So Disappointed at Kouzzina!

[*NikkiBell*]

I can't believe that Cat's restaurant is that awful. I really wanted to book dinner there for our trip in two weeks, but DBF said it needs to work the kinks out first. The menu was interesting and I saw things that even a picky eater like me would eat. Such a disappointment! I hope Cat gets back down there to fix things soon!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Cat Cora will be at the Food and Wine Festival October 30th, and she will be hosting one of the "Family and Friends in the Kitchen" lunches at Kouzzina. Hopefully, she'll do an assessment of how it's going.

 

[tickledtink33]

I ate at Kouzzina during my September trip and although I wouldn't describe it as the best meal I ever had I did not have a bad experience either. I had the flank steak and potatos and thought it was good. Was it fabulous, no, but it was good. I didn't have the soup, didn't appeal to me at all. Glad I didn't try it. I do agree that the portion could have been a bit bigger. I would have liked a few more of the potatos. Also it was not busy when I ate there so there wasn't a lot of noise. I can see where noise would travel though with the high ceilings and open kitchen. But then again people love Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's and those places are very noisy. My server was great. She was promt and always made sure I had anything I needed. If you want to try it I say go for it. Every experience is different. I'm sure we have all had an experience where we eat at a restaurant and have an incredible meal and experience and can't wait to go back. When we do go back our next experience is just ehhh. Kevin had a less than stellar experience this time, but he could go back in the future and have a great experience. If you asked him he would probably tell you to go ahead and give it a try.

 

[DisneyKevin]

He would definately tell you to try it for yourself.

 

[parrotheadlois]

We have reservations for November 9th - we're looking forward to dining there. We'll let you know what we think.

 

[Iggipolka]

I love Greek food and was so bummed to hear that Cat's restaurant wasn't living up to my hopes and expectations. Maybe she'll get it together soon. I sure hope so! Good Greek food is beyond yummy.

 

[rtobe]

I went to Kouzzina on Oct. 15. Had the saganaki and seafood stew and sangria. The saganaki could have been more melted but since they do not flame it tableside (a fire hazard) that was expected. The seafood stew was good. Had nice spices, in a tomato based broth with bread to soak it up. Had a chocolate molten cake for dessert which was a little dry but once I opened up the cake and let the melted chocolate blend in it was yummy. I would go back with more people (dined solo) to try more appetizers.

The space is noisy, when it was Spoodles it was noisy. There is an open kitchen which can be fun to watch.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[bannermouse]

We ate there about 4 weeks ago. To begin the meal, we had the goat cheese stuffed graped leaf. I would rate it as good. Lots of cheese but we ran out of the bread. For entrees we had the lamb shank and the whole fish pan. Nannyrose said the lamb shank was good and the meat did fall off of the bone. My fish was very good and the server filleted it for me. We did not get any dessert. We would rate it as a good meal. Nothing out of the ordinary, but we will probably go back to eat again. It was crowded and loud when we were there. I would recommend you try it and see what you think.

Bannermouse

 

[RumpleMom]

We ate there in Sept. We will be going back.

DH had the whole fish, which he enjoyed. The server showed him how to debone it.

I really liked the roasted red pepper-chick pea/humus soup and the Greek salad. I was saving room for dessert. The baklava was wonderful and served with pistachio gelato. Baklava was made of flaky layers and rolled instead of the Italian? way.

We were seated in the back area which was quieter than the main room. There was cheering in the main room. I think when someone ordered a certain Greek drink, maybe.

 

[TheWho]

Kevin's review actually gave me a craving for greek food from a place here in NJ. It's mainly a takeout place that has a couple of tables. I'm not greek but did recognize a lot of the dishes Kevin and his group ordered. I've seen Cat on the Food Network and as a BWV owner, I was looking forward to visting her place (although I kinda liked Spoodles over the years). This stinks that the experience was awful. I guess people can debate the quality/taste of the food, but what's up with the portions & prices? $17 for an appetizer for two that barely feeds one? that's crazy.

 

[BriarRosie]

I went to Kouzzina on Oct. 15. Had the saganaki and seafood stew and sangria. The saganaki could have been more melted but since they do not flame it tableside (a fire hazard) that was expected. The seafood stew was good. Had nice spices, in a tomato based broth with bread to soak it up. Had a chocolate molten cake for dessert which was a little dry but once I opened up the cake and let the melted chocolate blend in it was yummy. I would go back with more people (dined solo) to try more appetizers.

The space is noisy, when it was Spoodles it was noisy. There is an open kitchen which can be fun to watch.

Your mileage may vary.

I wonder if the reason they don't flambé table side has more to do with insurance coverage than a fire hazard. I say that because two days ago I saw the server at Bistro de Paris (not owned by Disney of course) put on a fire show preparing Crepes Suzette at a table nearby.

I think Nikki should try the restaurant for herself before condemning it. My friend (who went to Kouzzina a couple weeks ago) thought her whole fish (red snapper) was awesome.

Btw, it was great meeting you in person. Just got home earlier around 8:30pm tonight.

 

[rtobe]

I wonder if the reason they don't flambé table side has more to do with insurance coverage than a fire hazard. I say that because two days ago I saw the server at Bistro de Paris (not owned by Disney of course) put on a fire show preparing Crepes Suzette at a table nearby.

I think Nikki should try the restaurant for herself before condemning it. My friend (who went to Kouzzina a couple weeks ago) thought her whole fish (red snapper) was awesome.

Btw, it was great meeting you in person. Just got home earlier around 8:30pm tonight.

Glad you made it home safe! Hope you had fun dining. Great to meet you in person!

 

[cassiez76]

kouzzina was pretty good. we ate there on oct. 2.

they wanted to pull a 'tude cause son was sleeping in his umbrella stroller and wanted us to move him. they made us wait 30 min past our reservation time because of that. he actually slept through the entire meal (in his stroller) and it was LOUD!

hubby had the stuffed grape leaves and the filling was yummy! he also had the lamb and it did fall off the bone. mom and i each had the flank steak with potatoes and herb saltsa. that was my favorite part! it could have been a bit bigger because i was still hungry when we were done! i've been looking for the saltsa recipe since we got back!

had the chocolate cake for dessert and it was ok.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Her other restaurant is getting poor reviews too. and many are the same complaints. Sub par food and way over priced.

Her other restaurant is CCQ (Cat Cora's Que) and it's part of a Restaurant in Macy's at a Mall.

I will say this. A lot of Celebrity Chef's were Restaurant Owners first. They spent years on the line and running a successful restaurant in large Cities for very picky eaters and critics. Emeril, Bobby Flay, Anthony Bourdain, ect.

Cat Cora rise to fame was paved differently. She was chef for a Magazine, teacher and straight to TV. And now she is branding restaurants without spending time in the trenches.

Clearly she has to know how to cook. They would not have made it to executive chef of Bon Appetite without being able to cook, but It's starting to appear that her recipies don't translate to the fast pace world of restaurant cooking.

I think we are gonna see the CCQ close. A place that that will rely on repeat customer and bad word of mouth will destroy a place like that. Her Disney restaurant will fair better. Here she gets lucky, The Disney restaurants don't rely on return visits as much. We all know of some Stinkers that just keep plugging along.

Not succeeding in the restaurant world is not a bad thing. Julia Child never opened a restaurant.