Cosmo's means great food, giving back to the community

John Mullen • May 24, 2018

Jodi & Brian Harsany of Cosmo's Restaurant & Bar

Orange Beach, AL - (OBA®) - Brian and Jodi Harsany have built a solid reputation for community involvement in more than 20 years of being in the restaurant business in Orange Beach.

But there’s a really good reason for that, Brian says.

“We’re just very fortunate and happy the locals have been in our favor, the community,” Brian said. “People say ‘you do so much for the community’ and I say because the community does so much for us. If we take care of each other then we’ll all be all right.”

Harsany was relaxing in the bar area of his iconic Cosmo’s restaurant on Canal Road, the flagship of the five restaurants he and Jodi now own in the city. They took over the Ivan-ravished courtyard-type building in 2006 and built it into an icon of the Gulf Coast culinary scene.

“It was empty and a bakery café before that,” Brian said. “It opened just before Ivan. Everybody struggled that winter after Ivan because there was so much destruction. It sat empty from the fall of ’04 until we came in in May of ’06.”

Brian had managed Bayside Grill at Sportsman Marina for more than 10 years in his first job at the beach. He left there to enter a partnership that lasted just seven months.

“When I stepped away from that partnership I didn’t have any plans but took our ideas that we had sort of come up with back off the shelf and started talking about it,” he said. “I had three ladies three straight days say something about this spot. I think there’s something to it when three people who don’t know each other say ‘you ought to go check out that spot.’”

They named their new place after one of their pets, Cosmo, and the restaurant took off. Cars spilled out into the roadsides, grassy areas and even parked across the street to cross busy Canal Road to get at the tasty fare coming out of Cosmo’s kitchen.

The secret to this rousing success?

“I don’t know,” Brian said with a laugh. But he knows how he wants his restaurants to operate and believes it is usually something as simple as doing things right.

“I think we did really well with executing and people knowing that our hours were going to be consistent, our food was going to be consistent and our service would be consistent,” Brian said. “They know what product we give and feel very confident whether or not to recommend it or when they come in themselves they are going to get what they expect.”

He and corporate chef Jack Baker have worked together since the mid-1990s and the recipes they have forged have proved popular and developed loyal followings.

“Our guests aren't happy if we take any items off the menu,” he said with another laugh. “There are many lunchtime guests we take a menu to just as a courtesy. If a particular server waits on them they just verify they are going to eat their usual and then they go place the order. Some people haven’t deviated in years from what they order here.”

One of the most popular dishes sort of happened by accident. Our Banana-leaf-wrapped fish would vary the, based on what was available.

“A local chef mentioned how he enjoyed the sea bass in banana leaf and it made the list of 100 things to eat in Alabama, before you die.” Brian said. “If we deviated people would get upset about it so now it’s always sea bass.” It comes rubbed with a special blend of herbs and seasonings, wrapped in banana leaves and baked. It’s served with house rice and lemon garlic asparagus.

But it’s not Brian’s personal favorite. In a world of seafood along the beachfront, he’s just not a big seafood guy.

“It’s not my thing,” he said with a shrug. “I’m not a real big fish guy. I love fishing, I’ve always worked in seafood restaurants. It’s just not my favorite.

“My favorite’s the chicken roulade. It’s a gruyere cheese asparagus rolled up and wrapped in bacon with a sage and leek cream sauce and parmesan risotto.”

You’ll find plenty of delicious seafood from pecan-encrusted redfish, Cosmo’s famous crab cakes or even Alabama-raised catfish. But if you prefer barnyard fare try Brian’s favorite chicken dish or you can get a tender filet or ribeye cooked to order.

The redfish is encrusted with chopped pecans and Japanese breadcrumbs, lightly sautéed and topped with meuniere sauce. It comes with “dirty” risotto and lemon garlic asparagus. You have the option of adding sautéed crab meat on top.

You’ll find traditional fried seafood of any variety as well as po’ boys and other sandwiches at Cosmo’s. Check out Cosmo’s page on the OBA Community Website.

