Food, Service & Ambiance all 5 stars. A wonderful spot for date night. We tucked into a cozy table for two and enjoyed a European dinner. We shared the mussels, a salad, the fish special and a bottle of French Sauvignon Blanc. It's our favorite Kalamzoo dinner spot. read more

We again had a great meal at Rustica. we started with a Harvest Salad and Mushroom Fondue. The salad was fruity and nutty with a great date component. The Mushroom Fondue was savory, full of texture and brothy flavors. Loved them both. We followed that with the Gnocchi, which was so deliciously savory and creamy. Plus the Seafood Boulliabase, loaded with scallops, shrimp, salmon and potatoes. Loved it. They have a great wine list too. read more

Rustica - Seafood Boulliabase. - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Food was outstanding. So good we just had to close our eyes and savor the flavors. We ordered the scallops appetizer and 3 different salads to start. I wouldn't order the Rustica salad again--bitter lettuce-- but the other salads looked tasty. I had the lamb shank and my partner ordered the Atlantic cod. Sauces were perfection. Would order both dishes again. Waitress was helpful and friendly. Ambiance low key and pleasant. Next time we'll try the outdoor dining area. Rustica is a Kalamazoo gem! read more

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This is a cozy place that feels special but not precious. I took my mother there for a belated Mothers Day dinner. The food was amazing. My mother and I split the asparagus starter. It arrived beautifully plated on two plates. The flavors were wonderful. We both had the scallops starter as our main dishes. Melt in your mouth with a lovely sauce. And for dessert, an amazing take on brownie and ice cream. Our server was lovely. There is street parking in front of the restaurant was a godsend for my mom. If I lived in K'zoo, I would come here often and try everything on the menu. read more

A+ for ambiance. Very cute spot with phenomenal staff. There is a hidden option to do a half charcuterie half cheese board. Very fresh. For mains, the Amish chicken was cooked perfectly. The atlantic cod had a coconut curry on top of a basmati rice pilaf. The rice was a little hard in my opinion. My only complaint. Desserts were not sweet at all which I loved. The coconut cake was delish and a staple here. Highly recommend trying out read more

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My daughter and I were out for dinner to celebrate her birthday. She wanted a chicken sandwich and I said how about something different. We were already on the mall and I parked in front of Rustica. With no reservations we were quickly seated at the bar. And the evening went uphill from there. It's an upscale intimate place with low lighting. The bartender took our photo. I had a glass of French red and my daughter had a mocktail. The food was absolutely fantastic. Hot, fresh and delicious. No chicken sandwich lol. Seafood pasta and bouillabaisse. Exactly what a dining experience should be. read more

Rustica - Bouillabaisse - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Codfish dinner lacked flavor and was bland. Went for the scallops, as this restaurant was one of a few that served scallops, but was not impressed. We do not plan on returning. read more

Delicious food, outstanding service! We were turned away for having one too many in our party next-door, so we walked over to rustica and they had no problem putting together two of the patio tables for our party of seven. The service was outstanding, the food was absolutely delicious, and they were very accommodating to the two kids that we had who just wanted buttered noodles for dinner! Our party ordered an array of dishes and everything we ordered exceeded our expectations! What a happy surprise to stumble upon such an amazing restaurant! We come to Kalamazoo every year we will be back to Rustica. Thank you!!! read more

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So, we've only picked up to go orders in the past. I have a now fourteen year old that is just not into food beyond survival. So, he was away, and the rest of us decided to dine in. Amazing. So, much better in person than take away! We had pole beans, muscles (oh my goodness, so good), and scallops as starters. So, that is a lot of food, but we'd originally planned on sharing two meals among the three of us. After ordering the firsts, we all decided on having our own meals. That wasn't because the firsts were small... it was because they were so good! So, anyways, we chose the salmon (my adult daughter did let me try ONE potato), seafood spaghetti, and the duck. Seriously amazing. I was so sad that a couple of us were leaving town the next day, so my husband ate my left overs. . Also had a dirty martini. Very enjoyable. This was last week, and unfortunately I have forgotten the servers name, but she was amazing. I'd say this is currently the best restaurant in Kalamazoo for a nice dinner. It was upscale without being pretentious or annoying. We will absolutely be back!!! read more

Elegant spot with a cozy, romantic vibe and outstanding food. Must try bone marrow and bread lamb shank and wagyu steak were delicious. Great service and charming location worth every penny. Will return! read more

Rustica - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

When traveling solo I not only look for good food but a bar to sit at to chat with the staff or other guests. Rustica delivered on both. I enjoyed a well prepared and tasty meal and pleasant conversation with Casey the bartender. Larry read more

