Roses Bistro Off Main

Just stopped in for a coffee and water but the place is clean and the people are friendly.

There is potential here, but I don’t see myself returning anytime soon.
The good: it’s nicely decorated/​arranged and the food (quiche) was quite good and you can tell the ingredients were fresh.
The needs to be improved: above all, the service! Everyone seemed either out of it or completely frazzled (it wasn’t busy, get it together) Also, the menu lists the specials for each day but you can only get those specials on those specific days. While I appreciate the fact that this probably helps with serving fresh food, take it off the regular menu! Put it on a chalkboard or something. It’s confusing.
The normal menu items are nothing to get too excited about either. If they made a few slight changes, it could be a great addition to Downtown New Port Richey, but I won’t be holding my breath.

It may have been the night we chose — we went on the night of the Christmas street parade. They were out of three different items that my wife would have liked to order. I ordered chicken picatta. It came on a bed of spaghetti. The chicken was cooked OK but of grade B quality. The picatta sauce was iffy — no wine or butter flavor. My wife ordered vegetables as a side and got pasta. The table service was minimal. Can’t recommend.
Juan’s Black Bean is also associated with this restaurant. I did not try the Cuban cuisine — it was good at Juan’s. Rose’s also has ice cream and bakery — did’t try these.

If you’re familiar with «downtown» New Port Richey, you’ll know it’s desperately in need of a renaissance. Vacant spaces, a few dive bars (with questionable clientele) and offices line streets which should otherwise be a walkable destination similar to Tarpon Springs or Dunedin. There have been a couple of promising new comers in the past year or so; Dulcet, with its identity crisis — can’t decide whether it’s a Miami/​Cuban nightclub from the 80’s or a fine dining restaurant — with entrees as pricey as many Pasco residents earn in a week. And Johnny Grits, which is a welcome addition with its nice space and unique offerings.
Now Roses Bistro Off Main comes along — which isn’t actually new, but a relocated, renamed and reincarnated business from nearby. My review is based on breakfast. Sadly, this is another typical New Port Richey bust. The space is warm and welcoming but the food was as generic as you’ll find in any other of the handful of breakfast/​lunch spots in the area (think Smith’s, Breakfast Station, Caposey’s, Grandma Sally’s, Susie’s, Pam’s, etc.). Let’s start with the warm coffee. Yes, they kept my mug filled, but it was hardly hot. Next is the menu. As far as breakfast is concerned, the menu is as typical and boring as you could possibly derive. Eggs, pancakes and few omelets. Nothing remotely creative or unique.
I had a simple special of two eggs with pancakes sausage and bacon. What can I say? The pancakes were dry and tough, the bacon seemed as if it had been precooked and the sausage was freezer burned. Considering this exact meal can be had at any one of the previously mentioned venues, as well as at least a half dozen more within a five mile drive — there was absolutely nothing remarkable or unique to make me choose this place over anyplace else nearby.
Maybe lunch and dinner are better but there’s certainly no reason to return for breakfast. My suggestion is to get creative. Set yourself apart. Create something that’s destination worthy. If need be, watch an episode of Diners, Drive-​Ins and Dives for inspiration. And maybe talk with the folks who own «That Little Bakery on Grand» about selling some of their tasty, baked goods. Downtown New Port Richey needs to offer something to compel people to turn off of US19 and support the local economy. Right now, other than a cute space, Roses just fades into the background.

Our GHS Diva group have been meeting there for many months. The quiche is particularly good, although they have been adding many more entries that are delicious too. You definitely should try it. The owners are great too.

Our salads, quiche and sandwiches were delicious. Too bad we didn’t have room for dessert. A lovely lunch downtown. It was nice to sit outside and relax.