Meraki Greek Grill
Hummus – Garbanzo Beans, Tahini and Lemon
Melizanosalata – Roasted Eggplant, Fresh Herbs and Olive Oil
Falafel Side x2
Saganaki – Lightly Fried Imported Kefalograviera Cheese
Pita Bread
Gyro and Chicken Kalamaki Plate with French Fries, Greek Salad, Pita and Tzatziki
Baklava – Layered Phyllo, Walnuts and Honey Syrup / Mama’s Rice Pudding – Cinnamon and Vanilla / Ravani – Sweet Semolina Cake
Baklava Ice Cream – Vanilla Ice Cream with Baklava
Poised to celebrate their 6 month anniversary on Tuesday Meraki Greek Grill has been nothing less than an Off-Strip sensation since opening its doors, and on Friday evening after a long work week the decision was made to finally check the place out, a bill of just $64 yielding enough high quality fare to have fed at least one more than a party of three and the offerings almost universally on par with anything else of its kind in Sin City.
Owned by Jerry Goumroian of Henderson’s beloved The Great Greek and Nikos Georgousis of Estiatorio Milos fame, the location on South Rainbow in the same plaza that previously housed Elements traditionally considered a tough sell due to its neighborhood, Meraki promises diners a “quality meal with the best service at an affordable price” and from the moment one enters the tile and blue space it is fairly obvious that this isn’t a run-of-the-mill counter order concept, the women running the front of house moving from register to tableside all clearly quite knowledgeable and extremely pleasant.
Defined as “doing something with soul, creativity and love,” the music light and walls decorated in photographs of Greece plus a mural of Zeus, diners at Meraki are invited to peruse both overhead and paper menus before stepping forward to place an order that is paid for up front, the menu ranging from Appetizers and Desserts to Bowls and Sandwiches all made of great ingredients by a kitchen that works quietly, the staff going so far as to course items out so that, even when busy, no table is overwhelmed.
Told that portions were ‘enough but not too big,’ a fair assessment at a pricepoint that sees most Appetizers sold for less than $5 for sharable amounts and no more than $15 for main plates that should sate even the most hearty appetite, it was in Family style on boards that three rounds of Food were served in under sixty minutes, course one comprised of smooth Hummus and a mild Eggplant puree plus fried Kefalograviera Cheese that was both stretchy and elegantly saline, two orders of Falafel delivering eight crisp and oilless nuggets lightly perfumed in Onions, Parsley and Garlic.
Not particularly sold on the Pita, a ‘good enough’ but unremarkable Loaf that is served quartered and warm but not nearly on par with the fluffy housemade pockets at Amena Bakery & Deli, round two saw Nikos and team send out a platter of tender Lamb and Beef served over Fries along with a Lemon-spritzed skewer of Chicken alongside Greek Salad and Tzatziki, the cooling Yogurt not only excellent for creating a makeshift Gyro but also as a dip for Fries, though those looking for something a bit more traditional/healthy may wish to opt for Rice instead.
Offering Iced Tea and Coke products from a Remix Machine, kids meals also making Juice Boxes or Milk available at an extra charge, dinner concluded by way of 4/5 of Meraki’s Dessert selections, the celebrated Baklava Ice Cream a clever way to serve the classic Honey and Walnut Pastry as a mix-in with scoops of Vanilla though purists may prefer the housemade flaky layers served ‘au natural’ in two sizable triangles, the Rice Pudding easily one of the best in Las Vegas for staying simple and being served at room temperature while the $3.79 Semolina Cake is nicely soaked at the bottom but still with some tooth at the top and restrained in its sweetness by light notes of Citrus.
FOUR STARS: Budget friendly, fresh, healthy and well-crafted with a staff that excels in making guests of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome Meraki is yet another example of a talented Casino Chef bringing his skills to the neighborhood, a growing trend that is slowly gaining traction and worth supporting as the Las Vegas dining scene evolves into something more than just a place for Celebrity Chefs and tourists visiting the Strip.
RECOMMENDED: Saganaki, Tzatziki, Gyro, Chicken Kalamaki, Baklava Ice Cream, Rice Pudding, Ravani.
AVOID: Pita is merely average amongst standouts and the Eggplant Puree could have stood to be a bit more deeply smoked to add some complexity past that of the Garlic.
TIP: Open 11-9 Tuesday through Saturday and until 8pm on Sunday. Specials occasionally available so watch Social Media @merakigreeklv
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
http://www.merakigreekgrill.com
