Red Rose
"The Red Rose is much the same as when it opened over twenty years ago (that means wood and stucco pervade on the inside). It’s no hindrance to the wide selection of Italian favorites served here though, which includes every dense red sauce Italian classic you could hope for: penne bolognese, chicken Parm and veal scaloppine," says Gayot.
The Brooklyn Paper says, "Try the fettuccine served with cognac sauce and jumbo shrimp. Red Rose’s two decades of success can be summed up simply: the formula is fresh food and good service." Justin Hartung, writing for New York magazine, is less enthused — but still finds Red Rose's redeeming qualities: "A too-sweet bolognese sauce is rescued by amazingly fresh penne; ... a heaping plate of veal saltimbocca may look watery, but the subtle, buttery flavors gradually emerge. Of course, everything's made rosier by the wickedly cheap wine list, with the bulk of the selections clocking in under twenty bucks."
But Chowhound Puppimus isn't as big a fan: "Try Red Rose for old-timey feel, but not for decent food." What do you think about this place?
Reviews (9)
NsPx wrote a review on February 26, 2009 12:47 PM
Agree with Chowhound, this is definitely old-school Carroll Gardens. The food, not so good - the one time I ate here the bread was stale and part of my pasta came out still frozen.
brooklyny wrote a review on February 26, 2009 1:07 PM
We used to eat at Red Rose all the time, back in the day before the Smith Street restaurant explosion. But right around the time Patois opened, they changed their menu and tampered with or removed a lot of classics, including our favorite dish, The Italian Flag. I celebrated a couple of memorable Valentine's Days at the old skool red rose, which featured "a red rose for the ladies". Haven't been back in so long but I'm actually inclined to give it a whirl again.
RaginCajun wrote a review on February 26, 2009 1:23 PM
Wife and I always take guests here for a taste of old-school Brooklyn. Sure, we COULD go to Sam's, which has better pizza, but the rest of the food here is better, the portions are huge and the service, while maybe rough around the edges, is also better. You'll be treated like a valued customer whether you're a regular or not (as opposed to being given the stink eye until you prove your worth).
You know it's legit because families drive in from Bay Ridge to eat here and it employs real, live Brooklynites! Sure, that's partially a joke, but I like bringing out-of-towners in from Louisiana and hearing them respond to that old-school Brooklyn accent: "I can't understand a word he's saying." (To which the waiter would likely respond, "Right back atcha.")
Any rate, I'm a fan.
Billiamsburg wrote a review on February 26, 2009 1:41 PM
Place needs an update. It's obvious it hasn't changed to cater to it's original, old time carroll gardens crowd, but if it's gonna stay around another 25 or 15 or 5 years it badly needs to update its menu and decor. The food is ok in that, if my grandma came to visit I would take her here, but you can't run a restaurant on flavorless gramma food.
r1b2 wrote a review on February 26, 2009 2:15 PM
Our single favorite place to eat. When I have clients in town, especially from Europe, I insist on taking them to the Red Rose. They are ALWAYS pleased. There is no better dish than the Stuffed Calamari. They have a very reasonably priced wine list. The appetizers are delicious. When my mom and step-dad visit from Florida, they always make sure we eat at the Red Rose. Yes, the staff is a bit rough, but they're attentive. Santo (sp?) the host all warmth and love, and he genuinely appreciates his customers. Yes, it could use an update, but then it maight feel awkward for families who are comfortable bringing their kids, or when the St Francis Softball team has a celebratory dinner there in uniform. It's lovely the way it is, with the marble-ized mirrors with roses painted on them. When you go to the Red Rose, you're going for the food.
Johnny wrote a review on February 26, 2009 2:38 PM
Haven't been in years but this was he restaurant I ate at the night I moved to Brooklyn. Back in the day their hot antipast was amazing. Stuffed chicken breast with egg and a side of ziti. Marone!
Fed an army. Like commenter above, tempted to give it one more shot after a 5 year gap.
rh wrote a review on February 26, 2009 4:01 PM
They certainly HAVE changed and it's for the worse. I don't know what they did since the whole scene took off down there, but the food isn't what it used to be. Same owners, maybe new cook?? Anyway, 15-20 years ago, this was my favorite Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. I still have a soft spot for Red Rose and I prefer it to most of the new joints, but my heart cries out for the old RR. Definitely, absolutely, positively worth going if you want a taste of real Brooklyn.
dash wrote a review on February 26, 2009 4:59 PM
I attended a baby shower there a few weeks ago. The couple lives around the corner with the husband's family- everyone in Carroll Gardens knows them. So definitely a Brooklyn neighborhood place, but I feel lucky to invited into this world I wouldn't otherwise know. I agree with r1b2 that the decor is great as is- it feels all cozy and old fashioned inside.
I thought the food was great. Plates and plates of salad, calamari, bruschetta, pasta, chicken and fresh fish were brought out. My only complaint was the salad, which tasted like it had bottled dressing on it. Sort of a caeser, with lots of fresh romaine, but that funky tasting dressing. My friend says that their rice balls are very popular. The service was very warm and made you feel welcome.
Worth a try for some old-world comfort food.
lapmax75 wrote a review on February 27, 2009 12:09 AM
This place IS comfort. The food has been consistently good for decades and the portions are ludicrous. The owner cares sincerely for every person who walks in there, and that's reflected in the service. It's also nice that they own the wine shop next door, ensuring excellent Italian and Sicilian reds on any given night. This is old school neighborhood Italian food - it ain't Babbo, it ain't freakin' Po; it's heavy, it sits in your stomach, and it's good. And, when you get the bill, you say, "what??? Shouldn't there be another digit in there?" Show me a place that can make something like its pork rollatini, preceded by a smorgasborg of fried bombs like dad's riceballs or his spadinis, and and I'll defer. Until then, get the hell outta here.
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