Dining Spots in your Area

Uncle Stavros Cafe in Hermosa Beach looks like your typical beach breakfast and lunch spot. There’s a pleasant, plant-filled patio with umbrella-topped tables, and the dining room is bright and airy because of floor-to-ceiling windows that let in breezes from the ocean, a block away. But, as fans of “Kojak” may remember, Stavros is a Greek name, and what sets this restaurant apart is a list of Greek specialties.

Opened in 1969 by Greek-born Stavros Triantis, the cafe is now run by Stavros’ daughter, Loula Stavros Dalis. Dalis, who greets many of her customers by name, has recently lengthened the restaurant’s hours to include dinner on weekends. Still, the busiest meal is breakfast.

The restaurant’s most popular selection is a fixture on the daily specials list. It’s the Mediterranean omelet ($6.95), a fluffy three-egg dish stuffed with feta cheese, spinach, tomatoes and onions, and accompanied by roasted potatoes. Another big seller is the hearty gyro omelette ($6.95), which is filled with lamb, beef, tomatoes, feta and tzatziki , a creamy concoction of cucumbers, garlic and yogurt. Traditionalists might consider three buckwheat pancakes served with two eggs and bacon or sausage ($5.20).

At lunch, a good way to sample the kitchen’s Greek fare is with the appetizer plate ($6.25), which features stuffed grape leaves, Greek olives, feta and taramosalata , the so-called Greek caviar made from carp roe mixed with lemon juice, milk-soaked bread crumbs and olive oil. Spanakopita ($4.95) is baked filo dough stuffed with sauteed spinach and feta. Diners can also choose from seven salads, including a spinach and mushroom salad ($5.25) and a Cobb salad ($6.25).

Offerings on the still-evolving dinner menu include Alaskan halibut ($13.95), topped with pesto sauce and served with asparagus, and angel hair pasta ($7.95), with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil.

Uncle Stavros Cafe is at 201 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach. (310) 379-4964. Open 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Tuesday.