Rib ‘N Reef Steakhouse Moves to Take-Out and Delivery
The iconic Rib ‘N Reef Steakhouse on Decarie Blvd. is the latest Montreal restaurant to move to take-out and delivery. First opened in 1960, Peter Katsoudas assumed ownership almost 30 years ago and took this landmark establishment to a new level of success.
For diners, the physical setting of Rib ‘N Reef is always a big draw for lunch or dinner. Featuring two dining rooms, one seating 100 people and the other accommodating 60, there is also an award-winning wine cellar with its own distinct dining room for up to 30 people, surrounded by more than 8,000 bottles of wine aging, and a seasonal rooftop terrace for 40 more people. After a meal, cigar aficionados can enjoy a stogie and a single malt scotch in a private lounge. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art air filtration system, satellite TV, full bar service, and wireless Internet access.
That all had to wait as COVID-19 protocols took hold. Katsoudas opened last summer, investing in special heaters and plexiglass to extend the terrace season. When Quebec shut restaurants down, he used the time for renovations and strategizing. By the end of November, with $56,000 worth of meat inventory, Rib ‘N Reef launched take-out and delivery. Regular clients responded enthusiastically. Valet parking staff became home delivery drivers, and orders can also be placed via Uber Eats and DoorDash.
“People are tired of bringing home pizza and hotdogs,” said Katsoudas. “We have clients who order large meals to a few addresses, so they can have a first-class meal with friends and family via Zoom or FaceTime. We recently had someone order caviar and one of our signature seafood towers. He was very pleased.”
Take-Out Experience
My family has always considered Rib ‘N Reef a treat, so we were excited to try the take-out option. Curbside pickup is easy thanks to the spacious parking lot, and inside there is plenty of room for social distancing. I called in my order two hours in advance for a 6 pm Friday pickup. It was organized into two packages: one for my in-laws and one for our household.
For my in-laws, the meal included a Caesar salad for two, roast beef, and a two-pound lobster, all served with French fries. For our house, we began with salmon tartare and lobster bisque. The main courses included filet mignonette with lobster tail and Monte Carlo potato, and rib steak P.K.’s cut with steamed lobster and roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Each household ordered millefeuilles for dessert, and the insulated packaging meant nothing required reheating.
Menu Highlights
The Rib ‘N Reef menu offers appetizers like steak and tuna tartare, caviar, crab cake, fresh calamari, grilled octopus, chorizo sausage, oysters Rockefeller, and sirloin sliders. Soups include lobster bisque and clam chowder. Steaks feature dry-aged USDA Prime Midwestern beef, hand-cut and broiled over an open charcoal pit. Fresh fish, shrimp, crab legs, and veggie sides are also available. Customers can even arrange to cook the meat at home themselves.
Contact and Ordering
Rib ‘N Reef is located at 8105 Decarie Blvd, just south of de la Savane on the northbound service road. Take-out and delivery hours are Tuesday to Thursday from Noon to 8 pm, Friday from Noon to 9 pm, and Saturday from 3 pm to 9 pm. Orders can be placed online at www.ribnreef.com, through Uber Eats, or by calling 514-735-1601.
