We all need to admit that Rustica is the best restaurant in Kalmazoo or even nearby area. I was very surprised that Kzoo has a restaurant like this, and it was fabulous! Extensive selection of wines, all local and organic ingredients make the dish fresher and better! MUST GO RESTAURANT IN KZOO! read more

Rustica is our destination to celebrate family events. The atmosphere is great and the food is fabulous. Last night we enjoyed the salmon, the steak caps and the lamb shank. All were delicious. The pork was disappointing. Very tough but still better than the rice accompaniment. After many visits we had one bad dish. I still consider this one of my favorite kalamazoo restaurants. read more

My favorite place to dine in Kalamazoo. Great michigan beer selection! I have not had anything I do not like from their menu except I do not think the bone marrow is well executed. I have tried it two times and watched someone else get frustrated and underwhelmed by their experience with them. That is my only criticism. Service, food (gnocchi are great), atmosphere are all great. I highly recommend this place. read more

I have to go back to try dinner since reading the reviews but have stopped in to get a glass of wine prior to art expo.. One of the nicest and professional bartender I've met. read more

The best place in Kalamazoo !!! Everything was perfect. My husband was smiling through the whole meal

Chicago native, very used to 5 star restaurants, but this was beyond expectations What a gem in the middle of Kalamazoo, the Lamb Shank was beyond words, muscle appetizer and scallop appetizer was more than top notch. GO HERE! read more

Great date night spot! Drinks, food and service were excellent. Wish the space was little bigger!

I visited Rustica on a weeknight while in town on work travel. I was solo and did not have a reservation. The restaurant was packed but I was able to be seated immediately at the bar. The bar had a nice beer and wine selection. I enjoyed a Belgian wheat. I ordered the potato gnocchi as my entree. It was delicious! One of my favorite pasta dishes I've had to date. It had a light sauce and was accompanied by asparagus and a soft cheese. I would order it again in a heartbeat. I ordered the tiramisu for dessert. I would not recommend if you enjoy a traditional tiramisu. The ladyfingers were soaked in an orange liquor and the top was coated with a thick layer of chocolate chips. It had nice flavors but left something to be desired if you were hoping for some of the usual tiramisu flavors. The service was great. The bartender at the back bar was very attentive to those sitting in the stools while also keeping up with the drink demand at the well station. I would definitely visit this restaurant if I found myself in Kalamazoo again. read more

One of the best meals I've had in some time. The cheese board was awesome, particularly the smoked blue cheese and spiced nuts. Both the braised short ribs and pork loin were delicious. And finally coffee and limoncello tiramisu with coffee was a great way to end. Beer and wine menus were also impressive. read more

Unfortunately, our experience didn't get off to the best start. I had made a reservation on Friday night and I had luckily managed to snag the last 7:30 reservation slot which I was very excited for. However, when I arrived at 7:30 they told me that there had been an error and my reservation hadn't been properly put down and my name wasn't on the reservation list. We went over the names on the list a few times none of which matched my first or last name. The host immediately looped in the manager to see what they could do. The manager came back and said that unfortunately they just didn't have the tables to get me in immediately and took my name and phone number down. He said that they could get me in in the next 30-45 minutes and would call me as soon as possible. Working in the restaurant industry myself, I completely understand that errors like this occur and have even done it accidentally myself as a host. However, when the error occurred the manager didn't really offer much in regards to empathy. After we were told to leave and grab a drink at a different establishment and wait for their call, we grabbed a drink at Principle nearby. While there, I got a call asking if we were coming for our 7:30pm reservation. Obviously after being told that I didn't have a reservation about 10 minutes earlier, I was a little confused. I explained that I had just been there and that I had been told I didn't have a reservation and to come back later. The staff member on the phone was understandably confused but proceeded to tell me that if I didn't come immediately they couldn't get me in until 9:00pm. I found this frustrating considering I had just been there on time, and had been told to come back later. I told him we were just next door and would be there soon since we were told to come back at 8:00pm. Then not 3 minutes later, I received another call with the host calling to confirm that I was coming for my reservation at 8:00pm that the manager had written down after thinking I hadn't had my reservation properly recorded. From what I gathered they had written my name down wrong even after clarification on the spelling the day I made my reservation. After the fact, I thought about how maybe during the confirmation of my reservation when I had arrived on time, they should have asked to confirm my phone number which was obviously correct seeing as they called me on it two times in 5 minutes. While maybe I should have suggested that, my general take away after that portion of the experience is that I didn't necessarily feel taken care of. I suppose I found it a little odd that they didn't even try to find us a seat at their own bar or offer a small gesture of compensation. The evening after getting seated definitely improved. Our server Seth was very knowledgeable and friendly. He checked on us without ever feeling overbearing, recommended dishes and very easily convinced us into the special dessert of the night the banana split with dulce de leche brownie chunks. Our food arrived promptly and was perfectly cooked; we chose the duck and chicken dishes. I also love that they use local ingredients for their meals. The dining room itself had a warm atmosphere with wonderful aromas. Overall, even with the confusion of the reservation portion, I would consider it a good night at Rustica. read more

