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    Casual
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - ROUX

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    Paella for 2
    Edison H.

    Came here on Sunday evening shortly after opening. Reservation wasn't needed at this time. The service was a bit slow despite not having a full restaurant. Water took forever and we felt other people had seen the server more than we've had. The food was decent. We only ordered their paella for two and that was more than enough. They do have outdoor seating which seems to be the preferred choice. We sat inside and ended up dealing with flies. Appreciate the parking availability though! That's one less thing to worry about.

    My pup enjoying his treats .
    Stacy H.

    My husband and I tried this place while visiting Carmel valley . Service was impeccable. Our food came out quickly and was so tasty . Our only mistake was ordering too much . We started with the scallop appetizer . This was so delicious ! We also got the French onion soup and seafood soup . Both were good but the French onion was to die for. The seafood pasta was fantastic along with the baked lobster . Our pup was allowed inside and had mini burgers . The crème brûlée and chocolate cake were so tasty . Enjoyed a wonderful bottle of Pinot Noir from Bernardus. We will be back !

    Charming Entrance! (07/31/23)
    Jennifer Y.

    Easy last minute reservation made. Great patio; stifling inside. Friendly service. Keeping name, there's been a change of owner and executive chef since here last. On this visit: hearty "Heirloom Tomatoes with Burrata"; standout brandy sauce with undercooked shrimps "Gambas with Brandy"; and, an amazing abundance of seafood, chorizo, chicken but with no socarrat whatsoever found in their "Spanish 'paella' Surf & Turf". Cheers!

    Duck confit with mushroom ravioli and tuna tartare with taro chips
    Kenneth S.

    Long time no Yelp review! Attracted to this place cause of the duck options on Yelp! The interior was very intimate and classy - a very nice date night location. They have a full page of wine to choose from though I opted out cause I just had some pain meds. My girlfriend did partake in white sangria which was quite refreshing (couldn't help but try haha). They have a nice selection of small plates available with pastas and entrees. I haven't had tuna tartare when I felt satisfied. Typically, you get too little taro chips or not enough tartare but this was a good balance. I felt it had enough tang though my girlfriend felt it was just so-so. The duck confit with mushroom ravioli was fire! It was very savory and the meat felt like it melted in my mouth after it fell off the bone. I was able to taste the truffle oil and it had a delicious mix off flavors with the mushroom ravioli, sauteed mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, and roasted squash. The yucca fries had a crispy exterior and just can't get enough of the chipotle aioli, ask for more! We got there an hour prior to closing but they were able to serve us their paella for 2! We did ask for it to go since it took a bit to be prepped and but it was worth the wait. The Spanish surf and turf was good with chicken sausage shrimp veggies and rice and tasty spices. I really like that it survived a 15 min drive without drying out in that box! Be warned, it might not look a lot in the pic but it really is for 2. Definitely would return for date night in Carmel Valley!

    Made a reservation for Christmas Day for 7:30. Called half an hour before my reservation to confirm that they were serving their full menu and not a "Christmas Menu" as some restaurants were doing, otherwise we would have found somewhere closer to eat. Someone answered and said yes. Drove 30 minutes to find the restaurant completely closed down, it did not look like they were even open today. I understand completely that most businesses are closed for Christmas but to have reservations available online, answer the phone and confirm their menu and then end up being closed is completely unprofessional. (They even had reservations available at 8pm, their closing time, which makes zero sense.)

    Rosie W.

    Their white wine sangria is so refreshing. I heard they used to sell it to-go during covid because it was so popular. They use fresh fruits like oranges, mango, peach and it blended so well with the white wine. We enjoyed their tuna tartare with taro chips. The chips were thin and crispy and went well with the fish and avocados. We also got the chicken and seafood paella, which was tasty but honestly a bit heavy, but I think all paellas are like that. Come hungry! Oh and they didn't take card when we went. Cash or Venmo only.

    Outdoor patio
    Helen H.

