I’m often asked for my opinion on restaurants or if I’ve been to a particular spot – I’m always up for a restaurant talk. I like finding out why someone thinks one place is good and not another, or standout menu items that would justify a trek out of the way to cop a certain dish. If I’m convinced, it usually means I’ll add it to my ever growing list of restaurants to visit, but what I don’t do is check out their public online reviews of ratings. I like to go in not knowing anything other than what was suggested that I order and form my own opinion. The most recent restaurant I checked off that list is the Syrian destination in Laval, Beroya.
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When a restaurant describes themselves as “simply the best Syrian/Armenian food you could ever find in Montreal”, you investigate. Yes, it’s common for restaurants to make grandiose claims for serving the best whatever or being the most authentic such and such, or like when that barbecue place in Laval declared to be the best Southern Barbecue restaurant in Montreal. A lot of these claims are unfounded. I checked out Restaurant Zenobia in Ville Saint-Laurent and prepared myself for the Syrian/Armenian food that would surely blow my socks off.
I love Middle-eastern food. It encompasses a flavour profile of exotic tastes and aroma that entices me. I grew up experiencing all types of Asiatic cuisine, and have only developed an affinity for Middle-Eastern food later in life – only because I was never exposed to it when I was young. My family exploring different cuisines never strayed from what we were accustomed to – Italian and Greek was as far as we ventured. My life changed the first time I tired hummus, kafta and kebabs. Montreal is the city to eat in if you’re looking for diversity. If you’ve never had to opportunity to try Middle-Eastern cuisine before, consider yourself lucky because Montreal is home to some pretty awesome spots. I was recently a guest of KazaMaza located in the eclectic Mile-end to discovery their menu of Middle-Eastern gems.