We had been here before a year ago and really enjoyed it.. but tried new entrees recently and it was the best dinner my wife and I have had in quite some time. We had the gnocchi and the duck. Highly recommended. read more

Wow, what a great experience at this restaurant. We stopped in after a long drive on the way home from vacation. Was greeted warmly at the door and while we did not have reservations we were seated immediately. Great wine list, and the server was helpful in explaining the menu and helping us with our selections. Get the charcuterie platter- it is worth a trip just for this ! We did heavy appetizers and drinks which were very reasonably priced. Now planning another trip to here when my sister comes in from Chicago as it is worth the trip. read more

Used to be our "go to" spot but earlier this week we were very disappointed. New menu failed to inspire, an alternate year of our favorite wine was good, not great, the main courses edible but not memorable. Desserts were paired with odd favors of gelato and the tart pastry had the consistency of cardboard. Our server made two mistakes with our order and they needed to turn up the heat. Hope they can get it back together as this experience was quite unusual by comparison to other evenings/meals here. We will give Rustica the benefit of the doubt and suggest that perhaps this was an "off" night for them. Rustica is a gem in our downtown. The owners are responsive to feedback. Show your support, offer your suggestions and you likely will not be disappointed by the response. read more

Great atmosphere on a cold day. Relatively quiet even for having an open kitchen within the dining space. Bone marrow starter was great, a good way to introduce one's self to bone marrow. Lamb shank was VERY hot and came in a cool little crock style dish with lentils, greens and mushrooms. The orange blossom tea was refreshing with such a rich meal, but was a little impotent. Total was ~$40. read more

So I ordered the chicken and dumplings. The chicken and dumplings were good All the vegetables were raw Potatoes and onions and Brussel sprouts were hard So the owner came to talk to me and said they like tender crisp veggies. I said they were raw and not cooked and he fought with me about it. We paid full price for a crappy meal. $25 for something I did not enjoy. read more

Very nice place, food was excellent. Menu could be a bit more varied and the wines by the glass were not equal to the food.

We were there recently for an anniversary. It was a weeknight and we were there early, so it was not difficult to get a good table. The atmosphere was comfortable and just right. The staff were friendly and helpful. We ordered appetizers. My son enjoyed the grilled romaine salad very much. We also had scallops with risotto. The risotto was perfect, but I didn't care for the scallops and would order something else next time. The entrees were very good. I was impressed with the American Kobe beef -- the side of celery root gratin and herb salad was so good that I ate every bit of it, which is something I usually can't do when I eat out. The leg of lamb with couscous was also delicious. The food portions were generous. We enjoyed the Spanish wine by the glass. We were thoroughly satisfied with this dining experience and want to go back some day soon. I am especially impressed with the fact that they use local produce. read more

Amazing!!! If you are looking for a place to eat in Kalamazoo, you must stop in. It's small, and there can be a wait, but it is worth the wait! Best food in town, hands down. read more

One of my favorite places in Kalamazoo. Each time I have gone to Rustica has been as good as the last. Great for a date night.

