An Erev Tov at Ezov

Eats that Entice & Engage

Words by Tanya White | Photos by Baptiste Despios

Step into an environment of art, music, and food that will transport visitors to the Middle East. Ezov offers something unique for Mediterranean food lovers such as uncommon food and spice combinations, dished out in a vibrant and buzzy space, that surprise and delight the tastebuds.

We’re doing something unique and different,” says Ezov’s Executive Chef Berty Richter. “Like with all of our concepts, we break the mold a little bit with what’s expected and how we do things. The way we feature this type of food is different, and I’d like everyone to come and experience that.”

The masterminds behind Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group are critical contributors to the East Austin restaurant scene, with the opening of Canje in 2021 and then Ezov in 2022. Chef Berty has been a part of the hospitality group team for a few years now, collaborating with them on the TLV restaurant concept once housed at Fareground and is now the creative behind the colorful menu at Ezov.

The entire menu is a reflection of Chef Berty’s tastes of home, and he has designed flavor combinations that astonish and delight those who enter. The Smashed Cucumber, for example, combines the mildness of labne with the spice of nigella, turning this typically mundane vegetable into a taste sensation. The richness of the hummus, in itself mouth-watering, is taken into a new direction with oyster mushrooms and hazelnuts. The tartness of pomegranate, combined with the smooth, earthy crunch of pistachios, come together explosively in a bright albacore crudo dish. The Halloumi is paired with the warm spice of dukkah and the sweetness of molasses. The menu is small and powerful, reflecting the creative chops that Chef Berty has developed working in kitchens internationally.

Each Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group concept restaurant strives to deliver a signature bread to guests, and the Frena at Ezov does not disappoint. Frena is a puffy kind of pita bread, soft and fluffy, and easy to pull apart in order to scoop up piles of hummus.
The summer heat had everyone in the kitchen shifting gears as farmers weren’t able to deliver some of the items typically on the menu. Dishes built around ingredients had to be revisited and thought out differently. “We have notebooks upon notebooks of ideas,” explains Chef Berty, “and we are in constant communication with farmers. Our cuisine is rich and versatile enough that we can play with a lot of things.”

Chef Berty and his team work directly with area farmers to plan dishes and special menus, ensuring that ingredients match availability. With seasons changing and cooler weather ahead, the chef is tight-lipped about implementing new menu ideas coming this fall for Austin’s Eastside Mediterranean treasure.

Regardless the season, any visitor to Ezov will experience the unique vibe intended to transport guests to another continent and culture. Chef Berty grins, “This food is my passion…because that’s where I grew up. It’s a blend of so many cultures, and this is a place to be able to host and share the love, those flavors, and the food.”

Contact:
(512) 305-1118
2708 E Cesar Chavez St.
ezovatx.com
@ezovatx