We had a wonderful date night here! Our waitress was so proud, she explained all about the restaurant and the chef and really made us excited to try the menu. I loved mine scallops, such a unique twist with the tom yum broth. My husband got the ribs and they were incredible! We got the Hawaii coffee and the lava cake to finish. The ice cream or sorbet with the lava cake was so special. We would definitely come back! read more

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We had been wanting to check out Rustica since we walked by them a few months ago and we decided to finally come check them out for our anniversary. We made an early reservation since we saw they do Happy Hour 4PM to 5:00PM everyday so we had to get in on that. We walked and and were seated at our table. They made sure to let us know you can sit anywhere during Happy Hour and still get the specials where many restaurants limit it to a bar area. Rustica does a great job of Happy Hour. They have appetizers, cocktails, beer, Sake, wine, and even main course happy hour entrees too. I started off with a cocktail going for the Liliko Martini which I really enjoyed. I have really been into my Passion Fruit drinks lately. We of course had to get some of the Happy Hour appetizers too and we might have gone a little overboard but for sure worth it. We got: The Naan Bread Yellow Beet Salad Crispy Tofu Roasted Pork Belly Bao Crispy Pork and Shrimp Lumpia Japanese Style Fried Chicken These were a great way to start off dinner and not one of them were $8 or less. If I had to pick favorites the best was for sure the Roasted Pork Belly Bao. I think it might have been the best Pork Belly Bao I had ever had. I was a large thick piece of Pork Belly but it just melted you your mouth and had so much flavor. We also very much enjoyed the Crispy Pork and Shrimp Lumpia which were much bigger then expected. The Japanese Style Fried Chicken was great too and the BBQ Ranch took it to the next level. For my entree I went with the Basil Crusted Roasted Monkfish which came with Vietnamese Yellow Curry, Crispy Shrimp and veggies. The Monkfish was cooked perfectly. I had a great sear on it too which gave it a bit of a crunch. I know Monkfish can sometimes be intimidated people because it was pretty ugly looking but let me tell you if it's prepared like this you're going to love it. Some of the best fish I have had. The Vietnamese Yellow Curry paired very well with it too. Wasn't too heavy and didn't over power the fish but just added an extra boost of flavor. I know what you're thinking who could was possibly be hungry for dessert but it sounded good so we ordered the Thai Milk Tea Creme Brulee and the Yuzu Cheesecake. Both were light enough that we could still really enjoy them after all we had eaten. We really like that the Thai Milk Tea Creme Brulee also had bubble boba in it which we didn't expect. We had an amazing meal and for sure be coming back sooner rather then later. read more

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Oh I loved it, loved it so much! Literally loved everything we got! Starting with a drink, I saw a Hawaiian cocktail in a can vodka soda, lemongrass ginger, ok let's try it, it was so good I looked up can I buy it anywhere locally... lol! Next apps: tempura fried green beans, so addictive delicious! And a great portion! Nann bread with assorted dips- it was good the nann were soft and clearly homemade with 3 different sauces. Scallop ravioli in truffle butter- the heavens might have open up and sang a Lil when I tried these, heavenly! Served with a happy Lil surprise being a Japanese Milk bread to soak up all that sauce. Grilled octopus- excellent! Grilled to perfection, tender with a great char and swimming in sauce, i could have eaten the whole thing myself! Or server was great, everyone working there seemed happy, chef owner in the kitchen cooking! A wonderful Gem! read more

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We've been here several times and it is consistently 5 stars. The fried chicken is addictive. I had the striped bass and fried shrimp. It was amazing. Every bite was very flavorful- from the tarragon beurre rouge sauce that I could have drank. 5 star service from Brian. The chef, John, came by to ask us how the food was and tell us about it and the menu. Will be going back often. read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Striped bass in tarragon beurre rouge with crispy shrimp. Amazing! - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

Still one of our absolute favorite restaurants! Chef outdid himself again with the pairing of flavors and presentation.. but the taste profile is truly delicious. And using fresh spices he grows in his very own garden just elevates .. well everything! Service staff is always attentive and goes beyond that even when finding out what spice chef used on your plate! Lemon basil for the win! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lovely decor with floating fish and a wonderful wine list and coffee options top it all off.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Do not sleep on Rustica! read more

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Another amazing experience! Brian provided superb service and Chef John stopped by to ensure that we loved our meal. Everything was fresh and delicious as usual. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great spot for date night but casual enough for a family dinner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Always busy but not overly loud.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Just wish it was closer to home. Will definitely be back. read more

