What’s in a name? When I heard of The Cosy Club in Harrogate the name conjured up all kinds of curiosity in my mind.
The Cosy Club is actually a new restaurant that has recently opened up in the town, though when greeted with the entrance, diners would be hard-pressed to know what lies over the threshold as it resembles the façade of a high-class casino or even a salubrious members’ only club. The first Cosy Club restaurant opened in Taunton in 2010 and the chain has since expanded successfully across the country.
Situated at one end of Cambridge Street, known for its bustling shopping, the location is an unusual one in that it could work either in the restaurant’s favour due to high footfall or the opposite as the area is not known as an eating destination in Harrogate – all the restaurants and eateries tend to be located along particular streets.
Opulence to make diners gasp in awe
Over the years the building The Cosy Club occupies has had many uses including as a cinema and more recently as a clothes store. Once you are through the doors a large flight of steps ushers the diner up to the main floor, thankfully there is a lift to whisk less able visitors to their dining experience.
The opulence of the restaurant will make diners gasp in awe: huge glass chandeliers hang from the ceiling, painted portraits hang from the walls whilst the wooden floor, tables and chairs add to the sheer elegance of the place.
Like all restaurants these days they do a large range of cocktails including any two for £11.95 on a Sunday through to Thursday from 4pm to 8pm.
The food though is not on the cheap side but is in line with what you would expect to pay in Harrogate. Our starters included a satisfying warm sourdough loaf with butter (£4.50) and asian fried chicken (£7.25), the latter of which might seem overpriced for what you actually get.
The mains were much better value with my 8oz flat iron steak served with fries (£18.50) being excellent both in price and quality, the same could be said for my partner’s seared seabass served with tamari and ginger teriyaki noodles, sugar snaps, red pepper, sesame, chilli and lime. (£15.95).
My apple tarte fine (£7.75) served warm with vanilla ice cream was of good quality which I would not hesitate to order again however, my partner was disappointed with her vegan baked vanilla cheesecake (£7.25) which appeared to be slightly frozen still, leaving me to try and finish off the dish which I had to decline.
A unique dining experience
I liked the idea of the restaurant having separate dining areas so that you could be seated in a group or another area as a couple. The music might seem a little loud for conversation, though the choice to move the playlist from the non-descript jazz earlier on in the evening to smooth R&B later on, was a good one.
We found it to be somewhere completely novel, standing out from any other dining experience that is on offer in Harrogate and others whom we talked to at the restaurant seemed to agree. Even on a wet autumnal Thursday night the Cosy Club was more than half full.
Service was quick, friendly and unobtrusive. Perhaps it is time for you to discover The Cosy Club too?
The Cosy Club, Harrogate
37 Cambridge St, Harrogate HG1 1RX
harrogatebookings@cosyclub.co.uk
