The dire economic situation in Greece and a burning desire for independence has led one young man to turn the dim light at the end of the tunnel into what he hopes will be a bright success in Malta.

“Authenticity and quality” are the benchmarks that Labros Koutsioubas, 24, holds to when offering Greek food at his modest restaurant in Merchants Street, Valletta, which was set up just six months ago.

As the song Zorba the Greek wafts over the airwaves, mingling with the smell of Tzatziki, garlic and rotisserie pork, Mr Koutsioubas sings the praises of his mother, Eugenia – the brains behind the brilliant food.

“She cooks like she is cooking for family,” Labros says, glancing and pointing to one of his favourite dishes, Moussaka, the golden brown crust glistening behind the glass counter, the love and attention to detail evident in every slice.

“The Greeks say that his mother is the best cook and objectively speaking, she really is,” Mr Koutsioubas said, adding that the same passion she put into cooking for him went into what was served to customers.

The restaurant stays true to what Greek food is all about and most of the ingredients are imported from Greece to make sure to retain the authenticity and quality of what is served, he said. Mr Koutsioubas fell in love with Malta on a visit last February after hearing what a great place it is from friends. He decided to move here to open his own restaurant, breaking from his father’s business.

The bad economic situation in his country was a good excuse to make the move and, coupled with a burning desire to be independent and do his own thing, Mr Koutsioubas opened Elia, which means Olive, some six months ago.

Most of the staff are Greek and Mr Koutsioubas is the only one who understands English fluently, so some days are a little difficult when it comes to making out what customers are saying.

Chuckling, Mr Koutsioubas said that Italian customers were probably the most difficult to understand but Maltese clients were easy because they were bilingual.

He has also noticed the cultural similarities between Greeks and Maltese when it came to their love of life and having food as an integral part of any celebration.

Asked if he plans to expand the business, Mr Koutsioubas said: “Never say never in life.”