Last month, CT hosted a mini college reunion because one of her friends was running the New York City Marathon. After a weekend of doing what girls do, they would head to the Upper East Side to cheer her on. The first night of the weekend I was “allowed” to join the girls for dinner at Rosa Mexicano. It wasn’t easy picking restaurants that everyone would like, but it seemed that this would be a hip enough place for the girls who don’t visit NYC that often. I actually hadn’t been to Rosa Mexicano in years. The last time was for a work dinner, which was nice because the menu is quite pricey.
We started with the ubiquitous guacamole freshly made tableside ($14). The guacamole “chef” was a good sport about letting us take his picture. Although we never did pay his “picture fee,” oops. Since there were six of us, it was suggested we get two orders, which ended up being the perfect amount. We had our choice of spiciness and settled on medium, since some of the group can’t handle any heat. The medium leaned more towards mild. I couldn’t detect any spice. We were given two kinds of salsa; a red and green. The green had some heat but barely hit even Tabasco levels.
The Molcajete(stone bowl) used to make and serve the guacamole was quite cute since it had a pig face on it.
The problem with the entrees listed in the menu is that the average price is $25. Since the girls had a pretty extravagant weekend planned, pretty much everyone ordered tacos or enchiladas; they were only $20 or less on average.
CT ordered the Mole Xico ($19.75). This was two soft corn tortillas filled with shredded chipotle beef. Topped with veracruz mole made with raisins, plantains, hazelnuts, pine nuts and ancho and pasilla chiles. Garnished with crema and queso fresco. As you can see, the mole looked fantastic. I had a generously sized bite and enjoyed it, but did it wow me at that price? No.
CT says: I enjoyed this dish and quickly finished it. The mole had a nice blend of sweet, spice and tang. I’d order this again if I found myself here again, although I wouldn’t be quick to return. Sure, it’s a bit pricey, but you really pay for the name and ambiance of this restaurant. Still, I enjoyed the food and drinks even if they weren’t the most authentic. Doesn’t hurt that I had great company around me! Miss my BC girls already!!
I had the Budin De Pollo ($19.75). This was a chicken tortilla pie. Baked soft corn tortillas filled with pulled chicken, Chihuahua cheese and roasted Mexican peppers, served with poblano pepper cream sauce. This was very delicious albeit a too simple except perhaps for the vibrantly colored sauce. It looks like something made by an ambitious college student at 3 am after a long night “studying.”
All in all, Rosa Mexicano was pretty below average for what we paid. I think CT & I have begun to appreciate quality Mexican food a lot more over the past couple of years and this was not it. The restaurant was very busy, but I don’t necessarily think it was for the food, rather the scene. I hope our out of town guests enjoyed it, but I don’t see myself returning. I would rather go back to Yerba Buena and pay similar prices for food that is 10x better. Oh, how I miss Panama!
BeerBoor says
CT’s meal is positively drowned in mole. I’m not exactly sure that’s the way to do it, unless the restaurant is admitting that, yeah, there’s not much entree to this entree.
I heard good things about the guacamole, but I suppose even if the spicy is spicy, it won’t make a trip worthwhile. Nice writeup.
Feisty Foodie says
Yeah that’s kind of ridiculously priced. Have you been to Maya? I’ve wanted to go since Beer Boor reviewed it but don’t find myself in that neighborhood often anymore. Wondering what you’d think of it – IIRC, a little pricey but supposed to be authentic Mexican.
TT says
we went to Maya a couple years ago. it was quite good but just as expensive as Rosa Mexicano. I think the food was better though. Less of a “scene” too.
Connie says
Oh, wow, that is quite expensive for Mexican food! Sometimes, I don’t mind paying top dollar, but only for quality food and awesome service and atmosphere, though. I agree that the chicken dish was very simplistic, I’ve made something very similar at home with some corn tortillas, green enchilada sauce, shredded cheese and shredded leftover rotisserie chicken.
Hungry says
Wait a minute, I can’t figure out if you’re serious about the picture fee or not. The sarcasm is lost.
T.C. says
This place is very pricey. I enjoyed it alright in the past, but the guacamole was the only thing memorable about my meal. Not the tacos. I can probably say the same about Dos Caminos though.