Rose Water

I've been going (or rather trying not to go to) Rose Water for 5 years now, and despite being displeased with the entire experience, have refrained from making negative commentary about this establishment. However, the awful experience I had today has compelled me to write a review. As a general point, this restaurant has several issues (1) the food is underseasoned and overpriced and (2) they mistake the fact that they are small and can only accommodate a few people at a time to mean that they are good (as there is often a line) and, therefore, tend to have nasty attitudes and sub-par service. My experience today was as follows- My best friend LOVES their food, but we never go there for brunch, because I really dislike the experience. Today, since I was not very hungry and we had not eaten there in almost a year, I decided to cast my aspersions aside ad give them another try. The waitress came to take our order and my friend ordered immediately. Since I have food allergies, I had some preliminary questions, which the waitress answered, then I asked her to put my friend's order in and give me a second to think. She refused, stating (in a very snarky way) that she had to put our order in all at once. I said fine, and ordered the pita/hummus plate and a coffee. She then very rudely informed me that they had a $14 minimum and that I had to order something else - PAUSE - is this even legal. Anyway, I asked her if i could just pay the $14 or difference, as I was not very hungry. She (in a very rude way) refused. I asked if she could put that order in and come back to me in a minute. She refused and said I had to order $14 of food from the beginning. Okay, re-approach - I explained that I was happy to pay, but didn't want to waste food, thinking that this allegedly organic and green restaurant would appreciate that and, hey, I was willing to give them $ for free. The rudeness continued until I finally said, okay, well my friend just ordered $21 worth of food and I ordered $9, does it have to be $14 a person - such that I must order more - or can I just pay for her eggs. She thought for a moment and then, reluctantly, agreed. This is just one example of many bad experiences at Rose Water. Attitude/Service is awful, food is tasteless and the space is uncomfortable. Save your money and your time, they are PLENTY of yummy other places to eat brunch at in the Park Slopish area - Miriam's on 5th Avenue, Scottadito on Union, Stonepark on 5th avenue (they're attitudes sometimes stink too, but the food is great) AND, if you really want a treat- Cheryl's on Underhill at Lincoln - and these are just a few. more

I have been to Rose Water twice, once for dinner and once for brunch! It is amazing. The food is so fresh and tastes as though it was just picked from a garden! Their fish was delicious it was perfectly cooked, and the polenta was out of this world!!! I had their frittata at brunch and it was delish, with amazing vegetables. It is small and they don't take reservations for brunch!!! But it is totally worth the wait! The staff is friendly and it is a perfect Brooklyn hot spot!!! more

Very enjoyable brunch. Pros: Good food, good service Cons: Little cramped more

their appetizer with the 3 dips is fantastic, their fish rocks. seaonsal and organic is the way to go and this is the restaurant to indulge! more

My visit to Rosewater was pleasant and a great value for the cost. My friend and I both had the chef's tasting menu, which was five courses, but they gave us an additional two courses gratis. Only $58, and a wine pairing for only $28! Now, this is not Daniel or Jean-George, some dishes were not prefect, but they were all tasty. The highlights were the unbelievable berkshire pork belly...mmmmmm, the poached egg with smoked salmon, and the amazing sirloin steak, which was the most unique and innovative dish. And totally delicious. The Mahi Mahi was notable as well as the deserts. Oh and the celery root soup! wow. Pros: great value, creative dishes Cons: small dining room, average ambiance. more

Had brunch here this weekend. What an experience! Although it was cold and breezy outside, we we able to wait for our table inside the covered porch and were able to stay warm, abeit crowded. The wait was approx. what the doorman said, give or take a few minutes, and he always kept in touch with us about the wait. But once we got in that when the wow factor started. Nice cozy room, packed with happy people. The food and service was what was keeping everyone so happy. I had the apple pancakes that were amazing, and my girlfriends had a frittata, and this vegetable stew that was out of this world. It was also cool to watch the servers move quickly around the room, multitasking as they went. We even had the guy at the door swing by once and fill our coffee, before we even asked for. As a whole, a great way to spend our Sunday afternoon. I understand why the place is packed everytime we had walked by. Our first visit, but definitely not our last! Pros: All pros more