Great place for a varied, intelligent menu. The atmosphere is fantastic and you are able to stroll right out into all Kalamazoo's downtown has to offer. The service was slightly slower than I had hoped, but perhaps that's what you sacrifice for excellent food! read more

I had the aspargus appetizer the other night and it was excellant. It will be off the charts when Michigan aspargus is in season. The combination of capers, pancetta and chopped egg combined with the trufle oil over the grilled asparagus almost made me swoon. Combine that with a bottle of Zatec, a Czechoslovakian lager brewed by a brewery in existing since 1004 a.d.(no kidding) and you have my attention. When I walk in the doors I leave Kalamazoo for an hour or two-Rustica is my favorite read more

So I don't write reviews often but sometimes I have to. So, we started the night with a later reservation and when we came they accommodated us which was awesome. The patio is also really beautiful and intimate. The live music was good. So we got sat at a table and we're presented with menus and we waited about 15 minutes to be greeted and then we placed an order for drinks and appetizer we were given the wrong menus so the appetizer we chosen wasn't being served so no big deal we asked for a minute to review the menu. So now after about another 15 minutes we are given bread and our drinks and we order our app. So now it's been 30 minutes and we have our first drinks and an order of bread. As we wait for our app we asked for a second serving of bread because the wife is starting to feel hungry. When the bread was delivered to the table next to us we told them it was for us and the other table smiled and told us it was smart to order another bread because they had also waited a long time for entrees. So now after 45 minutes we are finally served the tuna tar tar app which was good. Now we are trying to flag down the waitress and many times we were told she would be right back. After about 10-15 minutes of waiting to order entrees (we have been now sat for over an hour) we call it quits. I use to be a waiter and I have crashed and needed help and I just wish our waitress asked for help. An older gentleman and host were around and could have easily helped and it's not their faults because they didn't know but with a little help we would have been able to have a real nice meal. Instead of just trying to get by trying to handle the craziness of the rush with help it wouldn't have even been noticeable how bad the waitress was crashing but without asking for help no one on the wait staff knows. When I found our waitress I apologized that we had to leave but explained nicely that the wait for literally everything was the reason we had to leave I was told "I should have ordered the entrees with the appetizer". So I guess in the end after waiting over an hour at this point to order entrees it was my fault for not ordering the appetizer and entree at the same time. I don't usually write reviews like this but I don't think I could sleep at night not being able to express how I felt. Maybe I'm crazy and when we came we were to hungry. I was a waiter and have been completely overwhelmed at times but I've always asked for help when I was to over my head and never blamed the customer when it was pointed out. We could really enjoy this place in the future because it is beautiful but there are many other places in the area so we will be back I guess eventually but for now... it's eh. read more

Kalamazoo can finally boast about an exquisite restaurant. I've eaten at Rustica nearly a dozen times and have never been disappointed with my choices. The lamb shank is superb-one of my favorites although I try to order something different each time I visit. Rustica's wine selection is simplistic and satisfying . The ambiance is dimly lit, but not so much that you can't see your food. I'm really a fan of the decor. It truly encompasses quaintness and class of a small French Bistro. The only draw back to eating at a place like Rustica is it's difficult to find a comparable restaurant in Kalamazoo. A caveat concerning attire: Although they casual is ok, I would not recommended wearing jeans or super casual clothing there . It's a bit more formal than the average restaurant in the zoo. read more

Had dinner there a while back. I am certainly due for another visit. Great menu and bar selections paired with an intimate atmosphere makes this place a winner. read more

Had dinner tonight at Rustica with my wife. Small and nice atmosphere. Had a wonderful meal, turkey chili was fantastic. Seth provide great service & recommendations. read more

We live in Chicago and think of ourselves as foodies. With that in mind, the bouillabaisse and braised lamb shanks were as good as we've ever had! Service and ambience were also excellent. Prices are better than fair. No reservations, but call ahead for wait-list. Parking is a pain. read more

Excellent. I have eaten here a lot and admittedly am acquainted with the owners and chefs but the consistency and creativity of Rustica stand out. First off, the staff are excellent. They are well trained, kind and generally have a point of view on what they like and don't. It's nice to get actual direction on what's good that night vs the old 'I like everything on the menu' adage. Second, the seasonal menu always reflects the best ingredients that are available at that time of year. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see nary a dish with basil in it in January. Thank God. Finally, the design of the menu is really geared toward the Italian format of primo, secondo and terzo which allows one to have three great dishes in one meal. Quality and refinement are placed above jaw dropping portion size and philistine styles of eating. My favs: the chicken, hangar steak, any ravioli chef makes is delicious, pot pie (yes I said pot pie), short rib and duck. Go and order what you usually like and trust that it will be elevated. Buon appetito! read more

Amazing food! The waitstaff actually know the menu, chefs properly cook food, flavors compliment each other, and wine goes well with menu selection. This is a nice place for a date or to get a little fancy. Highly recommend! read more

We were visiting from the San Francisco area and told this was a great place. It did not disappoint. We went with a few friends and had a delicious and memorable meal. Our server could not have been more helpful and professional. She gave great tips on the menu and terrific service. Food was very well prepared -- and we are fairly picky about our meals. I would highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to returning. read more

I love dining here! The atmosphere, innovative yet accessible menu, great wine and amiable service. A little bit of Europe in Kalamazoo!

