Rustic Cosmo Cafe

1278 Queen Street West
Phone: 416.531.4924

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Posted by Megan
June 8, 2007

Currently 2.45/5
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Rating: 2.5/5 (22 votes cast)

Rustic Cosmos Cafe, at 1278 Queen St W, is the kind of place you really want to like. It has warm welcoming decor, friendly staff, and bustles with cheerful patrons.

Unfortunately, after my visit the overwhelming feeling was actually one of 'just average'. There was nothing wrong with the food, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't great either. The brunch entree prices ranged from $7 - $10, which isn't particularly expensive, but also isn't cheap.

As for the service, admittedly I was there with a fairly large group of people and the server was friendly, but nonetheless, the service was inattentive at best. It was a series of little things, like not being updated on the status of our food (which took about an hour to arrive), or the fact that we were told we could have separate bills, then were presented with a bill that not only had everyone on a single bill, but was not itemized, making it difficult to figure out how much each person owed.

As for the food: The pancakes thick and fluffy, the eggs benny nice and runny (although, a bit light on the hollandaise for my tastes), the omelettes thick and full of chunky vegetables, the cowboy plate plentiful. But nothing stood out, it was all average.

The bottom line is, if I lived nearby it might be neat to be a regular because the staff really are a nice friendly bunch. But, since I don't live particularly nearby, I can't see myself going back.

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ease up fella, average food sits well with anyone - especially breakfast

Posted by: steve at June 9, 2007 10:38 PM

Rustic Cosmo Cafe has been one of my fave's for years.It is one of Parkdale's staples and serves up some of the best food in the city, their eggs benny is to die for. Where else can you can you mix and match six different kinds?? Service is more than friendly and with such a large table you are lucky to have gotten a seat, there is usually a line up so getting your food in an hour is pretty good considering i have seen people wait that long for a table.
GO RUSTIC COSMO!!!! Megan doesn't know what she is talking about.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 9, 2007 6:14 PM

It's amazing that you seem to have nothing better to do with your time than put down food that you can't even cook.
The cafe is comfy, the place has one chef, what are you expecting Spago's? The restaurant is packed most times, and I usually feel sorry for the chef who has 40 different meals going at the same time. So chill out, be nice. This blog seems personal rather than really trying to critique for change.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 9, 2007 7:39 PM

Posted by: Patrick at July 9, 2007 7:49 PM

very beautiful and very friendly people. The food is great and they make a mean espresso!Definitely a place i would visit again!

Posted by: Brooke at December 29, 2007 5:32 AM

I'd have to agree with the blogger here. I work just around the corner and recently found this place. Apart from their one great soup - I think it's a tomatoe and asparagus, along with a specific panini - which has pesto, garlic, basil, tomatoe, and cheese - everything else is so so. The soup and paninia are AMAZING, and I had it 4 days in a row once even - but then when I tried to go for something else, it lacked the somethin somethin that makes you wanna go back. I really don't know what it is. maybe a different salad dressing, and more goodies int he salad, or less salt on the chicken that's in the sandwhich - but it really is a shame, because I wholeheartedly would go here every day.

great latte tho!

Posted by: anonymous at August 1, 2008 5:00 PM

I got a sticker to eat on my tomato in their "Cowgirl". I didn't complain then, and I'm not really complaining now. Average is a compliment. And the server did seem like a bit of a space cadet.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 30, 2008 1:31 PM

Just looking at the photo I can see that the omelet you had was of the lazy, hammered, burned/well-done/over-cooked variety.

However something is to be said about bad customers too.

Restaurant reviews are everywhere and anyone thinks they can review a meal. The truth is though that if you haven't worked at a resto you have no idea what you're talking about.

Where are the customer reviews?

You say you came with a large group? How large? Strike one.

Split bills, trying to itemize and make sure everyone doesn't overpay? Strike two and three. People who need to itemize every little thing are often the people who tip poorly.

Food: Average. Customer: Poor.

Posted by: A Waiter at October 3, 2008 8:29 PM