Caffe Rustica
| Address: | 1936 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, NY 12946, USA |
| Phone: | +1 518-523-7511 |
| Site: | cafferustica.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 5–9PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 5–9PM 5–9:30PM 5–9:30PM 5–9PM |
Location
Photos 89
Reviews 18
A
A Private User
The place has pretensions toward haute cuisine, but comes off as just pretentious. We were a party of five. Two, alarmed by the prices, shared the pizza Funghi Misti e Salsiccia: they reported it as bland and dry (they thought the cooks skimped on sauce and cheese, though to my eye the proportions looked fine). Two others shared a pizza Margherita, and there were complaints about the crust from one, but the other found it tasty. My pizza Rustica was fine, though I, too, would have liked more sauce on it. For appetizers we tried the Pan-Fried Goat Cheese (beautifully prepared and with some nice mellow but tangy cheese) and the Baked Onion au Gratin soup (very nice -- not too salty or beefy). These were the best part of the meal. Looked over the wine list -- not a single glass under $9.00, and most low-end full bottles were in the $30.00 - $40.00 range. I love good wine, but I found those prices too high -- and I was driving, anyway. In fact, Id say that the prices are the number one problem with Caffé Rustica: I dont mind paying more for good value, and I applaud the owners for using local produce, but I think the place has a little further to go before it can command such high prices: I should think everything on the menu could be lowered by $3.00 to $5.00. The bill, for three pizzas and two appetizers, without alcohol but with tip, came to $75.00. Ouch. The number two problem -- and here I will sound like an overeducated, pedantic snob -- is the butchery of the Italian language. Egregious spelling and grammatical errors all over the menu: "Le Insulata" (Insalate); "Quattro Fromaggi" (Formaggi); "Del Gornio" (del Giorno); "Pastacsuitta" (Pastasciutta -- or, better, Pastasciutte); "Arribiata" ("Arrabbiata"); our server pronounced "Funghi" with a soft "g" (the "h" makes it a hard consonant, folks); someone had written "Tirimasu" (Tiramisù) on the dessert board, for crying out loud. Im sorry to carp, and perhaps Im the only one whos noticed, but each one of these mistakes cost me a piece of my soul. If you want to walk the walk, you have to talk the talk, lest your diners wonder whether you actually know what youre doing. Perhaps a good restaurant for Lake Placid, but we wont be going back for a while, if ever. Driving back through the village, we saw Milanos North -- should have eaten there instead.
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Karen D.
We went up to Lake Placid over Christmas 2016. I booked Caffe Rustica for Christmas Eve dinner. It was a wonderful meal! The food was excellent and the service was excellent! I had Osso Bucco and it was excellent! We had Tiramisu for dessert and it was delicious. This restaurant is tucked away in a little shopping plaza and a short distance (maybe 1-1.5 miles) from the main strip in Lake Placid. Its easy to find and definitely worth making a trip too. We enjoyed it so much we went back there our last night in Lake Placid. You definitely have to make a reservation because it is a small restaurant and seems to be always busy. We almost didnt get in on a Monday night when we went back!
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Nicol Hotaling
We visited Caffe Rustica with our large family recently and I was not impressed when I first arrived. They are not very accommodating to small children. There are no boosters or highchairs so my husband had to drive back to our rental and get my daughter a highchair so we could eat. They also do not offer childrens portions so be prepared to have your children share a plate. The food was good. I got the salmon with risotto. The risotto tasted like basic cooked pasta, no flavor, but the fish tasted great. Otherwise the staff was friendly.
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Rich Cutshall
Not for takeout, forget it. $67.00 for four 9" pizzas that would be considered absolutely mediocre in NYC. In Lake Placid, go to Keeseville to the North Country Club (I know, do it anyway), as good as the East Village, I swear it. Question: How do you feed ten with four 9" pizzas? Thats right, you cant, especially after your wallet has been drained. Frankly, if you and three friends went here and got four 9" pizzas, then were presented with a $67.00 check (no beverages), you would run screaming. You know you would...
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John Fabula
We called for a reservation the night of and told them we were staying at The Whiteface Lodge across the street. We got an 8:30 reservation but were called at 7:30 and told to come over. Service was sooo friendly and the food was amazing. We cancelled reservations at a higher end spot to try this out and we definitely made the right choice. Give it a shot, it was up to par with many of the Manhattan spots Ive tried for food quality.
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Shirley Tagliere Moore
Sauces, veal, halibut, pizza and French onion soup was outstanding! Was referred by hotel and was so happy with the choice. The meals were so good, we chose dessert also, carrot cake and the creme brulee. Excellent! The chef does an amazing job and his wife makes the desserts home made. A must visit when you come to lake placid. Service was excellent! Great job!
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Paul W
Great food but bad service. Someone told me make sure I made a reservation. Well, we got busy and you know... anyway we stopped in, hostess said they had a table available. But we waited forever for appetizers. And noticed the locals who came in after us were finishing their meals. 1.5 hours for an appetizer and a pizza. Pays to be a local.
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Kitty McCue
I visited Caffe Rustica while visiting Lake Placid with my son and his girlfriend. We all loved it. It was a very busy night - but the waitstaff worked hard to make our experience enjoyable. The food was outstanding as was the wine. We all loved it so much - we returned for a second meal. Great find!
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Michael Moran
Great ambience. Staff very friendly and accommodating. Pricing maybe slightly higher then you may be use too depending on where you live.The pan roasted tandoori spiced salmon and the Sicilian spicy meatballs over polenta is excellent as well as the butterscotch creme Brule. A must try.
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Irina Gozman
Hands down favorite restaurant in Lake Placid. Fantastic food, service and hospitality. Great menus, both food and drinks. The food is just amazing. Pizza, you can die for . Very impressed. Highly recommend
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Molly Babowal
Great staff great food overall a very nice place to go for dinner but make sure to make a reservation because it is very small
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Tom Konrad
Went here with my wife for Valentines Day. Excellent food and service- what Id expect from a more expensive restaurant.
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Kevin M
We can not visit lake placid w/o a trip to cafe Rustica. Great food every visit.
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Lorie Ellsworth
Food was exceptional! Good service. Delightful quiet atmosphere.
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Otto Horstmann II
Always a wonderful experience from the food to the service.
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James Duhaime
Excellent food but a bit pricy.
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Gilberto Viadana
Best quality in the village
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Mailo Life
Good
