Review: Rosa Mexicano (Penn Quarter, DC)

Recently, Ryan and I ventured over to Rosa Mexicano for dinner. Prior to this visit, I had eaten at Rosa several times with my coworkers; however, this was the first time I went for dinner, and the first time as a reviewer.

Rosa takes a slightly modern approach to Mexican food. Although they stick to the classics, such as enchiladas and tacos, they add their own signature twist through high-end ingredients and unique sauces.

To begin the meal, we ordered a pitcher of white sangria. While the drink was refreshing, it was not nearly as good as sangrias I’ve had in the past in such trendy metropolitan areas as…Cleveland. Rosa’s sangria seemed lacking, with a strong alcohol flavor and a strange combination of ingredients, including grape and believe it or not, cucumbers.

We then sampled a dish of the Queso Fundido, which consisted of crumbled chorizo sausage and peppers in melted Chihuahua cheese. This started out well, but as the appetizer sat, something changed. Chihuahua cheese is the Mexican flavor and consistency equivalent of American cheese. As it sat on the table, the cheese congealed and became one large mass (and one large mess). Fortunately, when we pointed this issue out to our waiter, he removed the queso and replaced it with a fresh bowl.

For my entrée, I ordered the Carne Asada Tacos Al Asador, which is a grilled skirt steak served with melted Chihuahua cheese and accompanied by red bean chorizo chili, house slaw, salsa, corn tortillas and refried beans and rice. The presentation of the tacos was cute and appealing with a small cast iron skillet used to serve the meat and cheese. Unfortunately, the tortillas were a bit small, making it difficult to fill them with all the toppings. Also since this dish contains Chihuahua cheese, as the meal progressed, the once-warm cheese took a turn.

For dessert, we shared the Tres Marias Sundae, which was a trio of Mexican chocolate, peanut crunch, and raspberry-rose ice creams. It was topped with roasted pineapple, and plantains, and drizzled with spiced blackberry, bittersweet chocolate and cajeta sauces. Individually, each flavor was divine, but when all combined, the dish was a bit schizophrenic. I would be more interested in trying one of the other desserts next time, such as the warm apple empanadas with spiced Mexican chocolate sauce.

Overall, one of my biggest criticisms of Rosa is that they sometimes use too much creative license in modernizing their recipes. They often lose the traditional flavors of some of the more classic dishes. Take the beef enchilada covered in a Veracruz mole sauce, for example. It sounds like a wonderful dish, but in reality the mole sauce is completely lacking in flavor. When compared with mole sauces that I’ve sampled in Mexico, New York, and even at Merkado on P Street, this mole was poor at best.

I also dislike that chips and salsa are not free. To get chips before your meal, you need to either order them directly or order an appetizer that comes with them.

Overall, the meal was generally good and flavorful, and the ambience was a bit busy and crowded, but fun. If you order the right things, and avoid the mole, Rosa can really surprise you.

Rosa Mexicano

Address: 575 7th Street, Washington, DC (at the corner of 7th and F Streets in Penn Quarter)
Cost: $15-$30 per person
Dress: Casual
Bar: Yes
Date Place: Yes, especially after attending a game at the Verizon Center across the street