Rosa Mexicano

*Post by Angela.

While today I'm dealing with the headaches (literally and figuratively) of Snowpocalypse: The Aftermath, yesterday was an outstandingly perfect snow day: first, a lazy morning oohing and aahing over the snowfall, then off to the Verizon Center to watch Georgetown knock down #2 Villanova, and a late lunch afterwards at Rosa Mexicano.  We warmed up in the sunny, colorful and vast dining room of the upscale Mexican chain restaurant.

We started out with the wonderful Guacamole en Molcajete, prepared table-side with avocado, tomato, onion, jalepenos and cilantro.  The guac was really excellent, chunky with a nice bite to it.

I had the Pollo Tacos, grilled chicken marinated in ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, cloves, and cinnamon, and topped with slow-cooked peppers and melted cheese.  The chicken was really beautifully spiced, although a little overcooked, and served with perfectly decent warm corn tortillas.  The dish included red-bean chorizo chili and corn esquites. The chili was solid, but the sauce was a little overwhelming - I would have liked the chorizo to come through a little more.  The esquites, fresh corn kernels cooked in a buttery broth with chiles, was delicious and creamy.

Pollo Tacos

Mark had the Cochinita Pibil, slow-cooked pork shoulder rubbed with achiote, wrapped in banana leaves and topped with habanero-lime marinated onions.  It also came with the red-bean chorizo chili and corn esquites.  I only tried a bite of the pork, but it was meltingly tender, with gorgeous layers of flavors.  Mark really loved the dish.

 Cochinita Pibil

We also split an order of the Platanos Fritos, fried plantains (Mark's favorite food!) with crema and queso fresco.  They were good, sweet yet savory, but I would have liked a little more of a crispy exterior.

All in all, it was a very satisfying meal - we left completely stuffed, and continued the fun with the Dupont Circle snowball fight, playing Taboo with friends, and drinking PBRs at Pharmacy Bar in Adams Morgan.  Best.  Snowday.  Ever. 

Comments

[ThreeinDC]

Yum, that looks like a great meal! I'll have to try the plantains, never had them with crema and queso fresco but I imagine that would taste awesome.

[Koala Bear]

We LOVE plantains. Growing up, my mom would make them extra crispy and sprinkle sugar on top. These were more savory, but still very tasty!