Rosine’s Mediterranean Rotisserie and Grill

Rosine’s Mediterranean Rotisserie and Grill
2670 Tuscany Road Suite # 101
Corona, CA 92883

My Orange County friend likes to call me a 909-er. Never mind that I have become a 951-er.

The 909-er term is employed to tell me that I live in a veritable inland desert with a dearth of culture, variety, and noteworthy establishments. Thanks to the arrival of Rosine’s in Corona, I’m armed with more ammunition and I can debunk such assaults.

If you frequent The Crossings in Corona as often as my family does, you’ve noticed the budding hot spots popping up all around the Edward’s Cinema nucleus. My first rush of excitement with regard to Rosine’s was well before I knew anything about the place. I saw the word “Mediterranean” go up one day and I was immediately onboard. “Oh, just let it be good”, I told
my wife.

We went. We ate. It’s great.

To go there for your first time is to know that we are welcoming a long term lunch and dinner fixture to our fair city. Rosine’s may be new to us, but its first and still thriving location is a tried and true favorite in Anaheim Hills. Owner, Hagop Najarian--and Mom, Rosine--are skilled veterans at serving up a fresh and homemade experience in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine

You’ll find just the right-sized menu here. There’s enough variety to keep you engaged each time you come, but a confident conciseness which tells you that the family recipes are going to stand on their own merit. They do.

Appetizers are a very important part of Mediterranean cuisine and I recommend you not skip them. The stuffed grape leaves are made fresh daily on the premises. The hummus is mild and pleasant. The Baba Ghannouj (eggplant-based, for all you 909-ers) has a subtle flavor followed by a hint of spiciness that kicks in as you savor the bite. I think it was my favorite of the appetizers. Can you say you’ve ever had Walnut Caviar? I can (neener-neener), and it’s good. Don’t forget to try a boreg. That’s right, I said a boreg. A boreg is a piping hot, crispy pastry shell filled with minced beef or herbed cheese. They will have you singing.

Our server approached us for the entrees. “I’ll have the lamb,” I said sheepishly. Alright, forgive me; it didn’t go that way at all. But still, let’s do talk kebabs. You’ll find lamb, chicken, beef tenderloin, shrimp, halibut, vegetable and more. The kebabs come with vegetables, rice or wheat pilaf or garlic mashed potatoes. Incidentally, all of the side dishes at Rosine’s are outstanding.

Whatever you order, don’t pass up Rosine’s famous garlic sauce. It’s a secret and signature condiment that will compliment anything under sun. It’s smooth and mild. It’s so popular that the long-time patrons in Anaheim Hills have learned to buy several take home ramekins of the stuff each time they come in to dine! If you insist on having the first-timer’s cheat-sheet, then I say have at least the chicken kebab. Dip that wonderfully marinated and tender chicken in the cayennaise sauce (because I already know you’ll dip it in the garlic sauce). Besides the kebabs,
you’ll find other great entrees as well. The rotisserie half chicken is a popular favorite. It’s no misprint when I tell you it’s under 10 bucks.

There is not one good reason to skip dessert here because this thoughtful kitchen boasts pastry chefs who make the real thing daily. This place is your new short trip to out-of-this-world Baklava!

The convenient lunchtime menu offers a great variety, and any kebab can be made into a pita pocket sandwich. Salad lovers will find several great choices as well.

Is Rosine’s too exotic for your kids? Not remotely. The savvy staff knows exactly what to do. Tender chicken with mashed potatoes is a good bet among the choices. It will be a treat for the kids and you can feel great about the fresh kitchen out of which it will come!

Connoisseurs of wine will benefit from the fact that owner, Hagop Najarian, along with general manager, Jerry Grady, are both world-traveled wine connoisseurs themselves. You will see the wine choices here expand with time, but it is already quite impressive. Selections already include red wines from Lebanon, the North Coast, Napa Valley, Spain and Tuscany. Offerings from France, Australia, Germany and Oregon add to the diverse selection of white wines. You’ll appreciate the high quality spirits found at the bar at Rosine’s. You’ll even find fruit-infused
Belgian beers.

The next time you dine at The Crossings, remember friendly Rosine’s. As you pass the
production eateries to your right and left, keep in mind that for a comparable price and a casual dining atmosphere, you have a stellar option for a quality meal. Treat yourself to fresh family recipes where “mom” still oversees her kitchen. The five word review, had you been so lucky: “Good thing I live close.”

Ryan Keane writes exclusively for MyCityCorona.com

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