TABOON

514 CHRISTINE AVENUE

Taboon owner Steve Isaacs spent 12 years in the Middle East where he was inspired by the suburban bakeries, grill and hummus houses so popular in the region. Taboon replicates their cooking style with a modern cafe twist. Steve and his wife Siggy are promising new menu inspirations from their latest Arabian sojourn. “It’s our first extended trip together since we opened,” Steve says. “We’ll be leaving things in the hands of the next generation so it’s a bit of a milestone but we’ll be over there looking for new ideas so people can expect to see those on our menu very soon.” Taboon is named after the traditional stone oven that’s at the heart of the establishment. The menu consists of grilled meats, fresh salads, homemade breads and slowcooked Moroccan tagines, drawing its inspiration from cuisines throughout the Middle East from Marrakesh to Istanbul. “We were naturally vegetarian and vegan-friendly before that became a thing,” Steve says. “Meat is eaten more sparingly, olive oil is used instead of dairy. It’s a very healthy way to eat.”