Now Kouzina is expected to open its second location of the Greek eatery at 52 Sanford St., Fairfield the first week in November, according to General Manager Chelsea Pazmino. The eatery aims to transport diners to the Greek islands of Mikonos or Santorini, its website said.
The new Kouzina will be a sister restaurant to the popular downtown Stamford taverna, featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with Guy Fieri in 2023. It will feature the same menu and the kitchen will be run under the leadership of chef Peter Alatsas, who works at the Stamford restaurant, according to Pazmino.
Owner Peter Valis and partners, Mike Tsiahouridis, Frank Vavoulidis and Sofia Papaioannou also own The Americano and Tomato Tomato both in Stamford, according to CT Insider.
The greatest hits on Kouzina’s menu, according to Pazmino, include the moussaka, braised lamb shanks and gyros. The lamb shanks are braised for 12 hours, according to Pazmino, and was their signature dish featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on the episode called “Meaty to Meatless.”
The gyros, made with pork shaved from a vertical rotisserie, with tzatziki sauce, tomato and onion on a pita, are perennial favorites with diners, Pazmino said.
“It’s our most popular thing — even for dinner. It’s a big portion,” she said.
Opening the Fairfield location was a logical next step for the owners, she said.
“They wanted to do a bunch of Kouzinas, and they thought that Fairfield would be the perfect option, so they had been looking for a while and they finally found a place that they can do it over there,” Pazmino said.
Dining and Cooking