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Katie Davis

@PopCultureCuisine

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Archive for the ‘Orlando’ Category

Monday, February 7, 2011 @ 09:02 AM

094Did ya’ll get hit with Snowmageddon 2011 or were you one of the lucky few friends of ours to be in a much warmer climate than us?  It was amazing! Not even our Dallas friends were safe from the bitter hand of Mother Nature, having had just as many problems this week with closings due to ice. So I’m assuming it is only you few Floridians and Californians who missed it…lucky arses. Smile Although, we didn’t get hit as bad as Chicago (man I’m glad we don’t have to deal with that anymore!) we did get some pretty fierce weather for sure.  I am starting to believe that this winter is going to be brutal and is FAR from over.  So I will repeat what I said last week…, I am just going to keep going back to our sunny Florida trip in my mind. It may not get me warm, but it will definitely ease the pain in the meantime.

One thing we keep saying over and over about that trip to Orlando was although a whirlwind, it was probably one of the most adventurous and all encompassing culinary trips we have ever done.  Not only did we visit 11 PCC worthy spots, we visited 11 drastically different in both cuisine and style; and though each one wasn’t a hit or likely to be remembered forever, there were a few that dramatically stood out…This next spot was one of those.

I am sure you are all aware by now of our love of all things Food Network. I mean come on…we feature it almost constantly; and while Iron Chef America is not a show that we watch often, if I happen to catch a particularly interesting episode, I will tune in and watch the fury.  What I have always found so fascinating about it is how quickly they can put together that many courses and in such interesting combinations with such unique ingredients. They certainly are Iron Chefs for a reason.

If you have never watched Iron Chef, that’s ok. Watching the show is not what inspired our want of visiting this next restaurant, it just familiarized us with the chef and creator of our next feature.  Cat Cora, who happens to be the only female Iron Chef in history, became a person of interest for us when we noticed her on that show.  We have since seen her featured on the Food Network in other capacities, primarily on the channel’s "The Best Things I Ever Ate." It was during one of these episodes where we discovered she happens to have her own restaurant, Kouzzina, in Orlando.

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This restaurant is actually apart of Walt Disney World, located at their Disney’s BoardWalk Resort; and when we decided that we would be going to Disney for our anniversary, this spot was at the top of our list.  What excited me so much about this restaurant is that it is Mediterranean/Greek food inspired by Cat’s Greek heritage.  And while I LOVE Greek food, I was even more excited about the prospect of trying Greek food that was designed and created by an Iron Chef! I was just sure it was going to have a certain notch above some of the rest that I’ve tried.

So on one of our evenings, we got all gussied up and headed over to the Boardwalk to check it out.

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(On a side note…,man I was tan! Oh too be that warm, sunny, and brown again…but I digress.) Smile

With Cat Cora being a famous chef, there was obviously a little bit of a wait, but that was fine, because the Boardwalk is fun to walk around and see.

Modeled after the famous boardwalk in Atlantic City, it has a very nostalgic feeling to it, and if you are like Adam and have gotten into HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire," you would have thought it was pretty lifelike too.  So after a short wait, we were seated in a cozy little back area of the restaurant.

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I will say now that the restaurant was a bit difficult to photograph due to the lighting and I had only brought my small camera with us.  You will also notice that the décor was maybe not as upscale as you might think.  I attributed this to the fact that it was at the Disney resort and they likely wanted it to feel open and comfortable to any type of diner. Also, the word Kouzzina is Greek for ‘kitchen’ and it’s supposed to make you feel like you are in the same kind of kitchen that Cat grew up in.

Well, we quickly settled in, enjoyed our wine, and perused the menu.  I already knew my eyes were going to be way bigger than my tummy, but I wanted to try as many things as possible. We started with an order of their Saganaki, because it is a favorite appetizer of ours, and Adam then ordered their Egg-lemon soup, while I got a Greek Salad.

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The Saganaki we agreed was not as melty as we’re typically used to. This is likely because they didn’t actually light it at the table, so it had hardened a bit by the time we got it. Still, it was tasty.  Adam really enjoyed his soup and my salad was delicious!  Tart, salty, crunchy, and tangy…, what a good Greek salad should be.

