About Lafayette Bistro

New on the corner of Fifth and Fairmount is Lafayette Bistro, a Mediterranean-style BYOB from owner Mondher Khayat and chef/co-owner Ramzi Boughamni.The 50-seat restaurant, built out from scratch in a former antiques store, is wrapped in huge picture windows that look out onto the bustling NoLibs intersection.

Lafayette is the name of a city in Tunisia, and it features a way-diverse population of Christians, Jews and Muslims — hence the multi-discipline thrust of the food. Both owners hail from North Africa, so the menu (apps, seafood, housemade pasta, salads; large plates top out at $26) features several subtle touches from the region, including whole fish, a boiled salad with Mediterranean tuna and entrée-size Couscous Royal with veggies or chicken.

* This is an Excerpt from the Philadelphia City Paper, by: Drew Lazor