Saturday, March 5, 2011

Koutouki - Downtown Location...

I've been to Koutouki a couple times and thought "hey let's write about my experience". I remember the first time I went I had no clue what I was in for and what to expect because I have never had Greek food before. Walking in you see plants and pictures all over the walls. Strangely it makes you feel at home or feel like you're in Greece.

A friendly server greets you and brings you to your table. Now looking at the menu it can be overwhelming for someone who has never been there before. Luckily for them the servers are pretty knowledgeable and can guide you through the menu and make suggestions. Everything in the menu is a bit pricey.

We decide to get a bunch of appetizers instead of the full meals. Gives you a chance to try everything. Being just the two of us (my boyfriend is the lucky person who gets to come with me on all my food cravings ^_^), we decided to go with calamari, Saganaki (pan fried Greek cheese), Dolmades (stuffed grape vine leaves), homous and pita bread, and Ouzo prawns.

As we sit waiting for our food, the lights are dimmed and all of sudden European techno music starts blaring and you hear bells? You see a belly dancer come out from the back and the "bell" sound you hear is her finger cymbals. For first-timers you would find this fascinating because where else can you find a belly dancer dancing while you eat?! But for regulars it kind of gets old. With the music being really loud forget trying to have an intimate conversation because you won't be able to hear each other. It'll be like "WHAT?!" "HUH?!" "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" As if on queue the server brings our food. With failed attempts of having a conversation we decided let's dig in and eat!

Now being here several times before I've noticed the food didn't taste as good as the first time I was here. Dare I say it was a bit bland?? The only thing both my bf and I found that was good was the calamari. 1 out of 5 items is not a good sign. Adding to the disappointing food, every time you try to have a conversation the bloody music blares up again adding to our annoyance. I understand the belly dancer needs music to dance but does it have to be that loud?? The idea of having a belly dancer is great but it gets pretty annoying after the 2nd and 3rd time when you're trying to eat and she keeps shaking her hips at you getting you to dance and obviously tip her. It got to the point where you're thinking, "OMG go away just let me eat in peace, go bug someone else". You end up avoiding eye contact as well and you just keep your head down and eat. lol

All in all the experience I've had here was sub par. Seeing the price tag left a bad taste in our mouth as well. It was almost $100 for appetizers! It would be great for parties or for people who have never been there before. So if you want a intimate, quiet dinner.....go somewhere else.

Strawberry Rating:
Service: 3 strawberries out of 5
Food: 2.5 strawberries out of 5
Price: 2.5 strawberries out of 5 (cheaper if you go in a big group and share)
Cleanliness: 4 strawberries out of 5 

Overall score: 3 strawberries out of 5


You can find Koutouki at:
10719 124 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
Phone: (780) 452-5383

Happy eating!

"Great restaurants are, of course, nothing but mouth-brothels.  There is no point in going to them if one intends to keep one's belt buckled."  ~Frederic Raphael


***Please note the pictures here were not taken by me and it's not from the restaurant.