Kouzzina - Opinions and Pics

[walt's assistant]

I agree with the earlier poster who alluded to the fact that there are more than enough restaurants for folks who like less well-seasoned food. We really would appreciate more restaurants that respect more adventuresome palates.

We're big foodies and regularly eat at ethnic restaurants at home and abroad. So I'd consider myself pretty adventurous.

That being said, my comment on the level of seasoning was not really about being adventurous.

I've had crawfish boils and hot curry dishes that will make your eyes water and your body sweat. Those dishes worked because the spices therein enhanced the flavor of the primary ingredients.

IMO, too much had been done to the dishes we sampled at Kouzzina. The spices on the flank steak and the lamb burger overpowered the flavor of the meat. The lamb in particular had so much heat that the server warned me that it would be hot (as the menu was not explicit). He wasn't kidding, and I'd be surprised if that was Cat's intent with that dish. On the opposite side, the breading on the haloumi cheese didn't add any flavor whatsoever to the cheese itself; it wasn't necessary.

If I were to give Cat feedback on improving the dishes we sampled, it would be to simplify them. The primary ingredients she choose for the menu are good ones; let them shine!

 

[bicker]

It's hard to know what to think, though, because other folks say the food was under-seasoned. Sounds like we need to gather up a bit more information to know what to believe.

 

[Poohbear123]

Prices are normal to any good authentic Greek restaurant here in NJ (even "it's Greek to Me" that the pp mentioned...which is yummy!) or even Astoria in Queens (the biggest Greek population in the US). Plus are you forgetting you're in a theme park?

Nope, but I have BEEN to Greek resteraunts, and NEVER paid that MUCH for Greek food, and YES I know I am at a Theme Park...I go 4 times a YEAR! This is not one I will be going too. I will go to Big Grille across the way though...

 

[bicker]

I will go to Big Grille across the way though...

Not a fan of brew pub food, so I will avoid this resteraunt...eating animal flesh doesn't agree with my Digestive System.... I have BEEN to brew pubs like Big River Grille, and NEVER paid that MUCH for brew pub food like that anywhere else, and YES I know I am at a Theme Park...I use to go a couple of times a YEAR! This is not one I will be going too.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Nope, but I have BEEN to Greek resteraunts, and NEVER paid that MUCH for Greek food, and YES I know I am at a Theme Park...I go 4 times a YEAR! This is not one I will be going too. I will go to Big Grille across the way though...

Enjoy

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

The Grand Opening is scheduled for 9/17, not 8/17.

Sorry I meant 9/17. We have ressies for 10!

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Not a fan of brew pub food, so I will avoid this resteraunt...eating animal flesh doesn't agree with my Digestive System.... I have BEEN to brew pubs like Big River Grille, and NEVER paid that MUCH for brew pub food like that anywhere else, and YES I know I am at a Theme Park...I use to go a couple of times a YEAR! This is not one I will be going too.

Agreed! I am thrilled to go next year and try this place, I love Greek food, it's very vegetarian friendly and delicious!

 

[MsAmerica]

We ate there last Thursday and we won't be going back. My expectations were very high for this restaurant and it really disappointed us. Spoodles was SO much better in our opinion and as another poster mentioned, I don't think the restaurant with its current menu will last long.

The service was fine as our waiter told us that almost all of the Spoodle's staff returned to the dining room. The room definitely needs a little something however, the beige faux painted walls just didn't do it for me. The room was actually plain and boring in my opinion. Spoodles had loads of pottery and art work on the walls and Kouzzina is dull.

Just my opinion

MsA

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

We ate there last Thursday and we won't be going back. My expectations were very high for this restaurant and it really disappointed us. Spoodles was SO much better in our opinion and as another poster mentioned, I don't think the restaurant with its current menu will last long.

The service was fine as our waiter told us that almost all of the Spoodle's staff returned to the dining room. The room definitely needs a little something however, the beige faux painted walls just didn't do it for me. The room was actually plain and boring in my opinion. Spoodles had loads of pottery and art work on the walls and Kouzzina is dull.

