By Bob Tagert

Roseina’s in Hollin Hall

Where can you go and order food for a special dinner, party or any social gathering and have it prepared by a former Executive Chef of the Ritz Carlton? In the Hollin Hall Shopping Center you will find Chef Uffe Mikkelsen and his dedicated staff creating a dazzling array of delicious food in a cozy store-front known as Roseina’s.

Uffe Mikkelsen was born and raised in Denmark. He attended culinary school in Copenhagen and then worked at Restaurant Els in the Nyhaven area along the waterfront, canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen. A century ago one of the regular clientele was Hans Christian Anderson. From here Mikkelsen took over the chef duties at Restaurant Scott in Copenhagen

In 1986, Mikkelsen found himself in Boston were he became Executive Sous Chef at the Ritz Carlton. From there he moved to the Washington, D.C. area where he was promoted to Executive Chef at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, Tysons Corner and finally at Pentagon City.

“I arrived in America at a good time,” he tells me, “the role of the Executive Chef was changing to being more incorporated into the whole dining concept, and the Ritz was one of the best.” “The Ritz’s philosophy was…Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen, and I have taken that idea to Roseina’s.

After leaving the Ritz, Mikkelsen joined the company of Windows Catering as their Executive Chef. At the time this hugely successful catering company was located on north Royal Street in Old Town. After some time, Mikkelsen had a desire to open his own catering company, but with a twist. He could continue his desire to prepare excellent dishes while also preparing great sandwiches, entrees, soups and salads where folks could find “Good Food to Go”…Roseina’s.

Roseina’s has it covered from top to bottom. They will prepare whatever you want from a small party to a large banquet. The fare can include appetizers and entrees including Cajun Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Fillet of Red Snapper, Maryland-style Crab Cakes, Grilled Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, Beef Bourguignon as well as many other selections. They also offer a wide variety of choices with their “Reception Displays”.

If you are planning a dinner or reception and wish to use your own ceramics, bring them in and they will plate it up with what ever you desire and then pair it with their great wine selection. Dinner parties could not be any easier!

For the “Good Food to Go” folks, the store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 8 pm. Each day they offer their year-round specials, special sandwiches, entrees, soups and salads as well as a childrens menu. Their everyday lunch and dinner menu can include up to 16 delicious choices. Menu choices also change with the season to compliment the weather as well as to take advantage of the fresh produce that is available at that time of the year.

After fifteen years in business, Roseina’s is still going strong. “Our neighbors eat here,” I am told. “The neighborhood embraced us from the beginning and is the strongest part of our clientele – a repeat business.” Besides the immediate neighborhood, Roseina’s also has a large following from Fairfax County as well as Alexandria proper, where their business continues to grow.

When your stomach growls, or you don’t have the time or inclination to prepare for that special dinner party, take a short drive to Roseina’s and introduce yourself to your own personal Executive Chef…Uffe Mikkelsen.

Roseina’s

1307 Shenandoah Rd.

Hollin Hall Village Center

703-768-0064

Roseinas.com