Kouzina brings authentic Greek cuisine and wine to Midtown

The goods: Kouzina brings authentic Greek cuisine and wine to Midtown.

Ambience: Athens-born restaurateurs Makis Paliouras and Yiannis Sotiropoulos have revamped the former Tapas y Tintos space in Midtown with tall hedges, wooden tables, blue and white wicker chairs, white shutters, Grecian plates and aqua-colored glasses.

The grub: Greek small plates and taverna-style snacking. Prices are neighborhood-friendly: Most small plates $6-$12 and mains $16-$27.

Start with a trio of eggplant, chickpea and yogurt dips; crispy calamari; beet salad with walnut oil, pomegranate vinaigrette and beet goat cheese mousse ravioli or a manouri cheese envelope with sesame seeds and wild mountain honey.

Specialties include seafood orzo saganaki with shrimp, mussels and calamari; chicken souvlaki and rack of lamb. 

Greek cheesecake rounds out the Hellenic experience.

Verdict: Modestly priced Greek eats in a sunny Aegean atmosphere.

This story was originally published June 9, 2013 at 11:06 PM.