My friend lives a block away and walks by all the time so asked if we would try it out with him. When we arrived, we were greeted by friendly staff and a cute ambience. Although there were so many people working, I was a bit confused at first if just one of them was our server or if we could order from anyone. We decided to order the chefs selection of meats, cheeses, and vegetables as an appetizer to share. The platter was much smaller than I expected for $27. I liked the eggplant and the sauce that tasted like apples, but everything else was just alright for me and did not taste much different than some of the meats and cheeses I pick up from Trader Joe's. After a quite long wait, the burrata came out. I was not really a fan as I've had much tastier burrata elsewhere. After an even longer wait, our pasta and our chicken dishes came out. The chicken was a bit dry and the pasta texture wasn't great. For this price point, I won't be coming back. read more

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I only live reviews for really good places or really bad places. This place is great. As an Italian straight from the motherland myself, I can attest all the ingredients are authentic and fresh. AAAAND, the pasta is actually "al dente", which, if you know how Italians are with their food, you know it's the 11th Commandment! Also, if you're a chocolate lover: get the chocolate pudding! The only suggestion I have: have a slightly wider selection of pasta dishes. Maybe four instead of only two. Great place overal! read more

I've been to Rucola maybe 10-12 times. My experiences have been nothing if not consistent: Order one of the two pastas = rich & delicious Chef's choice antipasti = so fun & good Décor = small space + old fixtures are near perfection Service = slow, forgetful, sloppy Ordering non-pasta dishes = roll of the dice. Sometimes great, often...meh I spent a decade in the service industry and want these guys to succeed. I think there's a culture issue. There seems to be a lot of turnover. New or old, servers (or maybe the kitchen?) tend to forget your order. Don't check on you, seemingly as a rule. Have to flag down for anything, which is just weird. I've been there when it's slammed and empty, and a bit in between. Always same. You do what you can. The potential for this adorable little joint remains unrealized. read more

5 stars for this cozy, creative northern Italian neighborhood corner bar/bistro featuring home made pasta, fresh seasonal entrees, exciting appetizers and delicious salads. Arugula salad and radish/tahini salads were standouts, as were the grilled sun chokes with cilantro sauce. Three pasta choices today and I had to sample all three: shells with peas and a wonderful Parma cotton and grana Padano sauce, nettle strozzapreti with wild mushrooms, ramps, cacciocavalli and Meyer lemon and the daily special, a house made ravioli stuffed with pork. All delish. The chocolate chip /amaretto cookies were over the top. The menu changes seasonally, which is a good thing. I enjoy "in season" foods. Service on par with the food...just wonderful. read more

We loved our food. Simple menu and lovely ambiance. Staff can be a bit nicer but overall we loved it. read more

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I absolutely love this place. Perfect little gem of a restaurant nestled in a beautiful neighborhood. Atmosphere is very welcoming and cozy. Food is fantastic. Homemade pasta is great. Pappardelle was perfectly cooked. Meat sauce was very tasty. Service was warm, friendly and attentive. This was a perfect meeting spot for me and my son's girlfriend who lives very close by. We will be back again, soon, I hope. read more

Yes the food and ambience was out of this world, I would eat there again. Beautiful.. read more

Rucola - Restaurant ambience - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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OVERPRICED & OVERRATED COZY PLACE. Honestly I don't know why this place has such as great rating considering the food. ENVIRONMENT Very nice. They used an old house and decorated every single inch of it and made it feel like one of the coziest places you've ever been. SEATING is COMPLICATED. My friend Phil called in advance asking for a table for 3. When we arrived we learned we had to share a long table with 17 more people... Which is not a problem but definitely not what you expect when you have a RESERVATION. FOOD IS AVERAGE For appetizers we ordered the "Chef's Selection of Cheese, Meat and Vegetables" ($22 USD). The chef chose for us Spicy 'Nduja, Prosciutto San Daniele, Moses Sleeper and Comte cheeses as well as Marinated Olives and Pickled Fennel. Amongst all 3 of us only ate half of that because IT WAS NOT GOOD. For my salad I chose the Radicchio & Endive SALAD ($12) that comes with walnuts and Gorgonzola cheese. That was an GOOD choice. They add some orange to it and it makes a great combination for a salad and the ingredients tasted fresh. For the entree I chose the Whole Roasted Brook Trout. The fish was too salty, although the presentation was good. SERVICE IS MEDIOCRE. The waiters seems anxious to get us eating, wouldn't let us have a peaceful conversation without interruptions such as "Are you ready yet?" "Need more time?" "A few more minutes?". Ugh. Top this off with lack of smiles or wit that you'll find in any modern restaurant today... Even in Starbucks! NOT ALL WINES Also, what type of fancy restaurant doesn't have all the wine they show you in their menu? PRICE For 3 people having a bottle of mediocre wine, average food and Ok dessert, mediocre service and paying $250 seems EXPENSIVE for what you get. read more

