La Rustica

04/28/2008 Posted by Seattle00

I've been frequenting La Rustica for a few years now and both my wife and I highly recommend it to all of our friends. The service is excellent, but the food is the reason to come back. For years i was sold on their house speciality, Lamb Shank, but recently have been taking advantage of the fish of the day. Last visit i had a mouth watering black cod (not to mention a good portion) that was cooked to perfection. My wife, as always, order the riccotta gnocchi with house made sausage. The newly added wild boar dish is also a reason to stop in. Judging by the reviews, it seems most would agree with us, with the exception of the salt critics. However, last summer while my wife and i were seated by the window overlooking the water, i noticed they had removed the salt and pepper shakers off the tables. I asked the waitress if they had forgotten to set them out...she laughed and said, "no, we removed them off, and haven't had a complaint about the food ever since". Keep up the good work La Rustica, we can not wait till summer when the deck opens up!

Pros: The food!

Cons: noisy during peak hours

04/16/2008 Posted by jbarr78

This is the cutest little Italian restaurant! We went there for the first time last Sunday, and when I say "little" I mean LITTLE!!! Make sure that you go right when they open or later at around 9:00 or you most likely won't get a seat for awhile! ( But it would be definitely worth the wait!) Definitely try the gnocchi, and save room for the chocolate creme brule!!!! I have never had a dessert so delicious in my life! And the cappuccino is almost as good as they serve in Italy! I can't wait to go back again and again!!!

Pros: chocolate creme brule!!! cappuccino's, owner very friendly! good service!

Cons: street parking only, no reservations for parties under 6 people.

03/22/2008 Posted by ericahiler

Yes, this is a very romantic spot unless you're seated at the table by the door. Upon arrival we were told the wait was 30 minutes or less, but ended up waiting in the charming bar/cave for an hour. I didn't mind however, because I had one of the best cocktails of my life- the Pink Lemon Drop. The bartender was a sweetheart, and very helpful. The wine list was pricey and the affordable wines were blah. The complimentary bread was outstanding, as expected. Perfectly warm, salty, and crusty on the outside. The salad was simple, yet fresh. I ordered the halibut special and it was fine, but not amazing. My date ordered the filet and it perfectly cooked. The chocolate creme brule was unforgettable. Creamy, with a perfect layer of burnt sugar, it was one of the best desserts I've ever had in Seattle. The service was okay, but I can see how some customers would get irritated.

Pros: cocktails, romantic, bread

Cons: cramped, pricey

02/19/2008 Posted by gwaraphobe

this was a great date spot. the seating is a little tight but we found it charming. For some reason it seems to be full of really nice patrons. Everyone seemed to be happy to just be there. watching the waitstaff and support crew break down and reset tables was a show in its self. we had a calamari dish that i would be happy if it was the only thing i had to eat for the rest of my life. the smolina gnocchi was outstanding just a bit more firm then thier potato gnocchi (the way they should be). we also had the lamb shank which was O.K. it was a bit dry. maybe a reheat? it was also served with pasta on the plate. Authentic? this doesnt happen in Italy this is a East coast thing. I will ask for polenta next time. keep up the good work!

Pros: good food, impressive wine list, lots of hustle bustle

Cons: so succesful its hard to get in

02/16/2008 Posted by ptech

This is no doubt absolutely one of the best restaurants in the pacific northwest. They have great authentic Italian food, just like taking a mini trip to southern Italy. The owner (who is from Italy) brings homeland recipes to Seattle. Those in the past who claim to be "Italian" and don't recognize La Rustica food must have been born in America and never actually visited Italy, because this food is excellent and is representative of true Italian cuisine. On the downside, it is a very small place and not easy to get into. However, if you're lucky enough to get in and get a table you're in for a real treat. Save room for the "bread" that comes complementary with dinner, this stuff is fantastic and was created by Julio one day long ago when the fresh bread didn't show up in time. He improvised and made his own bread, with a recipe that is faintly like crunchy pizza dough with chewy insides. Every customer ranted and raved how good it was, so it became a standard for every diner...it is worth going to this unique restaurant for the bread alone. Make sure to save some to complement the outstanding pastas. However, leave the small noisy children at home. This is NOT "buca de beppo" or the "spaghetti factory", it is NOT a family style restaurant, it is NOT for loud noisy customers. It IS a small romantic hidaway, it IS for folks who like great food, it IS for anybody who likes quiet cozy dining.

