This was a good meal.
The environment already won me over with the Turkish lamps lavished across the open kitchen. We started with the bread appetizers- toasted bread already lightly soaked in olive oil and generously topped with sesame seeds. I had to resist finishing my piece to save room for our later dishes!
We ordered the following
Duck kibbeh - this reminded me of a falafel but made of bulgur wheat and stuffed with duck. The tahini sauce that came with it was the star of the dish and I wish I had more to dip not only with the kibbeh but with the other dishes!
Tuna - the squid ink chips definitely made our table go 'ooo and ahh'. But this wasn't an all star dish and the jalapeno dressing overpowered all other flavours that were incorporated into the tuna.
Vine ripened tomato - MY FAVOURITE PLATE OF THE EVENING. who knew tomatoes could taste so divine? To my fellow diners - sorry if I consumed most of this dish that was supposed to be shared
Black Cod- wrapped in vine leaves - this dish wasn't bad either but i think the fish was a bit overcooked since it was a bit dry.
Seared Cauliflower- again byblos has somehow made another humble vegetable an outstanding star. It was also another favourite at the table - again that tahini sauce was amazing and went so well with the charred flavour of the cauliflower.
Crispy Confit Duck - yes so our table seemed to have a tad predisposition to duck - but to be fair the true star was the rice . There was a myriad of flavours and textures from just one bite: crispy (from the duck shreds); crunchy (almonds); sweet from the molasses and cinnamon. and if you are looking to spend less at this restaurant without sacrificing quality and flavour, this would be the one to order!
The service was attentive and our waitress kindly accommodated allergies at the table by recommending alternative dishes on the menu. Although not all the dishes were outstanding (interestingly both fish plates were the letdowns of the meal), I still highly recommend this place if you are looking for somewhere to impress/ unique/ upscale Mediterranean in the city.