Food is amazing, but service is non existent…read more Food 5/5 Service 1/5 Ambiance 4/5 Came with a reso for five adults and got seated promptly. The restaurant got busier throughout the night. The restaurant has a beautiful interior and high ceilings. Service here is little to none. Which is unfortunate since their food is so good. After taking our orders we were never checked on. Asked 2 different servers for extra serveware and never got it. Had to ask more than once to get water. Overall the service is BAD. What saves this place is definitely their food, as it's very delicious. Definitely start with their variety of dips for sharing. Here's what we got: Mix Appetizers 5/5 - Came with hummus, baba ganoush, spicy mashed and haydari. All delicious and served with fresh bread. Mixed Pide 5/5 - This was also great for sharing and tasting the variety of pide options. Came with cheese, minced meat, and sausage. Mix Kebab for 2 5/5 - This was more than enough to share with the five of us, as portions are large, especially when you are ordering other sides. A variety of meats including lamb, chicken, beef served with rice and salad. The meal ends with complimentary tea. Overall, delicious spot with great food but just lacks any type of service. So good that I'd still come back for their food.

First visit to Efendi after driving by this restaurant so many times. I shared the beef doner and…read morethe mixed pide with a friend, and we left feeling stuffed and still had leftovers to pack. The restaurant's modern decor makes it feel elevated, but it's not stuffy or posh inside at all. I've never had Turkish food before, so I can't comment on the authenticity or taste, but I really enjoyed our meal! The pide was like a naan, and it tasted so good with that generous cheese topping and the complimentary yoghurt-based dip. The beef doner was also tasty, and I was not expecting that gigantic pile of meat! Stuffing that beef between the flatbread with some of that yogurt dip, add some pickled red onions, cucumber, & tomato = perfection. Looking forward to my next visit!

Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5…read moreAmbiance: 4/5 Food: We had our office holiday dinner here and 15 people attended. We did a set menu which had 3 courses. The first course was Labneh with bread, hummus, & beef tartare. Second course was Lamb pide & pear salad. Third course was grilled branzino, middle eastern fried chicken, black truffle rice, and thrice cooked fries. Then there was dessert which was chocolate mousse cake & baklava. Because of my many food allergies the main server for our table was very attentive & specific in asking me what I wanted as modifications. For example I got a wagyu beef pide instead of the lamb. Every dish was really delicious, presented well & quite filling. I couldn't eat all of the food. Though I tried almost everything. Service: The pacing of the dishes was quite masterful. They really paid attention to when the food was going to come out. As I mentioned above the main server was very attentive to my food allergies. I really appreciated that as some restaurants aren't as attentive. The food was served family style so everyone could take what they wanted from the serving dishes. The dishes were served in little bowls along the tables with each bowl serving about 4 people. We had asked for one long table so it was a little snug. But we made it work. Ambiance: For dinner the lighting of the space is really dim. LOL. I would have appreciated just a little bit more light. The restaurant is in an old building so to use the washroom you had to go down two flights of stairs. The dining area is small also. But it's a pretty space. As mentioned above we asked for one long table to seat 15 people. I was expecting square tables but it was a bunch of small round tables pushed together. So the tables were really crowded with food from all the dishes. But the servers made sure to take empty serving dishes away as soon as possible. The music was a little loud for me so I had to yell to be heard. The place was packed though. Everyone at our table enjoyed the food, the service & atmosphere. The restaurant is close to Roy Thompson Hall & the other theatres nearby so it's a convenient location as well. It's too bad this place is only open for dinner. I would have loved to see how they would operate a lunch time service. In any case, Byblos was amazing. I would come back here again to try other dishes! Note: Some of my pics of the main dishes didn't turn out so it's mostly desserts that are pictures

Really enjoyed my night at Byblos. The vibe is super chic but not too formal. I love that the menu…read moreis designed for sharing, so you get to try a little bit of everything. Everything we ordered was flavorful and well-balanced. Also loved the cocktails. Great spot if you're looking for something a bit different from the usual dinner places.

It's a hidden gem! Amazing food and very reasonably priced! It doesn't have too many tables and…read morechairs but comfortable enough for families

Amazing food and amazing service! We will be back there the next time we come to Toronto!read more

The restaurant was quite busy when we arrived, but service was impressively quick and genuinely…read morefriendly, which immediately made the experience feel welcoming. The carpaccio was fine, pleasant but fairly straightforward, but everything else we ordered was excellent The octopus was tender, and hearty, paired nicely with potatoes, hummus, some greens, and capers. It was well-balanced and satisfying without feeling heavy. The steak came out a perfect medium-rare and juicy. The nut topping on the fish added a really nice crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft, tender flesh of the fish. And then there was the duck: the clear standout of the night. It was beautifully cooked and seasoned. The fat kept it incredibly juicy without feeling greasy. The charred cabbage on the side added a subtle smokiness that tied everything together perfectly. Every bite honestly made me happier and happier. Getting to the restaurant was a little confusing at first, but once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. A really enjoyable meal overall, and especially memorable for that duck dish. Definitely a place I'd return to.

