What to Drink at Rosa Blanca, Now Open on Chestnut Street
After a string of minor setbacks, Rosa Blanca, the latest effort from Jose Garces and company, opened to the public on Monday, December 16 at 707 Chestnut Street.
Going forward the Cuban-inspired diner, which replaces the Iron Chef’s shuttered Peruvian-Cantonese hybrid Chifa, will open every morning, bright and early, at 7 AM, and offer breakfast service all day. Afternoons and evenings will also see a host of Latin and Caribbean comforts offered, as well as an extensive bar program that emphasizes rum.
Michael King, Rosa Blanca’s beverage manager, told Drink Philly that Village Whiskey’s huge collection of spirits and clever cocktail list serves as his inspiration for Rosa Blanca’s bar program. A work in progress, he’s pulled together more than 60 different bottles representing the very best styles of rum from all over the Caribbean and Latin America. They are available in individual pours, flights and in a wide variety of specialty drinks, many of which serve as playful riffs on the classics.
Examples include La Tormenta, a mojito and dark and stormy hybrid that’s comprised of Demerara rum, lime, cardamom syrup, ginger beer and mint; Ambos Mundos, a Hemingway variation that’s made with gold rum, Luxardo Maraschino, blackberry and grapefruit; and Dos Gardenias, a daiquiri made with white rum, peach, and lemon.
In addition to the broad selection of rums and cocktails, Rosa Blanca also features 14 wines — representing primarily Spanish and New World varietals — available by the glass, four draft beers and 10 more in bottles. Beers available reflect styles popular in the Caribbean, like Caribe, and Presidente, and nautical themes, like Great Lakes’ Commodore Perry IPA, and Heavy Seas’ Small Craft Warning (Über Pils).
For teetotalers Rosa Blanca also offers a bunch of shakes, smoothies, and juices squeezed to order at the bar.
Chef de Cuisine Yun Fuentes, formerly of JG Domestic, is serving a menu with breakfast options available all day. To get the morning started properly, Fuentes offers dishes like Chicharrón de Puerco, pork belly, moro, sweet plantains, and fried eggs; Tortilla, a Spanish omelet with Serrano ham, and saffron aioli; and Revuelto, soft scrambled eggs, spinach, mushroom, queso fresco. Throughout the day, the restaurant will also serve soups and salads, sandwiches, small plates, and larger, entree-sized options, and nightly Paladares-inspired dinners, served family style.
Rosa Blanca, 707 Chestnut St., 215-925-5555
