Sunday, April 04, 2010

Passover-style at ROSA MEXICANA misses the mark (4-4-10)

I have been to the wonderful "Passover style" menu meals at ROSA
MEXICANA in NYC, but this was my first time trying it here in DC
(http://rosamexicano.com/Locations/WashingtonDC/tabid/98/Default.aspx)
across from the Verizon Center (or whatever they keep changing the
name to!).
We should have skipped it this year; for all the decent food, the
service was on the verge of awful nearing disaster. Our bill kept
getting reduced by the manager to the point where we paid less than
1/2 and indeed, we did say we would try and return another time to
give them a last chance.
The GUACAMOLE made tableside does work great with matza, but we had to
ask for matza like ten times and they brought 2 pieces with the
HAROSET TROPICAL we ordered which was a decent Haroset but gets no
raves. We asked for more matza and after 20minutes got 2 more pieces.
This was only the start.
Actually, it started as we tried to find parking on Easter Sunday/
Cherry Blossom/Spring Break day...our first mistake. We ordered a
bottle of BARON HERZOG Chardonnay to calm us down, but that took
almost 1/2 an hour to arrive and then we had only two glasses for 4
adults. We asked for more glasses, which took another 15 minutes. they
said they were running short and would comp the wine. When we ordered
our bottle of red (Baron Herzog Coastal Cab), we rinsed our glasses at
the table with water and used those, as we were told they had none
left!
Samuel ordered the Salmon in a half portion, but we asked for it
without the spicy beets and it came covered with beets...so that had
to go back. It did arrive and Samuel loved it. I ordered the same main
course SALMON con SALPICON de REMOLACHAS with sweet potato spicy
pancakes and spicy roasted beets.
It was delish and huge.
We started with the Crema de POLLO con Chile Guajillo, a simple cream
of chicken soup with veggies and small cubes of chicken that were so
dry I was in shock. They were out of the Gefilte Fish made from Red
Snapper, but luckily not the main course of MIXIOTE de BARBACOA Res, a
braised wrapped brisket that was served with dried fruit. Sadly,
Will's had a hair in the Spinach Potato Kugel!The non-Passover PATO en
Salsa was probably the best bet at the table. They were out of Mango
sorbet, so Sam settled for Blueberry which tasted and looked like no
berry at all and the Passover PISTACHIO Meringue cookie was decent
sandwiched with Strawberry Ice Cream in a Red Berry Coulis.
The server Luis just seemed to be having his worst day, and Gillian
the manager tried hard to keep lowering the check and saying how sorry
she was.
We left knowing that ROSA can be good and we will give them another
chance, on a quieter night.