Hummus specialist Dizengoff opens Aug. 11
Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook are setting up on Sansom Street. Abe Fisher, a companion restaurant, will open after Labor Day next door.
You can go to Zahav in Society Hill for what many contend is the best hummus in Philadelphia.
Starting Monday, Aug. 11, you have a more casual option from restaurateurs Steven Cook and chef Michael Solomonov.
They're opening Dizengoff, an Israeli hummus shop (or hummusiya), at 1625 Sansom St., across from their mega-hit Federal Donuts. It's a casual spot - a counter and 25 seats.
Next door - opening by Sept. 7 - will be a companion restaurant, Abe Fisher, a 50-seater serving small plates inspired by the Jewish Diaspora. It will have a full bar.
Dizengoff - named after the boulevard in Tel Aviv (say it "DEEZ-en-goff") - will serve hummus developed by Solomonov and Zahav veteran Emily Seaman, baked-on-premesis pita and seasonal salatim (salads) from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Opening menu will have four varieties:
Hummus tehina, $9: Soom Foods tehina
Hummus with corn, fenugreek masabacha, $10: whole chickpeas and lemon
Hummus with ground lamb, $11: peas, orange, cinnamon, mint, pistachio
Hummus with matbucha, haminado egg, $10: Moroccan cooked tomato-pepper salad, Sephardic slow-cooked egg
Each hummus plate will include two pitas (or pitot, as the plural), two salatim and Israeli pickles.
(Note that Dizengoff will be baking pita. That hot, pillowy bread that is baked at Zahav is laffa.)
Opening salads will be roasted cauliflower with walnut tarator and dill; and zucchini, roasted cherry tomato, pomegranate molasses and sesame seeds. There will be house-made harif (hot sauce).
Nonalcoholic drinks include Frozen Lemonanna (minted lemonade, $5), Coke, Diet Coke ($1.50) and San Pellegrino Pompelmo, $2.50. Rotating, seasonal craft brews will be available as 12-ounce drafts for $4 each.
Want to see how Solomonov makes his hummus? Check this video from three years ago.