“You can’t put cucumbers on a pizza,” is how the classic Seinfeld quote goes. But you can absolutely put an all-out New York pizza bar paying tribute to the nine-season TV classic beneath one of Adelaide’s favourite music venues.
That’s exactly what two hospo guns, both named Josh, have done. The concept clicked faster than you can cook a pizza, and Josh Bartolo and Josh O’Shaughnessy knew they had a winning pitch for Renew Adelaide.
Sure enough, Renew Adelaide loved it. Bartolo told us their venture was exactly what the community-focused organisation was looking for, particularly because Hindley Street Music Hall doesn’t serve a full menu of food themselves.
“This space was just an unused kitchen leftover from before COVID. We’ve completely transformed it,” Bartolo said.
He has a background in hospitality management notably with Wing It Sports Bar, while O’Shaughnessy owns the Taco Cartel food truck, which you’ve likely seen at major local events like the Fringe, WOMAD, and the Tour Down Under.
Cosmo’s will mark Bartolo’s first foray into the world of venue ownership, and he says it’s pretty well a dream come true.
“I’ve always had this idea for a Seinfeld-style pizza bar. I’ve always just been a big fan of Seinfeld since I was a kid. I always had this idea to have a Seinfeld-themed restaurant, and the fact there was a restaurant space already there just got the ball rolling, and here we are,” Bartolo said.
The venue is decked out with a New York pizza-inspired interior. Custom sage-coloured plates with Cosmo’s signature typography accent the interior, while thick brown leather menus strike the balance between classy and laid-back.
In every corner you’ll find subtle, and not so subtle references to Seinfeld.
“You’ll spot them just by looking around, or even going to the bathroom,” Bartolo said.
Aside from the homages, the fit out blends 90s nostalgia with clean, casual-fine-dining.
But as you step through the open French doors, the Cosmo Kramer mural will be front and centre. Bartolo shouts out local artist Liz Pratt for her ability to capture the character and all his offbeat charm.
“We’ve made everything, from furniture to signage. There are Cosmo-green couches, and we’ve even the Frogger arcade game from the show,” Bartolo said.
The Joshes were pretty thrilled with the arcade machine, another reference to the show, having it in their sights right from the venue’s inception. When you’re not devouring a slice, you’re welcome to take challenge high scores in Galaxy, Donkey Kong, and of course Frogger.
It’s a whole lot of Seinfeld, but Bartolo explains, “You don’t need to be a Seinfeld fan. The food, drinks, and vibe stand on their own.”
But what’s on the menu? I hear you!
Pizza, quite obviously, is the hero, and Cosmo’s is quite confidently serving up just one size: the 18-inch pie. Made with house dough and topped with the finest local ingredients, you’ll find all the American-style classics.
“Everything’s prepped onsite,” Bartolo said. “Our pepperoni and sausage are specially sourced in SA,” says Bartolo.
The menu is peppered with Seinfeld-inspired nods, including a marble rye, made especially for the restaurant by a bakery in the hills. Sides like parmesan, hot chilli oil wings and cheesy fries round out the offering.
Dessert isn’t an afterthought here, it’s a main event. But the pair want to do it a bit differently.
“Tiramisu is boring!” Bartolo boldly claimed, referencing its ubiquitous use on Italian menus.
“We want you to be happy even if you just came in for dessert,” Bartolo continued.
Accordingly, you can expect house-made sweets like pecan pie, Snickers cheesecake, and a deconstructed Twix dessert layered with Snickers mousse, ganache, cookie crumble and caramel. Yum!
The references don’t stop there, Seinfeld has been poured into the drinks too. I’ll let Bartolo explain.
“All our cocktails are named after characters or episodes, like one called ‘Costanza’, and underneath it just says ‘The Old Fashioned’.”
“We’ve even got our own custom beer from Vale Ale called the Larry David Lager,” Bartolo said, Larry David being the head writer over the show’s near-decade run.
The wine list is also right at the forefront, with the Joshes calling in the expertise of Wilson Shawyer, behind Good Gilbert, Asha, Good Burger… the list goes on.
“We didn’t skimp,” Bartolo said. “There’s Italian wine, Adelaide Hills drops, and a solid spread of reds, whites, and rosés.”
Opening in May was a deliberate choice for Cosmo’s, giving them breathing room to fine-tune before the crowds roll in.
“It’s a quieter time, but I think that’s good. It gives us space to get it right,” Bartolo said.
The team has been gradually soft launching with friends and hospo pals to iron out systems and get feedback.
“We’re finding that this side of Hindley Street is a nice little spot,” Bartolo said. “You don’t have the craziness of the top end, and towards the uni you’re around all these great venues and gig spots like West Oak and Jive.”
Cosmo’s Pizza officially opens mid-May, bringing a slice of New York, a nod to Seinfeld, and a great new pairing for one of Adelaide’s best live music venues.
Cosmo’s Pizza
Where: 149 Hindley St, Adelaide (beneath Hindley Street Music Hall)
When: Set to open mid-May
For more information, click here.
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