Foodservice Friday: Byblos

The glorious brussels sprouts

Most of us have a special occasion restaurant. It's usually somewhere with terrific service, and with food so great we know whatever we order will be spectacular.

For me, that restaurant is Byblos. This is the place where I had the brussels sprouts epiphany.  The place that inspired me to make my own Middle Eastern dessert. And the place where I've celebrated my last two birthdays. Byblos has been responsible for quite a lot of happiness in my life.

The beauty of eating at a restaurant with share plates is you try more things than if you just had a single appetizer and entree to yourself. But even so, the biggest challenge about dinner at Byblos is confronting the sad realization that you can't order every single thing on the menu. So what should you order? You have to try at least one of the eggplant appetizers, the roasted red beets, the ribeye, and for dessert, order the qatayef, and the mousse cake that's covered in Persian cotton candy. Oh, and did I mention the brussels sprouts?

Crispy Qatayef, just one of the brilliant desserts Byblos serves
Photo credit: Byblos Restaurant

Byblos's brilliant chef Stuart Cameron took the time to answer a few questions I had for him. I asked him what the inspiration was for Byblos, and he answered, "There are so many amazing ingredients and flavours that are unfamiliar in other cuisines. When I first started Byblos I was amazed by the quality of products that were available. It really drove me to create new dishes that represented Middle Eastern Cuisine." When I asked about his most memorable cooking moment, he said he loves cooking during TIFF (the Toronto International Film Festival) because of all the great people he meets. He also singled out getting to cook last year with Michelin-starred chef Maria Jose San Roman.

In other words, he loves food, he loves people, and both of those are what makes his food shine.

So if you live in Toronto, Byblos is a restaurant you simply must try. If you don't live in Toronto, Byblos is a very good reason to visit.

And if you go any time around my next special occasion, you'll probably see me there.

Byblos Restaurant
11 Duncan Street
Toronto ON
647-660-0909
www.byblostoronto.com

(All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for this post.)