In 1984, Rosa Mexicano set a new standard for Mexican cuisine when it first opened on the upper east side of New York City. Playing a leading role in defining what was then a "new" cuisine to American diners, Rosa Mexicano delivers authentic Mexican cooking in an accessible, stylishly festive atmosphere. Rosa Mexicano's menu features a range of award-winning signature dishes, including our Guacamole en Molcajete, in a traditional lava rock mortar. Described by Time Out New York as "green ecstasy in a stone bowl," it is prepared table side and served with house made chips, warm corn tortillas and condiment salsas. Rosa Mexicano is also known for the Frozen Pomegranate Margarita, as well as the stylish and festive ambiance that includes an illuminated water wall.
"While at a conference in national harbor I met up with some DC area friends at Rosa Mexicano. It is an 'upscale' mexican restaurant. The margaritas were great and the food good. They have nice outdoor seating overlooking the harbor. The service was friendly and paced appropriately. I found the drinks at $13 for a 5 oz margarita and $20 for 2 small fish tacos to be expensive."
Dined on 6/11/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining
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"There were four of us & it was our first trip to this restaurant. We have eaten at the one in the Penn Quarter several times, but usually for lunch. We shared a large order of guacamole, which is first rate in Rosa, made at the table & incredibly fresh. For meals we had the pork shank, succulent & delicious; carne asada, subtle, tender, & very good; short ribs were tender & beautifully presented; ceviche & empanadas as a meal were also very good. This is a very good Mexican restaurant that is very far away from a taco & bean joint. The ingredients are fresh, the recipes are innovative, the presentation is gorgeous."
Dined on 6/12/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"Took my staff of nine to enjoy a nice outing and got some push back from several of them when I told them they HAD to try the guacamole, spouting they didn't care for guacamole! However, after the first taste of that fresh, incredible guacamole, they were soon all fighting over the bowl! And, if this place makes one of their appetizers so delicious, you can only imagine what the rest of the menu is like! FRESH! FULL OF FLAVOR! SIMPLY AMAZING!"
Dined on 12/22/2012
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion
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"We've dined in more Mexican restaurants than we can count -- from Minneapolis to Tucson, New York to Oaxaca, Poland to Australia. Rosa Mexicano has, by far, the most original Mexican cuisine, providing the most enjoyable taste sensations, and was a uniquely pleasurable dining experience. Even the old standby Cheese Enchiladas take on a unique and surprisingly pleasurable flavor. Another standard -- the guacamole -- is the best we've had, and having it made table-side is an added attraction. The wait staff is pleasant and attentive, without being pushy or interruptive.
The prices at Rosa Mexicano aren't cheap, but they're not outlandish. The noise level was occasionally a bit high, but that was because people were enjoying themselves."
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Rosa Mexicano is always where I take my friends & family when I want to assure them of my good taste. The Guac & Cheese Fondue (i go with Choriso) is fantastic! I always get the Chicken Tortilla pie - can't beat it; however the Mexican Tuna Salad with fruit is certainly challenging the top spot. Event the sides of rice & beans are delicious in their own ways. Also got the Watermelon & Rosemary Taquila cocktail - very refreshing. Thanks for making me look great again!!"
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, scenic view, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"What a great time we had here. Everything was so delicious and every detail was just perfect from the amazing drinks down to the last bite of homemade donuts. Brian made sure everything was too notch for our group of 9. Couldn't have asked for anything more! Best guacamole ever! Yum!"
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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"Rosa Mexicano is not your usual Tex-Mex. It has many unusual Mexican dishes that are far from the beaten track. We enjoyed the short-ribs with sides of beans and rice, and the very hot filet and chorizo on a skewer plated over rice. They have fish selections like red snapper. A typical drink list with margarita specialties, plus a huge selection of tequillas, grouped by type and price. Expect to pay more than $100 for dinner for two, including drinks and tip. The staff was very engaging and helpful, paying attention to our stated needs. On the downside we were initially seated right next to the server's station, a place that seemed to be right in the middle of activity and not conducive to our date night. Many servers looked disheveled."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, scenic view
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"So I've been to a bunch of Rosa Mexicano restaurants over the years, and this one is my least favorite. Food was good, but not great. Atmosphere was fair at best. Wait staff was good, but felt like I was being treated like a tourist at a resort restaurant. Kind of hard to put my finger on it, but know it's not the best Rosa out there.
Might have been better sitting outside, but wasn't warm enough for it. Too bad, love NH a lot and think there's a lot of fun stuff to do there, but Rosa might not be on the list..."
