We have been here twice - once on a Friday afternoon and once in the evening. Absolutely loved both occasions. Service was better on the daytime visit, but the food was consistently outstanding. I disagree with others reviews about the price- I think the pricing is entirely fair for the quality. Favourite restaurant in LB.
Miguel Ramos Artime (2030 Films)
Very impressed after an improvised visit on the way back home! (The Fork discount disclaimer, honest review).I was a bit scared when I saw the place completely dead at 9pm (more on this at the end).Despite the initial feeling of incredulity due to the lack of atmosphere and the terrible location the owners have chosen, I must say this is one of the best food I’ve ever had in the UK (shame the incredibly uncomfortable terrace-like chairs and lack of charm in the decor).It all began top high with an amazing selection of green and black olives mixed with some sun-dried toms and the yummiest ever olive oil with garlic.Focaccia also followed (shame it wasn’t toasted).For mains, we went for the monkfish and the pork tomahawk and, oh dear, what a delight to our palates that was!Super flavoursome, well cooked - simply delightful.Little room for improvement on the way the monkfish was presented, though: I understand you finish the fish on the oven but, pls, do remove the oven paper when you serve it! I found so hard to believe they’d serve us something inedible that I almost tried it!Lastly, and I truly think this must be fixed asap, they dare to add 12.5% service charge to your bill…No offence, but this is barely acceptable on high end venues in central London, what makes you believe you can do this to your guest?! It’s so offensive, forcing people to pay taxes (government takes 20%) plus a forced tip. This may also explain why they had no other guests tonight - but it may also be due to their poor location.On top of that, no AMEX accepted - which should be informed in advance, I believe (missed a good few Avios tonight…).Bottomline: if you listen to your guests and become a little bit less greedy (remove SC & add AMEX), upgrade your decor, throw away those terrible chairs and move to a better location, I have no doubt you guys have a great future ahead!PS: parking can be challenging. No steps to access the venue, but no accessible toilet available. Great music in the background, yet it comes from a single low-quality speaker located next to the counter. Campari Spritz for £7 is such a bargain!Piacere,MRA @ 2030 FilmsGlobal Conscious Media
Alex Humphries-French
Italy in Leighton Buzzard. Beautiful food and great service. A must-go.
The Tourist
Really good food?However it’s a bit cold to dine in, the door doesn’t shut by itself, the door & window frames are made of cheap plastic.But the service is pleasant and the location is great?!
Nick Carter
Excellent food. First-class chef. The kind of restaurant Leighton Buzzard needs more of.
Leah Queripel
We eat here often and it’s really good food, and great service. Lovely little restaurant and definitely recommend it.
Liz Culley
Lovely little bistro, with professional friendly staff. Service was faultless and the food was absolutely delicious - beautifully presented and fresh ingredients cooked in house. Would thoroughly recommend!
Ruthh777
Wonderful food tonight at rustico’s. The salmon was so revolver and delicious with the olive caramel. The baba rum was one of the nicest desserts I have had. Perfect.
Oons14
Awesome! What a fabulous experience, the food was exceptional, the service was great and we got to chat to the chef! Everything made to order can’t recommend it enough.
sandra collins
Lovely food in this cute little restaurant. Beautifully cooked Italian dishes that are different- not a typical menu but we'll worth
Went with my family to celebrate my wife’s birthday and while the restaurant was cosy and looked really nice I have to say that the food was WAY over priced. In ordered a stake that cost nearly £30.00 and I’m not joking that the stake was only 5 little strips no Bigger than my fingers. With chips and sauce. Our bill came to over £400 and my whole family said that they would never come back. To add insult to injury they automatically added a tip to the bill. I heard the waitress trying to explain to another customer why the bill was higher than what they ordered and it was cringe. I really don’t like to leave negative reviews but the tip should be discretionary and not added automatically. I know I could of asked to remove it but as a customer I know that can be so awkward.
J
Popped in for a lunch, home made burger and homemade brioche bun & pumpkin ravioli - both were excellent.Great to find a new local restaurant!
LizR701
Excellent experience! We'd booked as a special anniversary treat after a recommendation from a friend - after considering other local, special, places we decided that we'd give this place a try, having walked past so often before. As you walk in the welcome is warm and unforced and this feeling remains throughout. Although not cheap, the quality of all the food and wine was exceptional - you truly get what you pay for. An absolute gem that Leighton Buzzard is lucky to have!
AnthonyL
Sensational pasta dishes cooked by people who really care about their food and its story. We enjoyed three pasta dishes between the two of us and each one was better than the next. We'll be back to try the winter menu, what a gem of a restaurant. This place is now our clear favourite in Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding areas. It may be slightly more expensive than the others, but it's worth it, the food is stand out.
N T
We enjoyed the experience of a meal for two, found the drinks to be quite nice and the atmosphere lively. But all our dishes were chronically under seasoned, which for price paid of over £100 was disappointing. So overall, no return visits planned any time soon.
