Rosa Mexicano Restaurant   

61 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10023
212-977-7700
www.rosamexicano.com

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With its beautifully designed, warm-ambient locations on the Upper East and West Sides, Rosa Mexicano reminds fine diners to take a short trip south of the border for authentic Mexican cuisine. The First Avenue location, open since 1984, is a more traditional tortilla temple, immediately evident by the Amate gods greeting you at the gates and papel picados hanging from the ceiling. The West Side version is a newer and more stylish take on old-world Aztec charm, highlighted by a mysterious and attractive first-floor bar, a 30-foot cascading waterfall and floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering a romantic view of nearby Lincoln Center. Culinary director Roberto Santibanez keeps the menus similar: Start with a signature frozen pomegranate margarita and some glorious tableside-made guacamole en Molcajete. Try a bit of the ceviche de dorado (marinated mahi-mahi) appetizer, but save room for the succulent salmon al guajillo with mashed boniatos, or the puerco an Manchamanteles (grilled achiote marinated double-cut pork chops with Manchamanteles sauce and mashed sweet potatoes), which are both a godsend. -- Yon Motskin