The Essential Guide to Twin Cities Restaurants

Crystal Grobe is a local food writer who loves trying out new restaurants to gain inspiration for cooking in her own kitchen. She loves Minnesota and is always on the go in search of new foods, events, music, and friends with her husband, Ryan. Find more of her work on Café Cyan and Bite of Minnesota, where she blogs for WCCO.

While the name, Kozy's, may have simply been a play on the owner's last name, Kozlak, it certainly sets the stage for what to expect upon entering the restaurant. Kozy's is indeed cozy and I found myself saying it several times throughout our dining experience. From the circular booths perfect for a small family to the warm and inviting staff ready to tend to any need, I felt welcome.

Kozy's is known for its steak and seafood, so we got right down to business by ordering the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Four juicy jumbo shrimp were perched upon a fresh and mildly spicy cocktail sauce, which was perfect for our party of four.

Wanting a second appetizer, we went with our server's suggestion to try the Gorgonzola Cheese Bread. Being huge fans of blue cheese, this won over our table. The bread was crisp yet tender with plenty of gorgonzola and mozzarella cheese melted on top. It was served with a rich marinara sauce that was thick enough for dipping.

The filet done Oscar style was generous on the tender crab yet light on the hollandaise, which allowed for true flavors of the dish to shine through. The steak had a nice crust and was cooked to medium, as requested. The accompanying garlic mashed potatoes kept me going back for more and shined in comparison to other garlic mashed potatoes out there. The garlic was subtle, the potato skins were tender and the dish was rich and creamy.

As for the Sautéed Walleye, the large serving was lightly breaded and flaked nicely. While the walleye was great on its own, the farm fresh carrots were stunning in this dish. Steamed until tender and lightly tossed with butter, they were gobbled up by our table.

For dessert, the key lime pie stood out amongst several chocolate options and was an easy choice for key lime fans. It had the richness of a cheesecake, but the tart perfection of a traditional key lime pie on top of an oat and graham cracker crust.

Located in the Galleria Mall, Kozy's offers comfortable indoor and outdoor seating and a creative cocktail list. Both the Blackberry Mojito and Ginger Vodka Martini were winning selections, but if you are in the mood for wine, Kozy's has an extensive wine list for your enjoyment.

`

tcfoodfinds.com   |   TWIN CITIES FOOD FINDS GUIDE 2010
Various Listings

To learn more about our products that promote the hospitality industry go to directlineservices.com