Introducing: S. Lefkowitz, Toronto’s first all-hummus restaurant from the owner of Ezra’s Pound
Name: S. Lefkowitz
Neighbourhood: Trinity-Bellwoods
Contact Info: 913 Dundas St W., 647-346-8448
Owner: Ezra Braves, who closed the Dundas West location of his coffee shop Ezra’s Pound to open the hummuseria
The Food: At Toronto’s first hummuseria, the chickpea dip isn’t just an accoutrement— it’s the star of the meal. Owner Ezra Braves blends re-hydrated organic chickpeas into a protein-packed dip, which he serves warm with pita bread. Plates of hummus come drizzled with olive oil and topped with things like braised beef, warm olives, boiled eggs or tahini, plus a dusting of harissa powder.
The Drinks: Ezra’s Pound pour-overs are still available. Braves also serves loose black tea blended with liquorice root and mint leaves.
The Place : The café hasn’t changed drastically from its corner-coffee-shop days. A few new touches, like big jars of lemons and shelves stacked with dried spices, add some Mediterranean ambiance. Black-and-white photos of Braves’s grandparents (including two of maternal grandpa Sam Lefkowitz) decorate the exposed brick walls.
The Numbers:
• 200 pounds of dried chickpeas per week
• 22 seats (with a 20-seat patio opening this spring)
• $18 for a take-away trio of Mediterranean dips: hummus, labneh and tahini
• 8 years since Braves had his hummus epiphany while traveling through Israel
• 6 ingredients in each batch of hummus
• 2 reclaimed church pews
268283 The hummuseria is located in the old <strong>Ezra’s Pound</strong> space, at 913 Dundas Street West (Image: Ezra Braves) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-11/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-11 0 0
(Image: Ezra Braves)
268288 The space hasn’t changed too much since its coffee-shop days, but a few decorative touches add some Mediterranean ambiance (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-16/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-16 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268287 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-15/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-15 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268286 Jars of harissa powder, za’atar and other dried spices line the counter top (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-14/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-14 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268248 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-02/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-02 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268293 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-21/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-21 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268285 On display: garlic, chickpeas, licorice root (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-13/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-13 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268291 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-19/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-19 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268255 $5 for a 125ml jar of house-blended harissa or za’atar seasoning (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-09/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-09 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268292 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-20/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-20 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268251 Tahini with harissa ($5.50) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-05/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-05 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268254 Small hummus with braised chickpeas ($5.50) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-08/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-08 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268253 Small hummus with braised chickpeas ($5.50) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-07/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-07 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268250 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-04/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-04 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268290 Labneh with harissa ($6) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-18/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-18 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268247 Medjool dates with mint, toasted walnuts and orange and rose blossom syrup ($5) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-01/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-01 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268289 Hummus with braised beef and warm olives ($8.75) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-17/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-17 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268284 Two house sauces: chipotle-and-ancho pepper (left) and cilantro-and-parsley chimichurri (right) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-12/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-12 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
268249 The restaurant’s namesake (top) (Image: Caroline Aksich) Introducing: S. Lefkowitz https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurants/slide/s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-03/ s-lefkowitz-toronto-restaurant-03 0 0
(Image: Caroline Aksich)
Looks delish!
I LOVE this place.