Visited this restaurant on mother's day for a lovely lunch :)…read more What we ordered: Zucchini chips: ($27) 8.5/10 I've never had zucchini chips before, they were perfectly fried, light, and went well with the tzatziki. I feel like there could've been more zucchini for the price point Peppercorn steak: ($78) 8.5/10 Very tender and well-cooked steak. I couldn't really taste much of a peppercorn flavor in the sauce though. I prefer my steak on the saltier side so I asked for some salt and they gave me a small bowl of flakey sea salt (my favourite!). Lobster roll ($48): 9/10 I've never had avocado in a lobster roll before, and the flavours & textures actually worked really well together! The lobster tasted fresh and sweet. The fries were crispy and plentiful. This spot is on the pricier side, but the quality of the food, service, and ambiance is reflected in the price.

I'm a regular at several local Toronto restaurants - Lyla included - and I realized I should start…read morecontributing semi regular reviews as I appreciate how important they are for prospective customers. I have consistently supported Lyla since their opening a couple of years ago. I have taken my girlfriend for date nights, sat at the bar own my own to enjoy a cocktail or bowl of pasta (or both), had a quick mother/son drink, hosted my Dad and my girlfriend for a more formal dinner, and even encouraged my girlfriend to organize a girls night there. The service has consistently been thoughtful and on point. The cocktails are excellent; the wine list dynamic/good for pairing. And the food, particularly the pasta dishes, is excellent. 5+ stars all around. Cheers, Max

Picked this spot for girly night. We loved it here! Such a pretty spot and food was delicious…read more Met the chef and learned about the private dining room and tasting experience. We cant wait to be back!

Sababa in Thornhill doesn't chase trends--it outlives them. I've been eating here for 30 years,…read morewhich in restaurant time is basically surviving a war, and Sababa is still standing, still feeding people the way it always has: honest, soulful Middle Eastern food that shows up every day and does the job right. This is the kind of place where the menu hasn't been "reimagined," because it never needed to be. The chicken skewers dinner is a personal staple--charred just enough, juicy where it counts, seasoned with the confidence. The shawarma is famous for a reason: shaved hot, spiced deep, and piled without apology. You start with the dip platter because that's what you do here--hummus, tahini, baba ghanoush--the opening handshake before the real conversation begins. Attached to the restaurant is a grocery store that feels like a lifeline--shelves of hard-to-find ingredients, spices, and staples that remind you food isn't just something you order, it's something you live with. There's also a takeout counter with a few tables, perfect for quick eats that turn into longer stays because the food demands your attention. Sam Azar founded the place, and the legend goes deeper than the menu--he even made their lentil soup recipe public, giving it away to the newspapers like a gift, not a secret. That generosity still hangs in the air. Today, his children carry the torch, and you can feel the continuity: same spirit, same standards, same refusal to mess with something that works. Sababa isn't flashy. It's better than that. It's dependable, rooted, and quietly excellent--the kind of restaurant you measure your life around, not your Instagram feed. Find calm fam atmosphere, not TikTok madness with a side of chaos. CHEERS!!!

My AirBnB host recommended trying the delicious Middle Eastern food around town, so how I could…read morerefuse? In the same plaza where I was getting laundry done, I stopped by here. The dining hall was closed, so I ordered food from their next-door Sababa Mid-Eastern Groceries store's to-go counter at the back. First item that caught my eye was their steak liver pita. I also ordered a bowl of their famous lentil soup and grabbed a bottle of Efsane Uludağ Gazozu. The liver was as I would hope, rich iron-y flavor with fresh lettuce and tomato salad with a dash of chili flakes. I pretty much inhaled it, as I was famished. However, it was the lentil soup that made me take pause. I have made lentil soup at home in the past with meh results, but tasting this rendition's unassuming, yet thoroughly satisfying flavor and filling consistency made me want to try again. Lastly, the uludağ rounded out everything nicely, a slightly different crispness to it that took me by surprise. A humble feast was had.

The service was great from the moment we walked in. Someone quickly came over to ask what we'd like…read moreto drink, which made us feel welcomed right away. It was an open buffet, and the staff checked on us a few times throughout our visit, making sure everything was okay and that we had what we needed. The ambiance was really nice, and I honestly loved the vibe of the place. There was a belly dancer, and she was really nice and added a fun, lively touch to the overall experience. The food was good overall. It wasn't too bad at all, and I enjoyed what I tried, though I do wish there had been a bit more variety to choose from. Even so, everything was still tasty and satisfying. Dessert was also good and a nice way to end the meal. Overall, it was a pleasant experience with good service, a nice atmosphere, and enjoyable food, and I would definitely consider going back.

