I had heard a lot about Rosa Mexicano, but I was not prepared for what I saw when I walked in. The decor was very cool and I didn't feel like I was in a Mexican restaurant at all. There was no cheesy "mexican restaurant decor" and the interior seemed ideal for New York City - very grand, trendy, well designed.
Keep in mind that this is a very popular restaurant, so it was very crowded. I tried to get reservations the same day and was told nothing was available until after 9:30 (which was too late for me on this particular night). I wanted to take my girlfriend to a special dinner, so I decided to take my chances by walking in. The maitre'd was very nice and did fit us in after about 45 minutes at the bar.
As for the food, the guacamole appetizer was fantastic and should not be missed (even if you don't like guacamole). The ceviche appetizer we got was okay but nothing special. As for the entrees, I was very disappointed. I got the shrimp crepas and they were okay, but for the price I expected a much better meal. My girlfriend got shrimp on a skewer which was pretty good, but also disappointing for the price. The desserts were also disappointing and anyone who has read my other journal entries knows that I don't usually have bad things to say about dessert. If you are choosing between the flan and the rice pudding, go with the latter.
Regarding the service, we were happy to get a seat and the waitress was very nice. The appetizers came quickly; however, it took over 30 minutes for our entrees to come to the table...very disappointing.
This is a bit of a scene. We even saw a movie star at the table next to us...one of the main actors from the Drew Carey show. If you want to see a "neat" restaurant and budget is not a consideration, give Rosa Mexicano a try. On the other hand, if you want great food and you don't want to break the bank, definitely go elsewhere.