Cosima — Restaurant in Baltimore

Extremely disappointed.

After checking reviews (both online and by asking friends for their experiences) we were excited to make a reservation for us and our 10 closest friends for our birthdays!

My birthday is nine days after my husband's and this was the first time we planned a joint celebration so we wanted it to be great. So the stars aligned for a Sunday evening dinner.

We all got there on time and enjoyed the complimentary valet on a chilly evening. The hostess took us to our table which was a nice high top with some great ambiance.

The waiter came up and bumbled through an introduction that surprisingly didn't include his name. Our group quickly realized this man must not have been a waiter (at this restaurant) for long - or at least wasn't used to managing a mid-sized group by himself.

Eventually we had to ask him to take our drink orders which took forever to receive. At one point I watched my drink sit on the bar for 30 minutes of our 3 1/2 hr dinner before someone from our party finally got up to retrieve it on their own. We eventually learned it was quicker to order our drinks from the bar oursleves - such a shame.

The majority of the food that came was pretty amazing. Until we got to the entrees....

Four of the couples ordered the Rib Eye Steaks - it looked phenomenal on the menu. However each of us ended up with the toughest and most gristly medium rare steak ever possible. The waiter blamed the toughness on being a "thick steak" but I had to point out the full run of gristle through the middle didn't help.

The appetizers and the entrees came out so far apart from the other couples it was almost like we were at different tables. Our food got cold while we waited for our friend's SALAD to get there! Mind you, the entrees came two and a half hours after we placed our original orders!

The worst part of this whole experience was that our guests (who have had positive experiences in the past and recommended Cosima) were apologizing TO US! You would have thought our table would've had a visit from the manager or chef...but no.

They left each apology up to the waiter who just kept saying "anything that could go wrong did go wrong" or "it's just not our night" which was...extremely disappointing.

I will say that I was proud of my friends for keeping a level head. Each one of the couples would have loudly voiced their dissatisfaction with the situation but kept it cool. This was truly tested when our friends' food was taken from in front of them twice. They are vegans and each time their food was brought, they had confirm they dish was (in fact) vegan. The waiter (both times) said hesitantly, oh yes, and then a minute later came up and took the food to replace it with a vegan dish.

In the end, the waiter offered them free coffee to make up for the continued confusion. They actually said that they would pass on the coffee but the sorbet looked nice. The waiter was glad to bring them the sorbet...but totally charged them for...

Chile, let me tell YOU... One of Baltimore's Best Kept Secrets

These days it is rare to have a dining experience that checks ALL the boxes. The food was ah-mazing, the service was amazing, the managing staff was attentive, and the atmosphere was magical [a word I rarely use].

From the time we drove down the cobbled driveway to the time we exited, we felt like we stepped into another world.

This was a first time, no point of reference or personal recommendation visit.

Due to the recent rain, there were fewer guests this evening so we had the patio to ourselves. The view is lovely. I recommend covered patio dining as there is very little water view inside.

The feel of Cosima is warm and inviting with low lighting. Go early 5-7PM if you are looking for dinner setting. They do have happy hour. Music does play but it is not overwhelming sound and you can easily hold a conversation.

Cosima offers daily deals that change like $10 pizza or 50% off pasta meals. Menu does change but there are staples.

Everything is made in house from scratch and you can TASTE the love and care the food is made with. You can also taste the flavor [not topped seasoning] of the food.

I could have stayed another few hours to eat again from the menu it was soooo good. I am a lover of Italian food and hands down this has been the BEST food I've yet to experience [If you know Balt/DC you know it is a competitive market]. The desserts were amazing and rich in taste.

We dined outside which is fitted with aerial outdoor fans and outdoor heat [for colder months]. There is a larger elevated platform overlooking the water [great for small biz reception or wedding rehearsal dinner]

The interior is beautiful if you want to eat indoors. There are also private closed curtain nooks and open table dining as well.

Unlike some restaurants that hurry customers, Cosima's servers were kind, cordial, knowledgable and the manager asked questions and feedback. As a Black and Indigenous person, I felt an appreciation and respect there and that is important to the dining experience.

Ladies, the restroom is well appointed with one regular stall and one ADA stall. You won't feel cramped.

There is FREE valet parking so let them handle it. The parking garage is right next to the entrance. You are in good hands.

There is an automatic 20% gratuity but it is worth it.

Cosima was a hit, and not a miss. I look forward to returning and introducing more of my family to this Italian gem.

[Independent writer, not...

I used to take our daughters when they were little to Donna’s at Cross Keys for lunch as we could all find something that we liked on the menu. One day one of our daughters ordered a grilled cheese and Donna’s mom happened to be in the restaurant that day. The “discussion” they had about the bread was priceless. Donna’s mom insisted that it wasn’t suitable for a children’s grilled cheese and that Donna needed to have different bread in the kitchen for just this purpose. The fond intensity shared by them about the bread struck me in the best way; these two chefs pay close attention to every detail.

My wife and I have dined at Cosima and I am convinced that Donna’s mom is here too as the menu is just splendid and the execution is honest, direct, straight forward, real cooking; like how I learned from my mother. I can tell that the bases, sauces, and gravies are house made. One time I had the wild boar and polenta and I could have dined on the tomato sauce alone.

Most recently I had the lamb Bolognese and I was really impressed with chef’s interpretation; leaving the carrots whole and not incorporated into the sauce added a nice texture to the dish. All the while the lamb fluctuated between the background and foreground while being highlighted by the other ingredients with neither over stepping the other.

I love my wine and I have to admit that I don’t know about 90% of the list however, the staff knows it all and they have never failed to perfectly pair a glass with any of the dishes we’ve enjoyed.

The desserts? Wow, the chocolate hazelnut torte is just sublime and most importantly fresh. I’ve dined at too many restaurants where they must think that this confection has a nuclear half-life. Also, and I think most importantly, it was served at the correct temperature meaning it wasn’t like eating a Fudgesicle.

The warmth and privacy of this partial subterranean gem is the icing on the cake to the menu. My wife does not usually order coffee with her dessert but was inclined to do so because she wanted to linger and enjoy not only the experience, but also the exceptionally welcoming architecture. One feels tucked away, cocooned and cared for like a mom does for her children. ...