I've had the pleasure of dining at The Ruxton in Baltimore twice - once on their opening night and again a few weeks later. It's not often I rate a place a perfect score, but The Ruxton truly deserves it.
Staff and Service: The highlight of The Ruxton is undeniably its staff. Both of my visits featured different wait staff, each one leaving a lasting impression with their exceptional service. While I regret not recalling the name of our first waitress, Wendy, who served us during our second visit, was just as remarkable. The staff's professionalism and attentiveness add a layer of perfection to the dining experience.
Ambiance: The decor and ambiance of The Ruxton are top-notch, fostering a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere. The clientele is as diverse as the staff, with almost everyone dressed to impress. It's a place where the ambiance matches the quality of the dining experience, making every visit memorable.
Food and Drinks: The drink menu at The Ruxton is on par with the best speakeasy/cocktail bars, featuring a variety of beautifully crafted drinks. We tried the Red Daisy, Cheeky Devil, Golden Goose, and Mont Blanc - each drink was a hit, with the Red Daisy stealing the spotlight for me. Our appetizer, the Crudo Tasting, was flawless. As for the main dishes, across two dinners, we enjoyed the Rib Cap (twice), the 12oz Gold Label SRF ribeye, and the Chilean Sea Bass, accompanied by Truffled Hasselback Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli, and Roasted Mushrooms. The Rib Cap was a standout, unparalleled in taste and preparation, and unlike anything else available in the area. The sear on the steaks was perfect, the crust made it look as though the steak was deep fried in peppercorns (although, it obviously wasn't). While the SRF ribeye was expertly prepared, it's worth noting it's trimmed differently from traditional ribeyes, resembling more of a filet mignon.
Dessert: The butter cake was an experience in itself. OMFG, it is without question the best dessert my wife and I have had at a restaurant in the area, PERIOD. Our second visit was primarily motivated by our craving for this dessert and the drinks, but we couldn't resist ordering the rib cap again. The butter cake is so exceptional that we found ourselves visiting The Ruxton shortly after trying a different restaurant's version of the cake, which only made us crave The Ruxton's even more.
Critiques: In the spirit of fairness, I have a couple of minor critiques. On opening night, we were seated in the back room, where the attentive service occasionally felt too watchful, maybe because of the managers' presence. Also, there was a moment of confusion with the SRF ribeye's presentation, which the manager addressed but could have explained more thoroughly.
Final Thoughts: The Ruxton has quickly become a staple for my wife and me, promising to be a go-to for exceptional dining experiences. Despite the minor critiques, the overall excellence of The Ruxton from the staff to the food and ambiance makes it a perfect dining destination. read more