Restaurant Spotlight of the Week:

Rosita

Rosita

6020 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA • (703) 824-1800

Hours: Mon - Sun 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

While Tex/Mex cusine has become a mainstay in the american eating landscape it is a relatively recent addition to the diet. 30 years ago it would still have been difficult to find a fajita outside the border states in anything but the most cosmopolitan of cities. Today it is possible to find a Taco Bell or a number of different burrito joints in almost every part of the country and the idea of the tortilla wrap is a well known staple of the low-carb diet craze.

But as America has adapted to the genre, so too has the genre changed itself to fit into the classic tastes of the American diet. As a result, it is still uncommon to find quality and genuine Latino fare, that hasn't become a menu full of only tacos and burritos. Still, there are places that hold to the traditional cooking styles. At Rosita, a small family owned restaurant in the Culmore area of Falls Church, the food is faithful to its origins and is prepared as carefully as any homemade food.

Rosita is a family owned restaurant opened five years ago. The building is small and stands along Route 7, surrounded by a white fence. Inside, there are only eight tables and little space for those waiting for takeout. The tables are tended personally by the owner and a single waitress.

As they go from table to table, they don't carry a note pad to take orders, instead, memorizing every order from drinks, to the main course. Back in the Kitchen the owner's wife and two nieces prepare meals, from freshly made Saltenas to steak. As people finish up, the owner thanks them for coming and wishes them well.

In a dining environment that has become increasingly franchised, Rosita has a refreshingly personal atmosphere. The menu, while not extensive, is straightforward and carries many of the favorites, from across the range of Latino cooking. The always popular Saltenas top the list of appetizers available. The tantalizingly sweet dough is wrapped around peas, ground beef, and chicken, cooked in a savory gravy. While listed as appetizers, they are large enough to be a meal in themselves, if one chooses.

For a relatively light meal option the Plato Criollo is a unusual choice for those not familiar with Latin cooking, including fried plantains, eggs, and refried beans. Similar to bananas though less sweet, the plantains are firm, lightly spiced and go well with sour cream served on the side.

The classic chicken enchilada is simple and straightforward. There aren't any overwhelming sauces and the chicken is freshly cooked and tasty.

Also good is the beef burrito. Very cheesy and filled with hearty shredded beef, the burrito, along with rice and beans, is more than most people can handle in one sitting.

Of course, the classic Carne Asada, a large, well marinated strip steak, is a safe bet. The meat is tender and succulent and is served with beans and salad.

A testament to the quality and traditionally prepared food, the small restaurant is packed during the lunch and dinner hours, the majority of the patrons Latino, enjoying the food from their homelands.