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Rosa Blanca
707 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215)925–5555
Price: $$
Don’t Miss: Cuban sandwiches and empanadas
Skip: Underwhelming cocktails
If you’re yearning for a taste of the tropics in this polar vortex winter, head down to Rosa Blanca for Cuban and Caribbean–style comfort food. You’ll immediately feel displaced when you walk through the unassuming facade of Jose Garces’ newest Philly restaurant. The decor is trendy Latin meets American diner, decked out with a checkered floor, marble diner counter and Cuban tunes. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu is broken up into small plates, Cuban sandwiches and entrees. Pricier than your average hometown diner, entree portions are large, bold and rich in flavor.
We started with some cocktails, as the server boasted the extensive rum selection. The Jagüey Grande ($11) was a tangy combination of gin, grapefruit and lime balanced by a sweet dash of honey. It was refreshing and fruity, but a bit too acidic.
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Our entrees started the meal off perfectly. The Guacamole Cubano ($9) was a nice twist on a classic. The smoked pineapple didn’t overpower the dish, and the plantain chips were a refreshing break from the norm (see ya, Tostitos). The classic Empanada de Jamon ($3) stole the appetizer show with a flaky, crispy outer shell that stood up to the melty white cheese, flavorful ham and perfectly caramelized onions.
From the sandwich menu, our server recommended the Calle Ocho ($9). A variation of the typical roast pork Cubano, the panini had the usuals (pickles, swiss and mustard), plus chorizo and caramelized onions. This sandwich had a lot going on—we just wish there had been a little more melty Swiss to tie it all together.
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The main entrees come with your choice of side dish. We paired the rotisserie chicken ($16) with tostones ($6). The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, complemented by sour orange–achiote butter and perfectly roasted baby potatoes.
For dessert, our waiter recommended the Cuban classic Malta Float ($5). This was the perfect end to our hearty, many–course meal: a diner–style tall glass filled with dulce de leche ice cream, a bottle of malt beer and a cup of caramel popcorn and roasted peanuts.
Come to Rosa Blanca hungry, and leave happy. Our meal had us wanting to hop on the first flight to Havana, illegal or not. This new kid on Chestnut is sure to be a splurge staple and a fun off–campus spot. Bonus: if you’re downtown on the weekend, Rosa Blanca is open until midnight for some late night eats.
