HUNTERTOWN — A taste of Mediterranean cuisine is available in Huntertown. A new Greek restaurant, The Kouzina, 15805 Lima Road, opened recently. The word “kouzina” is Greek for “kitchen.”
Formerly the site at the intersection of Old Lima Road and Trinity Street was most recently home to the Salt & Pepper Scratch Kitchen.
The Kouzina trio of co-owners Rohli Dimisiaris, Dawn Folsom, and Elisabeth Michelidis collaborate on menu items and divide restaurant duties.
They began by remodeling inside and outside. A new coat of olive green paint dresses up the exterior.
Dimisiaris said he handles much of the business side of the eatery while he learns more about the kitchen side of the business.
Meanwhile, Folsom is the chef at The Kouzina. She was the chef at the former Salt & Pepper restaurant, also.
Similarly, Michelidis handles many of the daily operations at The Kouzina. Michelidis has owned various restaurants and run kitchens for more than 20 years.
“We have a really good starting staff to make sure we have some good food,” Dimisiaris said.
The new aptly named restaurant serves up a variety of Greek specialties with a mix of popular favorites.
“We kept a good portion of the original menu. We are going to have some pizzas, and some Mediterranean-style pizzas, as well,” he said.
“We are keeping Dawn’s amazing brisket and pulled pork. She does amazing smoked meats,” he said.
A new layout inside invites diners to order a freshly made meal from the steam table. These items include brisket, pork and souvlaki, a Greek shish kabob. Other items include smoked potato wedges, lemon potatoes and Greek rice
“Right now, 60 to 70% of the menu is going to be available in the steam tables ready to go,” Dimisiaris said.
Getting food quickly from The Kouzina is expected to be a signature feature of the tiny restaurant.
“Our goal is to have people wait less than 10 minutes to get their food,” he said.
Tall, twin refrigerated cases hold freshly prepared salads, hummus, or vegetables.
Similarly, traditional Greek desserts are also available from the glass-front coolers. They include baklava, “the cheesecake of the week” and rice pudding.
In a nod to serving good food that is flavorful and healthy. Only olive oil and avocado oil are used in preparing food that is either baked, grilled or smoked. The Kouzina does not offer fried foods.
“It is going to be a clean food that is still really flavorful,” Dimisiaris said.
Currently, there is outdoor seating for about 25 people on a small covered patio in front of the store.
According to Dimisiaris, plans call for picnic tables behind the restaurant that are expected to seat 20 additional guests under the trees.
Menu items include:
• Spanakopita features savory layers of phyllo dough filled with spinach and feta
• Tzatziki a popular dip made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic and fresh herbs is served with cucumber and tomato
• The Kouzina salad combines mixed greens, bell pepper, cucumbers, beets, garbanzo beans served over potato salad with the Kouzina house dressing.
• The Smoker is a 14-inch pizza topped with smoked pulled pork, smoked beef brisket, smoked bacon and mozzarella cheese. It is served with BBQ sauce.
If You Go What: The Kouzina Where: 15805 Lima Road, Fort Wayne Hours: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday-Friday Phone: 260-637-4319 Delivery is available in Huntertown
Dining and Cooking