Bevo Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Some girlfriends and I are coming to NYC in April and Rosa Mexicano is on our short list of restaurants. Is it still as good as it was 5 years ago? I'm trying to pick places that have excellent food, a nice atmosphere, but aren't necessarily new and trendy. My friends like Fonda San Miguel here in Austin. I've been touting Rosa Mexicano as just as good if not better, so I want it to live up to my hype . Should I keep it on the short list? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steven Dilley Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 It's not bad, but I'm not sure it belongs on your short list, esp considering the restaurants you have access to in Austin. I personally prefer Fonda. But the margaritas and guacamole are good, among other items. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Schonfeld Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Have the excellent guacamole, the crabmeat app, and a bunch of margaritas, and the rest of the meal will either seem delicious or you won't remember it. It's always been a consistent neighborhood place, if not a culinary destination. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cathy Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Don't we need to specify WHICH Rosa Mexicano? The original on 1st Ave. is far better than the one near Lincoln Center. I have not tried the other two NYC outlets. SHILL* ALERT: If you want excellent regional Mexican food in a fun/casual atmosphere, may I suggest Centrico in Tribeca? *I work for the restaurant's manager/co-owner. But I'd like the place even if I didn't, and it's great for a girls' night out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lippy Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Non-shill seconding recommendation of Centrico over Rosa Mexicano. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
helena Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 i love Zarela's red tile countertop in recent Saveur - the idea we're thinking to reuse in our kitchen, on top of Ikea off-white cabinets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bevo Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 Steven, thanks. I was hoping to hear from someone who had eaten at both Fonda San Miguel and Rosa Mexicano. In my mind, Rosa Mexicano is better, but that may be because I tried it in my early twenties and it was my first exposure to interior Mexican. So my memory of it might be slightly glorified. FSM is my girlfriend's favorite restaurant in town, so I thought it might be fun her her to compare. But if the conclusion is going to be "Oh, we should have just gone to Fonda before we left" then why bother . Helena, I never made it to Zarella's, but my co-workers use to love it. Have fun with your decorating. I'm jealous. Cathy, I was thinking of the one in Mid-Town. When I lived in NYC, it was the only one I ever visited. But thank you and Lippy for the recommendation of Centrico. I've never even heard of that one (though I'm losing track of all the good NYC restaurants these days). Robert, in the end, I'll probably follow your modus operandi . In fact, that might be another reason why I have such fond memories of RM. Tequila. Maybe we'll just move out of the Mexican realm since we do live in Austin. I'm going to have to spend a lot of time here searching the old reviews and whatnot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StephanieL Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Non-shill seconding recommendation of Centrico over Rosa Mexicano. Non-shilling third recommendation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rancho_gordo Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Here is the Centrico thread. It's the only Mexican I'd consider while visiting NY. Centrico strikes me as being exciting without being silly, based on the descriptions, the Bruni review and the menu. I'll duck the tomatillos here, but NY seems like a place that should be mastering the basics before it starts getting too innovative with Mexican food. I haven't heard good things about Rosa Mexicana beyond the table-side guacamole for a long time. Her cookbook however has one of the best chile descriptions I've seen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daisy Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I vastly prefer Centrico. I was in the Rosa Mexicano on the west side Monday night. Pre-ballet, so right across the street and my friend is very pregnant and couldn't walk far. The guacamole was good, the crab empanadas were OK, would have been good if the dough had been a little crisper. Chicken stew: eh. Very good, very strong margarita. Good service. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cathy Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Here is the Centrico thread. It's the only Mexican I'd consider while visiting NY. So when are you coming? The salt on your margarita is melting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Abbylovi Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Here is the Centrico thread. It's the only Mexican I'd consider while visiting NY. Though Centrico is good... Young Rancho, that it is but one Mexican delight in New York. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rancho_gordo Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Here is the Centrico thread. It's the only Mexican I'd consider while visiting NY. Though Centrico is good... Young Rancho, that it is but one Mexican delight in New York. I'm thinking restaurants more than taquerias. And I probably wouldn't waste a meal in NY at a taqueria when there's so much else to eat. Have you had pizza or deli in California? You shouldn't. As a Native Son of the Golden West, that's what I would do with a limited amount of time. So when are you coming? The salt on your margarita is melting. I'm guessing we'll be breaking bread by year's end.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tanabutler Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I'm guessing we'll be breaking bread by year's end.... Don't you mean "tearing tortillas"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steven Dilley Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I hate to be a downer, but I popped into Centrico this evening for an impromptu dinner. My first visit. Huge disappointment. I'll write in more detail shortly, but I can't imagine returning. Which is a shame, as it's basically in my neighborhood. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.