We wanted to come here for the buffet, but upon arriving, we were told that it was closed (we got…read morethere in the mid-afternoon)... even though we checked open times beforehand online. The take-out counter was open, so we opted for that instead. Most of the foods on display were ready-to-go and vegetarian / vegan. You can also order manakeesh (Lebanese flatbread topped with toppings such as cheese, spinach, and za'atar - akin to thin-crust pizza) to be made on site. We opted for the vegetarian mix-and-match plates, which came with either rice or salad, 5 small sides, and 3 falafels. Most of the items were pretty good, my favourites being the arnabeet (cauliflower), eggplant with chickpeas and tomato-based sauce, bamya (okra), and white cannellini beans salad. The warak enab (also called dolma or stuffed grape vine leaves) was flavourless and had too much ratio-to-grape vine leaves ratio (more rice inside that I'd like). The tabbouleh was way too salty. The other dishes were good though. Although the manakeesh was made fresh to order, it came out pretty fast. It was also extremely salty. There were a few small tables by the take-out counter, for those who wish to eat the take-out items on the spot. They packaged all the items very well to avoid leakage.

We were in the mood for some chicken shawarma so figured we would give this place a try for take…read moreout. When we got there, we were left unattended for about 8 minutes or so with no one else in line. I get it, covid 19 times means lots of orders to attend to, no biggie. We placed our orders for 2 chicken shawarma plates. It turned out they charge a small fee for using credit cards. I'm not sure if this was something this establishment was doing prior to covid 19 since this was my first visit but you would think amidst this pandemic that a restaurant would discourage the use of cash altogether, but not this place. Mind you, the fee wasn't anything big but it was the principle that matters. Anyway, the food itself wasn't all that good. The chicken was dry, the potatoes were hard, the rice had this buttery taste and their version of the white garlic sauce was something out of a ranch salad dressing bottle. Also, the hot sauce they provided was from the Red Rooster bottles you would find in Asian grocery stores. I've never ever had this kind of hot sauce from a shawarma joint, lol. Definitely not coming back to this one!

3.5 out of 5. We…read moreordered Chicken Shawarma and Lamb Shish Kebab for takeout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The yellow rice was very moist and delicious. The potatoes are okay but a little on the dry side. The chicken shawarma and lamb shish kebab came with a generous amount of meat and we were happy. The meals came with a hot sauce (small size) and a white creamy sauce (big size). I enjoyed the sauce but we ended up squeezing some lemon juice on our lamb to minimize the gamey taste. There was also salads that came along with the meals. I would say the chicken shawarma was better than the lamb. I think we probably would head back next time.

We made a reservation for a Saturday dinner to enjoy the incredible food and live music and we were…read morenot let down! The decoration is very chic and pleasant for the eyes. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the restaurant was packed with customers enjoying their food and drinks. They have a full bar offering great options for cocktails, liquor, wine and beer. We tried two of their specials: Sultans Special and Hazelnut White; both tasted great. Every table is offered complimentary freshly baked pit with cold appetizers (hummus, butter and feta cheese). We also ordered Mix Cold Mezze Plate (Beet Mutabbal, Turkish Baba Ganoush, Fatteh). The appetizers wefresh and delicious. For main, we ordered "Fillet Carnival Kebab" and "Saffron Shrimp Kebab". Both veal and chi ken fillets were perfectly marinated and charcoal grilled. The saffron had added a great taste to the grilled shrimp, too. If you're visiting over the weekend, I'd recommend making reservations in advance to guarantee your table.

Came here due to friend's recommendation. Very nice place with upscale ambience…read more Ordered VIP for 2 (great for meat lover!) There are lamb, beef, chicken, wings, some sort of beef 'pastry' (forgot the name). The best is the lamb, least is beef (nth special, I guess). All is tender, but some are juicier than others (NOT dry, but better if it's juicier). The mashed eggplant that comes with it is great to pair with any of the meat. Ordered sutlac for dessert (light and not too sweet). Highly recommended!

First time trying La Vita down at Port Credit in the middle of the week, and I'm so glad I did. The…read moreinterior had a moody atmosphere with simple and clean design. I ordered the Pumpkin Gnocchi (5/5) and Soppressata Diavola (5/5). Pumpkin Gnocchi was pillowy soft with a creamy yet delicately sweet sauce. It also had a nutty flavour to it from the toasted pine nuts. The short rib was delicious. Highly recommend this dish. Soppressata Diavola had a mild kick to it balanced with flavours of the tomato sauce and herbs. The dough itself was made well with the perfect balance between chewiness and crispiness. I'd order this again. The server we had was welcoming and patient. She was patient and did not make us feel rushed at all. We didnt realize that they were already closed because we were deep in our conversation and there were still a group two tables down from ours (we found out it was the owners). We felt really bad for overstaying but the owner was so sweet and even took the time to have a quick chat with us.