Food and service always amazing! Go there every time in town. Highly recommend. Delicious bouillabaisse

Great place! Every time I am in Kalamazoo I always come here. Located on a very cute and quaint street, this restaurant is very cozy and reminds me of a little cafe in France. Always busy- so make a reservation! The food, staff and ambiance is excellent. The portions are really great as are the prices. I had the chicken entree this past week and it was excellent. The time before I had the salmon wrapped in paper and it was equally as good! They bring out complimentary bread and oil that is always warm and fresh. Their drinks and wine are fantastic. We also split the wedge salad and they split it for you which I love. Everything about Rustica is wonderful- love this place. Must try in Kalamazoo! 10/10 read more

Rustica - Pan-Roasted Otto's Chicken Breast - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

Sat at the bar for a lovely dinner! I got way too much food for one person, but it tasted great as breakfast over the next day or two! The bartender was super friendly and the decor was nice. Would recommend if you're in Kalamazoo! read more

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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 read more

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We went downtown on a whim to get dinner. The first place we went to had no tables free so went walked to Rustica. They found us a table and we ordered the baked Brie to start, so tasty. My wife got the House-Made Ricotta Gnocchi and I the Braised New Zealand Lamb Shank. The gnocchi was tasty and creamy. My lamb was tender and well seasoned fell of the bone, the curried couscous that is was on was very well seasoned and creamy. Had a tasty oatmeal stout on tap and enjoyed it ! read more

Rustica - Baked Brie - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

Cute little place. Some outside tables which is nice for traveling with your dog. 2 of us had the Boullibaise and liked it ..i wish they hadnt put hollandaise sause on the bread because i dont like it. My husband got some mushroom risotto and the leek soup... the llek soup had a tartness that was odd and off putting. We shared a dessert brownie with ice cream ...yum read more

Rustica - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

One of our favorite Kalamazoo restaurants, service and food are always top notch. Our three mains were the Gnocchi, Duck, and Bolognese. All were delicious, but the Crab Louie app was exceptional and the best bite of the night. read more

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I went between great and good on Rustica so we'll settle on good. My brother took me here and it was lovely. I had the winter salad, perfectly made and the portions large. With the a Belgium lager that was yummy. The entrée was a wonderful gnocchi that again the portions were huge. Would have been two meals for me. Perfectly seasoned. Service was prompt and here's the rub. Tween the salad and the entrée we waited about 15 minutes. My brother had to inquire and then the entrees came out. The other area to improve was their bread was pretty boring. I was thinking of a thick crusty loaf of bread and it was pretty generic. Tasty but I was hoping for a bit more. Again a small matter. Otherwise highly recommend Rustica. Very lovely. read more

The food is subpar and the service is even worse. I used to come here often but the last several times have something left to be desired and it felt like the server took her bad day out on us. Will never step foot in this place again because why spend hundreds of dollars to be treated like garbage? It would definitely help to update the menu every once in a while to something a bit more eclectic if they do stay in that price range. I would say fine dining is quite the stretch even for the area. It has potential to be extra darling but the staff and menu prohibit that from being the case. From the looks of the reviews it doesn't seem like they care too much. Sad. read more

The food was pleasant, but unremarkable. Most disappointing was an issue with the wines. On their standard list they had a nice looking bottle of a French wine that should have been very good. The vintage was listed as 2018. I ordered the bottle, but when it arrived, it was actually a 2020 vintage. We did not open it and asked for something else in its place. When I spoke to the manager about the issue, he was totally unconcerned and made not even an apology. This is my third visit to the restaurant this year and I do not expect to go back! read more

I had very high expectations for Rustica and the question I asked myself after the dinner was: would I go here again? The answer is no. The positives are a nice ambiance and what seems like a well constructed menu. But the details matter at the price point that Rustica operates in and I found the following lacking: The food was good but not great. Take for example the lamb shank, it was served with black beans and cornbread. An odd combination where a classic take with polenta or pomme purée and a reduction would have been better. I found the flavors all over the place and unfamiliar. The service was nice but lacked attention to detail. Upon entering the restaurant I informed our server that we were there to celebrate a special birthday (also mentioned when making the reservation) and I pointed to the guest and he took note of it. Towards the end of dinner we ordered desserts and nothing special was done. I assumed our server forgot, except he wished her a happy birthday as we paid the bill and left. Details like this matter when a dinner with a first course, mains, desserts and wine for a special event should feel much more elevated at a place like Rustica especially at a $460 price tag. I wanted to like Rustica but walked away disappointed. I understand the vibe they are going for as someone who was visiting from Europe, but they have to pay attention to the details, refine the food and create value worthy of their prices. read more

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Meal was absolutely delicious! Gnocchi was very interesting mix with a sweetness to it - yum!