Just my opinion

MsA

oh no! That is too bad. I agree...when I saw the pictures of the interior of the restaurant...I was disappointed. I mean, come on...is Cat trying to save $$$? She couldn't redecorate?

My DH and I are leaving DD in a kids club so we can dine there on our "date night at WDW" but it does not look cozy and romantic. We gave up a ressie at Flying Fish for Kouzzina. Maybe we should go to Blue Zoo instead?

How was the food? Was the restaurant AT ALL romantic? Dimly lit?

 

[bicker]

oh no! That is too bad. I agree...when I saw the pictures of the interior of the restaurant...I was disappointed. I mean, come on...is Cat trying to save $$$? She couldn't redecorate?

Cat Cora consulted on the menu. She doesn't own the restaurant. Disney does, and Disney alone would decide whether to spend money to redecorate.

Was the restaurant AT ALL romantic? Dimly lit?

Disney restaurants seem to be either family friendly, frenetic, or oppressively dark. There are very few "romantic" restaurants, and they're all very expensive. I'd be real surprised if Kouzzina is romantic. I didn't see anything that would lead me to believe that that was any part of the intention for the new restaurant.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Cat Cora consulted on the menu. She doesn't own the restaurant. Disney does, and Disney alone would decide whether to spend money to redecorate.

Disney restaurants seem to be either family friendly, frenetic, or oppressively dark. There are very few "romantic" restaurants, and they're all very expensive. I'd be real surprised if Kouzzina is romantic. I didn't see anything that would lead me to believe that that was any part of the intention for the new restaurant.

"Uh, I suspect you're kidding." Somehow that part did not appear in your final post. No, I am not kidding...I find Flying Fish romantic. I find Bistro De Paris romantic. I find Artist's Point romantic. California Grill, Citricos, Jiko...I find them all very romantic. I don't think my asking if a new restaurant on WDW property is romantic is such a crazy question.

Of course, romance is where you find it, and I have had romantic meals at Biergarten and Boma, too!

Cat Cora's name is attached to this restaurant. It is being billed as her "first and only signature restaurant." I am sure she had to approve the decor. Apparently, it meets her specifications and standards. I am surprised that she didn't want it spruced up a bit, especially to set the restaurant apart from it's predecessor.

Don't worry, I love Cat Cora...I am not trying to disrespect her at all. Just trying to get an idea of what to expect for the one night of our trip where hubby and I dine alone.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

We ate there last Thursday and we won't be going back. My expectations were very high for this restaurant and it really disappointed us. Spoodles was SO much better in our opinion and as another poster mentioned, I don't think the restaurant with its current menu will last long.

The service was fine as our waiter told us that almost all of the Spoodle's staff returned to the dining room. The room definitely needs a little something however, the beige faux painted walls just didn't do it for me. The room was actually plain and boring in my opinion. Spoodles had loads of pottery and art work on the walls and Kouzzina is dull.

Just my opinion

MsA

I'm sorry your meal wasn't good. Out of curiosity, what didn't you like, and why did you prefer Spoodles?

IMO, Spoodles was terrible by the end of its run, less exciting and flavorful than it used to be. So to me, Kouzzina is a great replacement for Spoodles - but that's just the thing. It's still a casual Mediterranean restaurant. This place isn't supposed to compare with Flying Fish, Jiko, Citricos, etc. It's a casual meal with some interesting Greek choices.

IMO, Kouzzina isn't romantic at all. But very few Disney restaurants are. Even California Grill is hectic, noisy, and crowded with loud families. To me, Jiko is the most romantic restaurant (besides V&A or Bistro de Paris).

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I'm sorry your meal wasn't good. Out of curiosity, what didn't you like, and why did you prefer Spoodles?

IMO, Spoodles was terrible by the end of its run, less exciting and flavorful than it used to be. So to me, Kouzzina is a great replacement for Spoodles - but that's just the thing. It's still a casual Mediterranean restaurant. This place isn't supposed to compare with Flying Fish, Jiko, Citricos, etc. It's a casual meal with some interesting Greek choices.

