The Rose Awards

The Rose Restaurant Review:

EDITOR'S NOTE: Chef Jason Neroni is no longer involved with The Rose. Chef Ray Garcia will put his stamp on the restaurant.

About the restaurant: Open since 1979, Rose Café was a popular hangout for locals and bodybuilders from the nearby Gold's Gym. After a renovation and change of ownership that includes chef Jason Neroni, The Rose is back and better than ever. The clientele remains similar, with the addition of creative and tech types from nearby Google. The interior kept many of the industrial elements, including the iconic rose murals on both the exterior and interior entryways. What was once a retail area has become a full bar and market setting, serving prepared foods, bakery selections and coffee throughout the day. Cocktails are creative, while draft and bottled beers lean local (as close as across the street in the case of House Brewing Inc.). The global wine list skews toward French and Italian offerings. The westernmost side of the restaurant has both enclosed and covered patio areas that have become a full-service dining room for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Cement floors and wood tables feel organic.

Food & Drinks: Highlighted items on the brunch menu include roasted Brussels sprouts with kale pesto and fried eggs. Pizza crust is pillowy and light as air, while being perfectly crisp on the bottom. Dinnertime brings oysters, charcuterie, additional pasta options and hearth-roasted fare like honey-glazed duck breast. An on-site garden provides ingredients and furthers the hyper-local focus. Desserts change frequently. You might encounter a cinnamon roll sundae for two or hazelnut tiramisu. The street-facing patio is dog friendly.