To truly appreciate all of the amazing aspects of Byrsa Bistro, one must meet the owner, Ahmed Chraga. And that’s not an impossibility, as he’s often on site and making it his goal to get personal with his customers.
“People gravitate toward being known,” Ahmed shares. “Take the business out of dining out; it’s personal.”
Arrive, and you’ll probably get a hug. By the time you leave, the team will bid you goodbye by name. Ahmed takes “personal” to a deep level with Byrsa: he refinished the interior with his own hands, from the stone wall and the reclaimed chairs. He also creates the very menu guests choose from each month.
Kennett Square Is the Perfect Foodie Audience
Before deciding where Byrsa Bistro would call home, Ahmed did a lot of studying, spending time choosing the best location for his restaurant. He loves little classic American towns, and found Kennett Square to be the perfect blend of the right people without being oversaturated. Kennett Square was ready for Ahmed’s “big idea.”
He spent time in Kennett Square, getting to know the people. He saw an opportunity to connect with a population who loved food, who knew food, who understood food. “Classic cuisine is dead,” Ahmed explained. “And these people, they know that. So, I knew I had something for them.”
Fusion Is In
Ahmed is no stranger to food. Growing up in Tunisia was an opportunity to be enriched with the amazing spices and flavors of the entire Western Mediterranean region. Seeing so many great chefs (such as local chef Jose Garces) take classic dishes and give them a twist, Ahmed was inspired to do the same from his home cuisine. “At Byrsa Bistro, we take authentic food and give it a lift,” he smiles. “Fusion is in!”
Every month, he works to find new ideas for the next menu. Taking his solid knowledge from living on the Mediterranean and traveling as well as dining out as research, Ahmed always finds new inspiration. Armed with ideas, Ahmed works with executive chef Nicandro, as well as his five sous chefs, to make the ideas a reality. It’s a great team that truly understands Ahmed’s vision. When possible, Ahmed buys local, in season and makes everything from scratch. The menu is new each month, taking former inspirations and giving them new twists.
Those thinking the menu is simply Middle Eastern will be pleasantly surprised.You’ll find classic French dishes, such as duck, with a Tunisian twist. Or a Spanish paella with a Moroccan flair. Even Italy and Greece have their place on the menu. Byrsa Bistro redefines Mediterranean cuisine by creating Mediterranean fusion dishes.
Best Bites of Byrsa Bistro
I had an amazing time sampling the dishes Ahmed brought to the table. And while your best bet is to try the entire menu (yes, it’s just that good!), I’ve narrowed down my favorite bites from Byrsa Bistro just to get you started:
Mediterranean Sampler
There is no better way to dip your toe into Mediterranean cuisine than Ahmed’s simple Mediterranean sampler. This appetizer offers all of the well-known Mediterranean favorites: hummus, baba ganoush, and stuffed grape leaves as well as pita bread and an assortment of mixed olives. I can attest that the hummus at Byrsa is the creamiest hummus I’ve ever tasted!
Moroccan Bastilla
Hands down, this was my favorite dish to sample. I’ve never had a meat pie like the Byrsa Bistro bastilla. Simultaneously sweet and savory, slow-cooked shredded chicken and eggs are combined with sweet toasted almonds, chewy raisins and a bit of honey. Each bite is complex as your taste buds try to resolve the savory and sweet tug of war, but ultimately the flavors come together perfectly.
Crispy Skin Duck Breast
This is where I make a sad foodie confession: until this experience there were two things I’ve never before tasted in my life. Duck was one of them. To be fair, I never had much of an opportunity to try duck. But I am glad my first time was at Byrsa Bistro. I’m not sure what I expected, but I did not anticipate how succulent the meat would be. Ahmed shares that due to the gamey taste of duck, it is best to dress it up with sweetness, which he does beautifully with a blood orange glaze. Diced bits of roasted pear garnish the meat, and the creaminess of the side of corn risotto is a great addition to this dish.
Braised Lamb Shank
Lamb is the second meat I’ve never tasted before. This was a meat I was actually kind of scared to try. It seemed so different from the chicken, beef and pork I was used to, and I had been told by others than it was gamey. Once again, Ahmed’s chef team blew all of my expectations out of the water—the lamb shank was so tender and full of flavor. This dish is served alongside a special risotto of giant white beans (a gourmet delicacy in the Mediterranean), chickpeas and topped with a tzatziki-esque sauce with dill. I could have eaten this platter all night!
Byrsa Bistro is BYO. Ahmed recommends reservations on Friday and Saturday, as spots fill up fast and he does not overbook. Their hours are Monday and Tuesday, 4–9 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; and Sunday, 4–9 p.m. For the adventurous, call and set up a chef’s tasting, and be dazzled by a uniquely crafted spread!
Find Byrsa Bistro at 102 East State Street in Kennett Square. View Byrsa Bistro’s menu online. Stay up to date on all things Byrsa by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photographs courtesy of Byrsa Bistro.
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