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Everything here went well at this new rustica earth, sea, and fire restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]While we waited to be seated, the noise level was high and it was difficult to hear yourself speak.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is why we chose to sit outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waitress was friendly. We began with appetizers. The tempura green beans were unique and delicious. The photos that I've posted will show you the beauty of all the entrées we had. This was a birthday celebration and at the end, they complimented us with a free dessert. The flavors were unique. It was a fusion mix between Hawaiian and Asian. This is a great addition near Silverleaf in St. John's. We will definitely be coming back here again. The owners work the kitchen, serve, are very hard-working and friendly. read more

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Celebrated my birthday with family at Rustica Earth Sea & Fire. Our reservation was at 4pm due to reservation availability so that meant we were able to take advantage of some of their amazing Happy Hour specials (4-5p). drinks | Cocoberry margarita, Lilikoi martini apps | green bean tempura, brussel sprouts, naan bread, chicken dumplings entree | seared scallop risotto desserts | molten lava cake, bread pudding, yuzu cheesecake The cocktails were an excellent start to the meal. We enjoyed each of the apps but our absolute fave was the green bean tempura. The scallops on my entree were cooked to perfection, but I prefer a creamy risotto to this presentation in broth despite it being very flavorful. The desserts were also crowd pleasers especially the molten lava cake which we nearly skipped. Luckily we decided a third dessert was indeed necessary. read more

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Me and five of my favorite people decided to go try this place out. None of us have ever been so it was the first experience for the group of us. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Upon arrival we found that you could hear all of the chatter inside the restaurant from the outside with the door closed. It was very noisy in there, so we asked if we could sit outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Aside from a few kids playing in the center between the two restaurants it was actually quite nice to sit outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was definitely something to write home about. Our server let us know that they do not rush Friday and Saturday night dinners and ask that you order everything all at once so they can time everything accordingly. They've got their stuff down. 100%. Our server was also very attentive with allergens and let us know that the chef does his best to accommodate. Again, he wasn't wrong! I got to order what I wanted and let them figure out the rest, or come back with suggestions. It may not seem like a big deal to everyone, but it certainly was to me. The food... The food was amazing. They were a little braggy about the chef and his accomplishments, but based on what we received, again, he wasn't wrong. For the table, we had the spare ribs, steak, two bowls of the salmon, monkfish, and the seafood pasta. It all looked ahhh-mazing. And two of them demolished the chocolate cake. Make your Resy and head on over. It's worth it! read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Monkfish & Veggies - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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Left a bad taste in my mouth. Seemed good at first but some spice left us not wanting to go back.

Date night: 11/21/25 We booked a happy hour reservation between 4-5pm at Rustica, which honestly feels like the sweet spot if you want to dodge some of the St. John's County traffic and sneak in a couple drinks or apps before dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I actually loved walking in at that time -- calm, cozy, and before the usual Friday/Saturday dinner rush hits.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The husband and wife owners are truly a power duo. They're everywhere at once -- welcoming guests, running food, and handling back-of-house like it's nothing. Super friendly, super present. I labeled every photo and video I added to Yelp and Google so you can see exactly what we tried. Appetizers: The ahi tuna is non-negotiable. I got lucky and sat in a booth near the kitchen, so not only did I order it again on my second visit, but I watched plate after plate of it head out to other tables. I first tried it while filming a collab reel for Rustica & YelpJax in summer 2024 and have literally thought about it since. Still just as scrumptious as I remembered. The scallop ravioli is another heavy hitter. And the happy hour margaritas? Way too easy to drink -- tart in the best way. My lumpia appetizer came out piping hot and fresh, which is exactly how it should be. Loved it. We also tried the pork belly buns which were my boyfriend's favorite, and the onion rings which had a fun spin to them with an Indian inspired dipping sauce. Entrées: I went with the happy hour steak, and my boyfriend ordered the beef short ribs. Just a heads-up: the portion on the short ribs is no joke. Super hearty. Same with the pork belly buns - loaded with juicy meat inside. Dessert: We wrapped up with the pear sorbet, which was paired with a chocolate brownie-style dessert and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The sorbet had this unexpected black-licorice note that surprised both of us in a fun way. The creativity in these dishes is honestly what keeps Rustica interesting and so fun. Overall: Service, atmosphere, drinks, food -- all worth the drive from Jacksonville to St. John's and back any day. If it's your first visit, your server will probably share some fun backstory about the chef/owners. I loved learning how Rustica came to be and everything the husband and wife team has accomplished over the years. They're incredibly humble, and it shows. read more

