Photo by Susannah Moore
(left to right) Uffe and Joy Mikkelsen and Sarai and Jose Navarrete
Roseina’s has been an institution in the Hollin Hall shopping center for almost 25 years — and this summer, new owners are taking the helm at the beloved restaurant.
Originally opened by Dan and Tree Andre, the food and catering business was named after Dan’s mother and quickly became known in the neighborhood for its jerk chicken and other homemade dishes.
After four years, the Andres moved overseas and passed the torch to Uffe and Joy Mikkelsen, who continued the name and some of the classic dishes the community had grown to love, while adding their own special touch to the place.
Uffe, who is originally from Denmark, worked for a long time as an executive chef with Ritz-Carlton and Joy was an event planner for the hotel chain.
They moved to the DMV area with two young children and noticed that they and many other young families in the area were struggling with work-life balance. They saw a need for a place where people could easily get good food to share with family and friends. At the same time, Uffe worked long hours as an executive chef and was looking for a change in pace. That’s when the opportunity to purchase Roseina’s from the Andres became the perfect solution.
“What [we] wanted to do was have a place that people could come and get good quality food at the right price,” said Joy during a recent interview. “We kind of got the idea that we would like people to come in and bring their ceramics and we would plate them up and we would pair it with wines that were unusual, that you couldn’t get elsewhere, but that complimented the dishes,” Joy explained.
Fast forward 20 years and the Mikkelsen’s children have grown up and the couple began to consider where they wanted to end up for the next phase of their life. Uffe’s brother lives in Naples, Florida and they decided they wanted to create a central place for family to be able to get together. They considered running the business remotely from Florida but quickly realized that a more hands-on approach was needed.
Then Sarai and Jose Navarrete stepped into the picture. The couple was interested in purchasing Roseina’s and the Mikkelsen’s saw an opportunity to continue the Roseina’s legacy.
The business closed for a few weeks during the transition and last weekend the Mikkelsens taught the Navarretes how to perfect the classic recipes they serve like their white sauce, jerk chicken and shrimp and jalapeño bisque.
The Mikkelsens are passing on more than just recipes, they are teaching the Navarretes the heart of what has made Roseina's so successful. “Yes it’s the product, it’s so much the service, but it’s really about reaching out to this community and getting to know everyone, and feeling their embrace,” Joy explained.
Giving up a business that they have nurtured for two decades and leaving a community that has become a second family, was not an easy decision for the Mikkelsens. The community’s love for the Mikkelsens and Roseina’s was evident when numerous customers popped by simply to say hi during our conversation.
The Mikkelsens will still be involved in the business in some capacity. Uffe will continue to help plan and execute the catering side of the business, and they will be available to help the Navarretes as needed.
The Navarettes are aware that the Mikkelsens are leaving behind big shoes to fill, and they are grateful for the support they have received from the Mikkelsens during the transition. “We are humbled to continue with their legacy," Saria explained. "Our approach is humble, with a heart of service to this community. Our intention is to serve and to continue with the work that they have built."
