/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth

By Gizelle Lau
Copy link
Introducing: Byblos

Name: Byblos Contact Info: 11 Duncan St., 647-660-0909, byblostoronto.com, @ByblosToronto
Neighbourhood: Entertainment District Owner: Charles Khabouth and Harif Harji, who together own a good chunk of Toronto’s dining and boozing scene, including nearby Patria and Weslodge Executive Chef: Patria chef Stuart Cameron Chef de Cuisine: Patria sous-chef Jennifer Nickle

The Food: Byblos is the latest (and most upscale) in a string of Mediterranean eateries to open in Toronto. Chefs Cameron and Nickle focus on dishes from Greece, Morocco, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey. Shareable plates include house-made labneh, hand-rolled couscous and whole char-grilled fish. Baked basmati rice dishes are flavoured with things like saffron and preserved lemon and served in big earthenware pots.

The Drinks: Mixologist Wes Galloway infuses his cocktails with exotic flavourings like pistachio and fenugreek. Lebanese arak, an anise-flavoured liquor similar to sambuca, is ceremoniously served tableside.

The Place: Housed in the former Grey Goose Soho House space, Byblos is two restaurants in one: a lower-level dining room and an upstairs lounge with a smaller menu and larger cocktail list. The design throughout is bright and informal, with vaulted white-brick ceilings and shelves lined with Turkish coffee pots and decorative ceramics.

The Numbers: • 5000 BC when Byblos, believed to be the world’s oldest city, was first settled • 70 seats • 4 baked rice dishes, including Mejadra rice (pictured above), topped with lentils, fried shallots and yoghurt • 1 daily punch bowl

Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth
Introducing: Byblos, a new Mediterranean restaurant from Toronto nightlife king Charles Khabouth

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Latest

"He's the only adult in the room": How Toronto–St. Paul's voters feel about Mark Carney's red wave
City News

“He’s the only adult in the room”: How Toronto–St. Paul’s voters feel about Mark Carney’s red wave

Inside the Latest Issue

The May issue of Toronto Life features the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries moving north to avoid the carnage of Trump. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.