    This is a really nice and trendy restaurant in Carmel Valley. I dined outdoors with two little ones and felt very comfortable. They have baby chairs available upon request. I arrived on a Saturday right when they opened and guests quickly filled up the dining space. It seems like folks come here for mimosas and small bites. I tried the pomme frites, house smoked pulled pork sandwich, orange glazed chicken skewers, and the house beer batter alaskan cod sandwich. Everything looked really pretty and presentable. The fries were crunchy and not overly oily. The pulled pork sandwich was a tad on the sweet side, but came with a nice purple cabbage slaw that balanced the meal. The salad was rich and creamy. The bread was fresh and soft. The chicken skewers were soft and had a nice touch of orange glaze that was not overly sweet. The cod sandwich was crunchy and not oily. It tasted pretty good and fresh. The food was made quickly and there was absolutely no wait. The waiters are attentive and come out often. There is free street parking, and a few spots specifically for the restaurant right out front. This was the first restaurant out in the Carmel area in my experience that either took cash or Venmo. Venmo was convenient as there was a QR code. Perhaps the COVID precautions here are different as I did not see workers wear masks or hand sanitizers readily available.

    Deviled eggs and stubs Tartare with Caro chips
    Greg W.

    We were here for our Anniversary weekend as we were staying at Carmel Valley Ranch close by. It's cash only. Not sure if it was always like this. No problem for me. We came 2 times once on a Friday, the other on Sunday. Parking can be a challenge as there are many places to eat. My wife and friends got the paella which they loved. I had Tuna Tartare with avocado under and it was delish. Found out they also sell wine. Ate outside on a very nice day. Wait staff was very good . We will be back

    Steak Frites
    Adam C.

    Had a very nice date lunch here with my wife while we dropped the toddler off at a friends for a play date. It's a small spot with a wine cellar vibe inside, pretty patio seating outside. The service was friendly and attentive. All of the food was fresh and cooked perfectly. The shrimp all was tasty, my wife loved her gnocchi and the steak for my steak frites was cooked perfectly. I feel like it's really hard to get a perfectly medium rare steak anymore. This chef clearly knows what he's doing!

    french toast / caramelized banana / pineapple-coconut syrup / crispy bacon
    Nicole M.

    In sum: the food is unbelievably wonderful and the service is UNBEATABLE! They also serve the BEST French toast I've ever had! I came here for a wonderful brunch, beautiful seating outside with the sun shining and keeping you warm, but also has nice cover too. Beautiful! Sat near some cute doggos too. I've seen their whole menu, they serve some wonderful dishes for lunch as well, and I will absolutely travel across the country just to come back here. french toast / caramelized banana / pineapple-coconut syrup / crispy bacon u n b e a t a b l e French toast... I have no words (or all the words). The caramelized banana that was with the rich and toasty bread complemented with the pineapple-coconut syrup is the best combination that has ever been created. It did not taste like an artificial banana flavor but if fresh, caramelized bananas. I can still taste it and I still dream about it as I'm writing this review. The bacon also complimented the sweetness of it all, even though the dish itself wasn't extremely sweet, it was balanced very well. There's only one way to find out if this is the beat French toast ever... it's the get it and see for yourself ;) Yucca fries: if you don't know what these are, they're basically like a thicker (thiccc with 3 c's) type of fry that is crunchy on the outside but also comparatively to a potato, creamier in fry form. Technically speaking, it is a gluten-free and fat-free (also root) vegetable that is high in Vitamins C, B & A as well as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron, and it has a higher amount of fiber and potassium than potato's! It was super delicious, don't let these fool you because it's an appetizer for a reason so although they look like a small portion, remember it's pretty thick in fiber so it's pretty filling too. I shared these with my boyfriend and we both love it! The sauce is a Chipotle aiolï, it was super delicious! Complemented the fries very well. Crab cake Benedict: extremely filling and super delicious! I could definitely taste the nice freshness of the grab flavor and the Holland aisle that covered it was very creamy and rich, it went so well together! Bacon was also super crispy and crunchy, perfectly cooked and not overdone. The potatoes were great, I do have to admit, the potatoes are quite average and we should've asked for some kind of sauce, maybe ketchup, but eating it with the chipotle aïoli leftover from the Yukon fries was great (until we ate all the sauce haha). My boyfriend got the french style scrambled eggs: with house made sausage, puff pastry, creamy eggs, and roasted Yukon gold potatoes. I had a couple bites of his and it was super delicious! The pastry was flakey, buttery, and delicate, and paired with the creamy eggs and a bite of sausage? It takes me to flavor-town, it's like a happy dance in my mouth! The house-made sausage was so delicious. It was so savory and juicy, it reminded me of an Asian type of pork I've eaten back at home, with a lot of flavor inside, reminds me of a type of soy sauce blend, and it was so good! Service: this is the best service here. There is a man who is so kind and so passionate with his work. On a day we came by, he told us he was running a bit behind and it seemed like he was the only one who was there to service the many others who were there. He was running everywhere and you can tell that he only wanted to deliver the best quality food with the best quality service, he was so kind and funny, very personable and apologized many times, but we didn't see a problem and completely understood. He also told us that he loved the French toast too and that we made a great choice! Such a wonderful man, we tipped him very well, he was such a hard worker and cared for his customers very well. In addition to the French toast, I would also fly back just to see him :)

