When Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine comes to mind, we naturally anticipate fresh and healthy food that are packed with a chock full o’ delicious flavours that really thrill the taste buds. Unsurprisingly, that’s exactly what we experienced during an exclusive sampling at Byblos Cafe & Lounge.
Nestled in The Hive which is the latest phase that’s slated for completion at TREC Kuala Lumpur, Byblos presents to Malaysian foodies a new Mediterranean cum Lebanese concept, aiming to put a modern spin on classic Lebanese favourites. There, you’ll find a classic-contemporary menu with an extensive selection of shisha and alcohol.
With a namesake that takes after the most ancient city in Lebanon, the interior of Byblos strongly manifests on the rich history and culture of the city, giving foodies an authentic emulation of the Lebanese feel through the rustic setting spruced up with photos, paintings and charming little trinkets throughout.
As we were whisked through the doors, the aroma of freshly baked bread really made our mouths water. Some tantalising traditional favourites offered that are homemade and prepared fresh daily include the Hummus, Moutabal, and Tabbouleh, alongside other savoury items like the Shawarma, Falafel, grilled meats, rice dishes and a variety of desserts.
Here are some of our preferred highlights:
Hummus (RM15) – Good hummus is easy to identify from its texture and flavour. Byblos’ version of the well-known dip consists of mashed chickpeas, tahini paste, lemon juice and olive oil. It is rich, luscious and is anything but lacklustre.
Falafel (RM13) – Crispy on the outside with a surprisingly moist filling, these falafels are made with minced fava beans and chickpeas. We even requested for more tahini sauce as we enjoyed the falafels dipped in it so much.
Tabbouleh (RM25) – Albeit refreshing, the tabbouleh, which is made up of parsley, tomatoes, onions, burgul wheat, lemon juice, olive oil and spices, had too much of a zing. Nonetheless, it balanced out the heartiness of all the protein.
Assorted pastries (RM27) – This platter had a variation of cheese rolls, kebbe kras (beef meatball with onions and spices), sambousek (flaky pastry with savoury filling) and spinach fatayer (little pie). The sambousek was the best.
Mixed grill (RM49) – The lavish platter comes with four skewers of beef tenderloin, chicken and lamb served with pita, hummus, aioli sauce, vegetables, pickles and fries. The meat is grilled to perfection, and the lamb especially is beyond juicy!
Byblos ultimately fuses the elegance of Mediterranean/Lebanese fine dining with the nonchalant allure of a neighbourhood bar and grill. We’d definitely visit again to sample more of its mouthwatering meats and regardless of the kind of diner you are, we’re sure you’d delight in the casual dining experience Byblos offers. Plus, it opens till the wee hours of the morning so you know what that means – supper! 😉
H-G-05, The Hive, TREC,
Jalan Tun Razak, 54000
Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs – 11am to 3am, Fri to Sat – 11am to 5am, Sun – 11am to 3am
Tel: 012-902 2240
