Flashy resto-lounge attracting a mixed and good-looking crowd in the heart of the Church Street VIllage.

Byzantium is one of a few resto-lounges where you can actually get a good drink (other than beer). The crowd doesn't know whether to be bitchy (Woody’s) or wacky and off-kilter (Zelda’s). Stripped of these options, the people at Byzantium usually err on the side of friendliness -- which means it's a great place to go if you actually want to meet people, and a very good place to go if you want to brood over a Stoli raspberry.

The restaurant part of Byzantium is a glittering room of shiny charm, anchored with rich colours and a lush floral arrangement, set with formal tables just begging for fun dining. The name signals an attractive outlet with a full-length wall dividing the long space into a narrow, and usually busy bar on one side, a dining room on the other. Mod-gothic mirrors line the leaf-green walls. Cherrywood tables, matched with Villeroy & Bosch, are paired with cushy orange Parson chairs.

A long martini list here has some great entries, many originals; the Green Goddess (Chartreuse and gin with a green gummi bear garnish), and the Sonomatini (vodka, cabernet sauvignon and sweet vermouth) are two killer examples.

The dinner menu is surprisingly worldy; what, the diner is left to wonder, is pan-roasted ostrich supposed to taste like? In the capable hands of Jerome Rivest, you can find out. The juniper scented rack of lamb is butter-tender and ever so lightly crusted. Topped with sweet corn couscous and draped in a grainy mustard glaze that lends the whole plate a lip-smacking cured quality. On the side are buttery snow peas and asparagus in a substantive lemon sauce. We had less luck with the Artic Char, arriving soft, mushy and oddly enough, completely void of taste. It could have been the winner, as it was served with fried plantains and mango salsa. On paper it sounds like a dream.

The appetizer prosciuto plate is a fair size, arriving with cantelope andhoney dew melon. Pair this with a perfectly cooked beef tenderloin and a scattering of stilton butter, and you'll leave full and happy. Another noteworthy entry is the plate of steamed mussels in ginger-coriander broth with black beans and preserved lemon.

After all this comfort, you may think you'll skip dessert, but the chocolate cake with créme brulée topping is worth the extra splurge. A.V.B.


Reader Reviews
Sonomatini (vodka, cabernet sauvignon and sweet vermouth) are two killer examples.

Great place to party
Geoff, Toronto, ON
I'm wondering why there's no mention of Babylon anywhere on your site. This is one of the best martini bars in the city. Great food too, great place to party. Always a great time on the third floor.
Babylon