    Scallops and Brussels sprouts
    Ashley M.

    The food, especially the brussels sprouts and scallops as an appetizer are amazing! The service is impeccable and top notch. I came here about two years ago and still the food keeps my attention. I actually dream about the Brussels sprouts,Definitely worth a try and highly recommend coming here to this slice of heaven!

    Fried Oreos

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    1 year ago

    Had reservations for my family of 7. We were starving, they were closed despite accepting reservations.

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    Excellent dinner for my wife and I to start our weekend getaway. Would certainly go back when we return to visit the village.

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - ROUX

    I have not been able to open your menu on your website is there another way to get to see it I have many dietary restrictions and need to make sure there is food I can eat ? Thx

    Hello sorry you have not been able to open our menu. Our website was down but it’s back up and running so you should be able to look at out menu.… 

    Are there high chairs?

    I did notice a high chair in use by another party on the patio.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Cafe Rustica

    Cafe Rustica

    4.2
    (672 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We decided to drop by here for lunch on a whim after going to the Carmel Valley farmers market this…read morepast Sunday. The place looked packed out. It was a beautiful day in Carmel Valley. The veranda seating was pretty much filled up, but there were a couple of tables left, but it was too warm outside for me and so we wandered inside and got a table for two. It was very quiet inside except for the busy staff doing their thing. There was only one other table that had customers in the room where we were sitting. My sense was that there were more tables around the corner from the bar where several other people were sitting. They were super super busy, but the head guy who I suspect may be the owner was very attentive and kept a good eye on us. I love it when a restaurant is this busy but so organized they don't miss a beat. That takes good management and hiring good talent. I was thrilled to see German potato salad on the menu. You never see it anywhere you go around here and I grew up eating German potato salad regularly and loved it. My husband and I are in our 70s and we recently in the past few months started making our own German potato salad at home and have just become addicted to it. I ordered the special of day which is a lightly breaded cod that is pan seared covered in a berre blanc sauce and served with a huge helping of German potato salad, and then a huge side of lettuce salad. I was so sad because at this time in my life I have a medical device called an ostomy that prevents me from eating salads or most fresh vegetables, but I snuck a taste of that salad and I got to tell you that vinaigrette they need to sell that by the bottle there. I just wanted to lick it off the lettuce since I couldn't eat the lettuce. The German potato salad had well cooked potatoes not too mushy not too firm still in their red skin jackets, cut into nice large pieces and then marinated in the vinegar and parsley and I believe there was bacon in it, but I didn't see much of it. The cod was delicious flaky perfectly cooked with two large pieces and then a smaller portion too. I took my leftovers home and had a delightful second lunch when I got home. $29 My husband got the pork sandwich which looked good and also came with a side of German potato salad, which he enjoyed, but he said that his pork sandwich was very bland and could've used some type of aïoli or dipping sauce to bring out the flavors better $18. I had a split of Moet Chandon champagne $22. And my husband got a Stella beer x 2. $8 each. We also ordered two pizzas to take home for dinner that night. The Flammekueche $22 Alsatian style, diced prosciutto, caramelized red onions, fresh thyme, parsley & crème fraîche We also got the Dynamite $23 fresh basil, Italian fennel sausage, black forest ham, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and mozzarella cheese These pizzas were the exact opposite of each other, one light creamy and delicious. Both had a lovely thin crisp crust. The dynamite was full of meat with rich bursting flavors in your mouth. We chose this place because I wanted to go and have some Escargots À La Bourguignonne which are hard to find these days. As well as I was looking forward to their steamed clams. Since there will be a next time, I'll get them then. Another thing that looked intriguing to me was the egg salad sandwich that you can add some smoked salmon to. We saw dozens of salads being served, and they are huge portions and they have a very large variety of salads which was nice. So looking forward to the day when I can go back there and just eat a whole bowl of their salads. This place really reminds me of the type of restaurant that my family would go out to when we were kids and young adults. Not too fancy that we felt out of place but special enough to make it a memorable experience. We topped off our meal with the blackberry Cabernet sorbet. I want to tell you it was one of the best sorbets I've ever had and was full of flavors. The blackberry was perfectly mixed with the wine and it was a very smooth and creamy texture, even though it doesn't have any dairy in it. It was not overly sweet like a lot of Italian ices are and was the perfect cleanser for our palette after our lovely lunch $14. I had saved a little of my champagne to have with it and definitely elevated the whole experience. Total bill was $150 plus $30 for tip so $180 for a lovely leisurely lunch on a beautiful Sunday afternoon plus dinner at home with our pizzas.