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We are two people who in Brooklyn who are also obsessed with food, and wow wow wow, Rucola is officially our favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. We walked in around 6:20p on a Saturday, with 3 spots left for 2-person diners at their long table in the center. The inside of the restaurant has a romantic, dimly lit, modern-but-rustic-Italian-restaurant-in-Brooklyn kind of vibe that initially caught our eye walking past weeks ago, prompting its entry into my Yelp bookmarks. The food. is. incredible. It's a tall order, but the best we've had in Brooklyn. We were given super soft focaccia bread to snack on with olive oil/salt/pepp, which we continued polishing off even after our mains. We started with the crudo (Branzino, pickled green tomatoes, toasted sunflower seeds, basil, olive oil), which I highly recommend if you like sashimi/raw fish/tartare. The olive oil base was so delicious I kept it well after we were done with it to dip bread into. We followed up with the garganelli (home made pasta, you can't not get it - Tomato almond pesto, summer squash, parmigiano) and the wild bass (Cucumber fumet, smoked mussels, seared summer squash). The pasta had the perfect al dente chewiness and the flavors wowed. The sea bass was cooked to perfection with the skin perfectly slightly crispy. For dessert, we shared the salted honey pie, which is essentially what Milk Bar's crack pie is trying to achieve but falls short of - sweet, almost pecan-like gooey-ness filled with likely 5 sticks of butter. Cocktails were delicious- especially loved the gin cocktail made with China-China. Our only feedback was that portions were small - thus the necessity to fill up on bread. Service was impeccable. Wait staff friendly, professional, and knew exactly which of us had ordered which dishes. read more

Rucola - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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From Delicious Duck to lobster ravioli, amazing, clever and decadent combinations created here with this brilliant chef!! A fresh Cappuccino to top off salted caramel chocolate pudding, raspberry mousse, and chocolate chip amaretto cookies! 10/10 out of 10! Recommend completely. An amazing array of flavors this restaurant's menu and it's pairings are truly a work of art and eating here is not just for the cuisine but also the experience. A great place to expand your palate! read more

Rucola - Fresh delish cappuccino - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I definitely wasn't impressed. I bought a friend here for his birthday o the recommendation of the EVEN hotel and found it to be underwhelming at best. They have a decent selection of wines but the limited menu left a lot to be desired. We were worried that it would be busy but very few tables were taken. My friend ordered the selection of 3 cured meats as an appetizer. It was good but we didn't get to pick, they picked. All in all I think the meats were the best part of the meal. For an entree my friend had the Strozzapreti with porcini and although he liked it, he wasn't thrilled with it. He's a wannabe chef and it takes a clever hand to wow him, and this wasn't it. He's been happier in dinky little places than with this. I had the whole brook trout. It came (allegedly) deboned, but I experienced more than one mouthful of bones. It wasn't great. If anything, I was sick the next day, had to skip work, and missed out on an appointment. I wouldn't go out of my way to make a return visit. read more

they yelled at like two people because their chairs were out too far? It was a mistake we admit but yelling wasn't necessary. waiters seemed generally disinterested. my sisters pasta was undercooked. everyone was done by the time she got hers. food took too long. read more