Dined on 04/11/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly
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"Prices are a little high and you need to take into account the extra charge for parking at National Harbor ($9 for 2.5 hrs). I am glad we made reservations with Open Table since the restaurant was very busy. Guacamole made right at the table is very good. Chicken Tortilla Soup was also very good. Setting is very relaxed and there is a great view of the marina and Woodrow Wilson Bridge."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, scenic view
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"We went to Rosa Mexicano for National Harbor's 2013 Restaurant Week -- and lunched there on a Saturday. It was a sunny day so we water-taxied over from Old Town Alexandria for our lunch reservation. We'd been to the Rosa Mexican across from the Verizon Center but it was our first trip to the NH restaurant -- and everything was just as delicious as expected. Great experience, good value -- made a sunny Saturday even more special."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We went on a Thursday night. Got seated right away. The restaurant is very pretty with a nice view. The margaritas and the guacamole were delicious. Although we ordered the guac medium it came pretty spicy. The food was ok. The steaks were too rare. I had the mex skewers. The steak was bland and the rice was al dente and had a strange nutty flavor. The server told us what the rice was but I can't remember. The salsa that comes with the guac has a smoky flavor n is spicy."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2009
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"We will definitely return to Rosa Mexicano! We were immediately seated per our reservation and our server Keith made our dining experience fantastic with his knowledge of the beverage and lunch menus. All four entrees were delicious ~ fresh ingredients and beautiful presentation.
Thank you Rosa Mexicano!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We go to Rosa's for the table side guacamole-so good-but the entrees are delicious too. Service was friendly and efficient. Food came out quickly and hot. The view was amazing. Next time would love to try and get a table by the window!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2005
Special Features: scenic view
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"Handmade guacamole is great but there isn't enough for everyone at the table. Servers were inattentive. After the initial drink order, it took another 25-35 minutes to order our appetizers/main entrees. As a server myself, I understand that it can get busy when dealing with other parties and you start to fall behind. However, this isn't an excuse as there are plenty of staff that could of assisted us.
Overall, the food wasn't worth the time we waited. We came in hungry (with a reservation) and expected to be dining within the first 15-25 mins of being seated. Isn't that the reason to make a reservation? To avoid long lines and wait times.
It's unfortunate, but I don't think I'll be coming back to Rosa Mexicano."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion, scenic view
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"I travel to National Harbor for business and ALWAYS stop in to Rosa's! I look forward to the table-side guacamole!! Your servers are well informed, courteous and fun to interact with. Great job!!"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Even though they were very busy, we were seated at our reservation time. That was a wonderful exception to the normal DC restaurant scene. All of the servers and staff we interacted with were very good at their jobs. The guacamole was excellent, but the entrees were mixed. My filet topped with tequila lime mushroom sauce was very tasty, but honestly not Mexican at all. It tasted like a top shelf beef stroganoff. My wife's chicken/tortilla "stack" was very plain and not far from taco stand quality. Our friend's Salmon was apparently quite good. We will try them again, and maybe go with more traditional items, like the tacos or enchiladas."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2011
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"It is always wonderful to eat at Rosa Mexicano at the National Harbor! The food is terrific and the service top-notch. One cannot beat the view of the river, whether night or day."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, scenic view, hot spot
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"I have eaten at Rosa Mexicano on several occasions and have never been disappointed. The food and atmosphere are always excellent, and the service is attentive and professional."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"went for the Valentines specail. it was very expensive for the special and the food tasted no where near as good as it should have for the price i was charged. I spent almost 200 dollars on food that was no where near matching the price"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: special occasion
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"Rosa Mexicano has a nice environment. The food wasn't worth the money at all. I had some lamb and it was dry and it wasn't filling at all. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant at all. The services wasn't good. Our waiter didn't check on us as much as he should."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
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"It was just ok I'll stick to Chevy's (Only the one in Greenbelt, MD)! I like the ambiance but the price for the amount and the quality of food was just eh!! Would I go again....uh no I seriously doubt it!! Don't get me wrong the food was pretty good but if your a thrifty spender like myself I'd much rather go elsewhere."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic
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"Two couples went for a birthday dinner -- everything was tasty -- chicken tortilla pie, tablones, another chicken dish, guacamole, flan. An additional appetizer was ordered, however, it was not received -- someone forgot -- it came out halfway through our meal and the server comped it which was very nice of him. Depending on where you are sitting, you can have a water view which is great. We also like that the restaurant takes reservations since the weekends can be pretty crowded. We will definitely return."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, scenic view
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"I can't say enough about how delicious the food is and how wonderful the service with. If you get a chance, request Orlando... he literally made the evening with his humor, phenomenal service, and attention to detail."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, scenic view
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