Cafe Rustica

Tim and I visited Cafe Rustica a number of weeks ago when we read that it was expanding its hours in order to serve dinner and realized that it was located downtown, near to our home.  We were pleasantly surprised with the setting – it is a small restaurant with a long, pretty bar running the length of one wall.  Against the other wall was a series of booths – the backs of each booth was made from old wooden doors, which looked neat.  Tim and I were seated next to the front plate glass window, at a two-top cafe table with tall chairs.  It was a romantic yet comfortable setting.

Our waitress was knowledgeable yet friendly.  We were served bread quickly and it was good.  Tim ordered schweinschnitzel, which was served with red cabbage and spaetzel.  The pork was flattened and took up half of his plate (obviously, quite a big portion).  Tim ate most of his food.  I ordered a beef dish served with a rich, hearty brown gravy.  I also received side dishes of red cabbage and spaetzel.  I am not a big red cabbage fan, but Rustica’s cabbage was truly excellent.  My meat was tender and the gravy was flavorful (I believe it was made with red wine).   I almost cleaned my plate.

There were additional German-themed selections on the menu, as well as several fish dishes.  German is not my favorite ethnicity for food, although Tim adores it (and now that our beloved Acapella is closed, I believe the only German fare available in Richmond can be found at Cafe Rustica).  We grabbed a paper menu on our way out and salivated over the breakfast and lunch offerings (some breakfast items include the rustic skillet, crab omelet, and several varieties of poached eggs).  We will definitely be visiting some time soon for breakfast.

I highly recommend Cafe Rustica and hope that Richmonders will go out and enthusiastically support it.  However, if you have a large party this is not the place to go, as they do not have tables big enough for more than four or perhaps five people.

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