Cosmo’s also has an extensive sushi menu that’s served all day on Saturday and Sundays and starting at 3 p.m.

In the offseason, a regional menu lets the kitchen stray from the popular menus to offer up some variety for the fall and winter.

“We have a lot of fun in the fall and the winter running our regional menus because it allows the chefs to really explore some new cuisine,” Brian said. “We have through the years added items to the menu through those regional menus just because of the popularity of them in just a two- to three-week period. One of them being the redfish.”

Back to the community theme, recently they, along with several other businesses on the coast, were involved in the Paw Ball with the Orange Beach Police Department Benevolent Association to raise money for another canine officer. The event at the Perdido Beach Resort raised more than $20,000.

“It was a huge success,” Brian said. “We gave them a check for $20,000. I believe our goal was $16,000 for a new canine. This will make sure that no canine officer has to work extra shifts.”

The Harsanys also own and operate Cobalt at The Restaurant, GTs on the Bay also on Canal Road and Luna’s Eat and Drink. Maggies Parlor and BuzzCatz’s Coffee & Sweets all in the Cosmo’s courtyard.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Share this article w/ Friends...

Orange Beach Schools Names Laatsch as Assistant Athletic Director

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach City Schools has appointed Chris Laatsch as their new Assistant Athletic Director. The announcement came Wednesday as school officials welcomed the veteran coach to his expanded role within the athletics program.

Mystery Urn Washes Ashore in Gulf Shores

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – An unusual discovery was made on the beaches of Gulf Shores last week. A funeral urn containing human ashes washed ashore after apparently being released into the Gulf of Mexico.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Hosts Summer Zoo Camp for Kids

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is inviting kids to experience a summer of adventure through its 2025 Zoo Camp program. The camp will give young animal lovers a hands-on opportunity to learn about wildlife and conservation.

Orange Beach Powerboat Week Returns for the Sixth Year

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The 6th Annual Orange Beach Powerboat Week is coming to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The three-day event brings fast boats, fun runs, and parties to the area.

Foley Sanitation Department Faces Spring Cleanup Delays

By Guy Busby • April 23, 2025

Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – The City of Foley is asking residents to be patient as spring-cleaning and yard work increase the need for limb collection services, according to the City of Foley website. The Foley Sanitation Department collects tree limbs weekly from homes across the city. However, officials said temporary high demand may delay collections on some routes by about one day.

2025 National Shrimp Festival Poster Winner

Local Artist Captures Shrimp Festival Poster Contest with a Vibrant Design

By OBA Staff • April 22, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Shores-based artist Michael Swiger has been selected as the winner of the 52nd Annual National Shrimp Festival poster contest, festival organizers announced Monday.

Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting to Discuss Bar Permit and Water Tower

By John Mullen • April 22, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Gulf Shores Planning Commission will hear a request from the owners of Hibas Karaoke and Arcade Bar for a conditional use permit to allow for a lounge/bar usage at the bar in Pelican Place.

Annual Ceremony to Honor Local Hero Rosamond Johnson at Johnson Beach

By OBA Staff • April 22, 2025

Perdido Key, Ala. – (OBA) – The Perdido Key Area Chamber Foundation and Gulf Islands National Seashore will host the annual Private Rosamond Johnson Memorial Ceremony at Johnson Beach in Perdido Key. The event honors Private Rosamond Johnson Jr. and celebrates the rich cultural history of the area, according to the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce.

Gulf Coast Events Guide: A Week of Fun in the Sun

By Jessica A. Taylor • April 21, 2025

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The Gulf Coast is gearing up for a week of community celebrations and cultural events from April 21-27, featuring activities that range from traditional Japanese art workshops to the region's iconic Interstate Mullet Toss. The calendar includes recognition of local heroes, family entertainment venues, and outdoor adventures across Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key.

Gulf Shores Council to Review Park and Sidewalk Projects

By John Mullen • April 21, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The city is planning moves to bring the Laguna Cove project on the south shore of Little Lagoon forward by hiring Goodwyn Mills Cawood to design, arrange permitting and provide construction engineering and inspections on the nature park improvements.