REVIEW | Bywoods - rustic ambiance & modern mediterranean cuisine on St. Clair West

I'm not often in the St. Clair West area but every time I'm there, I wonder why I'm rarely there. This under-rated neighbourhood is home to many delicious restaurants to be discovered, one of them being the recently visited Bywoods, a creation by Tony Cappellano of Boom breakfast chain. This dinner-only restaurant offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu that isn't too traditional.

I'm kicking myself for not going to Bywoods during the sunny summer months when I walked passed their patio! I will need to keep it in mind next time we get such weather in Toronto.

The interior of the restaurant lives up to its name - it has a cozy yet modern feel, sort of like a renovated cottage in Muskoka. So, what's in the name? The name 'Bywoods' was inspired by the many streets in the surrounding neighbouhood with the -wood suffix: Humewood, Wellwood, Maplewood, Pinewood, Wychwood & Kenwood.

I didn't know what to expect in terms of the food offerings as I haven't really heard much about this place. But, let's just say I left a happy camper, spoiled with delicious food, also beautifully presented.

Prosciutto Pizza
Fig, gorgonzola & dressed arugula

Vegetarian Pizza
Goat cheese, leek, red pepper, grilled artichoke, tomato, red onion, black olive & fresh marjoram

Beet Salad
goat cheese, charred red onion, arugula & walnut dressing

Mediterranean Salad
Vine tomato, cucumber, red onion, black olives, feta cheese & marjoram

Fried Calamari
served with piri-piri & aioli

Pan-seared scallops with chorizo

Avocado mash, mixed green, black olives & jus

Linguine with Shrimp
Spiced light cream sauce & spinach

Grilled Flank Steak
Arugula, mushroom, cured tomato salad, salsa verde & jus

Pan-roasted Lamb Sirloin
Apricot, potato puree with smoked paprika, sautéed spinach & moroccan spiced jus

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Bywoods would make for a perfect spot for a date with their casual yet elegant atmosphere or to catch up with an old friend. Beet Salad, Shrimp Linguine & Prosciutto Pizza are the three dishes that I can't stop thinking about, so I suggest you give them a try when you make your way to the 'woods.'

-Our meal at this event was complimentary but opinions are our own-

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