Me and my mom went for a quick brunch it was a good time food came in and was delicious everyone was polite and nice it's a little pricey but all was well. read more

Rucola - My mom has a steak and eggs and I had a brioche French toast with blueberry - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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This may be the ideal neighborhood restaurant. Which I feel pretty good about, because I live in the neighborhood. Things You Should Know About Rucola: 1. It makes me want to use the word 'cozy.' From the moment you walk in past the gorgeous ironwork exterior until you leave the rustic, comfortable glow of each candlelit table, you will feel at home. 2. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all are stellar thanks to quality across the entire menu. Which means it's always a good decision. Salads, sandwiches, charcuterie, seafood, pasta...it's got something for everyone, and it's all good. 3. Dinner is especially nice because wine and the aforementioned candlelit tables, but breakfast may be my favorite (I never seem to make it in for lunch, because it's not as acceptable to drink lots of wine in the middle of the day). On a weekday when I can sneak away from work for a bit, with the natural light illuminating the round table in the window, I'd rather be here than just about anywhere else. 4. Remember back when they first opened, and I mentioned how after I floated Rucola as an option for dinner, my idiot friends would invariably respond with long, drawn out yells (a la the commercials of a cough-drop brand that shall remain nameless)? Well, as a direct result I've grown apart from those idiots, and grown closer to Rucola. I wouldn't say me and Rucola are best friends, because it's a restaurant and not a person. But we're pretty good friends. I'd invite them to my wedding, and try not to get offended when I didn't get invited to theirs because they are much, much more popular than I am and I really don't come in as much as I should. 5. It still isn't perfect. Sure, dishes have been under or over seasoned, waitresses have forgotten about orders (or us entirely), and I don't really like waiting for dinner. But you know what? I'm not claiming to be perfect either. Like I said, we're still friends, and perfection is a lot to demand from your friends. I'll settle for damn good, especially since Rucola may be my only friend at this point. Oh, and when they celebrated their second anniversary a few years back, they left bunches of ramps outside the restaurant for anyone that was paying attention. That was nice. And still the best risotto I've ever made. x Thanks for being here, Rucola: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiQzUEc_FmI read more

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In such a pretty and quiet neighborhood of Brooklyn. My husband and I were so delighted to come across it. Both got cocktails and ordered the sausage pasta and slow roasted pork sandwich. Both were great and we were easily able to share them. The menu is small but something for everyone including cheese/meat/vegetable selection for light snacking. read more

Rucola - Slow roasted pork sandwich and sausage pasta - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

If you want a place to sit and chat with friends while pretending to eat while paying $100 then this place is for you. The food was awful and the bathroom had not been cleaned in a long time. The tasteless 1/4th of a chicken had more red pepper sauce than meat. Do yourself a favor, don't listen to your brother-in-law about charming neighborhood blah blah because he couldn't find anything on the menu that he could eat. read more

Rucola is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant. From the ironwork on the outside to the beautiful rustic interior, it really could not get any cuter. They only take reservations for 5 or more, but I've never had to wait long for a table when I've stopped by (usually late). The menu at Rucola is solid. It is always changing, so if you visit every 3-4 months like I do, there will always be something new to try. For starters they have a good charcuterie, cheese, or vegetable option, and they happen to serve my all time favorite eggplant caponata, which I highly recommend. We had the beef tartar which was good, panzanela salad (loved the radishes), a pasta, and the hanger steak. Although it may seem like a lot, this was a decent amount of food for 2 people. They have a daily pie from Two and Twenty Blackbirds, so we tried the lemon chess. I'm thankful I have Rucola as my reliable neighborhood restaurant. read more

I am so shocked and disappointed for the tastes of the food compared to the last time I ordered during the last winter. I felt so bad because I even brought two good friends to try it. The chicken was tasteless and dry and I can cook much better at home. Never had any dish tasted worse than the chicken, and I paid over $20 for it. The Pasta was below average. Two stars for the fish and octopus. I ordered pickup through phone call, and was told that the food would be ready in 40 mins. I waited for 70 minutes and the food was a disappointment. Won't go back again. read more

