"Upscale Mediterranean food is nothing new to Austin, but up until now it’s largely followed a formula involving some kind of fancy hummus—probably with short rib on it—a Greek salad, and a few kebabs. Then Ezov entered the picture and ushered in a new era of Mediterranean food in town, with a seasonal menu of dishes inspired by the Galilee region of northern Israel. Suddenly, marinated olives felt boring next to deep-fried sigarim—AKA Moroccan cigars—packed full of savory, spiced sweetbreads and chicken hearts in a crispy shell. A DIY tabletop chicken shawarma station helped us realize how interactive and complex a dish made up of so many sauces and toppings could be. The dining room is every bit as buzzy as you’d expect out of a tall, modern building in East Austin with floor-to-ceiling windows, cozy booths, and enough Tel Aviv-inspired graffiti to paint more than just mental imagery. " - nicolai mccrary
