(718) 783-3800

787 Union St (nr. Sixth Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY 11215 40.6757 -73.9781

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Neighborhood: Park Slope

ROSEWATERRESTAURANT.COM

Hours:

Mon-Tue, 5:30pm-10pm

Wed-Thu, 5:30pm-10:30pm

Fri, 5:30pm-11pm

Sat, 10am-3pm and 5:30pm-11pm

Sun, 10am-3pm and 5:30pm-10pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

People Watching, Outdoor Dining

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Smoking Permitted:

No

What People Are Saying About Rose Water

Featured Review

Liz Zack

Contributor

In Short – Tiny tables packed into a cozy dining room on a residential street are frequented by the Slope fine-dining trinity: parents who've left the kid home with the babysitter, chic gay and lesbian couples and the usual hipsters. Seasonal and organic ingredients are used to create garden-fresh meals. Dishes intensified with lovage, parsley-based salads, and appetizers served with pungent pickling sauces all contribute. – –

ambiance
96.14999771118164% positive
  1. “If you're looking for somewhere small and cozy with terrific food, you've found the right place.”
  2. “also like the low key atmosphere inside, but green plastic patio chairs should be banned from all restaurants.”
  3. “The food is always good, the staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy, pleasant, and comfortable.”
  4. “Also, we didn't have wine, although the wine pairings looked like fun, and instead went for warm apple cider that they heated in individual teapots on the stove.”
  5. “The ambiance is very warm and intimate, the service always polite and understated, and the food is beautifully presented and very inventive.”
  6. “Nice location, nicely decorated, warm and homey.”
  7. “Tiny space, but charming and romantic.”
  8. “have to say the atmosphere - we had a table outside in the sun - was terrific, but overall, brunch was disappointing.”
  9. “If you're looking for great food in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, Rosewater's a good bet.”
  10. “Nice cozy room, packed with happy people.”
  11. “They were busy because they serve great food in a fun restaurant.”
  12. “That made it really fun since we were able to enjoy such a variety.”
  13. “The ambiance is still excellent for couples.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Loved the duck/prosciutto salad and the skate - the vanilla bean cheesecake was especially divine, as well.”
  2. “Dessert: cheesecake- great, chocolate peanut butter cake ?”
drinks
80.0% positive
  1. “The wait staff forgot our wine order and bread was slow to arrive.”
  2. “Great food, great service, inventive chef, terrific wine list.”
  3. “Entrees are about $20, and there's a few good wines on the menu for about $”
  4. “Also, we didn't have wine, although the wine pairings looked like fun, and instead went for warm apple cider that they heated in individual teapots on the stove.”
  5. “Granted, it was a night of "urban flooding" but the service was spot on, the meal was incredible and the wines were so perfectly paired that for the first time, I wished I had taken the wine list with me to seek them out post meal.”
  6. “The wine pairings were excellent, and although the staff was a little too busy to explain what each wine was, and why it was paired with each dish, I wasn't bothered.”
  7. “The help with the wine was great.”
  8. “The drinks were overpriced, but that won't keep us from coming back.”
  9. “Excellent wine pairings”
  10. “Great wine--if you're into it.”
food quality
87.25000381469727% positive
  1. “Wow - outstanding meal”
  2. “was irate when we got a huge bill for a meal we could easily have made (and done a much, much better job on) ourselves.”
  3. “They were busy because they serve great food in a fun restaurant.”
  4. “On a positive note, the frittata was delicious, although not nearly special enough to make up for the other dishes.”
  5. “The short ribs were superb, the only thing to rave about food-wise.”
  6. “Don't make the same mistake- save your expensive dinners for Manhattan, where the food and service actually merit the sticker shock.”
  7. “My daal soup was drenched in olive oil and my blue fish entree was cold and poorly accompanied by the mustard greens.”