Rucola - Chicken - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Rucola is a cozy Brooklyn neighborhood restaurant with fresh, green food and a charming neighborhood feel. With the solid execution and quality ingredients, is worth the mini splurge and leisurely pace. Portion sizes can be slight and service can be slow, so I would definitely recommend for days where there isn't an hour long wait. I've been here for lunch on a Friday and Sunday brunch around 11:30 am. I was seated immediately every time, but saw a huge rush of people about half an hour later. The inside tables are a bit close together and it can get a little noisy when its full. There are only two outdoor tables, which are stroller friendly. Otherwise, leave the stroller parked at the door. There are no steps, so definitely wheelchair friendly dining, but the bathroom is not compliant. They do not do reservations. Food is really good. I've had the dutch baby with the tahitian vanilla custard - amazing. Really mind blowing light and crisp and buttery and soft and just sweet enough with perfect summer fruit. I've also had the farro salad, which is green, wholesome, and deliciously refreshing, yet filling. Hubby has loved the breakfast sandwich with bacon and egg. He's had mixed feelings about the slow roasted pork sandwich, which he felt was a bit dry and too sour. We haven't yet tried Rucola for dinner, but the menu looks great. (If only the lines weren't so long!) read more

Rucola - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Outstanding. We were pleased with everything: food/wine selection, ambiance, service. Must try: THE HOMEMADE PASTA... So delicious. There were two options so we got one of each: (1) rigatoni with pork bolognese, nutmeg, grana padano and (2) campanelle with porcini mushrooms, rosemary, sapore del piave Both dishes were balanced and portioned perfectly as to not be overwhelming or heavy. There were only a few flavors per dish but done so, so well. We also shared an assortment of meat, cheese, and antipasti to start. The entire plate was lovely but the balsamic roasted beets were definitely a standout for me. Even the salad we chose was impressive... The escarole with toasted almonds, smoked feta, and lemon wildflower honey vinaigrette was so simple yet super tasty and large enough for us to share. Overall, I think Rucola does a great job combining just a few ingredients, yet producing an outstanding dish. Great food, lovely atmosphere(intimate and cozy, well decorated), and attentive service. I hope I find myself here again. read more

Rucola - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This place is a hit. Forget that it's a Wednesday night at 7:30pm with heat and flood flash warning, this charming small candle lit place is packed. We learned the hard way that they only take reservations for parties of 5 or more BUT...we also learned you can call over the phone to put smaller parties down on a waitlist. Luckily my friend and I were fortunate enough to grab 2 stools at the bar and had a very pleasant dining experience. The Northern Italian Menu is very attractive, reasonably priced and as we pondered what to get, everything around us being served looked impressive. On to the food... We started by sharing the Fried Calamari Appetizer ($13) which was a large portion and the actual calamari were ginormous. Serve with a nice bowl of delicious tomato sauce to soak it all up. For entrees we both got the homemade pasta: Garganelli: Cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers, summer squash ($18) Casarecce: English peas, parmigiano, housemade bacon, eggs ($19) Taking our leftovers to go there was no way we had any room left for dessert but maybe next time :) read more

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Came here for dinner. The wine recommendation was excellent, and the food was good. It was not GREAT which is why I am not giving it 5 stars. But it was good, large portions, and not too expensive. Would I come back? Yes! 4.5/5 IMO. read more

My friends and I decided to check out Rucola after a warm autumn day spent wandering Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, and Boerum Hill. We walked in and waited about 30 minutes for a table. The first impression upon arriving at the restaurant was "neighborhood gem". The surrounding streets were quaint and quiet, broken up only by the dimly lit but bustling restaurant. The neighborhood feel continued into the dining room where the quarters were tight and full - it was the good type of cozy. Between the four of us, we family-styled the: Branzino Crudo, Escarole, Clams and Crostino (delicata squash and goat cheese) to start. For the mains we shared three pasta dishes of Lumace (sausage, brussels sprouts, sage panko), Garganelli (pumpkin pureé, sage, pepitas, pecorino romano), and Tortellinis. To close out the meal we ordered the chocolate pudding and apple pie - and honestly could have passed both. Personal favorites were the crostino and garganelli that did a great job highlighting seasonal ingredients and flavors. All in it was a really satisfying meal that felt like we were property sinking into autumn. read more

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The pasta, the vibe and the wine!! Just happened upon this spot because the inside and outside lighting had a perfect glow!!

