Derek Wicks
5 stars all the way! Great authentic pasta . Ashley was our server and was Amazing! And the atmosphere was spaced out enough that even sitting by a table of young children we had no problems with the noise. And absolutely phenomenal tiramisu!
… moreTina Trip Travelers (T,K & J Adventures)
Location, Location, location!
We were staying just down the street and there were many restaurants around but as I looked at the reviews, we decided to give it go.
We were not disappointed, food was amazing, service with a smile and the decor & atmosphere was soothing. It’s like a zen experience to walk in and see the tasteful but minimalist decor.
We sat at the bar to have a quick dinner as we like to do, the bartender was quick to get our drinks and take our orders. I read about how good the crispy calamari was from several reviews, so I ordered the appetizer and it was a very good choice.
A couple of glasses of wine and dinner we were sure that we will return again when visiting Santa Fe. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a lovely atmosphere with delicious & beautiful food!
… moreSammy
Rustica Fresh Italian Kitchen in Santa Fe delivers a dining experience that celebrates the flavors and traditions of Italian cuisine, with a menu that truly shines. The food was nothing short of delicious, with each dish reflecting the care and attention to detail that goes into making fresh, authentic Italian meals.
The Chicken Parmigiana was a standout, with a perfectly crispy exterior and tender, flavorful chicken beneath a rich layer of marinara and melted cheese. It was comforting and satisfying, a true classic done right. The spaghetti squash casserole offered a delightful twist, providing a lighter, yet equally satisfying option with its blend of textures and savory notes. The freshness continued with the salad, which was crisp and refreshing, offering a nice contrast to the richer dishes.
The Caprese sandwich was another highlight, with ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, all nestled in fresh bread that tied the ingredients together beautifully. It was simple yet executed to perfection. The Rigatoni Alla Vodka was a rich, indulgent dish with its creamy tomato sauce coating the perfectly cooked rigatoni. The fact that all the pasta is made fresh on-site elevates the experience, as the texture and taste are noticeably superior.
The only drawback during my visit was the understaffing. Although the server was doing their best and provided friendly, attentive service, it was clear that they were stretched thin. This led to some delays, but it was evident that the situation was beyond their control and did not diminish the quality of the meal.
Overall, Rustica Fresh Italian Kitchen is a gem in Santa Fe for those seeking authentic, freshly made Italian cuisine. The food is top-notch, and while the service might be slightly impacted by staffing issues, it’s worth the visit for the flavors alone. I highly recommend trying it and look forward to returning soon.
… moreJoshua Pino
This place was awesome! In a city where everything is desert or southwest themed, it was nice to have a modern, open, clean and bright restaurant. The atmosphere here was 10/10. The service was great and the food was as well. Super affordable too. One piece of advice is Don’t order don’t order the bread basket because you get crustini with literally everything else.
… moreSigmund Rodrigues
I visited this place with my wife for lunch since we were celebrating our lives together cos each day counts and, above all, how blessed we are! This place was amazing, and so did the food. We had never dined here before, but we used to carry out food several times. This place is so clean and tidy, and I loved the way they kept it. Keep up the good work. We will surely recommend this place to our friends and the people of Santa fe. Much love, God bless.
… moreKunpeng Zeng
This is such a wonderful restaurant! As a traveller from Bay Area CA, the food here is so delicious, and the price is so reasonably worthy! (food in these pics is just $102 before tax and tips, it feeds 4 adults to full stomach). We ate here yesterday noon, just after we finished, we decided to ate here again tonight, as the last meal in NM, so that we ends up with a joyful and memorable experience!
… moreIoana Villatoro
I’m updating my review because i feel that while the food and ambience are great, the service can use improvement. I had called ahead of time and spoke with someone about dropping off a cake for my daughter’s birthday dinner. She and her friends had reservations that evening. I dropped off the cake with all the information and was told it would get delivered to their table. It never happened. The sad part is that I had to go back that night to pick up the cake from them and didnt even get an apology. The person who retrieved it for me blamed it in a co-worker who never told him who the cake was for. It was weird and really disappointing.
Such a nice new restaurant on the southside, away from the crowds of downtown. Really great food and service. The place is very clean and spacious and the prices are affordable.
… moreDeb Watkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The portions here are huge, and everything is well-seasoned. From the sides, salads, and appetizers to the fresh-made pasta, you really can’t go wrong. Their dessert selection looked great, but I couldn’t make it through because everything else was so amazing. The atmosphere was a bit too bright and casual for what I was hoping for, but if you’re having a family dinner, it’s a perfect spot!
… moreLiz King (Mixed Tapes 505)
My Wife and I heard mixed reviews about Rustica so we brought open minds and our appetites! We threw down on the bread basket before I realized I didnt get a decent picture. We also started with the truffle fries and Strawberry Spritz mocktails. At that point, we were SOLD! Wifey got the Creste Di Gallo and I got the Lasagna with a side of broccolini. MAJOR CHEFS KISS! Everything was made with love to utter perfection, when it comes to Italian food, Rustica KNOWS what they’re doin. I cant remember the name of our server but she was phenomenal. We capped a most impressive delicious night with the Tiramisu which sealed the deal for 3 more return trips after this initial visit and we’ll keep goin back for more!
… moreJohn Hornick Chef’s Apprentice
Rustica has a lot going for it: a waiting area where we could happily spend the afternoon, especially if the fire is blazing, a sleek bar with a corner (the two of us like to sit at the corner, for better conversation), an attractive and spacious bar area and dining room with booths, and a covered portal with heaters for cooler weather. If you are thinking of making a Kohl’s run, as we were, go there first, then drive or walk the very short distance to Rustica for dinner. Because we eat around 8p, we were very happy that the bar was still busy when we arrived at 7:30p on a Thursday. The menu offers several housemade pastas, several inexpensive bottles of red wine, and the food is priced for locals. The bartender gave us noticeably good service. For starters we enjoyed the beef carpaccio and the creative eggplant timbale (very tasty). Suggestion: add more sauce to the carpaccio and switch out the timbale’s gluten-free bread for the great looking gluteny bread the guy next to us was eating. For secondi we shared and liked the crispy branzino, which was generously portioned, crispy as advertised (along with its accompanying potatoes), and priced much more reasonably than other branzinos we’ve recently eaten elsewhere. Suggestion: because of its crispiness, it would be even better with a sauce. We’ll be back.
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