  8. “Loved the duck/prosciutto salad and the skate - the vanilla bean cheesecake was especially divine, as well.”
  9. “This place tries too hard to create fusion food and ends up dragging the ingredients kicking and screaming into an unhappy union.”
  10. “If you're looking for great food in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, Rosewater's a good bet.”
  11. “Speaking of the food, it is delicious, my friends all come out from Manhattan to go here-many think it is the best meal they have had in New York.”
  12. “The skirt steak was delightfully tasty too.”
  13. “My watermelon and feta salad was fantastic, as was the zaatar steak.”
  14. “Terrific service, and food that is really appropriate for the season.”
  15. “My husband had the cod - one of the smallest portions of what should be an affordable fish.”
  16. “The food is always good, the staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy, pleasant, and comfortable.”
  17. “The food was awesome - just pure bliss.”
  18. “Any salad is great, the steak is very good as are the fish dishes.”
  19. “The chefs may have changed; but their dedication to fresh food using the freshest herbs remains their strong point.”
  20. “I'll start with the good: the food is passably tasty, if ordinary.”
  21. “Order the squash soup as an appetizer, and enjoy a night of eating out at a restaurant that won't send you packing with the typical bloat and disgust.”
  22. “Great food, great service, inventive chef, terrific wine list.”
  23. “If you're looking for somewhere small and cozy with terrific food, you've found the right place.”
  24. “The ambiance is very warm and intimate, the service always polite and understated, and the food is beautifully presented and very inventive.”
  25. “Everything was cooked with fresh organic ingredients, and with such care, preparation and skill!”
  26. “Good food, good service”
  27. “Really a lovely place with amazing food.”
  28. “Service was perfect, no complaints there, but the food was lacking in flavor and quality.”
  29. “the food at rosewater is superb.”
  30. “We enjoyed our meal here very much.”
  31. “pride myself on being the kind of New Yorker who can put up with a bad attitude, but he actually ruined our meal.”
  32. “Granted, it was a night of "urban flooding" but the service was spot on, the meal was incredible and the wines were so perfectly paired that for the first time, I wished I had taken the wine list with me to seek them out post meal.”
  33. “Brunch is really delicious here!”
  34. “The prix fixe choices were good (Apps:roasted sunchoke soup, duck prosciutto salad, or a market salad.”
  35. “The wait staff forgot our wine order and bread was slow to arrive.”
  36. “mmmmmm, the poached egg with smoked salmon, and the amazing sirloin steak, which was the most unique and innovative dish.”
  37. “Bioregional cuisine, they should call it; as they cull the farmer's markets and new york farmers for the BEST ingredients.”
  38. “delicious taste of the seasons”
  39. “The prix fixe brunch specials were unique and tasty.”
  40. “love their organic egg dishes, but a friend recently got a squash pancake that was totally out of control.”
  41. “highly recommend this restaurants tasting menu if you don't want to break the bank but have a really nice food experience.”
  42. “their appetizer with the 3 dips is fantastic, their fish rocks.”
  43. “customer/guest. It's homemade food, great care is taken with each dish, the ingredients are very fresh, organic and local when available.”
  44. “The vibe, welcome, and service are awesome, and the menu is intriguing, but in the end the food is just not so.”
  45. “Tapping local organic growers for many ingredients helps ensure fresh and tasty dishes.”
  46. “The wine pairings were excellent, and although the staff was a little too busy to explain what each wine was, and why it was paired with each dish, I wasn't bothered.”
  47. “The ingredients were fresh but the food was tasteless and the service atrocious.”
  48. “The food is just yummy.”
  49. “The food was fresh and delicious.”
  50. “The food is great, service attentive and efficient.”
  51. “It was served w/ beans that were too dry.”
menu variety
96.87999725341797% positive
  1. “That made it really fun since we were able to enjoy such a variety.”
