Bayte : A Lebanese Feast !

By Foodmadewithlove @liannelow

I know I’ve said numerous (countless) times, how much I love brunch. But I need to say it again. I LOVE brunch! Especially since there are so many different varieties of brunch we can get here in Melbourne. The first time I went to Bayte, I went with 3 beautiful ladies (Ashley, Lee & Sofia) and as it was my first time meeting them, I was a bit too nervous and didn’t get to snap photos with my camera! haha So it was due to head back and have brunch, this time with some of my favorite and closest friends.

Yes. This my dear readers is my favorite girl who steals my heart every time I see her, Paige. hehe Isn’t she just gorgeous? hehe She was all smiles that afternoon and couldn’t stop playing with us and have short burst of laughters! Just absolutely adorable! hehe Such great company we had for brunch that day!

The menu is a true reflection of what lebanese food is and should be. Full of robust flavours and worth celebrating about! Chef Julie Touma came up with the menu which was inspired by her grandmother’s recipes! Just reminds me of how much I miss both my mum’s and grandmother’s home cooking and how I am constantly inspired by them too! (Can you tell I’m a little home sick?) Bayte means home in Arabic, and you definitely feel welcomed the moment you step in. I couldn’t wait to have the food again and definitely couldn’t wait to have their freshly brewed chai!

Their freshly brewed chai was with Bonsoy (my favourite) and had flavours of cardamom and cinnamon. Definitely hit the right spots! hehe If you would like an extra kick and you’re a coffee lover, ask them for a shot of espresso in yours. The combination is DA BOMB! I recommended it to Peggy as she loves both chai and coffee, and she really enjoyed it! She even said it was nicer than the chai itself! But I do love my chai pure. hehe

I really wanted the baked eggs as it had everything I was craving for. Perfectly cooked eggs (which were still molten and gooey), with an okra and tomato spiced stew and shanklish cheese! OH-EM-GEE! It was love at first bite! The cheese was the right amount of richness and hit of salt and had a crumbly and soft texture. The okra was so soft and the stew had the right amount of spice to leave a warm and fuzzy feeling in your mouth and tummy after! A perfect winter warmer! I couldn’t be happier and more contented with my choice! (:

Peggy had the zaatar spiced poached eggs with a pumpkin and pinenut kibbeh and hummus, with some freshly made flat bread. The zaatar had a nutty flavor to it and the eggs were perfectly poached! The bread was so delicious that even our youngest foodie enjoyed it!

If you’re hungry and you would want to try a bit of everything from the menu, then the breakfast mezza for one (there is for two as well) is for you! That’s exactly what the boys went for! I mean, why wouldn’t they? It’s like the best of what the kitchen has to offer all on a plate. I have to say, the lamb skewer was delicious! Even for a person who doesn’t eat lamb! hehe

It even came with a spiced fried egg! A celebration of lebanese food, a party in their mouths!

Melissa decided to have the sumac spiced fried eggs with kafta lamb skewers and baba ghanoush. I could have ordered a whole plate of baba ghanoush to myself! Smooth and creamy mashed eggplant and went perfectly with the spiced lamb! Nomtastic!

So the next time you’re thinking of having something different for brunch, do head down to Bayte! You will definitely not regret it! Amazing food with friendly staff and great company! There’s no better way to spend the weekend, really! I do hope you all had a brilliant weekend too!

Have a great week ahead, and remember to always cook and bake with love! xx