Transport tastebuds
This local couple have given Emerald Lakes a more European flavour with a home-style Mediterranean menu
KOKKO Maria deli cafe is delivering on the European promise of Emerald Lakes’ French Quarter.
The eatery, which opened four months ago, is serving home-cooked Mediterranean fare, 10 varieties of coffee bean and imported groceries including pastas, sauces and confectionary.
You’ll find lasagnes, spinach pies, stuffed capsicum, arancini balls, panini, gourmet short crust pies, baklava and even protein balls on the menu.
“Sitting in the piazza of the French Quarter, you feel like you’re at Portfino or the Spanish Steps, so it’s nice our foods and coffee can complete the picture,” says co-owner Berge Zakarian.
“The community has told us they’ve been waiting years for a place like ours.
“We get compliments every day on our home-style food and people love our coffee – they all say they’ve been hanging out for good strong Melbournestyle coffee.”
Berge says his wife and coowner Maria (the property is named after her; Kokko means “sweet” in Greek) cooks 85 per cent of their menu on the premises and is the mastermind behind the pastries.
The couple moved to Emerald Lakes two years ago intending to semi-retire after almost 30 years operating cafes and delis in Melbourne, including properties in upmarket Toorak and Elwood.
Berge says it was Maria’s idea to do something closer to home.
“We live at Emerald Lakes and it’s a fantastic village atmosphere,” he says. “If we were going to do something I didn’t want to drive up the highway every day.
“Something Mediterranean and continental seemed perfect for Emerald Lakes, so I designed a theme like my other shops.”
Kokko Maria deli cafe, shop 7/3029 The Boulevard, Emerald Lakes, Carrara.