Rosina - Port Elgin

The ambience is wonderful in the darkness, square booths, pendant lights and AC (it was 30C outside). We were a party of three, with two being elderly. The wine is overpriced. The caesar salad was lovely and mild and big enough to share. The charcuterie board was worth the price: olives, pate, melba toast, three cheeses, three meats, tangy onions, skinny mushrooms... One of the party ordered steak and was talked into a side dish of mushrooms and shrimp. The steak was ordered rare but arrived medium, its accompanying hickory sticks and braised sprouts were very nice. The shrimp was spicier than anyone expected. Two of us ordered the stuffed pork chop with creamy polenta and peppers with tomatoes. The pork was overdone and dry despite its thick slab of inedible fat. Timing of the main course was also a bit off, as the pork was delivered but there was a lag before the steak arrived. Three desserts: blueberry ice cream received a good verdict, the blueberry overpowered the lavender in the cheesecake and the pistachio was overwhelmed by the mint in the crème brulee and it could have been firmer (nice hard crust though).

Dinner including Caesar salad were excellent. The server was very attentive and the owner thoughtfully popped by to check on us. Having been quite isolated due to Covid restrictions, the ambience and food were beautifully prepared and presented, making this a great night out.

This may be one of the worst meals that I have had at a restaurant in a long time. Very disappointing. We had a reservation and arrived for the early seating. Got the crappiest table in the traffic path next to the phone, kitchen and bathroom. Drinks were overpriced. Didn’t see that until the end. $15 for a simple mixed drink. Wow. Food was nothing special. We couldn’t figure out who our server was. Three people kept checking the table. Dessert was so small that it was laughable. Before dessert was served, the bill was put on the table as the waitress walked by. She didn’t stop to present the bill just tossed it like a Frisbee as she walked by. Just as my dessert was served, a second waitress showed up looking for payment with “Oh did I need a minute?” Hmmm …. Maybe you could get lost while I have dessert? After payment was made, a third waitress showed up looking for payment. WTF? This was supposed to be a special meal to celebrate a special occasion. First and last visit to Rosina’s. I still can’t figure out how the bill was $200 for three people.

Excellent quality food and service. The restaurant was packed on a snowy Saturday night and no mystery why once you taste the food. After starting with a shared fresh Waldorf salad my friends had i)the short rib staple on the menu and ii) the seared tuna special and both found their meals delicious. I require gluten free and had one of my best GF meals ever. Replacing the linguine noodles with GF gnocchi in the chicken, mushroom dish worked perfectly- thank you! While I skipped dessert my friend’s opted for the flourless chocolate cake and were extremely satisfied. Combine all this with a congenital host, great server and comfortable surroundings and we couldn’t have asked for better.

Sat at bar. Busy might. 18:45 reservation. Negroni 19!or 22 . Manhattan 19 Duck wing appetizer tough, chewy, stringy. Chicken wings are much better. 17 Lobster carbonara 26 or 28 Enough salt to float a boat. Very little fettuccine, no real egg coating noted. Tom of guanciale, crumbs, etc. Flourless chocolate cake ok. Expensive, with rather inattentive service, description better than actual food.