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10/10 recommend!. Absolutely loved Rustica Earth, Sea & Fire, one of my favorites! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is beautiful and cozy, and the food is outstanding.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The flavors really stood out in every dish, and everything tasted incredibly fresh. The seafood was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and fresh, and even the pasta was rich and homemade tasting (which it is). Even the appetizers and cocktails were thoughtfully done and full of flavor. Service was attentive without feeling rushed, and the entire experience felt elevated but still welcoming and relaxed. One of those restaurants you leave already planning your next visit. Highly recommend if you're in the St Johns/St. Augustine area! Family owned and loving family business. read more

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Wonderful experience from the minute we stepped in the door. The hostess was very efficient and friendly while trying to get us a table outside. I'm so glad she was able to seat us outdoors. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was extremely noisy & I knew our party of four would not be able to carry on a conversation.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The tables outdoors while not the best location provided us a nice relaxed evening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server Kristen was excellent. Even though we were sitting outdoors she never made us feel like an afterthought. The restaurant asks that you order your appetizer & mains at the same time. So after a round of drinks & studying the interesting looking menu with so many choices we ordered the following, green beans tempura, poached scallops ravioli in truffle butter, tandoori roasted hoisin ribs and crab cakes for appetizers. I can tell you I tasted everything but the ribs and it all was fantastic. My husband said the ribs were so good. These appetizers were very generous portions & enough to share. The server brought out not one, but two of their Japanese milk breads to dip in the truffle butter sauce of the ravioli. The wait time was super long before our appetizers arrived but we all commented so worth it. For entree I got the ahi tuna tartare . It was very fresh tasting fish and a very nice size as well. My husband had a very automatic pasta sauce dish of pasta with braised pork cheeks. Our other dining companions had the homemade malfadine pasta with various seafood. He said it was expertly prepared & very fresh. It looked wonderful. Our other friend had the sesame crusted salmon with gnocchi & she said it was delicious. We were celebrating a birthday & Kristin brought out and comped his panna cotta with a candle for us to all sing. We also ordered a chocolate cake. This was one of the most delicious meals in a relaxed setting we've had in a long while. We will definitely return. read more

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Tucked into a nondescript strip mall in the Silverleaf community sits Rustica Earth Sea Fire, a restaurant with a pedigree that far outshines its humble exterior. It is the latest creation of Chef Jean Marie Josselin, a six-time James Beard Award nominee whose culinary influence helped define Hawaiian cuisine for decades. Now, he has traded the islands for Northeast Florida, bringing with him a menu of Asian-European fusion that feels both refined and deeply personal. We went in ready to see if the hype was deserved and ordered with enthusiasm: three appetizers, two entrées, and two desserts. The duck curry puffs arrived first, looking more like miniature empanadas than the airy pastry I'd imagined. Any disappointment vanished with the first bite. The curried ground duck was rich and deeply flavored, perfectly balanced by the sweet and sour orange sauce. Pro tip: dip the first bite, then spoon extra sauce inside so it seeps through every crevice. It's transformative. Next came the shrimp and pork lumpia, delicate and crispy, the shrimp and pork mingling in a savory duet that hit every nostalgic note for someone who's eaten more than a few lumpia in his life. A beet salad followed, lightly dressed greens paired with roasted beets and a tangy goat cheese fritter, a refreshing interlude before the main courses. My wife chose the braised short rib with mashed potatoes and vegetables, while I went for the sesame-crusted Faroe Islands salmon served with pillowy gnocchi, all swimming in a decadent truffle butter and topped with shaved black truffle. The vegetables deserve a moment of recognition. Too often they're an afterthought, but here they were treated with the same care as the proteins. Tender pattypan squash, vibrant broccolini, carrots, and baby corn felt essential, not obligatory. The salmon was exceptional. The sesame crust stayed crisp until the last bite, adding a nutty depth that paired beautifully with the truffle butter. The short rib, though, was the evening's triumph. Falling-apart tender, with a rich, silky jus that clung to each bite, it was a dish so hearty it could easily feed two, yet so good you'd never want to share. Dessert, sadly, stumbled. The passion fruit crème brûlée lacked the signature sugar crust and leaned too tart, while the Georgia peach cobbler felt restrained in sweetness. Mixing in the melting caramel ice cream helped, but neither dish matched the heights of the savory courses. Even with a lackluster finish, Rustica stands as a true dining destination, a place worthy of a drive and a reminder that extraordinary food often comes from the most unassuming of locations. 4 out of 5 stars A remarkable addition to the local dining scene, with a few sweet kinks to iron out. read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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The food is unbelievably delicious, everything you order is hot and delicious when it hits the table!! Try the green bean tempura and Japanese style fried chicken apps if you want some tasty treats!! We also got the Seared Salmon and pork chop for entrees and both were incredible!! Try the peach cobbler for dessert as another treat that is not offered at other restaurants. Brian was our server and he is so attentive but also makes great recommendations read more

