The best food in Kalamazoo! I can't recommend this place enough. The Icelandic cod and the steak are incredible, just as everything is that we order here. The service is also great! It's worth the splurge. Be sure to make a reservation since it’s not a large restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops with Risotto
Susan Ludwig
What a fabulous find during our short visit in Kalamazoo! Great food (I had cod, partner had duck) beautifully presented and with excellent flavors. We had plum cake for dessert. Service was very good and the restaurant has a nice vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kim Bulow
I’ve tried to eat here 3 different times with my son and have been turned away each time. Today my son and I tried to get a table. We walked up and there was a couple in front of us and the host was outside and took them in right away. He was very polite to them and seated them immediately. He saw my son and I standing there and tried to avoid us by not coming outside again. So we went inside to try to get a table. When we approached him he was extremely rude and told us there were no tables. There were empty tables all over the restaurant. He was extremely rude and said we could not have one of those tables. They are clearly discriminating against us at this point. I would not recommend this place to anybody. It is not ok to treat people this way.
Kid-friendliness: They are probably turning us away because my son is a child. This place is not kid-friendly…. Or friendly at all for that matter.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Muhammad Saleh
Hands down the best restaurant in Kalamazoo and quite frankly my favorite restaurant anywhere. Food is always amazing. Can't recommend it enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua Gray
The Stake is like chewing beef jerky. Tried 2 times. Would not feed it to my dog. Other food is good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Braised New Zealand Lamb Shank
G Tag
Second time here and it’s amazing every time. The scallops and duck is a must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Weber
Food was very good, but service was poor. Our server (Courtney) was just plain unfriendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: House-Made Ricotta Gnocchi
Mark Walker
There is only a limited supply of the world famous rhubarb cobbler dessert, and you have to know the chef to secure one. It is incredible. The duck is also amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roasted Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast, Scallops on Spinach Risotto
Lauren Crock
Great food and service. We enjoyed the atmosphere; an intimate setting that made for a relaxing evening. We were very impressed. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dean Scarlett
We were recently visiting Kalamazoo (first time) and grabbed dinner at Rustica. Exceptional place in every way. Food, cocktails, service and vibe were top shelf. We sampled a variety of dishes including the Sweet Pea Veloute, Smoked Salmon Pate, Wedge Salad, Orecchiette, Roasted Cod and Lavender Creme Brulee. Everything was exceptional. Portion sizes are also perfect. Wine list, a recent Wine Spectator award winner, is very interesting and creative. My wife and I are self proclaimed "foodies", and I can say that this must be the best, or at least one of the best restaurants in Kalamazoo.
Bouillabaisse??? Come on guys! Used to be the best thing on the menu, and honestly the reason we go here a few times a year. It was incredible. Not any more :( They’ve totally changed the recipe, the beautifully flavored broth we love has been replaced by a heavy cream tomato soup with zero special flavors. Super disappointing, would have been nice if the description on the menu had changed to reflect this MASSIVE change. Very sad!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Bill Beck
Second annual visit. The food was as expected - well prepared, apps were as advertised and recommended, an overall 8 of 10. The drinks another story - half of a martini glass is not a full drink - and when asked to just do a double - I want a full one, the answer was "Against house policy". And that I understand, since the half pour put the martini's in the $36 range for the full pour. Please re-think your strategy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charcuterie Board
Zachary Frieben
Came here with my Dad during a restaurant hop. A co worker had told him how good the bone Marrow appetizer was, so that's what we got. They have nice outdoor seating, which is what we did. Services was good and funny, our waitress refused to dab because she's "Too old." ?
The bone marrow was indeed really good! Great flavor, as expected from bone marrow, and it makes for a delicious toast spread. Would definitely come back for an entree.