I had high hopes for Rose Water. I have to say the atmosphere - we had a table outside in the sun - was terrific, but overall, brunch was disappointing. The ingredients were fresh but the food was tasteless and the service atrocious. The black forest sandwich was completely charred. We would have sent it back, but there was no waiter to be found (more on that later), so we ended up sawing off the blackened edges with a knife. For the $14, I clearly would have expected more than a burnt ham sandwich. The pear ginger waffles tasted like neither pear nor ginger, and were extremely tough and dense. They were quite possibly the worst waffles I have ever had, with the texture and flavor of cardboard. To make matters worse, the inedible waffles were served alone, without even a single piece of fruit on the plate. On a positive note, the frittata was delicious, although not nearly special enough to make up for the other dishes.\r \r About the service: The waitresses were sweet enough in character but the service we received was sub-par. Coffee took at least 20 minutes to arrive, and when it came the waitress spilled a whole cup on the table. She ran off, saying she would get something to clean it up, but as we sat for 5 minutes holding the cups and saucers out of the pool of coffee, it was clear she wasn't coming back. I took it upon myself to go to the kitchen to get a cloth to clean up the mess, and there was the waitress - sitting down, eating lunch. Even after seeing me, she didn't get up to help and I ended up getting a cloth from the dishwasher and washing up the mess myself. After that, the service didn't improve. Any simple request (coffee, water, the check) involved standing up and literally flagging down a server. The restaurant wasn't even that busy. \r \r All in all, there are far better places to go in the area. Pros: great ambience, fresh ingredients, friendly waitresses Cons: inattentive service, tasteless food, poor value more

My date and I went for a late brunch and had to wait outside longer than the doorman told us. But he was pleasant and it was nice out. We were feeling patient that day. I always avoid places were the tables are too close together, but although the dining room appeared cramped, I didn't really notice. This is probably because the service wasn't too obtrusive. Had they been more attentive, I would have been more jostled by their continous presence. When they did remember to come by they were good and helpful. The prix fixe brunch specials were unique and tasty. We love beets now! The drinks were overpriced, but that won't keep us from coming back. We may find a better place but until then, we'll give it another shot. Pros: Uniqe dishes, creative and well prepared Cons: Spotty service, overpriced booze. more

I'll start with the good: the food is passably tasty, if ordinary. Now to the bad: this place is overpriced and the service is atrocious. We've been to this spot several times (just didn't learn our lesson, I guess) and the people we interacted with were consistently unpleasant. The wait staff was neglectful and the guy who man's the door is rude. I pride myself on being the kind of New Yorker who can put up with a bad attitude, but he actually ruined our meal. And then, as we were calculating a far-too-generous tip, he had the nerve to ask us to leave and make room for another party. He needn't have worried--we had no intention of lingering. more

Cute atmosphere, interesting menu, friendly service. The food is good, not great. This is the perfect place... more

Cute atmosphere, interesting menu, friendly service. The food is good, not great. This is the perfect place to go when you feel like good, satisfyi... more

\r Overpriced and mediocre. Very disappointing, especially after reading so many positive reviews! Tasted like airplane food: some dishes were oversalted, others were too bland. Main dishes were overcooked, and the appetizers were greasy and inedible. The help-staff was very kind and considerate, but management did not appear interested. A few dishes at our table went uneaten. There are many other restaurants in the neighborhood that are much superior, especially with prices this high. A new chef? An expensive, sad experience. Avoid. more

Rose Water was wildly disappointing. I dined with three friends, all of us enthusiastic eaters, and not one person at our table had a decent appetizer or entree. The salty overcooked fish and the flavorless undercooked risotto were bad enough, but how do you mess up up a salad of raw heirloom tomatoes? This restaurant managed it. Our server was professional and apologetic, but the manager refused to even approach our table. With all the great dining options in Park Slope -- go somewhere else. You can spend a whole lot less money for far better food. more

