Introducing: S. Lefkowitz, Toronto’s first all-hummus restaurant from the owner of Ezra’s Pound
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
Read More
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- The hummuseria is located in the old <strong>Ezra’s Pound</strong> space, at 913 Dundas Street West
- (Image: Ezra Braves)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- 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
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- Jars of harissa powder, za’atar and other dried spices line the counter top
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- On display: garlic, chickpeas, licorice root
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
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- $5 for a 125ml jar of house-blended harissa or za’atar seasoning
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
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- Tahini with harissa ($5.50)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- Small hummus with braised chickpeas ($5.50)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- Small hummus with braised chickpeas ($5.50)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
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- Labneh with harissa ($6)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- Medjool dates with mint, toasted walnuts and orange and rose blossom syrup ($5)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- Hummus with braised beef and warm olives ($8.75)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- Two house sauces: chipotle-and-ancho pepper (left) and cilantro-and-parsley chimichurri (right)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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- The restaurant’s namesake (top)
- (Image: Caroline Aksich)
- Introducing: S. Lefkowitz
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 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
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Looks delish!
I LOVE this place.