Paul Now
Once again Rustica (Rus-ti-ka) was outstanding food. The best for 30-40 miles around. We enjoyed the smoked salmon pate. Deliciously smoked large chunked fish paste served cold almost as a charcuterie. I had the seafood spaghetti, which included shrimp, muscles, and scallops. But the highlight was the red sauce! I always like a good spaghetti sauce with seafood that is tomato-based and this is definitely the best that I can remember! I will go back and have it again. My mother had the cod which was poached and served with a small salad. Both were delicious. The fish had the texture of perfectly baked lobster, but the flavor of a well seasoned fresh fish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Charles Amaro
Good Selection and cooked to perfection, little pricy and our waitress wanted to keep a scheduled table usage
The best food in Kalamazoo! I can't recommend this place enough. The Icelandic cod and the steak are incredible, just as everything is that we order here. The service is also great! It's worth the splurge. Be sure to make a reservation since it’s not a large restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops with Risotto
What a fabulous find during our short visit in Kalamazoo! Great food (I had cod, partner had duck) beautifully presented and with excellent flavors. We had plum cake for dessert. Service was very good and the restaurant has a nice vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve tried to eat here 3 different times with my son and have been turned away each time. Today my son and I tried to get a table. We walked up and there was a couple in front of us and the host was outside and took them in right away. He was very polite to them and seated them immediately. He saw my son and I standing there and tried to avoid us by not coming outside again. So we went inside to try to get a table. When we approached him he was extremely rude and told us there were no tables. There were empty tables all over the restaurant. He was extremely rude and said we could not have one of those tables. They are clearly discriminating against us at this point. I would not recommend this place to anybody. It is not ok to treat people this way.
Kid-friendliness: They are probably turning us away because my son is a child. This place is not kid-friendly…. Or friendly at all for that matter.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Hands down the best restaurant in Kalamazoo and quite frankly my favorite restaurant anywhere. Food is always amazing. Can't recommend it enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Stake is like chewing beef jerky. Tried 2 times. Would not feed it to my dog. Other food is good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Braised New Zealand Lamb Shank
Second time here and it’s amazing every time. The scallops and duck is a must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was very good, but service was poor. Our server (Courtney) was just plain unfriendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: House-Made Ricotta Gnocchi
There is only a limited supply of the world famous rhubarb cobbler dessert, and you have to know the chef to secure one. It is incredible. The duck is also amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roasted Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast, Scallops on Spinach Risotto
Great food and service. We enjoyed the atmosphere; an intimate setting that made for a relaxing evening. We were very impressed. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were recently visiting Kalamazoo (first time) and grabbed dinner at Rustica. Exceptional place in every way. Food, cocktails, service and vibe were top shelf. We sampled a variety of dishes including the Sweet Pea Veloute, Smoked Salmon Pate, Wedge Salad, Orecchiette, Roasted Cod and Lavender Creme Brulee. Everything was exceptional. Portion sizes are also perfect. Wine list, a recent Wine Spectator award winner, is very interesting and creative. My wife and I are self proclaimed "foodies", and I can say that this must be the best, or at least one of the best restaurants in Kalamazoo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Bouillabaisse??? Come on guys! Used to be the best thing on the menu, and honestly the reason we go here a few times a year. It was incredible. Not any more :( They’ve totally changed the recipe, the beautifully flavored broth we love has been replaced by a heavy cream tomato soup with zero special flavors. Super disappointing, would have been nice if the description on the menu had changed to reflect this MASSIVE change. Very sad!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Second annual visit. The food was as expected - well prepared, apps were as advertised and recommended, an overall 8 of 10. The drinks another story - half of a martini glass is not a full drink - and when asked to just do a double - I want a full one, the answer was "Against house policy". And that I understand, since the half pour put the martini's in the $36 range for the full pour. Please re-think your strategy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Charcuterie Board
Came here with my Dad during a restaurant hop. A co worker had told him how good the bone Marrow appetizer was, so that's what we got. They have nice outdoor seating, which is what we did. Services was good and funny, our waitress refused to dab because she's "Too old." ?
The bone marrow was indeed really good! Great flavor, as expected from bone marrow, and it makes for a delicious toast spread. Would definitely come back for an entree.
Once again Rustica (Rus-ti-ka) was outstanding food. The best for 30-40 miles around. We enjoyed the smoked salmon pate. Deliciously smoked large chunked fish paste served cold almost as a charcuterie. I had the seafood spaghetti, which included shrimp, muscles, and scallops. But the highlight was the red sauce! I always like a good spaghetti sauce with seafood that is tomato-based and this is definitely the best that I can remember! I will go back and have it again. My mother had the cod which was poached and served with a small salad. Both were delicious. The fish had the texture of perfectly baked lobster, but the flavor of a well seasoned fresh fish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Good Selection and cooked to perfection, little pricy and our waitress wanted to keep a scheduled table usage
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
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