For anyone who prides themselves on always trying new and novel cuisines from across the world, Byblos Cafe is a must-try, first and foremost.
This South Tampa eatery specializes in Lebanese cuisine, a menagerie of spice-laden proteins, fruits, starches, and vegetables heavily influenced by this tiny country's location on the Mediterranean Sea.
Much like the cuisine of its Middle Eastern neighbors, Lebanese staples include fresh pita bread, an assortment of spice-laden curries, hummus, kabobs, and seafood often cooked in olive oil and laden with lemon, garlic, and other indigenous herbs.
Walking into Byblos Cafe, you're greeted with a sophisticated, dim-lit atmosphere complete with lengthy couches lining the walls, a full bar, and opaque drapes hung from the ceiling. To say they've captured the essence of an elegant night in the Middle East would be an understatement.
If the natural light's more of your thing, their outdoor patio is also a good bet, especially for lunch on a mild, February day.
Speaking of lunch, Byblos' expansive lunch menu affords you a variety of fresh and, for the most part, fairly healthy authentic Lebanese dishes served in huge portions for a modest price tag.
Being a veritable curry and spicy-food junky, I went for the chicken curry which comes with fresh pita bread, hummus, and salad on the side. With a fitting price tag of $10.95, the portion to price ratio feels right on point.
Byblos chicken curry comes served on a monstrous, deep plate topped with an ample dome of white rice and laden with chunks of chicken, sauteed zuchini and mushrooms. bathed in a rich, aromatic curry sauce I can still (enjoyably) smell on my fingers, the curry was decidedly sumptuous, but a tad short of overall greatness.
While heartily portioned, the chicken comes out well-cooked, but consequently dry. For a plate so otherwise layered in myriad spices and textures, the chicken tasted noticeably average in comparison. This definitely isn't a deal breaker, though, as the sauce does more than enough to compensate.
Judging from this experience, Byblos will do you solid if you're looking to explore new, exotic territories when it comes to dining in Tampa. Give them a try and let us know what you think with your own rating and review on the 813area Byblos Cafe business listing.
