Small, intimate and very nicely decorated space. Drinks, apps, entrees, sauces and dessert were all spectacular. Pair all that with lovely owner, talented chef and very friendly staff! Hats off to all of you! We’ll definitely be back! Raul, Di, Barb & Don
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roseann Avery
We waited 25 minutes before we got asked what we wanted to drink. Fifteen more minutes before she came and asked us if we wanted an appetizer, forty five minutes later, she came and asked us what we wanted for dinner only because we had spoken to somebody else.And they made her come over to see what we wanted.It was the worst experience.I have ever had
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Kelly Pappas
The food was beyond our expectations. Incredible presentation and dishes! I’d get the paella again and again and again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Al Mayo
📅 08.31.25
WRITTEN REVIEW
Big Al’s Reel Reviews - Ep.157 🎥
Rossa Negra 💎
Village of Niantic (East Lyme), CT
“Rossa Negra” translates to Black Rose 🌹 and this spot truly lives up to the name with elegance, class, and flavor that stands out in the village of Niantic.
From the start, the service was outstanding. I was welcomed at the door by Jana M. Bellin, who runs a tight and elegant business. She made me feel at home, seated me immediately, and checked in throughout the night. I even got to snap a photo with her before leaving. In the back was John, the chef, who brought the flavors to life with passion and precision. My server Ella, on her very first day, did a wonderful job making sure I was taken care of.
On top of that, I met a wonderful woman named Annette, who helps run Care & Share of East Lyme, the local food pantry. We snapped a photo together as well. That moment really stood out to me... a warming reminder of how restaurants like Rossa Negra aren’t just about food, but also about community and the people who care for it. I love that ❤️
Now let’s talk about the food because every single dish tonight was the 💣:
1️⃣ Ceviche Latitudº - $21
Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche with red onions, lime juice, orange tomatoes, and cilantro. Served with rice, roasted corn (cancha), and plantains. Fresh, bright, and delicious... an absolute 💣.
2️⃣ Niantic Royale - $24
Lobster ravioli topped with two grilled shrimp, served over soft warm bread that soaked up every drop of the lobster cream sauce. Absolutely excellent... another 💣
*Critique: All future dishes should come with at least four instead of 3 ravioli pieces to feel more complete for customers. ❤️
3️⃣ FranBella - $52
A seafood powerhouse: tons of clams (the undeniable ⭐ star of the dish), a huge lobster tail, about five shrimp, and two large scallops... all over linguine with garlic, basil, white wine, and pomodoro sauce. Perfectly seasoned and executed. Another 💣.
✅ Three for three bombs.
✅ Outstanding service.
✅ Beautiful atmosphere.
This one checks every box and it’s officially a 'Big Al’s💎Gem Spot'
Welcome to the Gem 💎 Club Rossa Negra! 🌟
☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo
“See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out”
Flora Stuart
We were delighted with an amazing selection of food with an Ecuador flair. The Ceviche was outstanding.so was the Paella . The Chicken dish was wonderful. In fact the entire meal was amoung the best restaurant in the area. Do not miss a chance to eat some wonderful food..Flora
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arlene Bartolome
The ambiance is so good and sophisticated. Their flavourful creations are golden. This is now my favourite resto in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Empanadas, Guillermo’S Rack of Lamb, Flan, Tuna Tartare, Tiramisu, Surf and Turf a La Mr Doc
lisa yarid
Great atmosphere, gracious service, excellent food !!! I will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JohnyP Musician
Fantastic food and service! We'll be back. Many times!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cristina Rivadeneira
Delicious food and fresh, service was very good I highly recommend Rosa Negra
Atmosphere difference from the location to the interior is interesting and intended. Very nice food was very good and our server very attentive. Give it a try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Demko
We were dining for dinner last week and let me say this, WOW! This place delivers on the flavor, esthetics and portions. The drinks were delicious and huge, with dessert finishing off an amazing meal. Definitely one of the best restaurants I've eaten and totally worth the price tag!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robin
What a fabulous restaurant!! It was our first time there, the food & service were outstanding!! We reserved a table on a Saturday evening at 7 p.m. to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. Jeanette and staff outdid themselves setting a lovely table for our special occasion. The Rossa Negra martini was absolutely scrumptious as well as the caesar salad accompanied by bread & a delicious chimichurri sauce. Our meals were delectable & cooked to perfection, a grilled scallop & shrimp special in a lobster cream sauce and the Franbella seafood dinner. Looking forward to our yummy leftovers!! Our only regret is not trying this local restaurant sooner. We look forward to returning & will request the fabulous Caesar as our server, Thank you Rossa Negra & staff!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jim Savalle
Food C- ,Service C-, Atmosphere C JUST DIDNT LIKE IT
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Tommy B
Hidden gem, get off of Main Street and come eat here. Great food, large portions, you won’t leave disappointed!!