Pros: Great true Italian cuisine, very romantic, unique European small family bistro

Cons: small, hard to get into

12/23/2007 Posted by kasmith123

Wow! I just found my new number one favorite Italian food. La Rustica is a small neighborhood restaurant that has everything I need in a meal out. The server was polite, efficient and very knowledgable about the delightful menu and mouthwatering specials. The bread is homemade, soft, fluffy, perfectly seasoned with a little garlic and olive oil served warm out of the oven. Delicious but beware because it just keeps coming and it is free! Leave some space for a hearty cross cut lamb shank that was served at a precise temperature, was refreshingly lean yet fall off the bone tender and picked up all the subtle flavor and opulent nature of the saffron risotto. A potato cake and grilled vegetables finished the dish and man the squash was good. My Mother in Law had the wild boar chop that was just perfectly heated and disolved in ones mouth like butter, this was a special and boy I hope it's on the menu next time I go. The meat was twice as good as any Filet I have eaten. My wife had the veal wrapped prawns from the main menu. She gave me a morsel and what an outstanding flavor combination. My daughter had a fabulous pizza with fresh basil and the best crust you'll find in Seattle. Wine is available in carafe's and the Italian beer I had was light and refreshing with a honey like finish. La Rustica is a place to go and fill up on inteligently simple, freshly prepared food with exciting and truly memorable flavors. If you are a food lover then you should be there before you are able to finish this review! Great job and keep it up. We will be back soon! Many thanks from the Smith's and Kellers 's.

Pros: Food, Service, Food, Service, Food.

Cons: I might get fat from eating evrything in sight!

12/18/2007 Posted by rossdale45

I've been a West Seattle resident for 22 years and just made it to La rustica for the first time. Embarassing I know. Too bad for us. We've been missing out! It was my daughter's birthday and we went as a family to celebrate. This small intimate Bistro has it all; warmth, character, great food and the portions are healthy to say the least. They served us bread on the house that was dripping in yumminess and we could hardly stay away from it. They brought us basket after basket and we joyfully threw caution to the wind and dove in. I had the homemade Gnocchi with sausage and it was fresh and delightful. My husband had a fish dish that disappeared quickly. Emma loved her pizza, and kept stealing gnocchi bites from me. Our server was sweet and attentive and we just had the best time. I'm a believer now and can't wait to back and try more dishes from the extensive menu. Happy Birthday Emma!

Pros: Great food and value, fun atmosphere

Cons: The bread is too good...its going to make me fat!

12/15/2007 Posted by kka2002

La Rustica is wildly overrated - cramped, noisy, too bright, spotty service - and the food was nothing special. I know many people who rave about this spot, but our party of 6 had a so-so experience, and the faces of nearby diners showed that no one was having the kind of experience they expected or paid for - and in particular, the parties of 2 that we saw seemed very disappointed that this supposedly romantic restaurant is not romantic at all. We arrived on time for our reservation and received a distracted greeting, then were shown to our table squeezed into the corner by the restroom - don't get me wrong, this spot beats being next to the kitchen or the front door, or the unlucky couple who had a table in the aisle under a tree where they were bumped by every passing person. It took almost 30 minutes for them to find 6 menus, although other diners arriving later got menus as they were seated. Then there was a wait to order, a wait for the food - uninspired salad, poor quality osso bucco - and since osso bucco is their signature dish, I expected better. The creme brulee dessrt was excellent, however. Dinner for 2 (2 entrees with salad, 1 glass of house white, 1 creme brulee and a $20 corkage fee) including tip came to $117 - a terrible value. And when we left the restaurant there was the owner frowning at us because we had taken too long and people were waiting - even though he knew it was their fault that service was so slow. But since the 17% tip was required for a party of our size, why should they try? This place felt like a tacky rip-off - and the earlier reviewers who said they felt like they were in a bistro is Europe are way off base. If you're comfortable with this price range in West Seattle try Beato, or go downtown to Andaluca or to Nell's at Greenlake, all three very worthwhile, or for a little more go to Canlis for amazing service, ambiance and food. La Rustica does not deserve your money or your time.

Pros: In West Seattle

Cons: Poor value, no parking, cranky owner, overrated food, crowded & noisy

11/16/2007 Posted by rosebud29

Dining here was nothing amazing. The atmosphere is not good, it's small, loud and the tables are squished together, a lot of them right by the cold front door and the open kitchen with its obnoxious bright lighting shining in your face. The service was slow and amateur. The food is OK. I ordered pasta with truffle oil and there was absolutely no truffle oil to be tasted. This is not a romantic spot, especially on busy night. I recommend you go a few miles away to Beato, where you will have a truly classy and comfortable dining experience with excellent food. But hey, this is just one persons opinion.

Pros: sangiovese by the glass

Cons: food not worth the price! bad ambiance

11/09/2007 Posted by masterchefone

From: Executive Chef of 25 years As a far as the BEST !! This is the place. The food as well as the Owners are spectacular in all they do. Settling for only the freshest ingredients in all of there Unique and wonderful offerings. My experience has always been Great when Dining there. There PASSION for the finest foods available are second to none as well as the service. Some people do not understand what it takes to put together the Perfect meal, they DO. Years of hard work and Perfection have truly paid off. I have traveled many miles just to Dine in the most PERFECT Restaurant Seattle has to offer and you should TOO. Many thanks to all of you @ La Rustica Keep up the GREAT SERVICE&FINE CUISINE.

Pros: Fresh food and freindly Service

Cons: Dinner only