I was already getting full by this point, but I knew I had to try an entrée.  Adam decided upon the Pastitsio, a Greek-style Lasagna, a favorite of his at other Greek spots, while I went with the Kouzinna Trio.  I figured that way I would be able to try 3 dishes and get to taste a variety. The dish included the Greek-style lasagna, a lamb burger, and cinnamon stewed chicken.

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Holy cow it was all delicious! So much so that I had trouble deciding what dish to spend more time on.  I love the spices Greek food infuses…their use of things like cinnamon just add such a unique and comforting flavor. Although it had a bit of a kick, the lamb burger was easily my favorite and between it and the lasagna I could not seem to stop taking bites.  Adam loved his meal and said it was one of the best renditions of that dish he had ever had.  It was HUGE too! We likely could have split something, especially since we were unable to take any of it home, but all the tastes were well worth it.  And although stuffed by the end of it, I still had room for a sweet yummy Godiva chocolate martini and a few bites of the complementary cupcake they brought for our anniversary!  Also, Adam ordered the Galaktoboureko, this Greek vanilla custard treat lured him in and was way yummy…, so I guess we both had a bit of a sweet tooth that night.

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We had a fantastic time at Kouzzina and were treated so kindly by both our waiter…. and their manager/chef who was kind enough to stop and chat with us.  All in all…a terrific anniversary dinner, and the one that I keep going back to in my mind when I think about that trip and special occasion. Thanks for the great night!

SIGNATURE DISH: Kouzzina does not have a dish that they are known for per se, rather what makes all their dishes "signature" is that they were created/inspired by Cat Cora herself. The menu features a great deal of common “Greek” style favorites; and I would say that they differ from your typical neighborhood Greek restaurant in that these dishes all have a certain flair to them that makes you know these were given special attention.  They taste like your typical favorites, but with a twist…, that Iron Chef twist of perfection.

TASTE: DELICIOUS.  Now if you don’t happen to like Greek food, I would say you will not likely enjoy this meal, because all of the dishes are definitely heavily seasoned with those typical spices, but they truly add so much flavor I don’t see how you could not enjoy them.

AMBIANCE: I was a little shocked that the décor was not a little more upscale. I guess I just figured being an Iron Chef spot it would be.  However, I do understand the concept and Kouzzina meaning the “Kitchen” they have it set up in such a way that feels very homey and family style.  I also realize that located at a Disney resort, it has a certain need to feel uniform to other dining atmospheres so guests of all types will feel comfortable.  So although I did wish it had been a little fancier, it still was a very pleasant atmosphere.

PRICE: I would say that being located at a resort and having the notoriety of an Iron Chef behind the name, the prices were all higher than…say… a lot of other Greek-style places. Still, they were not outrageous, especially seeing as Greek food is typically on the higher end of the cost spectrum.  We definitely enjoyed ourselves and splurged, so ordering 3 appetizers, 2 main meals, alcohol, and dessert certainly drove our bill up. But it was VERY MUCH worth it and we’d both do it again in a second.

SERVICE: As I said earlier, our waiter John was very friendly and helpful.  We even had a chance to talk with the manager and head chef for a bit, which gave us more insight into the restaurant.

We really had a memorable meal at Kouzzina and would love to return someday.  So it is with pleasure that I give it 4 1/2 ‘Little Piggies.’

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Monday, January 24, 2011 @ 09:01 AM

020As I write this post and gaze out the window at the snow gently falling, I am reminded of how nice and warm Orlando was last October and frankly it probably still is compared to here this time of year.  Thinking back I remember how much of a whirlwind week of both food and entertainment it was; and in particular, there was one place I was unbelievably excited to visit that was a hit on both accords. I’m talking about Universal Orlando’s “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter”!

Now I don’t typically jump on bandwagons…wait who am I kidding….I pretty much always jump on, I’ve loved all things “Harry Potter” pretty much since the beginning, and quite obsessively.  In fact, my sorority “big” and I were such fans that we had Harry Potter themed letter sweatshirts made. Ya…I know…big dork for sure! But what I love so much about the books, movies…the whole lot if it is how it allows grown-ups and kids alike to jump into those pages and get lost for a bit.  J.K. Rowling truly has created an entire world complete with new words, phrases, foods & beverages, and descriptions that could allow one to picture exactly how this world would be.

