Kouzzina - Opinions and Pics

[panfan]

I was also dissapointed, we ate there last Tuesday night. We made the ADR's before leaving for our trip when the menus were out but not the prices and the kids meals weren't posted yet. We were excited to try it and I should have known better when we stood on the boardwalk and read the menu, kids menu, and prices! I would have rather given my $225 to another WDW venue.

In my case, it was mostly for lack of a "regular choce". DH and I enjoyed ours well enough but my two DS's 13 had trouble. Each ended up ordereing from the Adult menu and didn't really like their choices ( I didn't like either entree either) Lamb burger--way, way , way to spicy and the "Lasagne" -- well, just yucky!

With that being said, we all enjoyed our desserts! Also, the press pot coffee was probably almost my very favorite thing of the whole week!! So I guess, not a total loss

 

[PatriciaH]

We went with a group last Sunday night. Two of the people were Greek from Tarpon Springs, FL. The food at any hole in the wall Greek place in NY, Boston, Tarpon Springs and even Taverna Opa at The Point Orlando is SO much better. For a fraction of the price (Taverna Opa is a bit pricey.) They do not even light the Saganaki on fire and it does not taste good. The Spanakopita was OK-buttery but small (a bit bigger than Food and Wine size) and $7.99. The Kouzzina Sampler $17.99 was small-3 pieces of chicken and shrimp-why not 4 if it is "for 2 to share?" Two small grape leaves, tiny shallow amount of dips. Plenty of pita bread-not enough dip though! I miss the dips at Spoodles! The Greek salad from Spoodles was much better and larger as well. Still LOUD as always in there. Decor and paint/lights a bit different. The Ozu-tini was good and different if you like licorice flavor. The Avgolemono soup was tasty but $7.49 and a small bowl!

Pastitsio Greek-style Lasagna

 

[PatriciaH]

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

ITA! It was so boring in there. Blank bare walls. Nice lighting. Spoodles was always LOUD too but we still went like once a month and got the dips, the shrimp app and a Greek salad each. Great meal. We will not be going back to Kouzzina ever- maybe for a to go Ozu-tini

 

[disneygirlinnj]

sorry you guys had crappy times... just keep in mind this is still the soft opening. they have to iron out the kinks still, which apparently they have a few according to some people! hopefully they'll have it all worked out by the grand opening in a few weeks.

I also think they should rethink describing the pastisio as lasagna. It's really not even close so if people are ordering thinking that's what they're getting...there's no wonder they're disappointed! Bechemel sauce is totally different for some people.

 

[copperbrick]

She really ate the eyeballs?

Oh my gosh, that and the cheeks are the best part!

 

[copperbrick]

I don't see why they couldn't cut the head off for you? My mom is the same way...she can't eat it if it's staring back at her

Also though in regards to the cinnamon in the lasagna (pastisio). You aren't supposed to taste an overpowering flavor of cinnamon if made correctly. I actually don't taste it at all normally. I know it freaks some people out but after they try it they really enjoy it. The chicken though I would assume has a much stronger flavor since there seems to be a lot more added in the recipe from looking at the photo someone posted. Just my two cents though!

I have never met a restaurant that won't cut the head off if you ask.

 

[copperbrick]

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

But what about the food? Please do not compare to Spoodles but judge it on its own. It is not Spoodles and is not trying to be.

That said, I wish I had had a chance to try Spoodles before it closed. I've heard many good things!

Thank you for your post.

 

[copperbrick]

We went with a group last Sunday night. Two of the people were Greek from Tarpon Springs, FL. The food at any hole in the wall Greek place in NY, Boston, Tarpon Springs and even Taverna Opa at The Point Orlando is SO much better. For a fraction of the price (Taverna Opa is a bit pricey.) They do not even light the Saganaki on fire and it does not taste good. The Spanakopita was OK-buttery but small (a bit bigger than Food and Wine size) and $7.99. The Kouzzina Sampler $17.99 was small-3 pieces of chicken and shrimp-why not 4 if it is "for 2 to share?" Two small grape leaves, tiny shallow amount of dips. Plenty of pita bread-not enough dip though! I miss the dips at Spoodles! The Greek salad from Spoodles was much better and larger as well. Still LOUD as always in there. Decor and paint/lights a bit different. The Ozu-tini was good and different if you like licorice flavor. The Avgolemono soup was tasty but $7.49 and a small bowl!

