Sleek Mexican spot with a big bar for locally sourced share plates, plus tequila and mezcal cocktails.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 35 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (315) 512-4131
Website: http://www.cosmenyc.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: tripleseat.comresy.com
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Reviews
I had the pleasure of coming with my wife during Restaurant Week, and everything we tried was incredible. If I go again, I would definitely order the Icelandic Arctic Char Everything Bagel Tostada, the duck enmoladas, and the hazelnut flan. The mole is unbelievable, and the flan is so enjoyable. Even the tortillas were amazing, they truly taste like authentic handmade Mexican tortillas.
The place itself is beautifully decorated, perfect for a date night or even a more formal dinner. The staff was extremely nice, Alejandra and Fidel were the best.
I truly loved this place and I’m definitely coming back.
We started with the guacamole, which was outstanding — rich, fresh, and with a gentle spicy note that added a nice touch. We finished it almost immediately.
The Montauk fluke was light, refreshing, and perfectly tender. The octopus was incredibly soft, and the sauce brought all the flavors together beautifully. The Pékin duck carnitas were another highlight — flavorful, satisfying, and even better with the warm tortillas.
Although we were already full, we still decided to try the Meringue dessert, and it was absolutely worth it. A lovely finish to the meal.
Overall, the food, service, and atmosphere made the evening really special.
I’d happily return, especially to try their brunch churros next time.
Corn meringue was interesting.
We began with the Maine Uni Tostada. Pairing sea urchin with bone marrow salsa is a bold move that pays off magnificently. It is creamy, briny, and demonstrates a mastery of texture that sets the tone for the meal. The Octopus was equally impressive, sporting a char that gave way to a tender interior, all elevated by the subtle heat of chile morita.
The Duck Carnitas, however, are the undisputed king of this menu. Served in a cast-iron skillet to share, the meat is unctuous and rich without being heavy. Constructing the perfect bite with the fresh tortillas and radishes feels like a ritual you will want to repeat.
We finished with the Corn Husk Meringue. It looks like modern art and tastes like nostalgic genius. Enrique Olvera’s kitchen is firing on all cylinders, delivering a meal that is as intelligent as it is delicious.
Atmosphere & Vibe
Upon entering, the place immediately offers a warm, contemporary, and chic atmosphere. It’s noticeably spacious, which is a huge plus in the Big Apple where elbow room is often scarce. This contributes greatly to a comfortable dining experience.
The Culinary Experience
Getting straight to the point: the food is fantastic. It is creative, flavorful, and full of intention. The kitchen clearly respects the quality of the ingredients and treats them with care. My appreciation isn’t just because of my roots and the marvelous way it evokes the flavors of Mexico, but because the cooking is truly outstanding.
The Mole (A Must-Try): This dish is a knockout. What a masterful way to share such an emblematic plate of Mexican gastronomy with the world! The accompanying sweet potato is perfectly balanced—it enhances the mole’s flavor without overpowering it. The tortillas served alongside are excellent and generously sized.
Duck Carnitas: These are a sheer delight; they literally melt in your mouth. They were, hands down, the family’s favorite.
Uni Tostadas: They were good, but they didn’t particularly surprise me.
Night’s Special: The quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn smut) and squash blossoms were absolutely delicious.
Drinks & Dessert
Special mention goes to the beverages. We tried the House Red, a Baja California wine made exclusively for Cosme, which was definitely worth it. The carajillo (espresso with liquor) was perfectly prepared and a sublime match for the incredible Cornhusk Merengue—this is honestly the best dessert I’ve had in a long time.
Service & Final Thoughts
Finally, I must highlight the service. Andrea was an excellent guide throughout our dinner. We were accompanied by two young children, and she was consistently attentive and kind. We even received a complimentary cake because we were celebrating a birthday—a lovely touch!
The only consideration is that this is not a restaurant for tight budgets, but it is absolutely worth the splurge for special occasions. We will undoubtedly return for another celebration!
However, the experience was not without its shortcomings. The portion sizes were disappointingly small, and the dessert, the corn merengue, was not as impressive as I had heard. The Hiramasa tostada appetizer, which was $30, was too small for even two people to share. This should not a standard size for an appetizer.
Despite these drawbacks, I would still recommend Cosme. It’s a very unique experience – duck carnitas were outstanding. It’s also a busy place so I’d recommend making a reservation, even though we were able to squeeze into one of the hightop tables without one.
Also we had high expectations for the dessert but it wasn’t anything spectacular.