work.)

The restaurant has been in its location at 3961 Saint Laurent Boulevard since its founding, in an area that was the historic Jewish quarter. Identified as a "Jewish steakhouse," its menu was based on traditional Old World recipes, and it catered to the mainly Central European immigrant residents of The Main neighbourhood. The influence of Romanian cuisine has had a significant shaping influence on the culinary culture of Montreal, producing, among other staples, the Montreal-style steak spice, bagels and smoked meat for which the city has become known.

Reception and awards

The restaurant won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2011,^[3] and was named by Forbes magazine as one of the Top 10 Steakhouses in the World.^[4]

Notable clientele

Over the decades, Moishes became a draw for Montrealers of all backgrounds and walks of life. In addition to "regular" Montrealers, it has been frequented by a long list of celebrities, politicians and athletes who have included Penélope Cruz, Robert De Niro, Céline Dion, Paul Newman, Sharon Stone, Robert Downey Jr. and Don Rickles.^[2] Karol Wojtyla, who would later become Pope John Paul II, ate there while still a Cardinal.^[2]

References

↑ "Moishe's ranked among the best". Canada.com (Originally published in The Gazette, Montreal). January 16, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2011. External link in |publisher= (help)
1 2 3 Hays, Matthew (August 2, 2003). "On Montreal's ever-changing strip, the Main, Moishes steakhouse endures". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 20, 2011. External link in |publisher= (help)
↑ "2011 restaurant award winner: Moishes Steakhouse". Wine Spectator. Retrieved March 19, 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
↑ "Our Restaurant: Montreal's Authentic Steakhouse since 1938". Moishes.ca (Official website). Retrieved March 19, 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)

Additional sources

Delean, Paul (May 5, 1997). "Famed Montreal eatery sets sights on Toronto Moishe's follows its loyal clientel in September". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 20, 2011. (subscription required)
Weintraub, William (1996). City Unique: Montreal Days and Nights in the 1940s and 50s. McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 0-7710-8991-0
"Restaurant Roundup". The Montreal Gazette. January 3, 1981. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
Wine, Cynthia (August 31, 1996). "Sin is in as fall '96 restaurant season sizzles". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 20, 2011. (subscription required)

External links

Coordinates: 45°31′00″N 73°34′42″W / 45.5166°N 73.5782°W / 45.5166; -73.5782

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