Chinatown Mainstay Rosa Mexicano Adds Bottomless Brunch Margs for $20

Frozen drinks ring in a new era

Coast-to-coast chain Rosa Mexicano just completed a massive renovation, complete with an overhauled menu, at its 15-year-old location across the street from Capital One Arena.

The Chinatown restaurant (575 Seventh Street NW) is the first of the brand’s nine locations to introduce its new look and a host of dishes that call out various regional styles. New dishes include six “Mexico City street tacos” — such as tequila-marinated, grilled skirt steak or braised pork belly with a plum chipotle sauce — and a ceviche sampler with four varieties. Lunch features lighter options and more tortas, and there’s also now a late-night happy hour starting at 9:30 p.m. to take advantage of postgame and concert traffic.

A new bottomless brunch features a list of unlimited cocktails, beer, and wine for $20 with the purchase of an entree (90-minute limit). That includes the Morning Glory, a frozen lime margarita with Aperol and cava.

Fredde Lieberman/Rosa Mexicano

The new design includes shimmering lanterns made in Oaxaca, darkened wood flooring, antique mirror backsplashes behind the bar, and a peacock blue paint job.

“Before everything was very pink and tan — it felt a little dated, and little tired, and not authentic,” says marketing director Stephan Hengst, adding, “Mexico today is more about rich colors and bold art.”

Hengst says there should be news to report on a new Mid-Atlantic location in about a month. There’s also another area location in National Harbor.

In other news ...

• The team behind Showtime — the Esquire-approved, cash-only bar in Bloomingdale — is gearing up to debut a second D.C. dive this weekend. Neptune Room in Brightwood Park (5405 Georgia Avenue NW) will kick off the weekend with a grand opening party on Friday, February 28.

• Just as Surfside preps to open a new location in Tenleytown this weekend, the homegrown fish taco chain known for its late-night availability is also headed to the Southwest waterfront. The move represents an about-face for the brand, which had nixed its Wharf expansion plans a year ago.

• José Andrés’s America Eats Tavern will have a presence at Audi Field selling pimento grilled cheese sandwiches and half-smokes. [Popville]
• Alexandria officials approved a special use permit for a cat cafe called Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar to move into a historic location in Old Town. [ALX]