Amazing all around - I stole nearly all of my husband's risotto that accompanied his pork loin because it was just that good. Creamy with pops of sweetness from the fresh corn - probably the best risotto I've ever had! My chicken was tender, with crispy salty skin and the potato's and greens on the side were delicious as well. The bartender whipped up a nonalcoholic cocktail that was just what I was looking for - refreshing and light. We opted for the brownie for dessert and it was decadent - fudgy and dense with a sweet vanilla ice cream on the side to cut the richness a bit. I left absolutely stuffed but overall so happy with our experience! We'll be back! read more

Rustica - Pork loin with risotto - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Let me tell you about one of the worst restaurant experiences of our lives, courtesy of Rustica--and, of course, it was my wife's birthday. We made a reservation for a busy Friday night, mentioned it was her birthday, and noted her allergies, including shellfish in the reservation system, as requested. Seemed so nice that they asked! Easy, right? When we arrived, the smell of shellfish was in the air. My wife, being allergic, had to step outside to avoid a reaction. After standing in the doorway unnoticed for a while, a man in a pastel shirt approached--maybe the host? Manager? Owner? Voldemort? I'm still not sure. I explained the situation and asked if we could sit outside to avoid the allergen. What followed is something I've never experienced from the hospitality and food industry--and I'm still trying to process it. His first response was just "no," with zero explanation. I pointed to an open table outside and said, "Really?" He hit me with another "no," because that table was reserved. Hmmm... Fair enough, I thought, so I asked if we could swap the reservation tables. He said no again, this time because other people had specifically requested the outdoor table (fun fact: we didn't even know outside was an option, let alone something you could request). When I asked if there was any other option... this is when he really showed off his customer service skills: "Do you want me to tell you a fourth time?" I responded with, "Excuse me?" and watched as he stared me down, condescended and belittled me, and explained how many times he'd told me and asking if I just wanted him to repeat it... No apology, no offer to help--just pure, unfiltered rudeness. Suddenly, on a Friday night, dressed up for my wife's birthday, we were wandering the Kalamazoo streets like restaurant orphans. And Rustica? Voldemort? Perfectly fine with it. I'm not sure what I did to set him off... did I have an imposing demeanor? I dunno. But here's the good news: Brick and Brine exists. We called them, explained what happened, and they managed to squeeze us in, despite being packed. They went above and beyond to take care of us. And let me tell you, we spent SO much birthday money there that Rustica could've had. The food? Incredible. The service? Top-notch. So, if you want to roll the dice at Rustica, be my guest. If you've got a shellfish allergy? Just suck it up, I guess. Definitely don't ask for help or expect any kindness. No idea if their food is good, and I guess I never will, since we probably won't risk meeting the Dark Lord again. read more

My wife and I came here after our annual ride of the Kal Haven trail. The food and service is excellent. It is pricey, but our favorite restaurant in Kalamazoo. read more

Rustica - Twice Cooked Beets. Exceptional. - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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We went here a few months ago, simply because we heard about their limoncello tiramisu...that apparently is just a summer desert, so now we have to go back. The rest of the food was great too though! read more

I visited Rustica for the first time last night. The ambiance was beautiful, and the service was very courteous. We started with the wagyu bone marrow, followed by the seafood spaghetti and mushroom farrato. While the seafood spaghetti was enjoyable, I found the farrato dish disappointing. Unfortunately, the kitchen seemed to mask the natural flavors of the mushrooms and farro with what I believe was an excessive amount of wine or vinegar, resulting in an overly sharp taste. At $38, I expected more balance in flavor, and frankly, I don't think the dish should have made it to the table as it was. I should note that, as an Italian, I may be more particular about food. This feedback is specific to the farrotto, as the rest of the meal was satisfying read more

I would not recommend the gnocchi dish. The squash was hard and the dish had an overall taste of rancid nuts. I sent the dish back and was told that the chef said, "It's fine". I was not able to find one bite of that dish that tasted even good. I have never sent a dish back at a restaurant before, but this dish was so inedible. read more

Excellent food and wine, friendly, efficient service. We were a party of 4 and everyone was happy with their food.

Still heart Rustica completely. They are navigating covid with determination and grace. Outdoor seating is beautiful; indoor seating is available. They take mask wearing very seriously which is wonderful! The coconut cake happens to be gluten free and is fabulous. Cheese board is to die for. Staff are friendly and helpful. Loooooove Rustica! read more

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The lamb shank I had the other night was great. They pride themselves in being a great restaurant and they are!

always good food and fun atmosphere- great place for a celebratory meal. So glad they survived the pandemic.

good food, attentive service and nice ambiance. one of our favorite restaurants in Kalamazoo.