Hands down, the best pasta I have EVER had was at Rucola. I ordered the Garganelli pasta, and it was INCREDIBLE. It tasted light, but it was still packed with flavor. My friend got the pork sandwich, which was also fantastic and full of flavor. The ambiance was very nice as well. It has a cozy, neighborhood feel. The staff were all be eh friendly and prompt. I HIGHLY recommend this spot and will be returning any time I come back to Brooklyn. read more

Good food. But the service was so rude and unpleasant. The two guys at front of house really lets down a very decent kitchen. We will not come back, which is too bad as we use to come frequently. read more

Good brunch with smart portions, except the arugula salad. That was huge! And very fresh so gobbled it up at our table. I had the country breakfast, basic but perfect. Wifey had the brioche French toast. That was really yummy. I also had two Bloody Marys since they were kind of small but also quite delicious if you like horse radish. Cappuccino afterwards was not very hot. read more

Rucola is my favorite neighborhood brunch spot. It's quaint, there's no ridiculous wait, and the food is always quality. I've had the classic breakfast with eggs, sausage and home fries, and it was perfectly done. I recently got the Dutch pancake, which is like a pastry but more filling because it's egg-focused. Rucola is the neighborhood spot to take an out of towner, who will inevitably be impressed. Or even better - make it your local go-to with your friend I haven't checked it out for dinner yet, but it's on the list. read more

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Very expensive! with a limited menu, and the food was not good. While the dishes we had were aesthetically pleasant, the food was not good, on both dishes the sauces overpowered the flavored of the pork and the chicken. The place is nice, but when full it is very noisy. read more

From the cast iron work that I like to awk at outside, to the the wood paneling indoors, to the incredible service and food, you just hit the spot in so many different ways, Rucola. I dig it all. Now let's talk food - it's no joke here! I very rarely get pasta anywhere because carbs are the devil, but I ate every single shell this time closing my eyes to savor the flavor with zero guilt. Perfectly cooked (by a chef who lived 21 years in Italy) shell pasta in glorious butter sauce with meat and peas - oh hello, my new guilty pleasure. The prosciutto just might possibly be the best I've ever had, crudo is a delight, and the carpaccio deserves a standing ovation. And because I apparently have no shame, I mopped up all my dishes with the fluffy ciabatta bread, and I recommend you do the same. I finished this feast with a perfect little chocolate chip cookie, which is gluten and dairy free, by the way. Personal tip: snag a seat at the bar if you're here on a Friday or Saturday and watch Kevin (the bartender) do some serious work - this guy loves and knows what he is doing. The drinks are strong and complex without being pretentious and overpriced. After taking a stab at picking out a couple myself, my new drink order is now ""just surprise me". Not to get all corny and emotional, but I actually feel pretty lucky to have this restaurant in my neighborhood. A reliable dinner spot like this is rare. See you soon, Rucola. read more

Everything about the evening was lovely -- the extensive wine selection, the overflowing olive plate, the absolutely springy and perfect fresh pasta, the ambiance and the friendly staff. 100/10. read more

Amazing food of course but service is always above exceptional. Their staff is knowledgeable, prompt and kind. Go for the food stay because the server is great a suggesting what wine to drink. read more

the best fish brook trout i have ever had and i mean it . even arugula salada that just simply arugula leaves i dont know what they add but it wa satinishinh the falvors and perfect amount of i gerdients! ambience its pretty cut and small so it make sut very social cozy atmosphere which is lovely! service was good since servers not constantly check in you which is very good an dnot annoying! they know exactly when to come and check on yku. definitely reccomend! read more

