Cosme

Cosme, a restaurant in the Gramercy/Flatiron area, has been buzzing with positive reviews since it opened last year. We have been there multiple times and have enjoyed the food so much that we decided to bring Ken’s parents there when they visited New York in July. The restaurant is located on 21st street, near Tumblr’s offices:

(I took a photo of the door and sent it to my in-laws because I was meeting them from work and didn’t want them to miss it!)

The restaurant accepts walk ins – there are two long family-style tables in the front of the restaurant, two or three tables for two right by the entrance, and seating at the bar! Here’s one of the family style tables near the bar:

The first time we ate at Cosme, we ordered some chips and guacamole while we were contemplating what to order:

We also ordered the uni tostada with avocado, bone marrow salsa and cucumber:

When we went with Ken’s parents, we started off with the Burrata, pasilla mixe salsa, weeds:

As well as the beets, charred corn salsa, farmer’s cheese:

Another appetizer we ordered was the crispy octopus, with hazelnut mole, pickled potatoes and watercress:

For the main courses, we started with the black garlic rubbed NY strip for tacos, shishitos, avocado-tarragon purée:

We also ordered the duck carnitas served with onions, radishes, and salsa verde:

It doesn’t look like a ton of meat, but look at how much meat is under the duck skin:

For dessert, we ordered the red bean tamale with ice cream:

And my favorite, the corn meringue mousse:

The corn meringue mousse is the perfect combination of textures and flavors. It’s not overly sweet and almost tastes like an deconstructed macaron. The corn meringue is cracked in the center and the corn mousse is spooned over the center of the meringue – it’s so good you have to order more than one! Ken and I really like the restaurant (and Ken’s parents liked it, too!) – I also love the bottles their water is served in:

I wanted to buy one and found out they are reused tequila bottles by Casa Dragones and it costs over $250! The bottle is made of crystal (it’s a special edition) and the tequila is made in Mexico City, where the chef is from, so I’m guessing it’s a special nod to his local tequila purveyors. Do yourself a favor and run – don’t walk – to Cosme!