Ok, so I've been very pro-active this place so far, but your post is making me think twice.

We have a number of wonderful Greek restaurants in my geo area too -- I've been a fan of Greek food since the '70's (friends' moms' home-cooking as well as Chicago area restaurants), so now I'm going to hold off before I get too excited. I'm still looking forward to the experience, but it had better be really, really, good, with portion sizes to match. Time will tell. I will be posting a review, for sure.

Thank you for your post.

 

[beequeen]

We (group of 5) ate here last week and it was one of the best meals we had our whole trip. I'm sorry I don't remember all the Greek names for the food, but I'll try my best. The appitizer was the fried cheese and it was not very good. Everything else was outstanding. I had the pasta dish (?pastisio?) and it was very tasty. The meat was seasoned with cinnamon, but it was not easily recognizable by the taste. My brother had the lamb burger and he was forewarned it would be spicy - and it was, but he really enjoyed it a lot. The cinnamon chicken was excellent. But by far the stand out dish was the lamb shank. It was fall off the bone tender and tasted just like Gram's (maybe better according to Mark, not ME Gram ) We were all too full for desert. Maybe we are easily impressed, but we had a great meal and felt it was worth the price.

 

[WGJackie]

I can't imagine people not liking this place. If you don't like it, you must have a bland palette. The food at Kouzzina is incredibly flavorful and perfectly mediterranean. I love this type of food as I live in a predominantly greek town and I am half italian. I suppose if you don't like this style of food, you shouldn't go there as you obviously will not like what they have to offer. I shared the whole snapper with my boyfriend and we devoured it. The flavors were incredibly intense and the fish was very fresh. I can post pictures at a later time if you would like to see them. Dinner was quite pricy, but most all the restaurants at WDW cost an arm and a leg. What I liked most about Kouzzina wasn't just the quality of the food, but the fact that these are Cat Cora's actual recipes. I have never been a big Cat Cora fan, but I have to say Kouzzina is very good and I would definitely go back.

 

[WGJackie]

We went with a group last Sunday night. Two of the people were Greek from Tarpon Springs, FL. The food at any hole in the wall Greek place in NY, Boston, Tarpon Springs and even Taverna Opa at The Point Orlando is SO much better. For a fraction of the price (Taverna Opa is a bit pricey.) They do not even light the Saganaki on fire and it does not taste good. The Spanakopita was OK-buttery but small (a bit bigger than Food and Wine size) and $7.99. The Kouzzina Sampler $17.99 was small-3 pieces of chicken and shrimp-why not 4 if it is "for 2 to share?" Two small grape leaves, tiny shallow amount of dips. Plenty of pita bread-not enough dip though! I miss the dips at Spoodles! The Greek salad from Spoodles was much better and larger as well. Still LOUD as always in there. Decor and paint/lights a bit different. The Ozu-tini was good and different if you like licorice flavor. The Avgolemono soup was tasty but $7.49 and a small bowl!

Ok, so I've been very pro-active this place so far, but your post is making me think twice.

We have a number of wonderful Greek restaurants in my geo area too -- I've been a fan of Greek food since the '70's (friends' moms' home-cooking as well as Chicago area restaurants), so now I'm going to hold off before I get too excited. I'm still looking forward to the experience, but it had better be really, really, good, with portion sizes to match. Time will tell. I will be posting a review, for sure.

Thank you for your post.

I have to agree with you. I am from Tarpon Springs and the food here is BETTER than NY or Boston greek food. But not everyone has the chance to get here for the greek food. For a Disney mediterranean style dining experience, Kouzzina is exquisite.

