Cosmos Bar and Grill Review

Appetizers:

 On these hot summer days, we all want something cool and refreshing. What better than having oysters on the half-shell as our first appetizer? Goes best with a cold Mexican beer--dressed. We asked the waiter what type of oysters they were and he replied "Gulf Coast". As we all know, Gulf Coast oysters are big and plump, but are less flavorful then the East Coast variety which means that salt and lemon need to be added to give it that briney flavor it lacks. As the oysters arrived, they were fresh, cold, and clean of any shell debris. To my surprise, the adductor muscle was detached from the shell which eliminates needing to scrape your spoon furiously against the rocky surface. Served with lemons and horseradish.

Crab Cakes

As the crab cakes arrived to our table, the sight of two lonely cakes with not much presentation took us aback. The crab cakes had a good sear, not over-seasoned, and definitely left you wanting more. It's lump crab meat which is a pleasant change from the imitation crab meat served at usual local restaurants. It has a fleshy bite that plays nicely with the juxtaposition of the flaky crust. A traditional remoulade sauce complements the slight heat from the crab cake giving a well-balanced flavor. The good thing about these crab cakes is there's not a lot of filler so while $14 for 2 cakes is a bit pricey, the quality and flavor are worth it.

Ahi Tuna

Just as we were finishing our crab cakes, the Ahi tuna arrived in a timely manner. It was very well presented given the cross-hatching of two sauces: wasabi mayo and a coca-cola reduction. Had a nice sear of herbs and spices with a red-fleshy undertone throughout the center indicating perfect execution. The color is superb, the flavors are exciting, and the inclusion of chopsticks makes for clean snacking before drinks. This dish was an absolute winner and upon return to Cosmos, this is an appetizer I'd be sure to get.

Entrees:

Reuben Sandwich

The sandwich is not a part of the dinner menu but if a restaurant can't make a good sandwich, then how good can anything else be? Plus I was in the mood for trying out a hot sandwich. Upon arriving, the bread was not as toasted as I would prefer and a tad bit soggy as if it had been sitting around waiting for other entrees to be served. As I opened my sandwich the corned beef had an inconsistent size in cuts of meat; some were thick, some were thin. As I bit the sandwich, the pull would tear out large chunks of meat that were hanging from my mouth. The bread, although soggy, was very flavorful and made up for the un-uniformed sizes of meat. the sauerkraut was crisp and the thousand island dressing was neither too much or too little, but right on point. The shoestring sweet potato fries were hot and crispy. The kosher pickle had a nice crunch as what you would expect in a New York deli.

Special Soft Shell Crab Tacos

I was told that people come here for the fish tacos, but I was willing to try something new and the waiter offered today's special which was soft-shell crab tacos. I immediately said "yes" and was given the option of a crunchy or a soft taco so I politely requested one of each. As they arrived, I didn't like the fact that my taco came with cheese since fish tacos traditionally don't include cheese but what the hey, I'm willing to try new things. I mean I did order the special, didn't I? The cabbage coleslaw was a little too wet for my taste. The over-mayonnaised coleslaw disguised the taste of the soft-shell crab. I preferred the crunchy over the soft; the crispy taco shell gave it texture as opposed to just a soft, coleslaw mush. Maybe I should have just ordered the fish tacos.

All food came out hot.

There was an older crowd at dinner time. Color of the walls are a deep red, kind of dark, but give a relaxed vibe without being boring. In a small room it might be too loud but it fits nicely for the restaurant. There are two wraparound bars, one being a wine bar. Wooden accents give the room a warm feel.

The menu is glorified bar food, more of snacks than an actual dinner; though steaks are available. Chef/restaurant manager is very friendly, hospitable and will cater to your needs. Tables are white linen and light jazz music was played throughout. The patio gets a good breeze and the waiters are attentive.

Tasting Spoon Grade for this Experience: B



Other Reviews:
Posh Sushi
El Puesto Food Truck
Loncheria El Popo

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