    It has been awhile since I've dined at Cafe Rustica. Tonight I brought my family for dinner here…read more Although the food was solid as usual, the service tonight was excellent. Lauren was our server, and together with the young men supporting her, the experience was professional, attentive, and genuinely friendly. Food: Although not my choice, we started with the grilled eggplant napoleon (4/5) to share. This is a fresh solid appetizer, surprisingly yummy for an eggplant naysayer. I had the roasted half chicken (4/5). It was good, but nothing to brag about. My wife, daughter, and grandson all ordered pizzas. The Loraine, Dynamite, and a cheese pizza. They all enjoyed their pizzas. I'm still looking for my 'go to' dish at Cafe Rustica, but with such great service, I look forward to continuing my journey through the menu searching for that perfect dish, probably sooner than later.

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    Kitchen
    Kitchen
    Calamari
    Calamari
    The Dynamite

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    The Dynamite
    La Bicyclette

    La Bicyclette

    4.1
    (2.7k reviews)
    11.6 mi
    $$$

    My partner and I recently celebrated our anniversary at La Bicyclette, and it was such a wonderful…read moreexperience. This was my second visit, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. Everything we ordered was delicious. The standout for me was the BBQ oysters--they were absolutely incredible and a must-order. I also loved the gnocchi. It was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and one of my favorite dishes of the meal. The only thing I was curious about was the portion size of the gnocchi. Ours came with only five pieces, but after looking through other guests' photos, I noticed some servings appeared to have 7-10 pieces. I'm not sure if the portions vary by preparation or if the photos were from a different time, but I was curious about the inconsistency. That aside, the food, atmosphere, and service made for a memorable anniversary lunch. I'd happily come back again and would definitely recommend La Bicyclette to anyone visiting Carmel.

    La Bicyclette is a Michelin Guide spot that's definitely worth checking out while in Carmel by the…read moreSea. Street parking was surprisingly easy with plenty of two-hour parking throughout town. We visited on a weekday and were able to get a table without a reservation, though the wait was about an hour. We started with the stone fruit salad, classic pepperoni pizza, and spaghetti con vongole. The salad was incredibly refreshing. The peaches paired perfectly with the peppery arugula, creating a unique combination that tasted vibrant and fresh. The pepperoni pizza was easily the highlight of the meal. It was one of the best-looking pizzas I've had, with a light, thin crust that stayed soft and airy. It was satisfying without leaving you feeling overly full or weighed down. The spaghetti con vongole was packed with clams, and the sauce leaned creamier than the traditional white wine version. It was a different take, but one I actually enjoyed. The only downside was that a few of the clams had bits of sand, which interrupted an otherwise great dish. Service was a bit inconsistent. I wasn't offered a beverage until I had already finished my salad and finally had to ask. The tables are also very small, so things can feel cramped once all the dishes arrive. Overall, the food easily lives up to the Michelin Guide recognition, especially the pizza. With a few improvements to service and a little more attention to detail with the clams, this would have been an easy five-star experience.