We have been here twice - once on a Friday afternoon and once in the evening. Absolutely loved both occasions. Service was better on the daytime visit, but the food was consistently outstanding. I disagree with others reviews about the price- I think the pricing is entirely fair for the quality. Favourite restaurant in LB.
Very impressed after an improvised visit on the way back home! (The Fork discount disclaimer, honest review).I was a bit scared when I saw the place completely dead at 9pm (more on this at the end).Despite the initial feeling of incredulity due to the lack of atmosphere and the terrible location the owners have chosen, I must say this is one of the best food I’ve ever had in the UK (shame the incredibly uncomfortable terrace-like chairs and lack of charm in the decor).It all began top high with an amazing selection of green and black olives mixed with some sun-dried toms and the yummiest ever olive oil with garlic.Focaccia also followed (shame it wasn’t toasted).For mains, we went for the monkfish and the pork tomahawk and, oh dear, what a delight to our palates that was!Super flavoursome, well cooked - simply delightful.Little room for improvement on the way the monkfish was presented, though: I understand you finish the fish on the oven but, pls, do remove the oven paper when you serve it! I found so hard to believe they’d serve us something inedible that I almost tried it!Lastly, and I truly think this must be fixed asap, they dare to add 12.5% service charge to your bill…No offence, but this is barely acceptable on high end venues in central London, what makes you believe you can do this to your guest?! It’s so offensive, forcing people to pay taxes (government takes 20%) plus a forced tip. This may also explain why they had no other guests tonight - but it may also be due to their poor location.On top of that, no AMEX accepted - which should be informed in advance, I believe (missed a good few Avios tonight…).Bottomline: if you listen to your guests and become a little bit less greedy (remove SC & add AMEX), upgrade your decor, throw away those terrible chairs and move to a better location, I have no doubt you guys have a great future ahead!PS: parking can be challenging. No steps to access the venue, but no accessible toilet available. Great music in the background, yet it comes from a single low-quality speaker located next to the counter. Campari Spritz for £7 is such a bargain!Piacere,MRA @ 2030 FilmsGlobal Conscious Media
Italy in Leighton Buzzard. Beautiful food and great service. A must-go.
Really good food?However it’s a bit cold to dine in, the door doesn’t shut by itself, the door & window frames are made of cheap plastic.But the service is pleasant and the location is great?!
Excellent food. First-class chef. The kind of restaurant Leighton Buzzard needs more of.
We eat here often and it’s really good food, and great service. Lovely little restaurant and definitely recommend it.
Lovely little bistro, with professional friendly staff. Service was faultless and the food was absolutely delicious - beautifully presented and fresh ingredients cooked in house. Would thoroughly recommend!
Wonderful food tonight at rustico’s. The salmon was so revolver and delicious with the olive caramel. The baba rum was one of the nicest desserts I have had. Perfect.
Awesome! What a fabulous experience, the food was exceptional, the service was great and we got to chat to the chef! Everything made to order can’t recommend it enough.
Lovely food in this cute little restaurant. Beautifully cooked Italian dishes that are different- not a typical menu but we'll worth
Restaurantji Recommends
Went with my family to celebrate my wife’s birthday and while the restaurant was cosy and looked really nice I have to say that the food was WAY over priced. In ordered a stake that cost nearly £30.00 and I’m not joking that the stake was only 5 little strips no Bigger than my fingers. With chips and sauce. Our bill came to over £400 and my whole family said that they would never come back. To add insult to injury they automatically added a tip to the bill. I heard the waitress trying to explain to another customer why the bill was higher than what they ordered and it was cringe. I really don’t like to leave negative reviews but the tip should be discretionary and not added automatically. I know I could of asked to remove it but as a customer I know that can be so awkward.
Popped in for a lunch, home made burger and homemade brioche bun & pumpkin ravioli - both were excellent.Great to find a new local restaurant!
Excellent experience! We'd booked as a special anniversary treat after a recommendation from a friend - after considering other local, special, places we decided that we'd give this place a try, having walked past so often before. As you walk in the welcome is warm and unforced and this feeling remains throughout. Although not cheap, the quality of all the food and wine was exceptional - you truly get what you pay for. An absolute gem that Leighton Buzzard is lucky to have!
Sensational pasta dishes cooked by people who really care about their food and its story. We enjoyed three pasta dishes between the two of us and each one was better than the next. We'll be back to try the winter menu, what a gem of a restaurant. This place is now our clear favourite in Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding areas. It may be slightly more expensive than the others, but it's worth it, the food is stand out.
We enjoyed the experience of a meal for two, found the drinks to be quite nice and the atmosphere lively. But all our dishes were chronically under seasoned, which for price paid of over £100 was disappointing. So overall, no return visits planned any time soon.