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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
6:11 PM 14th March 2017
lifestyle

Cosmo Restaurant, York

 
Outside view of Cosmo York
Outside view of Cosmo York
Cosmo is a new chain of buffet style restaurants that are opening up around the country. There is a new one planned to open in Trinity Square in Leeds later this spring.

The York restaurant is situated on Bridge Street and sits alongside the River Ouse. You can see the restaurant as you walk over the Bridge away from the city centre.

Inside view
Inside view
They say it is an opportunity to "take your taste buds round the world" as there are at least 150 dishes from around the world, each prepared in small batches to ensure that they are always fresh.

There is one set price for unlimited courses and without any time limit for staying in the restaurant. Prices range from £8.50 at lunchtime to £16.99 on a Saturday evening. Children under 150cm are charged half price. Apparently during lunch service the live cooking stations do not operate and a limited menu is offered.

Carvery plate
Carvery plate
We visited on an early weekday evening and it was very busy with a wide age group dining. There are various sections such as a Noodle Bar, Chinese, Carvery, Tandoori, Succhi, Asian, Pizza and Pasta, Teppanyaki and a huge dessert range.

We found the food to be very tasty and hot, apart from the Carvery section which did not seem to be as popular with our fellow diners. No one went to the Carvery whilst we were there. The most popular sections seemed to be the Teppanyaki, Chinese, Suchhi and Asian sections, which has Halal meat.

Salad bar
Salad bar
The staff regularly take the temperature of the food. We met the helpful Paul from Poland who seemed to take pride in his task of ensuring the food was hot.

The salads were all fresh and it was good to see that salad items were not mixed up. As buffets go this truly is a sumptuous feast.

Dessert Section
Dessert Section
The dessert section has a chocolate fountain and delights such as Eton Mess, Carrot cake, fresh fruit, ice creams and various sponges.

The sign over the restaurant just says 'Cosmo restaurant' when it might be better saying 'Cosmo Buffet restaurant' as it does not really do justice to the type of dining experience being offered. With this in mind, it could potentially bring more customers through the doors.

Apparently the buffet restaurant is more popular with tourists than locals, as anyone who lives in York knows, parking for residents is an issue and they tend to stay out of the city centre. To entice locals in it might be a good incentive to offer a residents discount. They do, however, offer a loyalty card which gives each diner a free drink or meal, depending on how many times they have visited Cosmo.

With 8 live cooking stations, a good drinks menu (which includes bottomless soft drinks) and a lively atmosphere it is worth a visit. Just another tip though, go hungry and you will not be disappointed.

Cosmo Restaurant, 19 Bridge Street, York YO1 6DA
Telephone: 01904 633800
www.cosmo-restaurants.co.uk/