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The Rosedale, Austin Reviews (1)
Guest ReviewAdmittedly, I'm a diner 'purist' and the Rosedale features fancier fare than your average diner. I don't turn my nose to fancier fare, but that's not why I choose a "diner".
Things I liked:
The feel of the diner. It's small - but quaint and almost funky. It's not dingy and you don't feel the need to pre-wipe your cutlery as you would at some diners.
Nice bartender welcomed me when I walked in, told me to choose a seat and promptly brought me water in a bottle. Now, I know it's likely refrigerated tap water, but I liked the presentation.
I ordered all-day breakfast, which came with challah toast. That itself is a plus - beats 'white' or 'brown' any day of the week. Also, when I asked for jam (see comment below), they brought out a fresh "slab" on a mini plate for me. None of this peel-pack jam most places use.
Things I didn't like:
If I ask for a Coke, but you sell Pepsi, please tell me. I knew it as soon as I put the straw to my lips, and the bill later read "Pepsi", so offer the traditional, "Is Pepsi okay?".
On the topic of my "Coke", I got the glass (a nice big glass), and it was filled with ice to the top. Honestly, the Pepsi maybe accounted for 25% of the glass's contents. Of course, I know I can ask for a refill, so this isn't a 'value' comment - but the drink tastes like water after 2 minutes from melting ice. Gross.
As mentioned above, I ordered the all-day breakfast (at 1pm). I was asked how I'd like my eggs done and asked for them over-medium. I know cooking eggs right is not simple, but I also know they're cheap and you can make two more if you overcooked them. My eggs were on the grill about a minute too long. The yolks were fully cooked and dried out.
The waitress was pleasant, but she dropped off my plate and disappeared. No inquiry as to whether I wanted ketchup for the frites (which were excellent), or jam for my toast. I flagged her and she brought the jam - and I didn't see her again until it was time for the bill. Not her fault, mind you. The place was busy and she was the only waitress. But I did feel abandoned.
Overall, I was unimpressed. And I'm disappointed that I didn't have a better experience. I love diners and was excited to spot this one. But they won't see me in there again. $17 for 2 eggs, 3 pieces of bacon, frites and toast is excessive. But I'm happy to pay for a great meal. Unfortunately this wasn't even close to being that.
-Rob
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Real Food for Real People With the original tin ceiling, the Diner sports a clean and cosy front room decorated in the French bistro style, with a row of tables on one side and on the other, the bar and an inviting fireplace. The intimate back room is outfitted with Tiffany lamps and a dark wood china cabinet and is much sought after by couples on a romantic first date. With the motto, "serving real food to real people," the Diner's menu carries such staples such as six ounce certified Angus beef hamburgers so craved that a client once requested one specially prepared and flown into Venice where she was summering. The Diner also offers such diverse items as grilled citrus-glazed Atlantic salmon and grilled French red deer venison as well as popular brunch items such as their famous eggs Dostoyevsky with smoked salmon and orange Hollandaise sauce. The wine list shows variety and good value with four reds and four whites below $40, and eight to 12 by the glass.
Flare for Fusion Defining fusion before it became the buzz word in North American cuisine, the Rosedale Diner also offers such playful dishes as a decadent poutine with off-the-bone beef short ribs and real cheese curds doused in veal demi-glace gravy. Presented with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne, it is served with much flare.