The quality of the food was mostly good. Not great, but generally good. And the server was pretty nice. But we had a terrible time dining there tonight because of the ugly kitchen towels piled up right next to our table as shown in the photos. When we pointed the problem out to the manager (possibly the owner) , he was absolutely nasty. Another complaint we have about this place is that they kept reminding us that our reservation is only for two hours. And they keep texting us to confirm our reservation. And their service wasn't particularly fast. read more

Rustica - This was my view from my seat. These ugly towels were right next to our table the entire time. - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Our favorite restaurant in KZ! Fantastic dinner once again!! Scallops are a must try starter. The short ribs special was to die for! And of course you can never go wrong with the lamb shank. Must try the bread pudding...to go. Make a reservation. Make a reservation at the Stamped Robin for a craft cocktail before dinner (Cafe Noir is my fav). read more

Rustica - Short rib special. Amazing! And lamb shank in the back. - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

Wonderful to Return to Seated Dining!! We wanted to see if they were following the Social Distancing Rules- AND THEY WERE!!- Also special arrangements for water service and use of restrooms. But FOOD is the reason for coming here! We had the Bullabaise and it was SUPERB! The Fish was lake trout- Perfect! In all they are back and doing great food and excellent service in these very difficult times!! read more

Rustica - Broiled Asparagus with truffles- RUSTICA - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

I've been wanting to try this place for quite some time, but knew it was pricey (for me). So my husband I decided to finally visit for a drink and dinner before a show we were going to. It was a Friday night and we didn't have a reservation (oops!), But they fit us in at the bar at the very back which ended up being a terrific spot for us! We each got a drink and then decided on sharing the cheese plate and to share a dinner (cost and no where to hold leftovers during the show). The cheeses and homemade crackers and passion fruit jam were all incredible! Then they plated our dinner separate for us! I've never had such a fancy dinner. It was an absolute treat and delight. read more

Rustica - An absolute delight! The American Wagyu Top Sirloin Steak - Modern European Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

Rustica isn't taking Malia's top spot anytime soon, but it's a pretty solid dinner spot! Not as trendy as Principle, but that's not a bad thing - just depends on what you're looking for. If you want no-fuss dishes that you probably know/have tried before with a bit of an older crowd, Rustica is a good pick. Because my friend & I weren't too hungry, we ordered from firsts only. We had the: *Roasted Bone Marrow (olive tapenade, house jam, grilled bread - $15): Kudos for serving Bone Marrow in Kalamazoo. Although it's not the best I've had (see: Purple Pig in Chicago), please keep it on the menu so folks can experience the goodness that is bone marrow. I was a little put off by how bloody it was, but still tasty. *Sautéed Bay Scallops (lemon-parsley risotto and brown butter - $12): I was surprised at how small the scallops were, but it is listed as "bay scallops" and not jumbo scallops. Perfectly seared scallops though! The risotto was also delicious. I was sitting right by the open kitchen so I saw that dollop of butter go in there, but it was so good that I'm not mad about it. *Heirloom Tomatoes (avocado, red onion, burrata, caper leaf, basil - $12): I loved this - was really fresh & light like a caprese but with mozzarella's cooler older sister (burrata). *Honey Graham Cake (torched marshmallow, ganache, feuilletine - $8): Rustica had me at torched marshmallow. It was like a delicious deconstructed s'more. It also came with some brown sugar cake that had the same porous, soft texture of a Chinese brown sugar prosperity cake..so I was a fan! I like that they have a call ahead option & I used it for our reservation. Per their website, this is how it works: *CALL ANYTIME AFTER 8AM ON THE SAME DAY YOU WISH TO DINE AT RUSTICA. *Follow the prompts on the voicemail and someone will call you back after 4 PM to confirm. *While this isn't a "reservation", we do our best to have you seated at, or very close to, your requested dining time. The wait, if any, for "call ahead" tables at Rustica is generally less than 30 minutes. read more

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Made an online reservation at 2:00 pm on a Tuesday. It was for 6:30. Showed up and was told, rather tersely, by Bill Weir that he had no record of a reservation. Wanted to see the email or text that I should of received after making the reservation on a PC. We are seniors and were told we could sit at the bar. I protested lightly and was told "Sorry". I've known Bill for many years. He was somewhat rude. I believe their personal Web site is defective. If you want to make an online reservation, I would use Yelp. I won't be back for some time. Principal (Next Door) has extremely good service and is less expensive. I've eaten at Rustica many times and the food is very good, especially for Kalamazoo but the prices are high. The variety is very good and the raw materials are very good. If you go there, put your thick skin armor on. read more