The essentials according to restaurateur Soufian Mamlouk

Restaurateur and cultural curator Soufian Mamlouk has been a part of redefining Montreal’s culinary and social landscape for some time now, most recently with heartfelt nod to his Lebanese roots.

Since his breakfast concept Barley and the marketing agency e.a.t., Soufian's brought authentic Lebanese street food to Little Burgundy in the form of Lulu Épicerie, offering a taste of home to the diaspora and introducing locals to genuine flavors. With the team at HENI, he's been part of elevating traditional SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) cuisine in the city (not to mention the slick cocktail-forward listening lounge Badin below it).

Beyond the plates his spots have been dishing, he's part of expanding Montreal’s wine scene by showcasing bottles that celebrate the rich viticultural traditions of the SWANA region through the private import agency Sienna.