Have you ever tried Lebanese food? If not, an amazing introduction to this underrated cuisine can be found at the brand new Bylbos Restaurant in Winchester, located at the Kernstown Commons. These flavors that they are pumping out are truly an experience – so many traditional spices and seasoning that the average American isn’t used to. If you want to try something different, I highly recommend checking out Bylbos Restaurant soon!
Price 💲💲out of 5
The prices are very reasonable for some delicious, authentic Lebanese dishes. The menu is massive, as there are so many appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, salads, and even pizzas to choose from. Every dish is under $25, and only the more premium entree options are over $20. This is definitely a way to get an affordable taste of Lebanon.
Ambience 🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳 out of 5
Blybos just opened, so they don’t have decades of history to fall back on in this building. Everything is very clean and the staff is extremely attentive. While the space itself is still a work in progress for decorating, everything flows well. It is on the smaller size, so it is more of an intimate setting.
Drinks 🍷🍷🍷🍷 out of 5
We got to try a couple of their pressed juices:
Carrot juice – this did not taste great, but it tasted extremely healthy and all of the health benefits are worth it. Definitely one of those drinks I would recommend chugging for the health benefits.
Apple juice – the sweetness and tartness of the apple was perfect, and it also had some pulp like an apple cider. This one was very enjoyable to sip.
Food 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩 out of 5
Let’s get down to the food. This was a culinary experience for sure.
Taboule Salad – this Lebanese salad was a burst of fresh flavors. Tomatoes, onion, and cilantro with Lebanese spices. Reminiscent of a pico de gallo, but a different flavor profile.
Falafel – one of my all time favorite dishes, this falafel was perfectly fried and served with a creamy Tahini sauce. I could have eaten 20 of these.
Pies Combo – we got to sample all of their pies, with this platter coming with Sambusek, Spinach Pies, and Cheese Pies. The Sambusek had the most tender seasoned ground beef and spice onions. The Spinach Pie reminded me of Spanakopita, while the Cheese Pies had so much melty feta cheese.
Grape Leaves – this appetizer was not my favorite, but that is only because grape leaves are too bitter for me. They were cooked perfectly, just not my flavor profile.
Mediterranean Vegetarian Pizza – there are plenty of vegetarian options at Bylbos, and they let us try their veggie pizza. The cheese was melty, and the mixture of veggies were really nice. Clean, fresh dish.
Mixed Grill Plate – this was the star of the show, and one of the best dishes I have ever eaten on this Foodies journey. Incredibly spiced and tender Beef Kafta, Chicken Kebab, and Lamb Kebab served with sauteed veggies and white rice with vermicelli. The flavor profile was insane.
Hummus Shawarma – this was my favorite dish of the day, and the best thing I have ever eaten in my life. The creamiest, most delicious hummus served as a bed for tender marinated strips of chicken and beef. Truly a life-changing dish.
Lamb Shank – the most tender meat of the day was the lamb shank, which is braised and served with a savory tomato sauce over a bed of white rice and grilled veggies. The meat fell off the bone and melted in your mouth.
Baklava Sampler – they provided us with three types of baklava, the Diamond (with crushed walnuts), the Lady Fingers (with crushed cashews), and the Bird’s Nest (with crushed pistachios). The Lady Fingers were my favorite.
Chocolate Mousse Cake – this was intensely rich and chocolatey, and while incredibly delicious, it is something that should be shared with at least one other person.
Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
This was such an amazing experience, meeting the family who owns Bylbos and listening to their stories while sampling their best dishes. I will be back very soon to get that Hummus Shawarma again. If you are looking for something new, come on out to Bylbos and give Lebanese food a try!