La Rustica Trattoria Pizzeria

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  6      Value  7     

I went to LaRustica on a saturday night as it was recommended by a friend. it was very busy when we arrived but we were promptly seated, it did, however, take a while to get a waiters attention so we ordered drinks and food at the same time. I had the calamari for entree with my partner having the octopus. Both were great, I was disappointed with the look of mine as it look like packet deep fried stuff but once bitten into it, it was obvious it was not.

I then had the pollo chicken with mushrooms and creamy white wine sauce and my partner has a steak. Both were cooked to perfection and throughly enjoyed. Despite already being full we ordered dessert, for me vanilla bean and hazelnut icecream and for him profiteroles. The profiteroles were enormous and so delish! the icecream was also housemade and was reflected the taste.

All over a very good experience, the only disappointment was the service. Understandably it was lax during the busy period but it did not improve as the night went on, with the staff much preferring the chat behind the counter. Wasn't enough to put us off returning though.

Jan 09, 2012 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  3     

We had one night in Canberra and picked La Rustica out of the Kingston block. Big mistake! We started with garlic bread, when it arrived, it was burnt so I sent it back, only to have it returned a few minutes later with the burnt areas partly scrapped off. Not a good start! We then had some pizza which was Ok, but just average. We had the baked gnocchi as entree which was not very good, too mushy and cheesy. Our mains were huge but I personally would rather pay for quality rather than quantity. I was very surprised that this place seemed to be so popular.

Jul 04, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

This has to be one of the best value italian restaurants in canberra; if you don't order the pizza. The mains are reasonably priced and are substantial. Maybe too large as both my wife and I were too full to try the desserts - which also looked good.

Feb 28, 2011 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  3     

La Rustica was closed recently by the Health Inspectors. They are now back open and trading again. I hope that they have taken the lesson from their closure that they need to keep their standards high, as I was unimpressed by what I experienced during my meal there. The food wasn't graet, and with inconsistent staff getting in the way, it was mildly annoying too.

Feb 25, 2011 

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  4     

Had a pizza there last night. Thought it was pretty tasty. The place is nice enough and the service was decent, though they forgot about our pizzas (two of us had pizzas, the other two had meat dishes) when they realised this they were quick to sort us out, I think the only issue with that is they should have brought out our food at the same time, but as I said, they sorted us out soon enough. I don't think I've been to a place yet in canberra besides the hogs breath and chargrilled yet, where they haven't done this though.

Dec 11, 2010 

4.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  4     

I went on a Thursday night and the place was packed and it was very noisy I could hardly talk to the person in front of me. I ordered gnocchi Sorrento and didn't like it at all. I have had tried this dish before and it was better. The gnocchi had no taste and floury consistency, like the ones you buy in the supermarket. My partner had the grilled fish and, unfortunately, the fish wasn't fresh enough. One of my friends had pizza and he can make a better pizza himself.

Below average and disappointing. Some of my friends had lasagne and they were quite happy with their choice, although it wasn't re-heated properly as it was cold in the middle. Coffee (at least the espresso) was good. For such a popular place you would think the food is reasonable. Service is average. It wouldn't be my choice to come back.

Jun 27, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Simple tasty food. Very noisy, very busy. Staff pleasant and obliging. Clearly very popular locally.

Dec 29, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  7     

We went here on our visit to Canberra and the wait staff were lovely and helpful. Good pizza. Good service and very nice food. The pasta is also good here.

Aug 06, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

I have dined here twice now on my visits to Canberra from Sydney and have been very impressed both times. The first visit I had the seafood pasta (which was fresh!-unlike some other Canberra establishments) and they let me taste an Italian wine I was thinking of ordering to help me decide whether to order it (and it was great, so I did).

The second time was possibly even better than the first, we shared breads and dips and a small pizza to start with (divine) and then I had the home made ravioli which were lovely. I also had a taste of my fellow diners icecream at the end (as I couldn't fit it in!) and was also impressed.

On both visits the staff have been courteous, attentive and friendly and the service quick despite the busyness of the venue on both nights (considering the first night was a Tuesday I was impressed). A great choice and obviously reliable good food and service and well priced too.

May 13, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Been here several times and each time the food has been fantastic! The service was fair, considering it has been terribly busy each visit. Last Valentine's day we were given a complimentary heart shaped dessert, which was delicious and a nice surprise at the end of our meal! I'll certainly would recommend it to friends.

Feb 03, 2009