Been here a bunch of times and it never disappoints. Veggies are the best in the area and apps are great as well. Portions are perfect size. Flavors are exploding and my favorite part is that it is so different than the usual fare. Service is always great and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the place is cute but utilitarian.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Worth a try.. it may not be for everyone but I love it. read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Happy hour pork ragu - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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We came here at 7pm on a Thursday night. We did not have reservations, but there was only two other tables sitting and one person at the bar We were immediately sat and I asked the woman who saw us what her favorite things on the menu are and she made several suggestions. The inside has some booths, some tables, some tables that also have a long bench as well as an ample size bar. It's a mixture of ocean and Asian themed. We ordered the escargot appetizer which came with 6 pieces of escargot and a Japanese milk bread both of those were just so so/mediocre My scallops were six pieces of scallop on top of a risotto with a broth on top that I'm not sure what it was. It was very good. My husband got the hanger steak, which was served with duck fat potatoes which here very boring, and a couple of vegetables on the side and starts with a spicy Asian dipping sauce on the side. He said his steak was good, but it was chewy. My only concern is we waited about 10 minutes for our appetizer and then probably another 30 minutes for our dinners. Based on the fact, there was only two tables prior to us. I would be a little worried/leery on a busy night. They do have happy hour which includes drink specials, as well as bar bites every day except for Monday which they are closed. That includes Saturdays and Sundays. We might come back for a happy hour bar bites as I feel the food was pricey for what we got and the wait was a little longer than I would've liked to have had. . read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Hanger steak was good but a little chewy - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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Another great experience for our wedding Anniversary. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Food, service, atmosphere--everything was there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I cannot rave enough about the professionalism, the attention & care of a hands on, "owner-run restaurant", what a wonderful contrast to all those other corporate, soulless eateries. Will come back again and again. Thanks one more time to a Great Team. read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Braised Cheek beef,so tender..yummy - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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Still a 10 in every way possible. Brought my mom, also a Hawaii Native to try this Asian fusion amazing food. We ordered the Seared Ahi, Tempura Green Beans, and Lumpia. The Lychee Martini was also so delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is great as always.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]First time I've sat outside, but the breeze was cool and the food was amazing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] What more could we ask for. The service is always great. I feel like I always have conversations with Chef's wife before we leave. Always great to have a little taste of home while stationed out here in Jax. read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Tempura Green Beans, Lumpia, Lychee Martini - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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Food waa delicious, big portions! Pork chop was juicy not dry! Husband had japanese fried chicken....cooked perfectly! read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - The pork chop, sauce was amazing!!! - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

We came here for our anniversary dinner and it was an absolutely great decision. I had been wanting to try this restaurant for a little bit but just never got around to going so I was really glad that Mike made a reservation for us. We did an early dinner so we could take advantage of their happy hour prices. I am a girl who likes to try a little bit of a lot of things so I was so happy when Mike suggested that we order almost all of the appetizers and then a light entrée. All of the appetizers were delicious, but there were a few that stood above the rest. My favorites were the Korean fried chicken, the pork belly, bao buns, and the beet and goat cheese salad. For my entrée I ordered a shrimp and risotto dish, it too was really good. And then as if we weren't as full as could be we also ended up ordering two desserts, the cheesecake and the crème brûlée both were fantastic. I would definitely like to come back to try more of the food, but I don't think I'll be able to come back without getting the pork belly bao buns and the crème brûlée they both stole the show for me! read more

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Our first time dining here and overall it was a great experience! The drinks, appetizers and main courses were all excellent; however, the desserts fell short....so short that I even forgot to take pictures of them. The hostess was wonderful but otherwise service was mediocre. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very nice ambiance considering it was in a small plaza.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will definitely be back! read more

