After almost an entire year since we first published the news of Miznon touching down in Toronto, the Israel-based restaurant chain serving elevated street food is finally ready to open its doors to the people of this city.
Miznon Toronto will open Feb. 3 in Yorkville at 1235 Bay St. The restaurant will serve its famous pitas, (suggested) shareables and plated dishes seven days a week, opening at 11 a.m. every day and shutting its doors at 8 p.m. from Sunday to Wednesday and at 9 p.m. the rest of the days.
The restaurant's vision, created and founded by chef Eyal Shani, is based on the food of a high-end kitchen — taking the taste of each city it finds itself in and translating it into a pita.
"We take the energy, desires, limitations, beauty and food and express it all in one pita," Miznon's website states.
Eli Benchetrit, president of Miznon Canada, said that he and his team had tasted what the restaurant had to offer at many locations across the globe and just knew that Toronto needed some of that "Miznon magic."
As for choosing the Yorkville neighbourhood, Benchetrit said that he chose the area because it's centrally located for locals and tourists alike and for the multicultural vibe it exudes.
"With Miznon locations around the world, we wanted to give tourists visiting the neighborhood a familiar taste they know and love in an area filled with beauty and great cuisine," he said.
Slated as having redefined street food in Israel, Miznon's claim to fame comes from its signature pitas filled with a smorgasbord of ingredients guaranteed to leave you satisfied and at the same time yearning for more. While many places might tend to cater more toward the meat lover, Miznon has an equally delectable array of items regardless of the end of the spectrum you fall under.
The menu will feature all the popular dishes Miznon is known for —Minute Steak, Lavan, Fish-n-Chips, Falafel Burger, Wild Mushrooms and Lamb Kebab. Also included will be the Folded Cheese Burger, voted the best burger in New York City, and the original Whole Roasted Cauliflower, named by Food & Wine Magazine as one of the best dishes.
It is a well-known fact that chef Shani likes to incorporate the host city's DNA into signature pita offerings, wherever he might find himself in the world. A signature Toronto pita is to come once he has a chance to visit local food markets and get inspired by the pulse and vibe of the city.
While always shape-shifting to offer locals a taste of their ingredients with his Mediterranean spin, he also likes staying true to his roots of Israel, and that's why the pitas served are a proprietary blend baked by one of the Middle East's oldest pita bakeries. The tahini, olive oil and salt are all imported as well.
Miznon Toronto will also be the first North American location to get the Bag of Golden Meat — overnight brisket and onions seared on a hot plate with an aioli — on the menu.
The menu is available for all to see on the Miznon Toronto website — the only thing missing currently is the pricing, which should be up soon. As the dishes are made with locally-sourced ingredients and in conjunction with local suppliers, the menu is also subject to change depending on what's available and in season.
Given the solid pedigree of chef Shani and Miznon's proven recipes from all over the globe, it's safe to say that this restaurant's opening should be a cause for great excitement for any Torontonian even half-interested in Mediterranean food.
"We're most excited to bring the Miznon magic to the people of Toronto. We've been eating at locations around the world for years and have always felt more like family than customers when we walk through their doors," Benchetrit said. "The energy and vibe is really special and we're looking forward to sharing that through every meal we serve."
Miznon is slated to open on Feb. 3 at 1235 Bay St. Toronto's and Canada's first Miznon location will join the likes of Tel Aviv, New York, Paris, London, Vienna, Melbourne, Singapore, Boston, Las Vegas and Dubai.
