By TIM SLIVINKSI
ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL
2449 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL
954-563-0123
Like most people, I truly enjoy finding new places to dine. It’s always exciting to discover a hidden gem tucked away in a strip mall, or a brand new establishment that is hitting its stride right out of the gate. At certain times, however, you just want the comfort of an old favorite, a place where you know precisely what to expect with no surprises to take you away from your main goal: to relax. That’s my sentiment about Rosie’s. It’s like an old friend I can return to whenever I feel that need to be in my comfort zone. I may stay away for a while, but when I return, it is as if I have never been gone. And as Martha Stewart would say, “that’s a good thing.”
One of the primary attractions at Rosie’s is their outdoor space. It’s inviting and so well put together that it’s easy to forget that a major four lane road is just feet away from your table. The tropical landscaping is so lush and so well cared for that it all but creates a barrier wall between the restaurant and the street. Quite honestly, no matter the weather, Rosie’s is a spot where I insist upon eating outside. It’s just not a true Rosie’s experience if I don’t. By the way, a fairly recent development has now declared the entire outdoor seating area to be non-smoking.
A recent Monday evening found the partner and I enjoying the relative comfort of a rain-cooled summer breeze as we collapsed from fatigue on the patio. After we each ordered a Skyy martini — they’re on special on Monday evenings — we decided to make a dinner of appetizers because it sounded like fun. After consulting with one another and a bit of discussion, we ordered the most amazing macaroni and cheese balls I have ever tasted. Delightfully crunchy on the exterior and wonderfully cheesy — in a good way — on the interior, they were delicious and amazingly comforting after a long day. My partner is a pickle fanatic, and he could not pass up the chance to order the deep fried pickles. I will admit that I was a bit hesitant, but after they arrived, I threw my hesitation off to the side of the patio. Again, they were crispy outside while offering an astringent tang on the inside. It’s a combination that works. In order to keep things a little — ahem — healthy, we also decided to have a Rose Garden salad brought to the table. It was crisp, green, crunchy (detect a theme here?) and beautifully tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and onions. A smattering of cheddar and jack cheese on the top added interest to the fresh greens and veggies. It all created a comfortable, relaxing, delicious Monday night.
On another recent occasion, we decided to return to a couple of old favorites on the menu. I have always been partial to the Rose Nylund Wrap, and it has nothing to due with how hot Betty White currently happens to be. It’s a classic grilled chicken Caesar salad done in a convenient and tasty tomato-basil wrap. It’s easy to eat, and it always makes me smile. Its simplicity is what makes it so appealing. The b/f opted for one of his Rosie’s classics: the Young Ranch Hand. Grilled chicken sandwiches don’t really get any better than this. Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and ranch dressing top the juicy boneless chicken breast. It’s a bit messy, and that is part of its appeal. You may need the knife and fork to help you.
If you’re up a tad early (10:00am) on a Sunday morning and want to get a head start on your day at the beach, stop in at Rosie’s for brunch. Just like lunch and dinner, they offer an array of fun, tasty options that will get your day going. I am particularly fond of the menu portion known as “Big Dicts.” It offers variations on the traditional eggs benedict. I particularly enjoy Not Crab with a K.
Pan-seared blue crab cakes anchor this version of the breakfast classic, topped with poached eggs, sautéed spinach and herb hollandaise sauce – almost too decadent for a Sunday morning, but not with a mimosa. My partner is frequently drawn to the Greek omelet because he is a fan of the dish’s feta cheese, Kalamata olives, spinach and tomato combination. It’s his opinion that a Bloody Mary is the perfect accompaniment. During the earlier hours, a comforting mix of smooth jazz and funk play in the background to ease you into your day.
It’s always swell to run into an old friend; it’s fun to get caught up and to renew the bond that made you friends in the first place. That’s what I do whenever I return to Rosie’s after a brief hiatus. It’s good to get to know Rosie’s again.
