The newly opened CosA¬ franchise, 250 State St., offers incredibly fresh, savory entrees that tantalize the eyes and the taste buds. Most of the menu items are priced at $6-$8, making CosA¬ a fast, premium convenience restaurant much like its neighbor. Noodles & Company, but with a better atmosphere.
CosA¬ is sophisticated and modern, yet cozy and inviting, with an open-flame stone oven prominently displayed. It's the kind of place you can go to relax with a book or enjoy conversation with friends—the restaurant's acoustics seem to absorb sound and minimize noise levels, even when the dining room is full.
But the food is even better than the atmosphere. CosA¬ prides itself on flavor, adding things like fresh basil to the Grilled Chicken T.B.M. (tomato, basil and mozzarella) sandwich ($6.49) or sun-dried tomato spread to the Pesto Chicken Wrap ($6.59).
CosA¬ is a true people-pleaser. Rather than order off the menu, you can create your own sandwich, melt, pizza or salad by choosing any one to three ingredients you like. The staff also did a great job handling my request to substitute cucumber for Gorgonzola cheese on the Signature Salad ($6.99)—and at no extra cost.
The Signature Salad is, without a doubt, the best restaurant salad ever. CosA¬ tosses crunchy mixed greens with red grapes, diced pears, pistachios, dried cranberries, Gorgonzola cheese and shallot sherry vinaigrette. The vinaigrette alone is worth the walk down State Street.
CosA¬'s coffee drinks and desserts—including Mississippi Mud Pie ($4.59), Double Trouble Brownie Sundae ($6.79) and S'mores ($6.79)—might also prompt a visit. The Caramel Apple Cider ($2.49) is less creamy than its Starbucks counterpart, but has more caramel flavor
All of the entrees also come with warm CosA¬ bread (available in whole grain and ""rustic"" white), straight from the hearth. CosA¬ also uses this bread for their pizzas, adding a hearty, crispy crust in place of plain, greasy dough.
