New Norwood restaurant and nightspot at vangurard of new businesses betting on Intown.

It's Thursday night, 11:45 pm. You live in the northern part of Intown and you want some good, hot food and maybe a spirited drink and some company and don't want to drive too far to get it.

What to do? What to do?

Until recently there were few if any options. No longer, however. Entering the Intown restaurant and nightclub scene as of October is Cosmos Bar and Grill on 12th Avenue in Norwood. For some of us in the neighborhood it quicker to walk to Cosmos than to drive there, though most folk will probably wait until spring to test that!

The above scenario is a personal one; tonight for the first time since moving to Norwood I was able to quickly indulge a late night desire for savory fish and sweet drink while sitting down in the company of fellow travellers. That's where Steve Tutt, owner of Cosmos, enters the picture.

Steve Tutt is a busy man these days

managing a growing bevy of different businesses, all located in various Intown neighborhoods. He and wife Lelia are the engines behind these enterprises and represent an underlying optimism about opportunities for Intown Birmingham I've seen in my work when calling on many merchants. In the months of September and October several new restaurants have opened throughout various Intown neigborhoods, belying the general economic slowdown. Over the next few weeks I'll scoop the faithful on the details of a few of them (maybe even get some special kind of special UrbanUpscale/Intown Green swag for you, too). Stay tuned by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and subscribing to the blog for new updates! It'll be worth it.

Steve and Lelia began doing the extensive work to open Cosmos about 14 months ago. The result is a multi-purpose gathering place anchored by an extensive bar and a
fairly diverse bar food menu that is open from 11am to when the last person leaves. Always smiling Cosmos promotions guy, bar man and all around cool dude

Lee Vines says "We don't turn nobody away."

The food prices are very affordable and I've enjoyed the Philly Cheese Steak and the Catfish Sandwich with fries. The Talapia has also gotten a favorable report from another Norwood resident for it's taste. One thing: the portion sizes are decent but not as big as at dedicated restaurants; there's a reason Cosmos is named BAR and grill and not vice versa. You will get a nice meal, but you might have to double up if you are an eat-until-full person like me. One can do other things here though: pool, cards, TV watch, dance and hear some good music. Lenny Williams (whose " Cause I Love You" hit is a personal soul favorite) performed last friday night as part of the festivities for the Magic City Classic.

Urban Upscale/Intown Green readers are invited to come to Friday happy hour that includes a free buffet starting at 5pm and going until 9. Or do like me and get something for take out: Cosmos is located at 3200 12th Ave. North and can be reached at 205-214-7111.