  2. “Service was certainly pleasant and you can tell they are trying, but I would say simplify the menu and lay off the pretense.”
  3. “With all the great dining options in Park Slope -- go somewhere else.”
  4. “The prix fixe choices were good (Apps:roasted sunchoke soup, duck prosciutto salad, or a market salad.”
  5. “The vibe, welcome, and service are awesome, and the menu is intriguing, but in the end the food is just not so.”
  6. “highly recommend this restaurants tasting menu if you don't want to break the bank but have a really nice food experience.”
  7. “Entrees are about $20, and there's a few good wines on the menu for about $”
  8. “The menu is creative and impressive and elegant, but the vibe is very casual and laid back.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “They were busy because they serve great food in a fun restaurant.”
  2. “had heard this was a great place, but for some reason resisted going there.”
  3. “Rosewater is my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn.”
  4. “Perhaps Brooklyn's best restaurant!”
  5. “great date place, not for a group of friends.”
service
79.54999923706055% positive
  1. “The ingredients were fresh but the food was tasteless and the service atrocious.”
  2. “The staff was friendly and seemed to know multiple tables by name.”
  3. “Now to the bad: this place is overpriced and the service is atrocious.”
  4. “The wine pairings were excellent, and although the staff was a little too busy to explain what each wine was, and why it was paired with each dish, I wasn't bothered.”
  5. “The ambiance is very warm and intimate, the service always polite and understated, and the food is beautifully presented and very inventive.”
  6. “We've been to this spot several times (just didn't learn our lesson, I guess) and the people we interacted with were consistently unpleasant.”
  7. “Nice cozy room, packed with happy people.”
  8. “Don't make the same mistake- save your expensive dinners for Manhattan, where the food and service actually merit the sticker shock.”
  9. “Ambiance is warm and very friendly waitstaff make dining enjoyable.”
  10. “The food is great, service attentive and efficient.”
  11. “The vibe, welcome, and service are awesome, and the menu is intriguing, but in the end the food is just not so.”
  12. “The wait staff forgot our wine order and bread was slow to arrive.”
  13. “Our server was professional and apologetic, but the manager refused to even approach our table.”
  14. “Terrific service, and food that is really appropriate for the season.”
  15. “Granted, it was a night of "urban flooding" but the service was spot on, the meal was incredible and the wines were so perfectly paired that for the first time, I wished I had taken the wine list with me to seek them out post meal.”
  16. “Servicers are very friendly and knowledgable.”
  17. “Servers are friendly and attentive.”
  18. “:) The service was friendly, competent, warm - and the setting very homey.”
  19. “Great food, great service, inventive chef, terrific wine list.”
  20. “Good food, good service”
  21. “The food is always good, the staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy, pleasant, and comfortable.”
  22. “THe service and help is impeccable.”
value
50.0% positive
  1. “Now to the bad: this place is overpriced and the service is atrocious.”
  2. “Dining room is small so huge groups may have to wait awhile during peak hours.”
  3. “My husband had the cod - one of the smallest portions of what should be an affordable fish.”
  4. “Don't make the same mistake- save your expensive dinners for Manhattan, where the food and service actually merit the sticker shock.”
  5. “Dinner is a little pricey, but amazing.”
  6. “An expensive, sad experience.”
  7. “The drinks were overpriced, but that won't keep us from coming back.”
  8. “My visit to Rosewater was pleasant and a great value for the cost.”
  9. “was irate when we got a huge bill for a meal we could easily have made (and done a much, much better job on) ourselves.”
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The wait staff forgot our wine order and bread was slow to arrive.”
  2. “Lines are always long, and brunch is always amazing.”
  3. “We love this place, except for the long waits for brunch.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/05/10

