Rosa Mexicano

It’s hot here in Vegas. We were looking for something within walking distance and somewhere that we didn’t have to leave the air conditioning for long to get to. Also, something with gluten free options. We kind of stumbled upon Rosa Mexicana. It checked all of those boxes and then some. My first good impression was when I approached the host stand and they were actually knowledgeable of the menu and gave suggestions of everything gluten free. Often times the reply is “ask your server.” Once we were seated they brought water, chips and salsa. But, not just any chips, they were pink! As the server approached the table, he asked if it was our first time there, which it was. He said that most of the food is prepared from scratch and the color in the chips is from beet juice. I’ve done that with pasta, but had never thought of that for the chips. He was very knowledgeable of the menu and was able to be quite descriptive with the dishes such as “just the right amount of acidity” not the usual “oh, it’s a popular seller.” I try to keep my expectations realistic for service in general let alone in a touristy area. But, did I just meet my doppelgänger? I have been teaching cooking since 1998 and waited tables off and on since 1995. Our servers knowledge and passion made the meal. We ended up getting the queso appetizer. My mom had the Birria Quesatacos. I had the duck carnitas tacos. I was intrigued as I rarely see duck on the menu at a Mexican restaurant. The pineapple-jicama salsa was so good. It added a seasonal freshness to the dish. The surprise of the day was the fajitas en molcajete that my sister ordered. I think we are all used to how fajitas typically come to the table. This came out in a stone similar to what the table side guacamole is made in. Don’t let the price deter you. She took more back to the room for lunch the next day than what some restaurants serve to start with. The shrimp was seasoned really well and tasted like it was cooked on a grill. It also came with rice and beans. At the end of the meal the server brought out some churros for my mom’s birthday. Also, if you are with HGV, you get a discount. I wish other servers at other restaurants could take note of the knowledge and attentiveness of our server. Two additional things that impressed me is that he gave up a six top to another server realizing the language barrier and the other server would be better able to assist them. (For those of us that have worked in the industry, we hate giving up 6 tops because that is auto- gratuity.) The other thing that impressed me was noticing him give recommendations for dessert elsewhere. What? I thought that was only in that old Christmas movie that you sent the customer elsewhere. While they did a great job accommodating dietary restrictions, when nothing caught the eye of the table behind us, he gave a recommendation for dessert somewhere else. I am more appreciative of your honesty, knowledge of your menu, the menu at other establishments and wanting the customer to have the best possible meal rather than pushing your own desserts. That is the type of service that will win my loyalty. It isn’t often that I repeat going to a restaurant during vacation. But, we’ll be back in a few days. I really want to try the shrimp, lobster, crabmeat enchiladas!

One of the best meals I have ever had. My wife has to eat gluten free and her food was as good as she has ever had. I hate i can only give five stars.