Kuzina

Kuzina Review

Sleek, dazzlingly decorated, and moodily lit, this bistro attracts many style-conscious Athenians. But Kuzina isn't just a pretty face. The food—especially the inventive seafood and pasta dishes concocted by chef Aris Tsanaklides—is among the best in Athens, standing out on touristy Adrianou. Happily, the decor is almost as delicious as the Sikomaida fig tart marinated in anise seed and ouzo. Past an outdoor table setting, the main room soars skyward, glittering with birdcage chandeliers and factory ducts, with a vast lemon-yellow bar set below a spotlighted wall lined with hundreds of wine bottles. The menu showcases newfangled Greek as well as old faves; best bets include the grilled and cured octopus with fennel shavings; the melitzanosalata (smoky Greek roasted eggplant salad); the spaghettini with Myconian cheese ksinotiri,croutons, cherry tomatoes, and garlic; and the pork roasted in the oven for 12 hours, and seasoned with lime, pineapple, and cucumber. Whether you sit outside on the street, in the spectacular main dining room, or opt for a table on the roof (the Tarazza offers a fantastic view of the Acropolis and tasty cocktails), finish your meal off with a delicious dessert such as the strawberry soup with chocolate mousse plus a stroll to the small but impressive art gallery, Porta, on the second floor. Kuzina's Web site is a winner, too—take a look. Kuzina is open for lunch with a separate set of dining options.