Small, intimate and very nicely decorated space. Drinks, apps, entrees, sauces and dessert were all spectacular. Pair all that with
lovely owner, talented chef and very friendly staff! Hats off to all of you! We’ll definitely be back!
Raul, Di, Barb & Don
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We waited 25 minutes before we got asked what we wanted to drink.
Fifteen more minutes before she came and asked us if we wanted an appetizer, forty five minutes later, she came and asked us what we wanted for dinner only because we had spoken to somebody else.And they made her come over to see what we wanted.It was the worst experience.I have ever had
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
The food was beyond our expectations. Incredible presentation and dishes! I’d get the paella again and again and again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
📅 08.31.25 WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - Ep.157 🎥 Rossa Negra 💎 Village of Niantic (East Lyme), CT “Rossa Negra” translates to Black Rose 🌹 and this spot truly lives up to the name with elegance, class, and flavor that stands out in the village of Niantic. From the start, the service was outstanding. I was welcomed at the door by Jana M. Bellin, who runs a tight and elegant business. She made me feel at home, seated me immediately, and checked in throughout the night. I even got to snap a photo with her before leaving. In the back was John, the chef, who brought the flavors to life with passion and precision. My server Ella, on her very first day, did a wonderful job making sure I was taken care of. On top of that, I met a wonderful woman named Annette, who helps run Care & Share of East Lyme, the local food pantry. We snapped a photo together as well. That moment really stood out to me... a warming reminder of how restaurants like Rossa Negra aren’t just about food, but also about community and the people who care for it. I love that ❤️ Now let’s talk about the food because every single dish tonight was the 💣: 1️⃣ Ceviche Latitudº - $21 Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche with red onions, lime juice, orange tomatoes, and cilantro. Served with rice, roasted corn (cancha), and plantains. Fresh, bright, and delicious... an absolute 💣. 2️⃣ Niantic Royale - $24 Lobster ravioli topped with two grilled shrimp, served over soft warm bread that soaked up every drop of the lobster cream sauce. Absolutely excellent... another 💣 *Critique: All future dishes should come with at least four instead of 3 ravioli pieces to feel more complete for customers. ❤️ 3️⃣ FranBella - $52 A seafood powerhouse: tons of clams (the undeniable ⭐ star of the dish), a huge lobster tail, about five shrimp, and two large scallops... all over linguine with garlic, basil, white wine, and pomodoro sauce. Perfectly seasoned and executed. Another 💣. ✅ Three for three bombs. ✅ Outstanding service. ✅ Beautiful atmosphere. This one checks every box and it’s officially a 'Big Al’s💎Gem Spot' Welcome to the Gem 💎 Club Rossa Negra! 🌟 ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out”
We were delighted with an amazing selection of food with an Ecuador flair. The Ceviche was outstanding.so was the Paella .
The Chicken dish was wonderful. In fact the entire meal was amoung the best restaurant in the area. Do not miss a chance to eat some wonderful food..Flora
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The ambiance is so good and sophisticated. Their flavourful creations are golden. This is now my favourite resto in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Empanadas, Guillermo’S Rack of Lamb, Flan, Tuna Tartare, Tiramisu, Surf and Turf a La Mr Doc
Great atmosphere, gracious service, excellent food !!! I will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food and service! We'll be back. Many times!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food and fresh, service was very good I highly recommend Rosa Negra
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Atmosphere difference from the location to the interior is interesting and intended. Very nice food was very good and our server very attentive. Give it a try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were dining for dinner last week and let me say this, WOW! This place delivers on the flavor, esthetics and portions. The drinks were delicious and huge, with dessert finishing off an amazing meal. Definitely one of the best restaurants I've eaten and totally worth the price tag!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a fabulous restaurant!! It was our first time there, the food & service were outstanding!! We reserved a table on a Saturday evening at 7 p.m. to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. Jeanette and staff outdid themselves setting a lovely table for our special occasion. The Rossa Negra martini was absolutely scrumptious as well as the caesar salad accompanied by bread & a delicious chimichurri sauce. Our meals were delectable & cooked to perfection, a grilled scallop & shrimp special in a lobster cream sauce and the Franbella seafood dinner. Looking forward to our yummy leftovers!! Our only regret is not trying this local restaurant sooner. We look forward to returning & will request the fabulous Caesar as our server, Thank you Rossa Negra & staff!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food C- ,Service C-, Atmosphere C
JUST DIDNT LIKE IT
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Hidden gem, get off of Main Street and come eat here. Great food, large portions, you won’t leave disappointed!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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