Roza Lyons – a review

Roza Lyons: Two Guys Honor Their Mums With Eclectic Food & Amazing Hospitality 

As a single mum of a 10 year old young boy, when I hear that two guys have named their newest business after their beloved mums, well, I’m in!  I’m a sucker for guys who love their mums!

And that is exactly what co-managing partners Rob Fitzharris and Ian Neubecker did when they named their newest South Boston culinary adventure “Roza Lyons,” incorporating the maiden names of their mothers.

Ian, originally from Detroit, lost his mother to breast cancer and couldn’t think of a better way to honor her memory.  When growing up, his mother, Kandy, instilled in him a very hard work ethic, which he took with him to start in the hospitality industry work as a 16-year-old dishwasher.  Kandy’s fight against cancer further taught Ian the importance of always doing your best, regardless of how difficult the task.  As a means of giving back to those that helped Kandy and his family during the tough battle, Ian created a cocktail in her memory called the “Kandy Rose,” both a play on her name and a pink drink in honor of breast cancer research.  And it is delicious – the exact kind of refreshing bubbly cocktail any mum would love, made of Viniq Ruby Red Liquor with Luc Belaire Sparkling Rose. 100% of the proceeds from this cocktail will be donated to the American Cancer Society in Kandy’s name.

Rob admires his mum for her compassion and grace, but also her tough will and cleverness as she raised him and his siblings. Rob’s mum Geraldine (Lyons)  Fitzharris passed on a rare quality to her son: the desire to help others without an expectation of getting anything back.  Living his mother’s virtues was at the forefront of Rob’s work as he established himself as part of the South Boston community over the last 16 years. 

But alas, on to the important business of food, drink and ambiance. Roza Lyons, at 709 East Broadway, is quite literally a small space compared to some of the larger spots that have recently opened, but with that limited space Rob and Ian created a warm, welcoming and surprisingly grand yet intimate spot to dine. The bar easily seats 10-12 as you enter the restaurant, and the dining area boasts the most beautiful leather banquette that stretches the entire east side of the building while creating separate, intimate areas for groups of 2-6 to dine. You’d never know the whole place was about 1300 square feet.

Even with four absolutely famished adults in our dinner party, the shareable plates more than satisfied. We started with the lettuce wraps: Boston lettuce, chicken, water chestnuts, shredded carrots, scallions, crisp wontons, diced bell peppers with an oriental sesame sauce – simply the freshest lettuce I’ve enjoyed and remarkably hearty – and they didn’t fall apart into a mush of veggies and dressing after one bite. Next, we tried the Tuna Tartar: raw tuna with avocado, sesame seeds, arugula, pistachio crumbs, and sweet ginger crisp wontons, served with chipotle mayo and soy sauces and again, plenty for four diners and just delectable. 

We rounded out our gastronomical adventure with the Tacos Carnitas: Baked pork with fresh pico de gallo, lettuce, guacamole, and habanero ranch, served on top of flower tortillas. Let’s just say that there was not a crumb left on the plate.

So not only is the food amazing, the space cooly designed and the blended drinks very creative (Castle Island Spiced Tea anyone? Bumbu Rum, Cointreau, lemon juice with fresh ice tea and lemonade) but the owners are super nice guys who just want to do right by the community by offering “farm-to-table sandwiches and salads, healthy shareable plates, and an excellent selection of craft beer, wine and craft cocktails.”  Who can argue with that mission?

Go check out Roza Lyons. Oh, and bring your mum.