Cosmos

03/08/09

Phenomenal AGAIN!

by FoodLovers10

We are frequent fine diners at many of the best restaurants in the Twin Cities and this is the best of the best! Its all about extremely high quality ingredients and freshness with innovation and exceptional touches! Try the lamb where they smoke a portion and serve it covered so the smoke essence is there when delivered to your table. Or the shooters that burst in your mouth. Pricing is not any higher (in fact in many cases lower) than many other downtown venues. If you Valet park (very convenient) make be sure to have it validated and then its only a $7 charge. Service and ambiance top notch. Casual - dressy. This place deserves to be packed every night!

• Pros: Truly Exceptional food
• Cons: None

10/18/08

One of the most expertly prepped meals and fantastically friendly staff in the Twin Cities

by firestar515

First let me say that I'm a foodie from NYC who finds my way to the TC area very often to try the great (and cheap!) food scene. I've been to Cosmos just for drinks and have tried their bar menu (the scallops with the black noodles (to DIE for), the crab cakes, and the cheese platter, all amazing) but this is my first time sitting for a meal. To be honest, Cosmos was one of the best meals I have had in the Cities. The overall experience was made perfect with the help of the Mgr (Hi Alisha!!) who realized how important this meal was for us (the youngest in our group celebrated his 21st) and quickly found us (as a walk in party of 5) a great, cozy table. The staff was very friendly, service right on, though the server was a bit stiff in the beginning he warmed up as the courses came out. The birthday boy ordered the fantastic 5 course meal, with perfectly chosen wine pairings. I was a bit envious but my meal was exceptional: Tuna tartare with a delicous avocado ice cream, the duck and foie gras entree and the baklava with the braised cherry (yum!). I also had a lychee martini, strong but very tasty. My entire meal came out to about $80, which may be pricey for some, but for a 3-course meal and two complimentary chef tasting courses (squash mouch bouche (sp?) and a lemonade raspberry "explosion") of this caliber, this meal was a total steal. Be sure not to miss the celery ravioli or the raspberry "explosion" if they offer it. And don't be silly and swallow it before biting into it or you'll miss out. Thankfully, even though our boy swallowed his and missed out, Alisha was gracious and brought him another. Again thanks to her my best friend had an amazing 21st birthday.

• Pros: GREAT food, fair prices, friendly, effective staff & strong/tasty drinks. Also good looking clientele
• Cons: reservations would've been necessary

06/14/08

There is hope my friends

by 9ofclubs

I live downtown and dine-out quite often. I have had the emulsions, the coolies, souse vide poached food, foams, froths, and the pebbles. I have become a little tainted on how good food is sometimes lost to kitchen tricks. (Interesting ingredients don't always make for wonderful dishs...)

I ended up going to Cosmos to celebrate a friends b-day. All the before mentioned words were on the menu at Cosmos. I was ready for another "interesting" dinner, and catching late-night steak tartar at 112 because I was still hungry...

All I can say is the Chef at Cosmos justifies why people like myself should still have hope. The colors! The presentation! The surpises! Yes, some of the food actually explodes! (I don't like to write with exclamation points, but I cannot help it.) Above all, the food was delicious. Care and thought went into the food. It was alchemy, dare I say, witchcraft. The items "read" challenging on the menu, but when they arrive they justify the hype.

I paid full attention to my entree.

The service was solid. They were attentive and gracious. I asked what they thought was better between two dishs. The server vividly and patiently discribed the two dishes. A friend of mine pointed out that the server had not actually recomended either dish, just talked about them. The server agreed. At first my friend was confused and thought the server was being hostile, but she realized the server was being objective and wanted us, the guest, to choose what we would like to eat. What a relief to be waited on by adults who know their product and are capable of interacting with guests.

Cosmos does what most "new american" restaurants try to; it interests, provokes, and most of all, delivers one heck of a meal.

I know I'm gushing, and I know I sound overly cynical about most other dining experiences in the Twin Cities, but that is why I am on this site right now. Cosmos really did put wind back in my dining sails.