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    Cute seating, delicious pasta!
    Cute seating, delicious pasta!
    Oysters du Jour
    Oysters du Jour
    Celebratory Profiterole

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    Celebratory Profiterole
    Bistro Moulin

    Bistro Moulin

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    13.3 mi
    $$$

    We came to Bistro Moulin with a group, which was perfect because we got to share and try several…read moredishes. I had the filet mignon special, and it was genuinely out of this world...perfectly cooked and served with asparagus, carrots, and silky puréed potatoes. We also shared the Sicilian eggplant pasta, which was absolutely delicious, along with the arugula salad and several desserts. Everything we tried was excellent. Incredible food, wonderful service, and such a warm, charming atmosphere. I already can't wait to come back to Monterey and eat here again!

    We were really looking forward to our meal, but unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. The…read moremussels had a strong, unpleasant odor that concerned us. I felt bad about sending them back and was apologetic when we brought it to the owner's attention. He was responsive, explained that it was the natural smell of the sea, and kindly showed us the invoice proving they were purchased that day. He also offered to check with the vendor. While we appreciated his efforts, the smell was off-putting enough that we decided to order something else. We tried the lamb lollipop special instead. For $42, the portion was quite small--just five thin, uneven pieces--and the lamb was overcooked and overly salty. When we gently mentioned this to our server, she responded with an eye roll, which was disappointing. We genuinely dislike leaving negative feedback, especially for small independent restaurants, but the overall experience left us quite disappointed. Hoping they can improve these items, as the restaurant has potential.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Seafood Risotto
    Seafood Risotto
    Bistro Moulin

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    L'Escargot

    L'Escargot

    4.4
    (296 reviews)
    11.7 mi
    $$$

    Elegant but cozy bistro off the main strip at Carmel…read more Just a couple blocks north of Ocean Ave hides a cute little bistro tucked away between some houses. Somewhat unassuming from the outside, you might be forgiven for thinking its interior was also rather low key. But upon stepping in, you are hugged with a relaxed but definite vibe that screams French bistro in a cottage. The service was warm, friendly, but forgiveably slow, seemingly apart of its charm. Ah, but the food is worth the wait! What did we get? 1. Potato leek soup. Deliciously done, you can taste the potato a bit while savoring the leeks. Solid starter. 2. Onion soup gratinee. Arguably one of the best French onion soups we've had (we had some in France even), the broth is full of flavor and not at all overpowering. The onions are deliciously sweet and the cheese crusty and salty as desired, with the added gratin being a nice addition. Definitely recommend. 3. Mushroom escargots. If you love garlic butter-cooked snails per the French staple, finding them in mushrooms is definitely next level. The mushrooms are a perfect pair with the snails and buttery goodness, offering a complimentary soft chew. Total recommend. 4. Scallop Risotto. Scallops were perfectly cooked, tender, and not too tough or dry with excellently done carmelization on the grilled crust. Risotto was soft but not mushy and had some nice texture as a result with great savory flavor. The green sauce added a nice sweet touch. Absolute recommend. 5. Rack of lamb. Total recommend, and my favorite of the evening. Lamb was perfect: no gaminess with beautiful savory flavor, well cooked and tender with a nice crust added. 6. Apple tart. Served warm with vanilla ice cream. I'm a sucker for apple anything or pie, so this hit the spot, ending the meal on a high sweet note. Apple was just the right sweet and tart, and the paired ice cream was an excellent march. Recommended. Will we go again? You bet. But don't take my word for it. Give this hidden gem a try when you're in town next.

