The Un Peu de Tout is a sampler appetizer platter at Cybel – French Moroccan Fusion.
Photo by Morgan Wujkowski
It’s rare for me to step into a restaurant and be instantly transported to another place across the globe. But Cybel – French Moroccan Fusion Restaurant (pronounced see-bell) does just that. It’s a place where classic French techniques blend seamlessly with North African flavors. This vibrant restaurant fuses the elegance of French cuisine with the warmth and spice of Moroccan tradition, creating a dining experience that feels both worldly and intimate.
Cybel is the brainchild of Chef Taoufik “Touf” Abdelmoula. Originally a ghost kitchen in St. Pete’s restaurant incubator, Foodie Labs, Chef Touf debuted his brick-and-mortar concept last year and it has been a hit ever since he opened his doors. He merges refinement with warm spices, and the result is a beautifully crafted menu.
Un Peu de Tout
Enjoy an array of appetizers ranging from hummus and labneh, to seafood pastilla and margherita flatbread. If you’re anything like me and can’t decide what to order, go for the Un Peu de Tout — a vegetarian sampler with falafel, hummus, labneh, Moroccan ratatouille, and tabbouleh served with za’atar pita bread ($23). It was the perfect size for sharing and gives you a smattering of tastes from the menu without overwhelming your palate. The lemon hummus was by far my favorite item on the board. It was creamy and nutty, with extra zing from the infused fresh lemon. The labneh, a creamy yogurt strained seven times, was outstanding.
All of the salads are light and refreshing. You can’t go wrong with a Mediterranean salad ($13) tossed in Greek vinaigrette or the Marrakech salad ($12) with fragrant fresh herbs. I recommend the tabbouleh salad ($11) with parsley, bulgur, mint, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, and a tabbouleh vinaigrette.
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Try the lemon humus with chicken shawarma on top.
Photo by Morgan WujkowskiChef Specialties
It wouldn’t be Moroccan fare without tagine. Chef Touf makes a killer chicken tagine ($28) with slow cooked chicken, warm Moroccan spices, olives, and preserved lemons. It’s a classic dish named after the vessel it’s served in. The lamb chops ($45) are marinated and then grilled to perfection, served with garlic pomegranate sauce and mashed potatoes. Lighter options include chicken or beef kabobs, a half-pound chargrilled bistro burger, and chicken shawarma. (Get extra garlic sauce — you’ll thank me later.)
What you don’t expect are the French Tacos ($17). In fact, they’re so big, they have their own menu. Picture a giant burrito stuffed with meat, veggies, sauce, and fries. Yes, French fries come inside the wrap. We ordered one with chicken shawarma, tomato, lettuce, and harissa sauce. It was massive! Proteins include falafel, chicken nuggets, ground beef, and jerk chicken (plus more). Choose from a variety of sauces or get the Six Sick Sauce which is all of them combined.
Dining at Cybel is more than a meal — it’s a culinary journey across continents.
Cybel – French Moroccan Fusion, 2735 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Tues.-Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m./5-10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Closed Monday. cybelfusion.com, 727-437-8166.
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