Owners seek to put new spin on old Round Table

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This article was published 10/04/2016 (3497 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The nights of the Round Table are coming to an end.

The Pembina Highway steak house, which has been giving prime rib lovers their fix since 1973, will shut its doors for the last time May 14.

Owner Kristjan Kristjansson said the building’s massive size (roughly 8,000 square feet with seating for about 300) was no longer conducive to a sit-down restaurant. But he’s not leaving the business.

He plans to launch a new concept this summer at the same location (800 Pembina Hwy) that will tap into the city’s growing thirst for craft beer and make better use of the space.

“We’re looking to go more mainstream, he said.

The final straw for the Round Table Steakhouse & Pub came four years ago, when Kristjansson launched the Brogue gastro pub in 2,500 square feet of adjoining space and business there went to the moon.

“The more casual, high-quality dining related to craft beer has great growth and great potential. The growth wasn’t in the beef and steakhouse side. Our concept had to change,” he said.

Kristjansson is keeping the name and the specifics of his new concept close to his vest for now. In the meantime, he’s preparing for an onslaught of customers hankering for the Round Table’s steaks one last time.

Fans can even get a piece of the restaurant to take home as Kristjansson is going to hold a walk-through auction for art work, furniture (including chairs, couches and bar stools), and pretty much anything else that isn’t nailed down May 15.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to Keeping Kenzi Close, a foundation set up in honour of the late daughter of Round Table operating partner Kris Kopansky and his wife, Corinne.

Kristjansson wants to celebrate the Round Table’s history before the grills are turned off for good so he’s planning a social-media campaign for people to share their special visits to the restaurant over the years.

“We’d love to hear about the weddings and anniversaries and many generations who we’ve touched and who have touched us,” he said.

The restaurant industry has changed dramatically since Kristjansson’s father, Thrainn, christened the Round Table in 1973. Back then, ownership of the Winnipeg hospitality industry was 70 per cent local and 30 per cent national or international. Today, those numbers are reversed.

“People don’t dress up for dinner any more. The environment has changed. We know the local owners can do more and better. We’re going to be one of the leaders. We’re going for it,” he said.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca