As a former dweller and permanent lover of the Levant, one day in Toronto I decided that this long-distance relationship wasn't working out and that I was slowly crumbling inside without some spice in my life. A friend sent me to Akram's and...let's just say that it was really good.
I was specifically looking for sumac, which is that dark spice you normally encounter in Lebanese food, and if they had zaatar, it was just an added bonus. It turns out they had both and I managed to buy a container of each plus some fresh grave leaves, all for less than $10. This is almost as good as any souk or shuk I've been to.
One of the women that works there is from Syria and she gave me an in-depth insight and wonderful impression of her country. She also encouraged me to buy pomegranate molasses next time I come in, and you know, I think she might have won me over on both accounts.
This review is simply for the experience. I left off one star because I haven't tested any of their foods, but I cannot wait to go back!