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I wouldn't really define this as any genre it's a little all over the place but the food is tasty and good. Went for apps and drinks but felt pushed to order entrees as "everything must be rung in at the same time." Only decided to go with some sashimi after the apps. The service was good and the chef waved at us from the kitchen. That part is very neat. I love a open kitchen concept. Minus the hot air coming at you lol! Windows to look in. Menu changes so it might be something different who knows! I think that's fun. Everything we ordered was very flavorful! Seasoned wonderfully. The beet salad was maybe seasoned too much though. Salty. Also no idea what the dressing is i never asked. But when we did have menu questions our server answered very nicely. The crab beignets were very yummy. Very good crispy exterior with a very filled interior. Not fishy. Not sure what i expected for texture from the scallop ravioli. Kinda dense. But the truffle butter was yummy. Not pictured is the bread that comes with it for dipping. Escargot ! Super tender! Definitely a perfect introduction to eating le snail.They are served outside of the shell in a garlicky sauce. The japanese milk bread wasn't really milk bread in my opinion but it did have a slight sweet taste. The yuzu cheesecake was exactly what i wanted for dessert that evening. Creamy with berry. Quite happy with no crust on this occasion. Yuzu flavor comes through wonderfully strong. I understand why the berry sauce was sweet but... it was still too sweet. Not pictured is the beet salad with goat cheese fritters. Loved this despite the saltiness. Ample amount of beets. I've noticed looking at pictures the presentation of this will vary. Doesn't matter to me though I love goat cheese and beet :--) I liked the sashimi! Very nice quality! The ahi tuna was firm and meaty. Really the hamachi had to be my favorite i want more of that. Perfect for me. Flavor and texture were on point! Once more not pictured we ordered at the last minute some ribs. Amazingly tender! I enjoy the flavor too. I'm a sucker for miso. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful restaurant with very nice owners![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was absolutely delicious. We each ordered something different and every entree was amazing. Malafadine pasta, lamb, short rib and fish. Definitely one of our new favorites to go to! read more

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What a great restaurant. We walked in and noticed the inside didn't seem like fine dining kind of place. The food and service proved us wrong. Our server was Derek he was very attentive to our needs with refills, answering questions and giving recommendations. He explained who the chef was who has a lot of accolades in the culinary world. The menu was exquisite and food was delicious. The drink menu also had some interesting cocktails. We tried the Rum Away and Lychee Martini. Pinot Noir for dinner. The entree was Braised Short Rib and Pappardelle Pasta dish. I would highly recommend this restaurant! We will return. read more

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We just had the most fabulous dinner at Rustica, in fact I may have had the best bite of food I have ever had. We started with the biggest bang which was the scallop ravioli with truffle butter. Omg best thing I have ever eaten. They are more like steamed dumplings than Italian raviolis. The truffle butter is very truffle forward with big chunks of truffle. They also bring bread to soak up all of the leftover truffle butter. We also ordered the octopus app. It was delicious!! My husband ordered the short rib and it was actually the first short rib I have enjoyed. It has some sweet Asian sauce on it and it is just perfect. I ordered the salmon and it was delish! Our server was fantastic! I wish I could remember her name! The ambiance is a tad lacking but they make up for it with their food! This will be a new date night spot for us! read more

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Small casual restaurant with creative menu, wonderful food , and excellent service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]What a hidden gem in a strip mall in the Silverleaf community.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This chef is amazing as we all loved our dishes (scallop risotto, monkfish curry, braised short ribs, and pork belly tagliatelle). The green bean tempura and dumplings were delicious. Good portions and memorable meal. Try it! read more

Amazing food, service, and awesome drinks. The staff was friendly and prompt and the food is great for adventurous eaters that appreciate attention to detail, fresh seafood and fresh crispy produce. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is a bit small and depending on weather, outside seating may not be available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely make a reservation because the word is catching on that this place is amazing and a lot of new people are traveling to experience it! Family owned and the staff is obviously proud to work here! read more

An amazing aroma hits your senses when you enter. Clean, attractive table setting sets the stage. We ordered the Tempura green beans to start- an absolute pleasure. Ribs, Salmon, and Scallops were imaginative, flawless. We finished by sharing the hot and perfect chocolate lava cake. Top notch. Great food with wonderful staff. Attention Foodies - you must pay a visit. read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Scallops, risotto and Tom yum - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

Came here to celebrate my in-laws anniversary and everyone really enjoyed it! I don't think I had anything that wasn't delicious! Everyone was super nice and attentive. I got the sesame crusted salmon for my main and wow this was chef's kiss. It was paired with this delicious truffle butter and gnocchi. Highly recommend! read more

