Alexis Restaurant, the Mission District's stalwart Greek taverna, stands out for its crowd-pleasing appetizers, homey surroundings and a stable menu of authentic Greek favorites. On the weekends, belly dancers perform in a no-frills dining room of blue- and white-checked tablecloths. Or you can dine in the relaxed bar area behind a beaded curtain of wine corks. We recommend mixing and matching appetizers, such as saganaki, the pan-fried, flaming cheese dish, with other winning starters including feta and olives; marinated octopus; vegetarian gyros; spanakopita (spinach, rice and feta wrapped in phyllo); and grape leaves stuffed with ground lamb and rice and topped with egg lemon sauce. The house-made fresh bread goes great with hummus, eggplant salad dip, and tzatziki (garlic, yogurt, cucumber and sour cream). For entrées, try pastitsio (macaroni with ground lamb) or deep-fried squid (kalamarika) as well as regular or vegetarian versions of spanakopita and moussaka. Family-style dinners and luncheons can also be ordered for large groups. Don't miss baklava for dessert. Reservations not accepted. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun and between meals.