Très Magnifique!

Rustique – York, England

French • May 2022

Danny at our York B&B, St. Raphael Guesthouse, recommended Rustique near Clifford’s Tower for classic French bistro fare. After stopping by the restaurant, the only reservation available on Friday was for 5 p.m. and we felt lucky to get that reservation as it was already crowded at that early hour. Just like in the States, it appears people are dining out in record numbers.From the website, “Experience exquisite French dining in an upbeat Bistro atmosphere in the centre of York.” There are two floors, and both are atmospheric.

The chalkboard gave us our choice of specials. There’s a bar both upstairs and downstairs.

We tried not to fill up on the warm, freshly baked bread while we waited for our starters, but didn’t try very hard, as it was gone before you could say “boulangerie.”  Mary started with an “earthy” mushroom and tarragon soup du jour, followed with the special Cod Loin served with Sun Blush tomatoes and prawn linguine. Once again Mary was eating a country out of all its fish products.
Tracy ordered from the Set Menu (£19.95 for 2 courses) starting with a splendid Croquette de Crabe: coriander and lemon crab cake with baby salad and chili salsa.
For her main course she chose the Poulet Façon Bretonne; chicken breast cooked in a Brittany style with mushrooms, leeks, onions, white wine and tarragon cream sauce, served with cheesy, excellent Dauphinoise potatoes.

Like when I’m in France (or England or anywhere else I dine), I started with the escargot; six snails cooked with garlic and parsley butter, served in their shells with French bread, and a perfectly cooked Filet de Boeuf with a delectable Blue Cheese and Smoked Bacon Sauce and Frites. Wow! I said it that night and I’m sticking to it, this was the best steak I have ever eaten in Europe. The sauce was spectacular!

Kim also ordered from the Set Menu enjoying the Moules Marinieres ala crème cooked in a white wine, garlic cream and herb sauce. For his main course he went with the Linguines Aux Crevettes et au Crabe; King prawn and crab linguine, herb oil, red chili and lime zest.

Amazingly, I still had room for a dessert and the table “shared” (ok, I ate most of it) a Crêpe al a Banane et Sauce Caramel; French crêpe filled with banana, smothered in caramel sauce and served with vanilla ice cream and four spoons.As rain was forecast for this evening, there was no dining on the outdoor terrace which was fortuitous as it poured while we dined and on the walk back to our B&B, a walk I sorely needed after stealing everyone’s Crêpe al a Banane.

Rustique is another York restaurant where I’d recommend you secure reservations early. Combining service, ambiance and especially the food, Rustique est très magnifique.

Rustique
28 Castlegate
York, England
Phone: 01904 612744
Monday – Saturday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. & Sunday 12 – 9