IMO, Kouzzina isn't romantic at all. But very few Disney restaurants are. Even California Grill is hectic, noisy, and crowded with loud families. To me, Jiko is the most romantic restaurant (besides V&A or Bistro de Paris).

I agree, we only ate at Spoodles for breakfast the last few years.

Thanks for your opinion re:romance. I have not seen the rstaurant yet, and assumed it would be different that Spoodle in regards to food AND decor. That's why I asked. Maybe we will try to switch our ressie for another night when we have DD with us. We find Flying Fish to be very romantic. I think at many WDW restaurants, it depends on your table. We also had a very romantic dinner at Le Cellier...towards the end of the night as the place was emptying out...and we were sitting in that far back booth. I wouldn't recommend it as a romantic restaurant, but that night it was.

Again, I find MANY of the restaurants at WDW to be romantic, but I think it is just the mindset that I am in. So who knows? With a cozy booth, a cocktail or two, a night on the Boardwalk without our DD, with our hotel room just a short walk away...I very well may find Kouzzina to be romantic!!!

 

[bicker]

There are very few "romantic" restaurants, and they're all very expensive.

I find Flying Fish romantic. I find Bistro De Paris romantic. I find Artist's Point romantic. California Grill, Citricos, Jiko...I find them all very romantic.

And all very expensive.

Cat Cora's name is attached to this restaurant. It is being billed as her "first and only signature restaurant." I am sure she had to approve the decor.

That's not what you insinuated before... you insinuated that she was trying to save money.

Apparently, it meets her specifications and standards.

Or perhaps Disney said, "This is all we're going to spend on the decor... take it or leave it."

Truly, the most important thing is that guests understand that there are different sets of restaurants at WDW. Essentially, they break down into "expensive" and "very expensive". The expensive restaurants all have more basic cuisine and decor, and because they are the more affordable restaurants, they tend to be the ones that attract families, and foster a more family-friendly atmosphere. The very expensive restaurants all have more rarefied cuisine and decor, and because they're more expensive, they tend to be the ones that families, especially young families, avoid, and as such often appeal more so to a more mature clientele, and that often results in them fostering a more romantic atmosphere. The Dining Plan explicitly recognizes this distinction, charging twice as much for the "very expensive" restaurants, restaurants that have no other distinction that justifies charging twice as many credits.

The one thing I want to be sure readers understand is that Kouzzina falls into the category of the less expensive set of restaurants, as defined above.

 

[Pumbaa_]

please be nice to each...or ignore, either is fine

thank you

 

[bop28]

please be nice to each...or ignore, either is fine

thank you

I agree. I love reading differing opinions, but bickering is bothersome.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I apologize!

I think we are going to keep our Kouzzina ADR for our date night. I am looking forward to it, and will return with a review!

 

[bop28]

I apologize!

I think we are going to keep our Kouzzina ADR for our date night. I am looking forward to it, and will return with a review!

Enjoy your date night, and I will look forward to reading your review, since we'll be there later this year.

 

[BrightScouter]

I think we need to give it a little more time also. People, this place has not even had it's grand opening yet!! Some changes will happen between now and then. Just because you don't like what you had during a soft opening, you should not say you will NEVER go there again.

But, then again, if you don't go back, it will be easier for me to get ADRs to try it next time I am there.

 

[dbk1029]

To be honest I am tired of "safe" restaurants especially since it seems that all restaurants tend to have a lot of the same menu items at Disney. As long as the food is good it will last. Spoodles was a Med style restaurant and was good until the food quality went down hill. Marrakesh and Boma are definitely not "safe" menus and have been around for a while.

You can contact her through a few options
http://catcoracooks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/catcoracooks

It's not my care about being safe. I didn't like the menu for my own reasons. I have eaten plenty of "off-the-wall" stuff in my time. I have eaten venison, emu, ostrich, rattlesnake, and bear. I personally don't like Med food, at least none that I have tried.