Rose Water - Save Your Money

by Nach

I've been going (or rather trying not to go to) Rose Water for 5 years now, and despite being displeased with the entire experience, have refrained from making negative commentary about this establishment. However, the awful experience I had today has compelled me to write a review. As a general point, this restaurant has several issues (1) the food is underseasoned and overpriced and (2) they mistake the fact that they are small and can only accommodate a few people at a time to mean that they are good (as there is often a line) and, therefore, tend to have nasty attitudes and sub-par service.

My experience today was as follows- My best friend LOVES their food, but we never go there for brunch, because I really dislike the experience. Today, since I was not very hungry and we had not eaten there in almost a year, I decided to cast my aspersions aside ad give them another try. The waitress came to take our order and my friend ordered immediately.

Since I have food allergies, I had some preliminary questions, which the waitress answered, then I asked her to put my friend's order in and give me a second to think. She refused, stating (in a very snarky way) that she had to put our order in all at once. I said fine, and ordered the pita/hummus plate and a coffee. She then very rudely informed me that they had a $14 minimum and that I had to order something else - PAUSE - is this even legal. Anyway, I asked her if i could just pay the $14 or difference, as I was not very hungry. She (in a very rude way) refused. I asked if she could put that order in and come back to me in a minute. She refused and said I had to order $14 of food from the beginning. Okay, re-approach - I explained that I was happy to pay, but didn't want to waste food, thinking that this allegedly organic and green restaurant would appreciate that and, hey, I was willing to give them $ for free. The rudeness continued until I finally said, okay, well my friend just ordered $21 worth of food and I ordered $9, does it have to be $14 a person - such that I must order more - or can I just pay for her eggs. She thought for a moment and then, reluctantly, agreed.

This is just one example of many bad experiences at Rose Water. Attitude/Service is awful, food is tasteless and the space is uncomfortable. Save your money and your time, they are PLENTY of yummy other places to eat brunch at in the Park Slopish area - Miriam's on 5th Avenue, Scottadito on Union, Stonepark on 5th avenue (they're attitudes sometimes stink too, but the food is great) AND, if you really want a treat- Cheryl's on Underhill at Lincoln - and these are just a few.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/05/10

Excellent!!!

by brklyn80

I have been to Rose Water twice, once for dinner and once for brunch!

It is amazing. The food is so fresh and tastes as though it was just picked from a garden! Their fish was delicious it was perfectly cooked, and the polenta was out of this world!!! I had their frittata at brunch and it was delish, with amazing vegetables.

It is small and they don't take reservations for brunch!!! But it is totally worth the wait! The staff is friendly and it is a perfect Brooklyn hot spot!!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/29/09

Good food, good service

by benwhit

Very enjoyable brunch.

  • Pros: Good food, good service
  • Cons: Little cramped
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/17/09

sooo good

by brigmoran

their appetizer with the 3 dips is fantastic, their fish rocks. seaonsal and organic is the way to go and this is the restaurant to indulge!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/25/09

worth a visit

by ieatwhatever

My visit to Rosewater was pleasant and a great value for the cost. My friend and I both had the chef's tasting menu, which was five courses, but they gave us an additional two courses gratis. Only $58, and a wine pairing for only $28! Now, this is not Daniel or Jean-George, some dishes were not prefect, but they were all tasty. The highlights were the unbelievable berkshire pork belly...mmmmmm, the poached egg with smoked salmon, and the amazing sirloin steak, which was the most unique and innovative dish. And totally delicious. The Mahi Mahi was notable as well as the deserts. Oh and the celery root soup! wow.

We left the menu entirely up to the chef, and it was really great that they didn't serve us the same thing. We each had different courses, except for the two main entrees. That made it really fun since we were able to enjoy such a variety. I highly recommend this restaurants tasting menu if you don't want to break the bank but have a really nice food experience.

  • Pros: great value, creative dishes
  • Cons: small dining room, average ambiance.

The Details on Rose Water

Place Categories:

  • great homemade food
  • terrific the service
  • disappointing brunch
  • like restaurant
  • pricey dinner
  • like low key atmosphere
  • warm ambiance
  • apologetic server
  • most unique dish
  • incredible meal
  • great date place
  • impressive menu
  • cold food
  • fresh organic ingredients
  • friendly staff
  • recommend scallop appetizer
  • great help
  • worst waffles
  • knowledgable servicers
  • wildly disappointing rose water
  • great such care
  • unique brunch specials
  • recommended highly
  • nice location
  • great market salad

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