LAReview
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Rosaliné
Included In
When you’re making the guest list for a party, whose name do you think of first? Certainly you invite your best friend, and the friend you grew up with, and the friend who unloads deep secrets onto you after a few glasses of wine and muscle relaxers. But after the obvious ones, the next person you think about is the all-purpose friend. The one who, no matter whether you’re planning a big get-together or a small little soiree, always rounds out the group. The friend who, while not being a party animal, has that special ability to make everybody else more comfortable.
Rosaliné isn’t the best restaurant in Los Angeles. But given its central location, bright and citrusy Peruvian food, beautiful space, and solid cocktails, it’s a spot you could lean on for just about everything.
Located right at Melrose and La Cienega, the first thing you notice walking into this place is the breezy, open space. There’s a front bar full of people boozing after work, a raw bar full of noncommittal first dates, and a bunch of scattered tables with friends who just walked in and sat at the first table they could find. Walk towards the back and you’ll find a glass-ceilinged, plant-filled space that feels more like a greenhouse than a dining room. Here you’ll find every type of industry meeting, birthday dinner, and girls’ night out that happens in West Hollywood.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Rosaliné’s menu leaning heavily on traditional dishes like ceviche and arroz con pollo, but elevated with vegetables and other ingredients we can get because we live in Southern California. The menu itself is broken up into several different sections and, at first glance, can be a bit overwhelming. So, here’s how to order. From the ceviche section, get the crocante. It’s a good-sized portion of halibut and crispy calamari marinated in yuzu kosho with a solid kick. It’s easily the most interesting of the ceviches. From the “land” section, go all-in on the lomo saltado—a sautéed filet mignon with roasted tomatoes, fried egg. And no matter if you’re with one person or ten, the “family-style” paella is a must. Sure, this giant dish of Peruvian fried rice, sausage, and shrimp isn’t light, but it’s also delicious and there’s a reason why to-go boxes exist.
That said, not everything on Rosaliné’s menu is going to blow your mind. And the whole place can certainly get a bit sceney at times. But, across the board, it’s the reliable, fun, and upscale-ish West Hollywood option that won’t let you down.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Ceviche Crocante
Ensalada de Beterraga
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Aceitunas
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Causita Crocante
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Chaufa Paella
photo credit: Jakob Layman