Rucola is the definition of a perfect date spot. Charming, intimate, and perfectly placed on a quiet tree lined street in Brooklyn, whether you go with a small group of friends or a Hinge date you won't be disappointed. Although they don't take reservations for parties smaller than 5, we called ahead on a Friday night and were seated right away! Our group sat at the community table, which often can be hit or miss in terms of service, but our server did not disappoint bringing our courses quickly and with a smile. The cocktails are strong but delicious and pair well with their homemade focaccia bread. As far as starters go, the charcuterie board is great to split with a group for its size and variety. 5 stars aren't given easily, but Rucola's homemade casarecce pasta, perfectly seasoned scallops, and fresh panzanella salad sealed the deal. read more

Rucola - Delicious featured cocktail at the community table - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I want to give this place more than 5 stars. The food blows me away every time. Beautiful Al dente pastas, delicious rotating pork appetizers, delicious secondi. The cocktails are amazing and refreshing. The decor is rustic in an incredibly inviting way, even when you're seated outside. Their desserts are delicious and the staff is warm and welcoming! read more

This reminds me of your cool cousin's swanky pad where he/she spontaneously brings together cool ass people for a small party. The restaurant itself is small and narrow and gets busy during peak dinner times. It probably has a total of 12 tables and a short bar. The food was REALLY good. It was simple but each dish had a distinct flavor. The picked fennel in the choice charcuterie plate was awesome! I ordered a mushroom pasta with breadcrumbs on top. My fiance got the clam pasta. Bless his soul, he said my clam pasta was better but I know he was trying to be nice. read more

Rucola - It was too dark to get pics of the food but this is how small the place is - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Came on a date night Wednesday, prompted by regularly walking by it's cozy atmosphere. My wife demanded cozy, and the next day was her birthday. So cozy it was. We were there at 5:45pm, so there were only two others, packed by the time we left around 7pm. We started with a quartino of wine. It was the special, so a little pricier than we might typically choose. But it tasted better, so what the heck. Following that, the complimentary bread was very tasty! We ordered the crostino (it was fine, but can't recommend), the cauliflower (fantastic, maybe the best dish), the fusilli (disappointing - tasted like good mac and cheese - which, who doesn't love mac and cheese? - not what we were looking for), a side of fried shishitos (very good), and finished with a slice of pie (like all 4 and 20 blackbird pies - very good.) So I write this as a 4 star review based on the options of the menu, good service, and coziness. In my one experience, I would say 3.5 stars for the food we chose. However, it was really the pasta that brought it down, which the server did not recommend when running through the menu. It's easy to expect a good pasta from an "Italian restaurant", even though there is plenty of good, non-pasta Italian food - including the rest of the menu that we haven't yet tried. If you live in another part of the city, I'm not sure if you want to make a grand-gesture style trip to eat at Rucola, but on the hand, I'm not sure you don't. Give it a shot and let me know. read more

I can't wait to come back here, everything we had for brunch was fantastic: - Food - groan inducing - Service - attentive and warm - Vibe - just about the cutest place ever Everything we had was well prepared and flavorful. I was nursing a wicked hangover, so I ordered the only known cure for a hangover, the Egg Sandwich (egg & cheese sandwich - Arugula, two farm eggs $8). The eggs were perfectly cooked and the bun was divine. I'm not sure what cheese they use for the sandwich, but it paired very well with the arugula and eggs. I also loved the side of olives served with the dish. We arrived early, around noon and had to wait a few mins for a table to open up, but once we were seated it cleared out a bit. My friend and I were catching up and lingered at our table for quite some time. We were never rushed by the staff to settle our bill and vacate the table, quite the contrary in fact, which I really appreciated. If you're in the area definitely come for brunch as Rucola throws down some of the best quality brunch food I have had recently. read more

Rucola - Egg sandwich - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Rucola is a great spot for an elevated but timeless dinner. It is a bit crammed depending on the time that you go & the portions can be a bit bigger for the price & they can have more wine options but overall the quality of the pasta is top-tier. I recommend the Bruco! read more

Tuna sandwich for lunch. Oh Man. Amazing. Just perfect. Not your grandmas canned tuna with mayo. Real chunks of Tuna on great bread! read more