I'm a frequent patron of Rosewater in Park Slope, and I am consistently rewarded with a superlative dining experience at this neighborhood gem. I almost don't want to write this review-- I hate to let the secret out! The food is always good, the staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy, pleasant, and comfortable. They make a terrific brunch (though there is sometimes a wait), and dinner here is as good as any restaurant in the city (yes-- including Manhattan!). The space is small, but that is part of the charm. Reservations are a good idea on weekends or special event days, but walk-ins are often seated without too much of a hassle. If you're looking for great food in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, Rosewater's a good bet. Pros: Food, relaxed atmosphere, good value. Cons: small space good for couples/small groups more

I live in park slope brooklyn and nyc for years. I have eaten at many great restaurants in the city. Rose Water ranks among the best thats out there. Which is shocking considering that it is a small neighborhood place. The philosophy like many restaurants is one that supports family farms and communitee. Unlike many establishments, here they can execute a really spectacular dining experience. My meals are always simple, and creative not to mention succulent. Servicers are very friendly and knowledgable. The decor although small is very cozy. If you want a restaurant that has heart and soul this is the one that you will remember for a lifetime. Give it a try you won't be dissappointed Pros: Food, Service Cons: A bit small more

If you're looking for somewhere small and cozy with terrific food, you've found the right place. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner at Rose Wood. The wine pairings were excellent, and although the staff was a little too busy to explain what each wine was, and why it was paired with each dish, I wasn't bothered. They were busy because they serve great food in a fun restaurant. The staff was friendly and seemed to know multiple tables by name. Pros: Wine Pairings, Excellent Menu Cons: a little tight inside more

For all the great things I had heard about Rose Water, I was disappointed with the meal. Service was perfect, no complaints there, but the food was lacking in flavor and quality. We ordered beet and parsley soup and Charcuterie platter as appetizers - portions were too large for aps and flavor was just so so. For main courses we ordered the short ribs and pork. The pork was two end pieces pushed together, and was overcooked. It was served w/ beans that were too dry. The short ribs were superb, the only thing to rave about food-wise. Very soft and flavorful, but again, the sides it was served with were just so-so. Apple fritters for desert w/ hazelnut ice cream and cranberries - it was okay, but didn't melt in my mouth. For all the amazing bistro-like fair you can find in Brooklyn and Manhattan these days, I wouldn't put this at the top of my list. more

Visited during Dine In Brooklyn Week. The prix fixe choices were good (Apps:roasted sunchoke soup, duck prosciutto salad, or a market salad. Mains: roast chicken, skate, or saffron risotto. Dessert: Choc. peanut butter cake, vanilla cheescake, or apple fritters). The offerings were a true sampling of the seasonal menu that strives to be organic or sustainably attained. Ambiance is warm and very friendly waitstaff make dining enjoyable. I'll return to try items off the regular menu. Dining room is small so huge groups may have to wait awhile during peak hours. Pros: cozy space, nice servers, organic/seasonal Cons: can get loud more

Wow what a find. The food is great, service attentive and efficient. For restaurant week the offer 3 apps, 3 entrees, and 3 dessert choices. We ordered the soup, and the salad ? great. Entrees: skate - great, risotto- so-so. Dessert: cheesecake- great, chocolate peanut butter cake ? amazing. Will be coming back for years to come. Pros: Food, service, value Cons: N/a more

I went with my boyfriend to Rose Water for Brooklyn Restaurant Week and had a fantastic time. The food was awesome - just pure bliss. Loved the duck/prosciutto salad and the skate - the vanilla bean cheesecake was especially divine, as well. The Risotto wasn't super awesome - it was nice enough, but just okay compared to everything else. Also, we didn't have wine, although the wine pairings looked like fun, and instead went for warm apple cider that they heated in individual teapots on the stove. Lovely. :) The service was friendly, competent, warm - and the setting very homey. I liked it and definitely will go back. Pros: Good location, Lovely Setting, Warm Service Staff, Great Food Cons: Risotto didn't change my life more