Cosmo Taberna & Wines

We visited Cosmo in Rojales on the 28th of August. It came recommended to us—with a small caveat: “It’s expensive.” But there’s a world of difference between expensive and overpriced. Expensive should mean excellent quality, exceptional ambience, thoughtful décor, and a memorable dining experience. Sadly, Cosmo delivered none of these. We booked midweek and arrived on time. Stepping inside, we were met not with the elegance of a fine restaurant, but with what looked like a tired, dated bar—quiet, empty, and lacking atmosphere. After a short wait, a polite waiter appeared and led us to the terrace, where just three other tables were occupied. By then, I already felt overdressed and underwhelmed. The terrace, set along the river, could have been beautiful with a little care. Instead, the floor was dirty, the furniture was basic outdoor bar stock, the cutlery ordinary, the napkins cheap. Later, a few table lanterns were added, which helped only slightly. To their credit, the waiter and waitress were pleasant and attentive. Drinks came quickly—a Bombay Sapphire and tonic, a mineral water, and a Coke—along with menus and the day’s specials. We started with the Russian Salad with a Thai twist (€10.95), Garlic Prawns (€15.50), and Beef Tataky (€15.95). The flavours were good, but the portions were disappointingly small. For mains, we ordered the Ribeye (€37.95) and the Beef Fillet (€30.95). The steaks were served with only a garnish, so we added a side of fries (€5.50) and pepper sauce (€5.60). While the sauce was excellent, the meat itself was of average quality—far from what you would expect at those prices. In the end, the food was mediocre and overpriced. The only redeeming feature was the service. Unfortunately, that was undone by what happened next. The owner sat at the table beside us with a member of staff, holding a loud conversation across the terrace with other diners. Meanwhile, the chef appeared, still in black latex kitchen gloves, lit a cigarette, and smoked at the end table. At these prices, the last thing anyone expects is to watch the staff eating, smoking, and chatting with guests. By 9:15, all three occupied tables had left, leaving us alone on the terrace with the owner in conversation with another colleague. It felt unprofessional, uncomfortable, and entirely out of place for a restaurant charging fine-dining prices. --------- The response from Cosmos management speaks volumes. This Is the way to respond to a guest who had just spent €160 at your restaurant. As Restauranteurs, our greatest learning, has been listening to the opinions of others. Thats what reviews are. Opinions of others. See our profile and our site and you will establish our profile is not fake.