Kuzina

Finally got to eat last night at Kuzina. I have mixed feelings about my time there. On the one hand I heartily applaud what Nick is achieving there. I, out of everyone in the world, must endorse the reasons, thought, money and achievements behind the place.

But another part of me can’t honestly say it was up there for being one of the more sublime moments of my dining-out life. Many friends whose opinions I respect have been there, including our fair Food Kitty. They have all reported back to me as to the greatness of the food, the service, the prices, the ambience.

The former Casablanca has had a lot of time, money and effort spent on it. Nick has done a fabulous job in creating a backdrop for the maximum fine dining experience. I just felt it lacking in something. The faux-friendliness of the staff was OTT. I hate those forced smiles, and the fake initial greeting question of “And how was your day today?” It prompts me to want to instantly respond with, “And like you really give a shit?” (Naturally I don't!)

I know I sound like I’m being harsh, but I’m really just trying to convey to you why I left feeling a bit let down.

The food was as you’d expect. Most staff there are in training so minor issues are expected. That’s totally normal. In fact I could go so far as to say that I consider pretty well all staff in all places are in training (which they are actually, if you look at life as a series of training exercises!) including myself!

No. My reaction isn’t down to either food or service. I can’t really pinpoint it, except to say I didn’t quite ‘gel’ with the place. I didn’t ‘get it’. As previously noted, the extensive renovations have given the place the ‘fine dining’ atmosphere, as has the menu. Despite everyone reporting the food was cheap there (and I went along expecting Drysdale prices) I found it not cheap. It was cheaper than any other fine dining place, but it wasn’t cheap. I was being shouted there so cost wasn’t an issue for me, so don’t tell me I was being a tight-arse. Two appetisers, one main and one entrée-for-main (remember Rita had had that beautiful Mushroom Soup at Venus for a late lunch), along with 2 drinks, came in at $80+. No – you’re right, that’s not a huge amount, and I pay that regularly for meals out and am more than happy to do so. If I didn’t write a blog entry about these meals out, I’d retain my summation of the meal in my head, and no one would be any the wiser.

We shared:
A dip platter of 3 dips – it was average, with the selection of dips used on the platter being the lazy one of those 3 predictable ones you find on pretty well everyone’s dip menu.
Half dozen duck wontons/oysters Kilpatrick (ie 3 of each). This I found a strange menu item. The wording was confusing. Why not just have the 2 items separately on the menu? As it was, what they meant with the wording which I found quite difficult to translate was that you could order either wontons or oysters Kilpatrick by the dozen or half dozen, but the oysters Kilpatrick were actually rolled up in a wonton wrapper and deep fried, not served in the shells as one might normally expect oysters Kilpatrick to be.

Fish of the day (beautifully moist) served with deep fried lattice potatoes and a vegetable ‘braise’ – all components on the plate were tastefully presented, as well as tasting good.
Duck rillettes with tempura battered onion rings were great, and I would return for those.

The service was good and as you’d expect from young people working in a training restaurant alongside their trainer. They regularly topped up our water glasses, and were generally polite and helpful. The food quality and standard was good too. And at the end of the day, that’s as much as you could want really.