By Mike Cohen and Tony Medeiros
We always appreciate the opportunity to try out new restaurant concepts. Skybird Fresh Asian Grill opened its first location in January at 248 Jean-Talon Ouest, where Park Extension connects with Villeray. Now, they have added a second spot on Pierrefonds Boulevard.
The brainchild of Rio Infantino, the founder of the Copper Branch franchises, the format is quite simple. The main choices are customizable grain salad Sky Bowls and Banh Mi sandwiches. The former allows you to build your sky bowls with fresh ingredients, vibrant garnishes, oven-grilled proteins, and warm signature sauces, with literally hundreds of flavorful combinations available. As for the latter, it is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, packed with fresh ingredients and garnishes, oven-grilled proteins, and warm signature sauces all in a fresh French baguette, for the perfect bite every time!
“We have big plans,” Infantino said in an interview. “There will be more locations opening in 2025. We are looking for franchisees. The goal over the next seven to eight years is to have more than 1,000 Skybirds across Canada and the United States.”
Infantino introduced Copper Branch in 2014 with a 100-percent plant-based menu offering diners ample options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and appeals to customers who have sensitivities, allergies, or other food concerns. In 2020 he sold the group to franchising king Foodtastic and began working on his next project, Skybird Fresh Asian Grill.
Working with his son Andrew, Infantino has vast experience in the industry, having overseen McDonald’s and Subway franchises.
Infantino is working with commercial real estate broker Think Retail, which describes the menu as featuring customizable grain salad bowls, where guests can select fresh vegetables, grilled proteins, and one of six signature sauces to create their perfect meal. Skybird also offers Vietnamese-style Banh Mi sandwiches, crafted with the same fresh ingredients and customizable with sauce and protein options. To complement the food, the drink menu includes craft sodas, milk teas, and Vietnamese cold-brew coffee, along with house-baked matcha and ginger cookies for a sweet finish.
To say we were impressed is an understatement.
Mike at Jean-Talon
I checked out the Jean-Talon location with friends Glenn and Mitchell. This place is interesting because when Infantino chose the premises, it had already housed a Pizza Al Taglio restaurant. It was rebranded Rio’s Pizza Al Taglia Café so customers there have a nice second option. “We already had the pizza oven so we decided to take advantage of it,” said Infantino. “This is not something you will see at our other locations.”
Manager Majd Issa and his staff were impeccably organized. When we arrived at lunch hour, there was already a rush at the counter. Majd asked if we could wait a few minutes as he proceeded to place a fresh array of ingredients in the containers and wash all of the surfaces.
Glenn and Mitchell went for the Asian Fusion Bowls. They are $14.90 for a regular size and $10.90 for a mini, so eight ingredients for the former and four for the latter, as well as two garnishes, protein, sauce and a base
The choices of ingredients are plentiful: cucumber, tomato, baby kale, fresh corn, green peppers, jalapeno, roasted edamame, fresh pineapple, kimchi, soybean sprouts, red onion, shredded cabbage, pickled carrot and daikon, black and white beans, and avocado purée. For garnishes, you can select from crushed peanuts, fried onion, toasted sesame seeds, sambelec spicy sauce, fried noodles and cilantro. As for protein, chicken fillet, roasted pork, organic tofu and steak make up the lineup while the sauces are sweet chili, lemongrass satay, Japanese BBQ, gochujang, General Tao, or That Basil.
I opted for the sandwich, nicely priced at $11.50. It comes with pickled daikon and carrots, shredded cabbage, cilantro, cucumber and their fantastic homemade mayo. As an extra, I added some avocado purée.
Majd asked if we wanted to try the pizza. Each slice is a masterpiece, served in squares and crisp, airy, and topped with ingredients, from classics with a twist to wild creations you’ve possibly never tasted. We went for the rapini and sausage (mozzarella, rapini, extra virgin olive oil, sausage and Parmigiano Reggiano), mushroom and truffle (truffle cream, mozzarella, mushrooms, chives, extra virgin olive oil and parmigiano reggiano) and the bacon and tomatoes (potatoes, mozzarella, bacon, smoked caciocavallo cheese, extra virgin olive oil and parmigiano reggiano). If you are bringing the kids, this place offers them another choice.
