Cosimo’s

Just had dinner at Cosimo’s and found it to be just ok. I had read an article in the herald trib about how great the food was so I thought my husband and I would try it. It was a little out of our way being down in south Sarasota but we didn’t mind the ride.
First let me say the server was very nice and attentive. We ordered pasta fagiole and it was a little bland. I ordered veal piccata and it was good. Came with real mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach which was excellent. My husband ordered a pasta dish with chicken and it was very overpowered by pesto and the parsley that should be just a garnish. When we finished we told the server about this and she was upset that my hub i.e. Did not enjoy the dinner. We had explained that we had read the article and that it was our first time there. She explained to the manager who was very nice also and told us that he would comp the dinner. We said that was not necessary. My husband did eat some of it. He then gave us a free dessert and we chose the key lime pie, which was great. We may give them another try in the future. Not sure yet!

I was served the worst dinner I have ever had at a restaurant the other night at Cosimos. I should have sent it back but being a cook myself I didn’t want to make a scene. Before arriving I checked out the menu on their website and was looking forward to a chicken or eggplant parm sandwich with soup or a salad. The menu at the restaurant listed no lighter fare nor sandwiches. Obviously no one maintains the website.
I ordered fusili Bolougneae which at 16 dollars was totally a LA carte. A cup of minestrone was an extra three bucks. The soup contained a fair amount of what appeared to be left over veggies and was not quite as satisfying as Progresso.
The menu noted that the pastas were cooked to order. What was set before me was a substantial portion of mushy fusili topped with a red sauce that resembled no Bolougnasse I ha

We really love going here! The food is cooked to order, yummy fresh and the portions are huge! Always another meal for us. The grilled pork chops, flavorful. Veggies cooked to order — and the value (aka pricing) so very fair. If you like spicey, try the seafood tortellini. I can’t wait to have it again! Could have been 5 stars but the server didn’t ask if we wanted an app or salad and we would have, but pleasant and efficient.

Great happy hour with great food! We have been here twice and sat at the bar. I think the bartender is Paul and he was good to us (friendly, made our drinks quickly, knowledgable about the menu, etc).

Stopped by for happy hour and an appetizer just to check out the place. Service was terrible. But the appetizer was awesome! Food redeemed the sorry service. Well drinks sucked. Watered-​down. But probably will pass a second visit. Just due how me and my wife were treated.

Steak is awesome asparagus and potatoes. went back had chicken rigatoni oh it’s awesome place I’ll be back

Dinner for 6 here was a really nice evening. The hostess Mara seemed genuinely eager to help with a booster seat & was very accommodating. Our server Linda was patient and enthusiastic; she seemed glad to be there & proud of the food she served. Love the crab cakes, and the spinach with sundried tomatoes is a favorite. Everyone in our party liked their food & would visit again. The bread should probably be baked a bit more for our taste; but I didn’t complain – we were probably distracted by those decadent waffle fries. Looking forward to your patio seating once the weather turns cools this Fall. Maybe you’ll even have acoustic guitar music?
I think you had music sometimes last season; but we got busy & missed it. Thanks!

Worst place in Sarasota all these reviews are lies paid for by the owners. This place will be closed in the near future says a my crystal balls

This is a great find! Once people try it, they will be back. The Italian dishes are excellent! The seating is plentiful and you can get a range of foods from convenient (pizza, brick oven) to their outstanding Italian dishes.
Great for ambiance, service, and food quality! ENJOY!

Well. Not a good experience for us. The red sauce tasted horrible. Something like out of a can!!! Won’t go back. Also very loud
couldn’t hear yourself Not pleasant
Atmosphere.

The food was really good. Pizza crust was nice and crisp from the brick oven and had nice topping coverage. The meatballs were also delicious and clearly hand packed with garlic real breadcrumbs and all of the other necessities of a primo ball. As far as I know everyone enjoyed their meals.

The service was excellent and the staff very
welcoming. We were very disappointed to find the chicken piccata and the veal marcella very salty. They both were difficult to eat. We were with friends so did not send our meals back. Hope you can improve on
this in the future.

Best Pizza in Sarasota! Have been going to Cosimos for 10 years (including former location at Gulf Gate Mall). The food is always excellent; the service — quick and attentive, and the specials are outstanding. Your best bet is to order a special of the day — and if there’s a fish dish — go for it!
The calamari appetizer is rather large, so there’s plenty to share for two. The main courses offer more than we can consume — so, we take home the rest for lunch the next day. One of the best kept secrets in town!

Absolutely the worst service… worst food… and «who cares» ATTITUDE.
We were 6 couples, celebrating a friends birthday
Server took our drink order…20 minutes until they came. Took our dinner order…30 minutes later she asked us to repeat the order as «the kitchen“lost the order.
Even if the food was excellent… this lack of service was inexcusable. BUT THE FOOD WAS TASTELESS. THE RAGU TASTED LIKE PRAGO FROM A JAR… AND I HAD BETTER RAVIOLI OUT OF A CHEF BOYARDEE CAN.
A complete waste of money!!!

Waited forever for drinks and then waited forever for food. The food was ordinary and overpriced.
Will not go back as there are too many restaurants in the area that will cater to being efficient.

Great experience. Service friendly, wife had Gnocchi and I had Salmon Carbinara. Both cooked excellent. Salmon fresh, pasta cooked slightly more than aldente. We also got order of meatballs. Meals large, will probably adjust order next time. Tomato soup spicy and excellent. Iced tea made right. Atmosphere family style and conservative. We will definitely be back.

YES!
Hubs and I just ordered a pizza from here today and it was NYC-​style and realllllly good. We are always looking for yummy pies with premium ingredients, and Cosimo’s fit the bill. We look forward to visiting for a meal in the restaurant.

First off all reading these reviews adds more food to your bill. If you asked me to eat waffle fries and gorgonzola cheese, I would probably hesitate and ask what these waffles are made of (us ohio folk call them wafer fries) Regionalism aside, they are awesome and the is a reason they are in almost every review. It’s a plate of taters and someone in your party will either scrape or lick bowl of gorgonzola cheese dip clean!
But we are here at an Italian place, so pizza or pasta. If you come in twos, split the difference. The pizza is paper thin crust with a delicate seasoned taste (that ain’t regular flour in crust!) They have a page full of specialty pies. Or always pick your poison option. The Italian sausage pizza had ground Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, sauteed onions, provolone and mozzarella cheeses. Short version is yum, why are their other options? Seventeen specialty options with about every ingredient possible.
Then there’s stuff called gourmet meaty lasagne. I’ve had a lot of lasagna, but nothing like this! The Bolognese sauce is prefect complement to the locally made sausage, herbed ricotta cheese and fresh parmesan ground dropped all other it by waiter. There is lots of cheeses mixed in this stuff.
Add a key lime pie martini (drinking piece of pie with vodka aftertaste) abd you have prefect meal. You won’t have room for the real thing. Take out is available for dessert.

Always a favorite spot since I first tried it at the Westfield mall. Since it’s moved to the new location I still find myself enjoying the rich and delicious dishes here.
Stuffed portobello mushrooms and waffle fries with Gorgonzola are my go-​to appetizers.
Pizza is great as well as any chicken entrée.
For pasta I love the boscaiola with cheese tortellini, salmon carbonara, or spicy chicken fusilli.

Beyond the thoughtful menu and warm lighting, I cannot think of a more worthy family business to support.
John and Susie run a classy operation and the soul of this place is good. Were the new location not nearly twenty miles away from my home, Cosimos would be in regular rotation.