OogieBoogieMan
08-23-2009, 08:39 AM
We managed to get reservations for Kouzzina on 8/22 for dinner and had a great time.
We started with the Kouzzina Sampler for an appetizer and chose the lamb meatball and chicken skewers. It also came with a hummus, pita bread, olives and cashews. It was very good, a sampling of flavors for sure. I also became happy that I didn't order the lamb burger for dinner after tasting the meatball. Lamb has a very distinctive flavor and for my taste, using it in a meatball, or hamburger for that matter, messes with my head. It just isn't the flavor I am expecting and I enjoy it less. I am sure a lamb lover might feel otherwise, so don't let it stop you from trying it.
I had the Fisherman's Stew. I am somewhat adventurous when it comes to food but this meal violates one of my baisc rules - I don't eat anything that resembles on my my plate what it looked like when it roamed the earth - think lobster or a whole fish. I make an exception for clams and mussels but they have to be prepared properly. Everything in the dish was great and the sauce was very flavorful, if a bit spicy. In fact, I chose a white wine since a chardonnay was recommended but I suggest you get a bold red if you try this dish. The spice in the sauce just overwhelmed the wine, a red zin would have been more appropriate IMHO. All fish does not need white wine.
My wife had the Pastitsio Lasagna and it was wonderful. It is a large protion and served very hot, so be prepared. One of our little ones needed the bathroom when the food arrived (don't they always) and my wife had no problem making the trip as her food was still too hot to eat when she returned. The cinnamon in the lasagna worked very well and it tasted authentic, but for the unitiated you won't mistake this for Grandma's lasagna, so read the menu. I actually prefer this to tradional Italian lasagna, but then again, I am not Italian.
For dessert, my wife had the semolina custard and I had the greek cookies. Both were tasty, although I would expect to find something comparable at most Disney restaurants. To be fair, it seems that the Bundino Cake is the signature dish but our stomachs just weren't up to it. We also had the pressed coffee, which the first time around was a cup of grinds, but they got it right the second time.
On the complaint, or rather minor gripe, side since it is still a soft opening, there were a few missteps. The server was clearly new to both the restaurant and the job. Little things, like forgetting to put bread on the table and having to ask the same question three times. ( One of my kids wanted grated cheese for their kids macaroni. I literally asked three times and the server said he would check. It never showed up and I subsequently saw a dish on another table with grated cheese on top, so they definitely had it). They were also completely out of the two greek beers on the menu and all of the Coranation wine, which doesn't strike me as great planning given they have been serving dinner for a week.
All in all though a wonderful experience and we will be back to try some of the other dishes that caught our eye, most notably the flank steak and the pork t-bone. We are here for eight more days so maybe I will have a follow up. Defintely give it a shot. One final note, they do offer the Tables in Wonderland discount so bring your card. I wasn't sure since it was new restaurant but it was no problem.
If you have any questions just let me know!
We started with the Kouzzina Sampler for an appetizer and chose the lamb meatball and chicken skewers. It also came with a hummus, pita bread, olives and cashews. It was very good, a sampling of flavors for sure. I also became happy that I didn't order the lamb burger for dinner after tasting the meatball. Lamb has a very distinctive flavor and for my taste, using it in a meatball, or hamburger for that matter, messes with my head. It just isn't the flavor I am expecting and I enjoy it less. I am sure a lamb lover might feel otherwise, so don't let it stop you from trying it.
I had the Fisherman's Stew. I am somewhat adventurous when it comes to food but this meal violates one of my baisc rules - I don't eat anything that resembles on my my plate what it looked like when it roamed the earth - think lobster or a whole fish. I make an exception for clams and mussels but they have to be prepared properly. Everything in the dish was great and the sauce was very flavorful, if a bit spicy. In fact, I chose a white wine since a chardonnay was recommended but I suggest you get a bold red if you try this dish. The spice in the sauce just overwhelmed the wine, a red zin would have been more appropriate IMHO. All fish does not need white wine.
My wife had the Pastitsio Lasagna and it was wonderful. It is a large protion and served very hot, so be prepared. One of our little ones needed the bathroom when the food arrived (don't they always) and my wife had no problem making the trip as her food was still too hot to eat when she returned. The cinnamon in the lasagna worked very well and it tasted authentic, but for the unitiated you won't mistake this for Grandma's lasagna, so read the menu. I actually prefer this to tradional Italian lasagna, but then again, I am not Italian.
For dessert, my wife had the semolina custard and I had the greek cookies. Both were tasty, although I would expect to find something comparable at most Disney restaurants. To be fair, it seems that the Bundino Cake is the signature dish but our stomachs just weren't up to it. We also had the pressed coffee, which the first time around was a cup of grinds, but they got it right the second time.
On the complaint, or rather minor gripe, side since it is still a soft opening, there were a few missteps. The server was clearly new to both the restaurant and the job. Little things, like forgetting to put bread on the table and having to ask the same question three times. ( One of my kids wanted grated cheese for their kids macaroni. I literally asked three times and the server said he would check. It never showed up and I subsequently saw a dish on another table with grated cheese on top, so they definitely had it). They were also completely out of the two greek beers on the menu and all of the Coranation wine, which doesn't strike me as great planning given they have been serving dinner for a week.
All in all though a wonderful experience and we will be back to try some of the other dishes that caught our eye, most notably the flank steak and the pork t-bone. We are here for eight more days so maybe I will have a follow up. Defintely give it a shot. One final note, they do offer the Tables in Wonderland discount so bring your card. I wasn't sure since it was new restaurant but it was no problem.
If you have any questions just let me know!