Majd sent us home with some matcha and ginger oatmeal cookies for dessert. You can also have some Skybird drinks such as Vietnamese iced coffee, Oolong Chai milk tea and iced matcha latte.
Tony at Pierrefonds
From the moment I walked through the doors, I was warmly greeted by Bishal Dey, the passionate and welcoming manager of this brand-new establishment, which opened just a week ago. Nestled conveniently on Pierrefonds Boulevard, right in front of Maxi and near the Canada Post depot, the location is easily accessible—a perfect neighborhood gem for a quick, healthy bite.
Bishal took the time to personally walk me through the details of his eatery, and I was immediately impressed by the simple yet efficient layout. The streamlined, build-your-own concept makes assembling bowls and Banh Mi sandwiches a breeze, both for customers and staff. It’s a franchise-friendly model with a smooth, efficient service flow. Think of it as a healthier, fresher version of Subway, where you’re in control of every ingredient that goes into your meal. My cardiologist would approve of the abundance of wholesome, heart-healthy options.
Eager to dive in, I created my beef custom bowl, starting with a brown rice base. For ingredients, I loaded up on cucumber – crisp and refreshing, tomatoes – juicy and sweet, Fresh corn – adding a subtle sweetness, jalapeños – bringing a gentle heat, red onion – providing a tangy bite, black beans and white beans – packing a protein punch.
For the finishing touch, I topped it off with crispy fried onions and selected beef with a savory sauce as my protein. My wife, meanwhile, crafted her bowl with the same base ingredients but opted for a chicken fillet and skipped the corn.
Bishal gave me a friendly warning:
“These bowls are so filling that most customers can’t finish them and end up taking them home.”
I dismissed his warning with casual confidence—surely, I could conquer my bowl with ease. But oh, how gloriously mistaken I was. The portion was not merely generous—it was magnificently abundant. Each hearty bite delivered a soul-warming satisfaction, the kind that lingers long after the meal is over, fueling both body and spirit for hours. It wasn’t just filling—it was the kind of meal that fortifies you, leaving you both content and craving more.
Just when I thought the meal couldn’t get any better, Bishal insisted I try their Vietnamese-style baguette sandwich. Since it was my first time trying Banh Mi, he whipped up a pork sandwich loaded with the most popular ingredients.
For those unfamiliar, a Banh Mi is a delicious fusion of Vietnamese and French culinary influences, featuring marinated meats, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and crusty bread. Although distinctly Vietnamese today, the dish traces back to the early 1800s in Vietnam, but it wasn’t until French colonists introduced baguettes in the 19th century that the sandwich as we know it was born.
The baguette was light and crispy, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite, while the savory, tender pork harmonized beautifully with the zesty, tangy vegetables. My wife and I shared the sandwich, and from the very first bite, we were hooked—completely smitten with this bold and flavorful creation.
What truly impressed me was the speed and efficiency of the service. With my hectic schedule, it’s refreshing to know I can pop in and get a healthy, satisfying meal whipped up quickly. The fresh ingredients and customizable options make it a no-brainer for anyone seeking a healthier alternative to traditional fast food.
After this experience, I can honestly say that I’m officially on the bowl bandwagon. Traditional restaurants are increasingly adding bowls to their menus, and I completely understand why. With their freshness, customizability, and healthy ingredients, bowls are becoming the go-to meal for people seeking both flavor and nourishment.
I’ll be returning for more bowls and Banh Mi sandwiches. My body feels healthier for it, and my taste buds are already craving round two. Bravo, Bishal, for introducing me to this fantastic, fresh concept for Pierrefonds!
Where to Find Them
For franchise information, e-mail rio@skybirdgrill.com or info@thinkretail.ca
You can find the present Skybird locations at 248 Jean-Talon West, corner of Marconi (438-380-8780). It is open Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm and Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm. The other one is at 14845 Pierrefonds Blvd. (514-696-2525) and is open 11 am to 11 pm. They both offer indoor seating, take-out and delivery via Uber Eats, Skip and Doordash and catering. Log on to SkybirdGrill.com and RiosPizzaCafe.com