 

[copperbrick]

I can't imagine people not liking this place. If you don't like it, you must have a bland palette. The food at Kouzzina is incredibly flavorful and perfectly mediterranean. I love this type of food as I live in a predominantly greek town and I am half italian. I suppose if you don't like this style of food, you shouldn't go there as you obviously will not like what they have to offer. I shared the whole snapper with my boyfriend and we devoured it. The flavors were incredibly intense and the fish was very fresh. I can post pictures at a later time if you would like to see them. Dinner was quite pricy, but most all the restaurants at WDW cost an arm and a leg. What I liked most about Kouzzina wasn't just the quality of the food, but the fact that these are Cat Cora's actual recipes. I have never been a big Cat Cora fan, but I have to say Kouzzina is very good and I would definitely go back.

Okay, so now I'm getting excited again!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Okay, so now I'm getting excited again!

me too!!!!

 

[mouser_momof2]

I just scored dinner ressies for the 21st! When I first saw the breakfast menu/pics I wasn't thrilled- more of a traditional breakfast person. But when I looked at the diner menu, I wanted to go.

As for whomever stated that the staff said Cat Cora hadn't been there yet- it may be because she and her partner are both pregnant (maybe extremely by now- I can't remember what I read about when she's due).

Plus, even though it's a "Greek" restaurant, most of her dishes are inspired by her heritage, so I'd expect to see a blend of flavors.

I can't wait to try it.

Has anyone had the t-bone yet? I think I've seen a review for just about everything but that so far.

Plus, I have to agree on the whole "safe" kids menu. With the safe menu, I can try something new and know my kiddos will eat.

 

[WGJackie]

No one in my party had the t-bone, but my mom did have the tenderloin. It was delicious and comes with the famous roasted smashed potatoes (NOT what you'd think, but SOOO good) and a pesto sauce.

Funny story about the t-bone though. The table next to us was having a fit because they thought the t-bone was supposed to be a steak t-bone when in actuality it was a pork t-bone! They were getting very upset and made them recook the thing twice because of their mistake. People are too funny. She finally decided she'd just eat the thing and griped with every bite she took. Gotta love people! lol

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Both she and her partner had their babies already. Not that long ago. She twittered that she will be there for the grand opening though! Hopefully one of you guys gets to see her. We're missing her most likely by a few days. I doubt she'll stick around for over a week until we get there!

 

[tiggr33]

As for whomever stated that the staff said Cat Cora hadn't been there yet- it may be because she and her partner are both pregnant (maybe extremely by now- I can't remember what I read about when she's due).

Cat will be there very shortly - I know her departure date, but not her arrival date. As to her and her partner, they both have already given birth. And Cat has been making personal appearances since giving birth.

I am dining there tonight and again on the 19th. I'll post if there are any difference from the soft opening menu to the post-opening menu.

 

[Rash]

Still trying to find out - do they still serve the Mickey Waffles for breakfast?

 

[TDC Nala]

Mickey waffles are on the child's breakfast menu. They are not on the regular menu.

Cat is also appearing at the Food & Wine Festival over Halloween weekend so she could drop in.

I'm for unsafe restaurants. I love Sanaa.

 

[kathyg]

We were there a couple of weeks ago and we all thought it was terrific! I adore Greek food and get it any chance I get. The food was authentic (more so than Spoodles) and typical of Disney prices. The portions were more than adequate (the pastitsio was HUGE), although the appetizer sampler could have done with a bit of filling out. We had one of Cat's wines which was superb! Chef Dee went around to all the tables checking up on things. She was so sweet and informative and explained why certain choices were made on the menu. She was also anxious to get feedback. Service was a bit shaky, but friendly, and decor could be spruced up a bit, but I chalked it all up to pre-opening. All in all this is a keeper and we can't wait to go back! I think it's only going to get better.

Will be posting pix soon.