The Kouzzina, formerly known as Pat and Mario’s is a communal, and well-loved gathering place for Sudburians.
Chances are everyone in the city has spent time inside the New Sudbury dining room or patio for a birthday, retirement or social get together over the last 38 years.
Matthew Moutsatsos has been managing The Kouzzina for 11 years, following in the footsteps of his parents, owners Junior and Leslie.
Junior and Leslie opened the establishment in 1984, well before Matthew was born.
“I was doing electrical and working towards my apprenticeship and my parents were short and needed me. I realized how much I enjoyed the environment and the staff and everything about the place,” Matthew said.
The Kouzzina is about to release its fall menu plans.
The risotto dish will come back during the cooler months and the wine and cocktail menu will be refreshed to include seasonal wine and cocktail items that are more tailored to the fall and festive season.
With the continued success of the beet salad, Matthew said they are toying with a roasted beet appetizer option.
As well, the yearly Localicious fall harvest food festival will run for two weeks starting Oct. 17.
Kouzzina will offer a-la-carte menu options with new appetizers and entrees.
Localicious runs annually and is a partnership between a handful of restaurants in the Greater City of Sudbury under the SHARE (Sudbury Hospitality Association of Restaurant Owners) umbrella.
These restaurants join forces each year to support different charities. This year’s recipient is the Maison McCullough Hospice.
Longevity, innovation and hardwork have always been important factors in the continued success of the restaurant, but Matthew said it is more than that.
“I really think it is the people who work there that create a culture, a great energy and vibe that everyone feeds off. Guests pick up on that – happy people who want to be there and are attentive to the needs of the customers.”
Moutsatsos said the staff also help decide on new menu options. They like to have input on what is served to people which provides variety.
“We make what we like to eat,” he said.
Matthew’s menu favourites are the ribeye and New York steaks, as well as the chicken mushroom penne dish and the phyllo-baked brie with its drizzled rosemary honey, walnuts and crostini.
He said customers never stray from their favourites, which include the caesar salad, the roasted red pepper soup, pizzas, pastas and chicken parmesan.
Keeping current and always updating is also a part of the winning combination at The Kouzzina.
During the pandemic shutdown, the family invested in a dining room renovation complete with new booths and tables which made good use of their time during the quiet months.
Matthew said that drive for innovation and success is something he said will carry The Kouzzina into the future.
The Kouzzina is open for in-house dining or take out and is located at 1463 Lasalle Boulevard.
It’s open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and closed Sundays and Mondays.
Menus can be found at Kouzzina.ca. It has Facebook and Instagram pages.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
