@movernie
This past Thursday, my crew and myself got invited to attend the media preview of this newest restaurant in the heart of Toronto Entertainment District called “Byblos“. This newest restaurant official grand opening will be on Monday, March 17. It spans on two floors of the iconic STORYS Building, which is a spot I love dearly, especially during Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
When I first heard the word “Byblos”, I was curious. That’s an interesting name. So, I decided to google the origin of this name.Byblos is a Mediterranean city in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon. How fitting is this name as Byblos represents a marriage of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine with strong influences from both traditional and local ingredients, using time-honored classic cooking techniques and modern methods. With Toronto being a city full of diverse communities, having a restaurant such as Byblos is a great way to explore our senses and taste buds, taking on a journey, on some of the most authentic Eastern Mediterranean Food dishes that this restaurant has to offer.
The place feels very well at home, it feels cozy, comfy decor and beautiful ambiance across the restaurant. In particular, I really love the tall bay windows around the entire restaurant, allowing natural sunlight radiating into the room. The open kitchen and bar areas were awesome as well. We got to see the chef at work, making delicious food items such as beef tartare (see photo below). Lots of unique spice and flavours are injected into these meals, giving it an unique, creative flavours to the food items that I had never tasted before.
One thing I need to emphasis during your visit to Byblos. Make sure you check out their great list of cocktails! I repeat! You got to order their specialty cocktails! There are a variety of drinks and each and everyone of them tasted great. I love cocktail with chai tea ingredient or blueberry fruit punch (see photo below). I been to many places that offered cocktails but nothing like Byblos though. At Byblos, I felt every cocktail has it’s own unique flavour and taste, the presentation looks great and the taste have special ingredient/spice that gives our taste buds a nice “kicker”, making it just super SPECIAL!
Just as its press media release indicated, “Executive Chef Stuart Cameron (Weslodge and Patria) has created dishes that showcase the regionally-specific spices and flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean seaboard to craft a menu that will be a true coastal and cultural mosaic, served family style in a convivial atmosphere.” I concur and I assure you (coming from a guy who loves to travel and trying new food dishes), Byblos will be one of the newest hot spots and most buzzed place in the city and come TIFF, this place will be super packed. I just hope I will stand a chance to access this wonderful restaurant comes TIFF (LOL).
Byblos Grand Opening comes this Monday, March 17.
For more information:
Address: 11 Duncan Street, Toronto, ON, M5H 3G6
Phone: 647-660-0909
Website: http://byblostoronto.com/
Twitter: @ByblosToronto
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Check out the beautiful photos below during Byblos Toronto Media Preview!
Special shoutout to Ink Entertainment for the kind invitation!
