Original Mexican food at its best by Juliette Marsden, Outpost Staff   Walking into Rositas Cocina has the feel of being invited into someone's home. Literally translated, the name means Rositas Kitchen. Simply put, Rositas is a combination of great Mexican food served in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere where there is no rush. We came at 7 p.m. on a Saturday night, thinking this would be the true test of the restaurant at its peak hour. To our surprise, we didn't have to wait long for a table. We received chips and salsa and water soon after being seated and our waiter greeted us within three or four minutes. As we looked over the menu, we also took a moment to notice the decorations. A small water fountain stands near the entrance way and on every wall are found paintings, sombreros and colorful blankets. Colors ranging from bright red to a dark green greeted our eyes.   Rositas Cocina is an authentic Mexican restaurant with a home-style atmosphere. The interior decor is elaborate. Photo by Stig Overaas The menu had a wide array of traditional Mexican food -- including tacos, enchiladas and tamales. A list of daily specials was posted on a board by the entrance. As we waited for our dinners (a chicken chimichanga and flautas de carne) we enjoyed the quiet family atmosphere which allows for relaxed conversations and a not-so-rushed meal. The restaurant is well lighted and most of the patrons were families. Definitely an older crowd. The small bar is set in a corner, leaving the restaurant with a better atmosphere than if the bar were the central focal point of the place. It is not, by all means, a place to come and get drunk with friends and for us, this was a definite selling point. Our dinners arrived less than ten minutes after we ordered them. The food was hot and had just the right amount of spice for our liking. (Though for those die-hard spicy Mexican food lovers the food may not have enough kick for your liking.) For me, it was just right. The chicken chimichanga was delicious -- and the refried beans that came with it were also great. I am not usually a fan of refried beans but these, I could tell, were the real thing.   This inside view of Rositas Cosina shows the mood-setting water fountain and the great interior decor. Photo by Stig Overaas   My friend ordered the flautas de carne and was similarly impressed. Portions are just right -- a good amount of food but not so much that you have to take half of it home. And the plates are colorfully decorated to make the food even more appealing. After dinner, though we were all quite full,we decided to try one of their desserts. Rositas serves fried ice cream, flan (a kind of gelatin pudding) and sopapilla, which we ordered. It was great. In all, our visit to Rositas Cocina couldn't have been better. The service was good, the atmosphere relaxing and the decor impressive. The family-style restaurant is a classy place -- and is sure to be the next Reno hot spot. Rositas Cocina is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Breakfast entrees average $6 and dinner and lunch entrees average $8 with daily specials for a little less.   Rositas Cocina On the corner of Longley Lane and Virginia Street, just past Del Monte Lane 7689 S. Virginia St. Suite N Reno, Nevada 89511 (702) 853-2521   copyright 4/28/98 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost