What: Sit inside or out at this tiny, fast-casual, order-at-the-counter Greek eatery designed with cool blue and white tones in an ever-changing location in the Ventura and Laurel Grove strip mall anchored by California Pizza Kitchen.

Who: Owners and husband-wife team John Giannopoulos and Jenny Acosta are recent Chicago transplants who owned a Greek restaurant in Chicago and are now cooking up handed-down family recipes in Studio City.

The Food: A surprisingly large carry-out and eat-in menu covers the Greek gamut, as well as American options in the mix: three flavors of rotisserie chicken (BBQ, Greek and original—$10.75 for a whole bird!); an array of sandwiches and wraps, including gyros and burgers; an appetizer list with grilled octopus and veggies, as well as spanakopita, Greek sausage and dolmas; sides such as the traditional avgolemono soup (chicken and rice), Greek fries (cheese/potato blend in filo dough), and baked vegetables called briami. For purely American tastes, there are simple selections such as salmon salad, all-American turkey salad and a roast beef sandwich.  

The Sweets: Traditional selections including: baklava, galaktoboureko (custard with filo dough), ekmek (shredded filo, custard, whipped cream and walnuts) and an American/Greek blend—baklava cheesecake.

Interesting fact: All the olive oil and olives are sourced from John's family-owned farm in Messinias, Greece.  

Watch out: Look for weekly specials, an expanded menu and catering services soon.

Details: Meraki, 12265 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-358-4423. Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking on street and in underground garage.

Order at the counter for dine-in or carry-out.

Oktapodi Scharas (char-grilled octopus with olive oil and lemon)

Loukaniko Scharas (char-grilled pork sausage flavored with orange peel, fennel and other herbs)

Spanakopita (spinach and feta in filo dough)