Well we don’t have to picture it anymore; and when I heard they were opening up a section of Universal Studios created entirely around Harry Potter I was beyond excited.  To see what I had always pictured it could look like in my head in real life…it’s hard to imagine how it could be done.  But then again, with someone like Rowling giving the ok to everything, I knew it would be done right.

So needless to say, from the moment I found out, I wanted to see it, although I honestly didn’t think we would visit it for some years. That was until we decided that our anniversary trip was going to be to Orlando this past year.  It was at that moment that I expressed STRONG desire to make Universal one of our park visits, and lucky for us we were able to cover the cost of the tickets by using credit card points. Also, our friends Tim and Alex Smoker (who are also enthusiasts) had a free trip to the park as well and were happy to join us, since they live in Orlando…double bonus!

Now I want to begin by saying that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not an entire theme park in and of itself, rather it is one of Universal’s ‘Islands of Adventure.’ So we actually began our morning by slowly making our way to that “island” section of the park, knowing that section would be packed first thing and so we could make sure to arrive by lunch time, since the goal was to eat there.  This actually worked out perfectly since everyone else did in fact seem to go straight there, meaning we had very little wait at any of the islands leading up to the Harry Potter section.  But let me tell you, you know you are getting close when you begin to feel claustrophobic.  I am not kidding…, it is as if you see the castle and all of sudden are surrounded by a million people. Still the sight is worth it…

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It looks straight out of the movies…so amazing!  After crossing the bridge, you are immediately in Diagon Alley, full of all the shops you remember reading about in the books.  It feels very surreal to walk around. You believe that you’re actually there thank to the attention to detail, which is simply perfect.  Anyway, it was almost noon, so we figured we should try and get in for lunch before it got too crazy.  The restaurant in this section is aptly called Three Broomsticks, which is very much like an old English tavern, complete with the Hog’s Head Pub attached.  We decided to forgo the alcoholic drinks because I had my heart set on a Butterbeer, but we’ll get to that.

Although a typical tourist attraction complete with lines that you wrap your way around to the counter to order, you really don’t feel like you are in any normal attraction.  Rather, the employees are so well in character that you almost have to remind yourself you are in the real world.  We eyed everything on the menu and I decided the best bet was the Chicken and Ribs platter complete with corn on the cob and roasted potatoes.  Adam and Tim went with the same, while Alex decided to go with the Cornish Pasties and side salad. To drink, we all 4 had Butterbeers; and Alex informed us prior to ordering that although they come “normal” and frozen, frozen was the way to go. She was SOOOO right! They did not disappoint.

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First of all, the Butterbeer…AMAZE-BALLS!  It’s really hard to describe, but if I had to, I would say it tastes like a butterscotch icy milkshake…thick, creamy, almost float like.  It was definitely the highlight of the meal for everyone, and although very sweet, it was still refreshing after being out in the heat.  Then there was the food, which was also very good, especially considering we were dining inside a theme park, which are not known for their high level cuisine.  I mean let’s be real, many theme parks are known to give you really not great food at outrageous prices.  However, these meals were hearty, tasty, and totally hit the spot!  And best of all, they were relatively reasonable in price considering how much food each of us got.

Following lunch we walked around a little bit more and hit up the main Harry Potter ride, which is TOTALLY AWESOME! (unless you get simulater sickness, like Adam does…, and did! Smile)  We wanted to go through a lot of the shops, like Olivander’s, however unless you want to wait in a line for an hour to buy something, you unfortunately can’t even get in to look around.  That I would say is sort of the downfall of the whole experience. I really wanted to experience more of that world, so if you are like me and have built it up so much in your head, you will likely be disappointed if you don’t want to wait a long time.

Unfortunately past that there really isn’t much.  I think maybe in a few years once the hype dies down a bit, I would enjoy being able to go inside some of the shops, but for this trip it just didn’t pay to. Still, I enjoyed looking at the detail, and we got to go on a few more of the rides, so still kinda worth it.

SIGNATURE DISH: In the case of this excursion I would have to say their “signature” items are actually drinks.  Between their Butterbeer and Pumpkin Ale, drinks are the most popular items to try while visiting.  While I showcased the food we ate, it isn’t any dish that is noteworthy from the books, rather foods you would find at many local pubs around England.  The drinks, however, are very notable, and it was interesting to try a beverage created only from a name and to see if it tastes like what you would think it might.

