Rory B.
Google
Rosine’s. Wow. Another treasure along Alvarado Street.
Six of us gathered there to celebrate a work milestone — the kind of dinner where you want energy, warmth, and food that feels a little celebratory. One member of our group gave us a brief history lesson beforehand, noting that Rosine’s has been a mainstay of Alvarado Street for years. After one evening there, I understand exactly why.
This is a busy place. Reservations are strongly recommended. The atmosphere strikes that rare balance: slightly lively but not chaotic. It wasn’t overly loud, yet you could feel the hum of a well-loved restaurant doing steady business. Quaint, friendly — the kind of eatery most people hope to find while strolling downtown Monterey.
My only quasi-complaint? We were seated in a higher-traffic area, which slightly detracted from the overall experience. Not a deal-breaker, just a small note. They offer both indoor and some outdoor seating.
Starters
We began with two orders of Crispy Calamari Strips and Chips (fries). If you’re expecting tentacles, this isn’t that style — these are strips. The dish came paired with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, and ketchup. Both platters were completely devoured.
We also ordered Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and Chips, which was excellent. The tortilla chips were unique — almost a cross between flour and corn tortilla chips. Hard to describe, but memorable. Everyone shared a bottle of wine or ordered individual drinks, and the table felt properly celebratory.
Entrees
The six entrees included:
Three orders of Surf and Turf
Chicken Parmesan
Stuffed Salmon
Guacamole Bacon Burger
The Surf and Turf featured a 10 oz New York steak, three grilled prawns, baked potato (substitutable for mashed or fries at no extra charge), and fresh vegetables. I ordered mine medium with mashed potatoes. Every steak at our table was cooked perfectly to preference — no small feat. The mashed potatoes and vegetables were excellent.
I added a $2 Caesar salad. Flavor-wise, it was very good, though the greens were slightly mushy, which muted the experience a bit. A small note in an otherwise strong showing.
Everyone at the table genuinely enjoyed their meals.
The Coup de Grâce: Dessert
Then came dessert.
After spotting the size of neighboring slices, we wisely decided to order just one serving for the six of us: Cookies and Cream cake made with Oreo cookies.
When I say “slice,” I mean slab. It was massive. Truly one of those “you have to see it to believe it” desserts — and just $10. Even with six people sharing, we didn’t finish it. But it was absolutely delicious.
Rosine’s is well worth visiting. Make reservations, expect a nice atmosphere, and come hungry — especially if dessert is in your future. Service was very good and appropriately attentive without being intrusive.
A true Alvarado Street classic.