A wonderful addition to fine dining in Corpus. We just attended Chef Michael Smith's seven course Game Dinner with locally sourced game and fish and it was one of our most enjoyable dinners in years. We were greeted with a complimentary champagne glass before being taken to our table, they were refilled before Chef Michael introduced the first course of buttermilk fried quail knots with red eye gravy, followed by pan seared duck with honey and cherry bigarade and then Clearwater Farms baked oysters with applewood smoked bacon with black garlic and Chipotle aioli. They were really excellent, and the farm owner who was attendingb the dinner also offer us additional tastings of fresh ones -briny and sweet they were the best cultured oysters we have tried in the Coastal Bend. A raspberry sorbet with mint cleared our palates before being presented with rabbit fricassee wild mushrooms and sherry cream sauce, followed by frenched boar chops with whole grain mustard and toasted pecans, and that was followed by S. Texas Nilgai antelope with truffle pom puree and blackberry demiglaze. The final touch was a delicious desert of white pudding and berries with chocolate caramel sauce. All the courses were paired with well chosen wine selections -with complimentary refills- and introduced by the Chef. They were all delicious and of very generous size (first time we have taken food home from a tasting menu). The service, headed by manager Jessica Chappell Smith was excellent. We cannot recommend enough Ruby Ladle and it should be tried by anybody who enjoys fine dining at very reasonable prices. read more

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Simply Amazing -- A True Corpus Christi Gem This place is simply incredible. It's a small, family-owned restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team. The husband is an internationally trained chef specializing in French and Cajun cuisine, and his talent shows in every dish. His wife, Jessica, runs the front of house, and she is phenomenal -- warm, inviting, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the Corpus Christi area. The ambiance is intimate and stylish: dim lighting, smooth soul and street-jazz playing softly in the background, and an overall vibe that makes it perfect for date night, a late dinner, or anyone looking for a refined dining experience without the stuffy formality. The food is top-tier. I started with the jumbo crab cake, and it was absolutely to die for -- no filler, just fresh, flavorful crab cooked perfectly. For my entrée, I had the salmon served with wild rice and green beans. Everything was seasoned spot-on, cooked to perfection, and tasted incredibly fresh. I finished with the key lime pie, and honestly, it's one of the best I've had in years. Dense, tart, sweet, and done exactly the right way. Pricing is very fair for the quality -- my full meal, including tip, was around $100, and the average guest will probably spend $65-$75 per person. Service is top-notch, the setting is intimate, and the food hits every note. If you're looking for an elevated dining experience in Corpus Christi that's both cozy and memorable, this is the place. Highly recommended. read more

Ruby Ladle - Key lime pie - Food Near Me - Corpus Christi, Texas

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It was a lovely meal for two first time patrons at Ruby Ladle. Our 6:00pm Thursday night reservation for dinner was impeccable in both food and service, quiet ambiance and soft lighting. There was no rush, nor long wait times between courses. The food was appropriately hot or cold, presented beautifully. In addition to the two pictured entrees, we shared a perfect jumbo crab cake, along with a cucumber ribbon and tomato salad as starters. The complimentary warm bread and whipped butter was an unexpectedly fresh and tasty loaf. Dessert was a rich bread pudding, a sweet indugence to end our experience. Since we didn't quite finish our wine selection, our server packaged it to go, ready to enjoy later at home. I should have taken more photos, but I was busy enjoying the atmosphere and the indulgently tasty spread. Thanks Ruby Ladle! read more

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Had fish special and shrimp and grits. Was delicious and service was great. Atmosphere was good as well.

From the moment our plates hit the table, we knew we were in for something special. The portion sizes were generous, and every element was beautifully plated and thoughtfully prepared. I ordered the grilled Pala Duro beef tenderloin, and it exceeded every expectation. The meat was so tender I could cut it with a butter knife. It was perfectly cooked and paired with creamy mashed potatoes and a rich, velvety red wine demi-glace that was nothing short of heavenly. My daughter chose the Duroc Farms pork loin chop with Fredericksburg peaches, and she could not stop raving about it. The pork was incredibly juicy, with a beautiful sear on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness on the inside. The sweetness of the peaches and caramelized onions complemented the savory flavors perfectly. Her plate was rounded out with expertly cooked asparagus and a flavorful wild rice blend, both of which she thoroughly enjoyed. Knowing the chef is an award-winning pastry chef, we could not resist ordering dessert, even though we were too full to enjoy it right away. We took home the flourless chocolate torte and the cheesecake, and I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions we made all day. From start to finish, every bite was incredible. This was not just a meal; it was an experience. We will absolutely be back. And next time, we will save room for dessert. read more

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The Ruby Ladle is a quiet, intimate restaurant, and the newest endeavor by Chef Mike Smith. The menu is not extensive, which allows him to perfect the few items served. I ordered the gumbo appetizer and it was excellent. I got to try my friend's steak tartar appetizer and it was also excellent. For the main course, I ordered the Filet Diane. The presentation was first class, the steak temperature was spot on, and the flavor amazing. My wife ordered the Red Snapper, and it was fresh, tender, and absolutely succulent. After much debate we agreed on the key lime pie for dessert. It had perfect blend of lime tartness and sweetness, smooth texture, and excellent graham cracker crust. The freshly-made table bread had a lightly herbed and salted crust that was slightly crispy. I've seen his resume, and for years I've eaten his food. Chef Mike is among the most highly credentialed chefs in Texas. He holds several professional certifications including the prestigious "World Certified Executive Chef" by the World Association of Chef's Societies. In 2017-2018 he was named "Chef of the Year" by the Texas Chefs Association- Chefs of the Coastal Bend. In short, you will not have a bad meal here. Take your time, order wine, have dessert, enjoy. read more

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Yes, it may be hard to get a reservation, but once you do... totally worth it. 4 of us all got a different entree and sampled each others dishes. The duck was perfect and noisy, the steak you could cut with a fork, the shrimp and grits just WOW, the salmon was on point and the service with all of it was perfect. The cheesecake was the best we have ever had and the keylime pie was not like anything we have ever had before and was more like a cheesecake and so yummy. All of this being said, give them a try, you will not be disappointed! read more

My wife had mentioned this place wow incredible in every way the food is so spectacular it's made with love and intention. Service it's like your family Don't miss this ! Walked through the door and was transformed read more

Awesome food and ambiance. Great owners, very attentive. Only issue is the wait for your food. Good things take time.