The decor is a little random and the atmosphere a bit too sombre but Cos Bar gets it right with its food and drink selection.

The Venue
There is no evident reason to explain why Cos Bar is kitted out in wild animal prints, used as upholstery on every seat. Choose between tiger, zebra or spotted leopard print. Even the menus, in keeping with the wilderness theme, are made out of thin wood. Logical or not, this bar is clean, tidy and manages to look rather slick.

The ground floor is mostly given over to the bar, whereas the first floor is skewed towards dining. A split level in between offers an intimate area where zebra-print black and white couches welcome small groups. Tall windows on the first floor look dramatic and flood the venue with plenty of light.

The Atmosphere
The wild prints do little to suggest wild partying as the Cos Bar is actually too quiet for its own good. It’s tidy, orderly and well stocked with food and drink, and yet people don’t seem too eager to pass through its doors. Then again, Queen Victoria Street near Blackfriars Bridge is not exactly vibrant. The street is wide and full of traffic and on both sides of the road there are conference centres, often not in use.

Whatever the reason, this bar is a quiet place, ideal for a chat with a friend after work or for a large private office function able to take over the whole space.

The Food
Cos Bar counts Thai dishes alongside British specialties. For starters (£1.70-£5) there’s a choice of vegetable spring rolls, chicken satay, breaded mushrooms and chicken wings. Mains are divided between East and West.

Western dishes (£6-£9) include British classics like toad in a hole, sirloin steak and fish pie alongside chicken tikka masala, chilli con carne, and spinach and mascarpone lasagne. Eastern dishes are divided between stir fries, curries and noodle plates (priced between £6.20-£8.10) with a choice of prawns, chicken, beef, pork or tofu. Examples include: Thai stir fry with chilli oil sauce, green and red peppers, fine beans and sweet basil leaves; black bean stir fry with mushrooms and onions; jungle curry; and Singapore noodles.

Salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, jacket potatoes and desserts are also available.

The Drink
The highlights of the extensive beer selection include Old Speckled Hen Smooth, Leffe Blonde, Peroni and San Miguel on draught (£3.30-£4.30) and bottles of Tiger, Belhaven Fruit, Belle Vue Framboise or Kriek, Cobra, Singha, Tyskie and De Konnick (£3.30-£4.35).

Alternatively, there are twenty bottles of wine available, priced at a bargain £11-£25. With large and small glasses on offer for almost every bottle you can easily afford to sample a few varieties, which tend to be blends. Spirits, liqueurs and the ever-present bottles of Champagne (£45-£225) are also fairly priced.

The Last Word
Cos Bar looks interesting and has a good selection of food, beer and wine. The only thing missing is some atmosphere - take a group of mates and create your own.

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