Romi's Bakery is a relatively simple spot with a menu of seriously delicious, hand-crafted food. A market and bakery serving Toronto a taste of Tel Aviv, Romi's tempts diners with an impossibly-appealing array of Israeli-inspired eats.

It's been a year since Tomer Markovitz opened his highly personal bakery on St. Clair West. Named for chef's first child, the space is also built around Markovitz's history (including his time at Parallel), memories, and hopes for the future.

"Everything that we make," he says, "is things that we love to eat, and wanted to share with the public." The concept was also created, he adds, to help Markovitz stay in the industry while maintaining some semblance of work-life balance.

Bright and airy, awash in whites and warm cinnamon hues, the space feels modern in a lived-in, cozy way. Beyond its geometric ceiling, it’s the banter of eager customers and allure of chubby challah loaves that most give the space its winning personality.

"Romi’s menu," adds Markovitz, "is dedicated to the idea of 'simple and delicious.' I wanted to do something unpretentious yet keep the highest quality possibly."

In every morsel — which stretches from sticky Nutella or Cinnamon Sugar Rugelach ($3, each) to vibrant matbucha and salads laced with myriad crunchy, salty, sweet, über-fresh things — quality and taste are at the core.

"The goal was to make everything the best way I can after working on recipes for almost 10 years now," explains Markovitz, adding, "I wanted to still make it affordable but give the people an experience of well-thought food."

The team at Romi’s makes everything — save for pita, which is sourced from Angel Bakeries, in NYC — in-house. Every morning, they're marinating and chopping, puréeing, kneading, baking and more to ensure fridges are stocked, and menu items are at their best.

"I believe you can feel the dedication and precision we put in every dish we serve, and hopefully the costumers do too."

If the steady stream of people popping in to restock their kitchens and fortify their bodies is any indication, they do.

Some arrive with a singular goal, say grabbing a voluptuous challah. Others, want to peruse the grab-and-go fridge or stay for a Flat White ($4.75), a juicy Rosewater Hibiscus Spritz ($5.25) or a minty Limonana Spritz ($5.25).

Whichever category they fit into, customers are met with a menu that draws on a number of influences — from Europe to North Africa, and the Middle East.

Eat at Romi's, and the unwritten rule is that a side order of Challah ($3) should accompany any and all meals.

Having tried it, you’ll also be compelled to carry one home. Downy with a shiny, tender, golden crust the just-sweet loaves are available plain, or smattered with sesame or poppy seeds, everything bagel mix, or filled with Nutella ($10-$14).

Order Romi's Hummus ($14), and the challah (or pita, if you prefer) is included. It's just the thing for scooping up every velvety drop.

With chickpeas, tahini, a hard-boiled egg, house-made shug and chili garlic dressing, this hummus veritably explodes with texture and chutzpah. A favourite among the team, shug adds a bold, herby punch of garlicky flavour to everything it touches.

Available in sandwiches or trios, Falafel ($9, for three) are crunchy and filling with a deeply herbal, grassy back note, care of parsley, mint and more.

Though it might challenge some people's idea of "affordable," the Wagyu Shawarma Pita ($23) is worth every penny.

Assembled from top-quality ingredients (the kitchen only serves wagyu beef), it's a sophisticated option that will have you overstuffing your mouth, licking sauce off your elbow, shying away from sharing, and working your way through far too many napkins.

Plump with thin slices of wagyu brisket and caramelized onions, it also contains earthy baharat spice, tahini and tangy amba sauce. Don't look at it as a $23 sandwich; Instead, view it as a complete meal that satisfies on levels that $23 rarely can.

Experts at merging chocolate with sweetened dough, the team's Double Chocolate Chip Cookie ($5) isn't just a distraction. Gooey and vanilla-scented, it's buttery, rich, and big enough to share (or turn to for solace throughout the day).

One year on, chef Markovitz's simple, soulful approach to food continues to draw crowds of in-the-know diners to Romi's.

Romi's Bakery is located at 744 St. Clair Avenue West.