Rosa’s Bar and Grill Opens in Federal Hill

Guest feature from Federal Hill resident Zachary Blanchard

Rosa’s Bar and Grill opened last month in Federal Hill at 1002 Light St. at the former home of Boaz Bistro. Rosa’s is owned by Marquel Averette, and Chef Davon McCoy leads kitchen.

Despite the pandemic, Rosa’s Bar and Grill has built momentum quickly and it is struggling to hire staff to meet the demand. It has been able to avoid third-party delivery apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats, which charge a commission on orders.

McCoy is very familiar with the location. He attended Federal Hill Preparatory School and has worked at two of 1002 Light St.’s predecessors, Boaz Bistro and Regi’s Bistro. Comparing the three, Davon admitted, “Boaz Bistro…was not prepared to be in the restaurant business. Regi’s was cool and old-school, but Rosa’s is completely exceeding my expectations.”

McCoy said Rosa’s is working hard to shed its relation to Boaz Bistro, which was shut down on several occasions last year for violating City social distancing requirements. When asked for one thing McCoy wanted the neighborhood to know about Rosa’s, he bluntly replied, “I want the neighborhood to realize Rosa’s is not Boaz. First, everyone is welcome at Rosa’s. Second, the food, drinks, and service are consistent A1-quality, I can promise you that.”

While Rosa’s rapidly redesigned the first floor, it is also planning to open a renovated second floor by mid-April. Plans are also underway for an outdoor seating area. 

Rosa’s is open Tuesday to Friday from 5pm to 12am, Saturday from 11am to 12am, and Sunday from 11am to 11pm.

Rosa’s serves contemporary southern food with a Jamaican twist and has a brunch menu on the weekends. Rosa’s menu features appetizers, entrees, wings, sandwiches, and sides. The jerk lamb cheesesteak has been one of its best sellers. “I started doing one case of lamb every three weeks, and we’re up to two cases a week,” said McCoy. 

Davon McCoy and Marquel Averette (photo courtesy of Rosa’s Bar and Grill)

SouthBMore.com photo

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