Kouzina Peabody

The owners of the much-missed Brothers Kouzina in Peabody have opened Kouzina also in Peabody but on the southbound side of Rte 1. Isn't everything on Rte 1 on the other side? No prices on the online menu. The menu looked sparse until I noticed the little arrows. There is a 3+% surcharge for paying with a CC. This is illegal in Mass.

There is parking but not in abundance, and the lot was almost filled up on my first visit on the second day they were open. Plenty of parking on Friday and on subsequent visits. There is also parking in the back.

The inside is way bigger than what it looks from the outside. Light and airy. The chairs with the woven seats could have been more comfortable. They now have a liquor license but lack a bartender.

Dolmades (14). "Stuffed Grape Leaves with Rice, Ground Beef and Herbs dressed with Avgolemono Sauce". The Dolmades was excellent, really well seasoned. So often, stuffed grape leaves are 80% rice and 20% meat. This was the other way around, and they were good-sized. The sauce was lemony and well seasoned. A nearby table each ordered this with a side of roasted potatoes.

Horiatiki (16). "A Fully Traditional Village Salad with Tomatoes, Onions, Cucumbers, Aged Barrel Feta Cheese and Kalamata Olives Tossed in Olive Oil and Oregano". A delicious salad where everything was super fresh. You might ask for the dressing on the side since it was a generous serving of the dressing.

Arni Kokkinisto (30)! Ouch! "Jimmy's Specialty. Simmered Lamb in a Savory Greek Tomato Sauce". Double roasted potatoes as usual. The potatoes were lemony and perfectly roasted. The lamb was excellent, tender and tasty. The sauce was as good as I remember from the old pace. Extra sauce of course. Plenty of lamb, both leg and lower neck.

Chicken or Pork Gyro (12). "Gyro Wrapped in Pita with Tomato, Onion, French Fries and Tzatziki (Chicken Gyro comes with Honey Mustard)". Pork of course! They used to serve this with the fries on the side, as it should be. Fries inside are a crime against the gyro. And how do you salt the fries? The second picture shows everything sorted out. There was some tomato and very thinly sliced onions on the bottom. There was plenty of delicious pork included. In fact, it was so generous that I left the pita. I tasted it, and it was soft and fresh.

Souvlaki Plate (22). "Two Souvlaki Skewers served with Salad, Rice, Pita and Tzatziki". The excellent Roasted Potatoes instead of rice of course. The pork was tender and succulent. The big salad was fresh with a pleasant dressing. This was as good as I remember it from the old place.

The service is always pleasant and friendly, and nothing is ever a problem.

Address: 134 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960 Phone: 978 896 6440

What do you do when there's nowhere to turn? You drive straight ahead.

-- Leslie Gordon