Not being a beer guy, I was very skeptical about going to Rustico. All I ever heard about was their extensive beer list, never about the food. I actually had a good friend work there for while and never once did I ever visit. Not because I didn't want to, but because I never could find the time. We recently promoted one of our staff members to a bar back who also doubles as a cook at Rustico. After many nights (battles) together behind the bar, my trusty sidekick and I had a chat over a drinks and he not only invited, but insisted that I go. How could I refuse..? So I took my wife and a few other staff members to visit and we tried several pizzas - the white pizza, roasted tomato, one with a ton of meat on it, and a basic pepperoni pizza. Let me say this before I continue... I LOVE pizza. I could eat it every day/night of the week and never get tired of it - as long as its good pizza. I would say 90% of pizza I have tried in the DC area is total crap, but every now and then I find a diamond in the rough - and this is definitely one of them. I was so impressed in fact that I had to go back - it wasn't that I wanted more, I needed it. My "inner fat man" had been roused. So it didn't happen right away, but my wife and I found our way back. To our surprise, they had changed the menu - we were like... "OH NO!!!!!!!" but our waitress assured us there would be something we would like. I had my doubts, so we did something crazy - we ordered off the pizza menu. Over the years, if I labeled a place as a good pizza place, I never order off the menu. I'm always usually either disappointed or find something that puts the pizza to shame. NOT IN THIS CASE!!!!! I NEED EVERYONE TO PAY ATTENTION FOR A SECOND... EVERYONE NEED NEEDS TO EXPERIENCE THIS... FOR IT IS TRULY AMAZING...:
*THE BOSTON BIBB SALAD
*THE TURKEY MONTE CRISTO
I'm not really a big salad guy, but my wife loves them - which means what gentlemen.... I should learn to like them. In terms of food, my wife is usually never wrong. I may have an "inner fat man," but she has an inner sumo! -and with their powers combined... its something otherworldly... lol... Anyhow, this salad has a sweet apple taste, but is beautifully balanced by fresh greens, granola and almonds. On another visit, my wife and I got our own because neither of us were willing to share. The Monte Cristo... holy crap... its ridiculous... omg... on the way out, I had to stop and talk to the chef and congratulate him on his genius. As a matter of fact, I must have been on the phone for about an hour telling people how delicious this sandwich was following this particular visit. I could wake up every day and dive into this monstrosity and only smile at my expanding waist line. My wife begged me not to ask how it was made, but I had to know. The sandwich is stuffed with smoked Turkey (that smoke in house and marinate in a beer batter), its loaded with delicious Bechamel cheese, you can taste hints of nutmeg and cinnamon, and its topped with a fried egg meant to drip all over the sandwich. Don't bother trying to pick it up... this delicacy requires a knife and fork to savor every mouth watering bite. It's possibly the greatest thing I've encountered in at least a year... maybe more. As for the pizza, my favorite thus far must have been our last visit. We ordered a creamy mushroom pizza topped with Gorgonzola, spinach, and roasted chicken... Honestly, I'm considering going by myself today after I go to the gym to harass them some more. The chef recommended the steak sandwich - which he claims could give the Philly Cheese Steak off the map. Strong words, but I don't doubt his sorcery in the least... My only regret is that I didn't stop in sooner... who knows what I may have missed due to their rotating menu!?!??!
My only negative remark about the place , which I also saw in other reviews, is the service is a little shotty. It seems like its full of rookies... but it is friendly and accurate. I think I stumbled on a trainer the other day - and I wish we had had him as our server. He seemed to know the place like the back of his hand and was very confident in his abilities. As a matter of fact, I might get his name for next time. Our last server was terrific though. He was definitely on his game and was very professional. Either way, the chef is amazing and the place is amazing.... yeah... I'm definitely probably going back again today Lol... read more