TASTE: I said it above, the food we tried was great, but again what stood out was the Butterbeer!  I have never in my life had anything like it, nor do I do I think I ever would again.  It was just so creamy and delightful…, everything I hoped it would be and more!

AMBIANCE: The surroundings are truly the best part. Every detail was taken into account and it truly enhances the experience.  I loved being submersed inside this world I had envisioned in my head, and my only wish was that I could have gone inside more of the shops.  Still, just walking through the “town square” area transports you into what feels like another world.  There is truly a different experience walking into and leaving this section of the park, unlike any other section throughout. This could possibly be due to the large crowds, but I like to think it was because of the “magic” of it all! 😉

PRICE: This is where we were all very shocked!  For the Chicken and Ribs Platter you paid $11.99, which is way less than many restaurants outside a theme park, and you also get A LOT of food, and it tastes really good.  They have done a great job making eating there a worthwhile adventure.

SERVICE: Aside from the shops with crazy lines, we didn’t encounter too much of a wait anywhere, and there were always things to look at if you did have to wait.  But all of their employees are extremely well versed in both the workings of the park, as well as Harry Potter trivia itself. All in all they were also extremely helpful.

At the end of the day, although not being able to take part in more of the whole experience was disappointing, I believe that to be largely my own fault for my unwillingness to wait.  Plus, outside of my expecting it to be “grander” or larger, what we did experience was pretty spectacular.  I truly did have a smile the whole time and I would visit again in an instant…, mostly if not just to have another Butterbeer! So with that, I give The Wizarding World of Harry Potter…4 1/2 ‘Little… “Hoggies”‘ Winking smile

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Monday, January 10, 2011 @ 09:01 AM

Well we are back from a wonderful weekend in Nashville celebrating my lil’ brother’s wedding.  Needless to say due to the business of all of that I apologize that this post is a little bit tardy.

Pop Culture Cuisine is officially a year old and we can hardly believe how fast time has flown!  Adam and I have loved incorporating all these wonderful culinary adventures into our travels, mostly because of the great memories it has made for us.  We have compiled a list of some of our favorite and not so favorite spots to share with you with links so you can read our reviews for yourself.  We love food and hope to continue to share lots of great finds with you all along the way.

SIGNATURE DISH

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1. Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous’ “Ribs” – Memphis, TN

2. Round Rock Donuts’ “Round Rock Donut” – Round Rock, TX

3. Lucky’s Sandwich Co.’s “Stuffed Sandwich” – Chicago, IL

TASTE

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1. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX

2. Louie’s – Dallas, TX

3. Twisted Root – Dallas, TX

AMBIANCE

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1. The Silver Palm – Chicago, IL

2. Keller’s Drive-in – Dallas, TX

3. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX

SERVICE

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1. Blue Ash ChiliAnna – Blue Ash, OH

2. PinkberryChristine – Orlando, FL

3. Avila’s – Dallas, TX

PRICE

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1. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX

2. Keller’s Drive-in – Dallas, TX

3. Blue Ash Chili – Blue Ash, OH

OVERALL TOP 5

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1. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX

2. Manny’s Delicatessen – Chicago, IL

3. Keller’s Drive-in – Dallas, TX

4. Blue Ash Chili – Blue Ash, OH

5. Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous – Memphis, TN

TOP 5 BIGGEST LET DOWNS…NOT WORTH THE HYPE!

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1. Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Q – Memphis, TN

2. Willie Mae’s Scotch House – New Orleans, LA

3. Acme Oyster House – New Orleans, LA

4. Drago’s Seafood – New Orleans, LA

5. Juan in a Million – Austin, TX

BEST OF THE REST…HONORABLE MENTION

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Best Burger – Twisted Root – Dallas, TX

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Best Pizza – Giordano’s – Chicago, IL

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Best Sandwich – Lucky’s Sandwich Co. – Chicago, IL

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Best BBQ – The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX

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Best Bar Food – J. Gilligan’s “Irish Nachos” – Arlington, TX

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Best Cocktail – Pat O’Brien’s “Hurricane” – New Orleans, LA

Three Little Piggies

Most Outrageous Dish – The Silver Palm’s “Three Little Pigs Sandwich” Chicago, IL