    This place is such a charming little gem in Carmel. The food is absolutely delicious! Their…read moreescargot is my favorite dish: rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, and very "Carmel." The service has always been kind, attentive, and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. I've visited twice already, and both times I preferred sitting outside. The outdoor seating feels lively and relaxing, especially in the evening. Inside is cute too, but for me personally it felt just a little stuffy compared to the patio atmosphere. The only small disappointment was yesterday, during my birthday dinner. I mentioned that I was celebrating my birthday, and I honestly expected at least a small complimentary dessert or gesture, especially considering the level of the restaurant. It didn't ruin the evening at all, I still give this place a five stars review, but it would have made the experience feel even more special. Overall though, this is still one of my favorite spots in Carmel for French food, atmosphere, and a cozy dinner experience. I'll absolutely be back again, mostly for that incredible escargot and crème brûlée.

    Photos
    L'Escargot
    Vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate cake
    Vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate cake
    L'Escargot

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    Chez Noir

    Chez Noir

    4.4
    (188 reviews)
    11.7 mi
    $$$$

    Who ever said, "too many cooks in the kitchen will spoil the soup," is wrong when it comes to this…read moreMichelin acknowledged restaurant with a Mes Amis tasting menu designed and executed by the owner and chef Jonny along with his friends, Chef David and Ron. We were lucky enough to be seated right next to the kitchen and got to witness the deliberate execution of service the Sunday evening we went. Each dish crafted so charmingly and of course, tasteful with a bounty of attention to detail. Every element of ingredients added to the layers of flavors that made each dish we had have some level of familiarity. For example, an ode to the classic french onion soup, almost whimsical with a layer of truffle and whippy foam topping. The steak was masterfully cooked to temp, so much so that Chef David couldn't help but to boastfully compliment his grill cook during service. I may have embarrassingly gushed over a thin slice of pickled garlic which was an added element to the sweetbread dish that had so much complexity and savory flavors that it would have been easy to miss if not isolated. The chefs explained how the whole dish came together with the collaborative efforts of what each chef thinks should go into one dish. If you are a gastronomical groupie like me definitely try to grab a table near the kitchen. My family put up with my distraction and enjoyed the action just as much. Oh and the service, culinary serious but down to earth and accommodating. Just an assumption but I think the ambiance and vibes come from the partner, and wife, Monique because she is so warm and classy. Totally well deserved Michelin for this establishment. We cant wait to come back. What a fantastic time our family had at Chez Noir, and isn't that what dining out is all about?

    My wife treated me to dinner for my birthday... I wanna keep this short so I'll use bullet points:…read more- I have had better food at restaurants that don't have a Michelin star - The drinks and the snacks were the best part of the meal, hands-down - If you sit inside the restaurant it's lively, warm, and pleasant, and the candlelight is very aesthetic! Yet, we were sat outside and so we had FOMO from the vibes and we feel like those seated outside are just left by the wayside... - also, not sure if it was just that night, but the chef was going around talking to guests inside the restaurant, and he didn't come outside to talk to us! - For $600 for two people, you need to rock our socks, and our socks are NOT rocked... - I've never been to a Michelin star restaurant where the servers didn't explain the wine menu - I've never been to a Michelin star restaurant where the servers didn't explain the FOOD menu!!!! - The staff do not have a passion for the food, they just drop off each course, say "enjoy," and then walk away - The add-ons were mediocre at best, I don't recommend spending the money on the cheese course specifically, that gets its own bullet point: - for $22 just go to Trader Joe's, get a full-size of each thing and still have $5 left over! We got like maybe 6 nuts, a spread of jam, a smidgen of honeycomb, bread that was more air than bread, and yeah you can see the picture and just see for yourself - The only time I felt whimsy was when I ate the ravioli because it tasted like blue box - I tried to keep it short whoops!

    Photos
    Ambiance + view of the kitchen
    Ambiance + view of the kitchen
    Delicata Squash Frito Misto
    Delicata Squash Frito Misto
    Indoor

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    Indoor

    ROUX - tapasmallplates - Updated August 2026

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