I come here whenever I'm in town--definitely the best restaurant I've discovered in Kalamazoo. They also do a good job of managing availability: the system is that you call them after they open, leaving a message with a request for a reservation, and they call you back in the afternoon to confirm. It works well, and I've always been able to get a table, even when they're busy. The pork loin is amazing, and the farrotto too. Really, I've had nothing bad here. read more

I've been here before and had good food but 2 nights ago when we went I had a different experience. Food was ok, my friend ordered a salad and waiter asked if she wanted to add chicken. She thought about it and said sure when the bill came it said chicken entree $26 instead of salad $9 with chicken up-charge. We asked the waiter and he said it should be a $10.75 up charge but then we asked why it was $26 on the receipt he didn't know so then they ask the manager and than the manager came out and he said that price was correct. The manager did chance the price only because the waiter said the incorrect price. We let the manager know they need to inform people that there is a $17 up charge for chicken since that is crazy she pretty much paid for a chicken meal but got two pieces of lettuce and a massive chicken. Lastly, the servers (many of them) were pretty rude along with the manager. Sadly, our experience there wasn't what we were expecting. read more

Food was good and ambiance nice. Small restaurant with fine food. Fish okay (not as good as Bonefish Grill in Grand Rapids), steak good and Duck, so so (Aries was best and now the Four Roses in Plainwell excellent). Other choices okay. Went to Rustica to celebrate Wife's birthday but staff and restaurant were non-receptive. Disappointed! Service satisfactory but lacking enthusiasm and fun. If you are looking to celebrate something special, another place may be more accommodating. If you want a pleasant meal in a small but nice environment, good place to go. read more

I had a fantastic meal. I started with the roasted bone marrow which was delicious and goes highly recommended. I then had one of the best lamb shanks ever. It was Greek-inspired and served with a panzanella and cucumber with yoghurt that accompanied the tender meat beautifully. I concluded with a heavenly Callehaut chocolate brownie served with gelato. I may go back again tonight! read more

What a great find in Kalamazoo! The atmosphere was charming and the service was friendly. The grilled romaine salad was very unique and tasty and our entrees were delicious. There was a great wine selection but the lemoncello tiramisu was out of this world! This is a great date night place! read more

I've been an avid supporter of downtown restaurants for quite a few years. I had the worst experience at Rustica. I took my mother and father there for their 50th anniversary dinner. I had heard great reviews about the food here. Right from the door we had poor service. The Hostess didnt care that she sat many people ahead of us. When I approached her about it she blew me off. I asked to speak to the owner, who was equally rude. He acted like he was running the best restaurant in New York. In the big city or Kalamazoo this place has poor taste, poor manners and the food and the service were sub par. Dont waste your time here. Cross the street and go to Fandango's or there are also many other restaurants downtown that are equally good to fandango's. Just not Rustica!!!! read more

This is our favorite restaurant in Kalamazoo! The food is always excellent and the menu varies according to what local meats and produce are seasonal and available. Great wine list and half off bottles between 5:00 and 6:00 pm Sunday through Thursday. Very knowledgeable, efficient, friendly wait staff. We have had Justin several times and he is excellent. We never feel rushed and even though the restaurant is small, it is quiet enough to carry on a conversation with six at our table. Highly recommend the mussels, the largest, tastiest in the Midwest! read more

Best place to eat in KZoo. Very fun atmosphere, great menu and wine/beer list. Service was fantastic. Can get busy and you may have to wait but it's worth it. read more

Absolutely delicious, I haven't even finished my meal and im posting this. I had the marrow and duck.

By far one of the best food experience I've had In Kalamazoo! And I haven't even finished my dinner! I Am having the duck, just wonderful! Pleasantly surprised that I found this in Kalamazoo, kudos Kalamazoo kudos! Bring your family, friends and your love one hear! read more