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Food was great service was amazing! Dale was our server and his customer service was excellent!!! Above and beyond, polite, courteous and a true professional! You can tell he's passionate about his job. read more

First time dining here and I cannot believe this place has been open for over 2 years without me knowing. It was a busy Friday as most great restaurants usually experience, however the service and food was beyond anything I've had recently between Saint Augustine fine dining and Jax beach. We didn't make a reservation and just went to the bar and had the best meal, drinks and friendly service without even knowing what to order. Carly was super busy, but she greeted us and made us feel like priority even though she was obviously swamped with drinks and new patrons seating at the same time as us. Dale came and chatted with us briefly too while he was preparing a wine service and he was super friendly and helpful also. We ordered the beet salad and flounder dishes and then finished with the pineapple cake. Homemade ice cream?! Who does that anymore? Amazong. The bartender created a custom espresso martini for my husband and named it after him and told us about their amazing happy hour. We will be back and can't wait to try more drinks and food. Hidden Gem for sure!!!! read more

Food is always delicious! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The service and atmosphere are perfection too![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The chef is from Hawaii and makes the most beautiful and unique dishes! read more

We enjoyed a great anniversary dinner at Rustica. We had a reservation and got there early so we enjoyed a drink at the bar. I believe we were seated about 20 min after the reservation time, and then were for about 3 hours once seated. We weren't in a hurry so it wasn't a problem, but thought to include it because I don't know if that is a normal pace for them or not. The menu is unique and we love being able to try new things, so it was right up our alley. We ordered the shrimp and pork lumpia, crudo, braised beef cheek entree, the branzino, and the molten lava cake with pear sorbet. The braised beef cheek, and the branzino with the lobster ravioli were the stars of the night. It's worth noting that on paper the branzino only lists a sauce and lobster ravioli as the accompaniment which makes it sound like a pasta dish, when it is actually served over vegetables with a single lobster ravioli on top. It was still a very tasty dinner, just not what I was expecting. Overall we were happy with the meal and will definitely come back. read more

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire - Molten lava cake with pear sorbet - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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Amazing food in an understated restaurant in a suburban community shopping plaza where you would least expect it. My parents took me here since it is one of their favorites in Jacksonville, and it did not disappoint! My favorite dish was probably the braised short rib - fall off the bone tender, the sauce and seasoning is perfect, the potatoes are amazing as well. Next time I would really like to try their sushi and raw seafood menu. Very difficult to find food that compared to this in St. Johns. read more

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I am gluten free. Rustica already has gluten free items and is willing to adapt items to be gluten free. I am happy to have a restaurant that is "safe" to eat at. An added bonus is that the food is excellent. The chef came out to check on us. I told him how much I enjoyed the yellow curry, that was a special, last visit and he told me if I ever want it, just ask. Our usual server, Dale, is a joy. Helpful, kind and it's always nice when you are remembered. [[HIGHLIGHT]]First time we visited, I was not sure what to expect going to a restaurant in s strip mall. So Florida puts great restaurants in strip malls[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. I got over that hang-up and visit Rustica whenever I can. read more

I'm not sure what "Rustica" means, but if I were to guess , it means "making palates happy" I haven't done a "Beyond 5 Star Review" in a while. Rustica deserves it every beyond stars. Complete FLAVOR BOMB resides here. Everything we ordered and tried was so delicious. Rustica is 10 weeks new. It is lead by Chef Jean Marie Josselin, who has 30+ years of culinary and cooking experience (10 years of whom working at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas). Walking inside, Rustica is self explanatory. It gives you a semi casual dining ambience, with simple decor. The same goes for their menu. If you are a first-timer and want to try Rustica, I highly recommend you their their Early Dinner Pre-Fixe, their Early Bird Special that's available between 4:30-5:30pm. It offers a choice of an Appetizer + Main Course + Dessert...all for $36. Foods Impressions... - Crispy Lamb Letter (appetizer: 5/5) - Japanese Style Fried Chicken (appetizer: 5/5) I can easily eat 3 servings of this. Chicken was nicely seasoned and cooked. And the Yuzu Kosho Ranch sauce that it comes with was just heavenly. I can drink that sauce in shot glasses. I highly recommend this. - Sesame Crusted Swordfish (main course: 5/5) Overall delicious. The sauce, oh the sauce....makes you want to lick the plate clean. - Seared Picanha on Yakisoba Noodles (main course: 4/5) Loved the dish to its entirety. The only issue I ran into was the meat was on the tougher side, despite cooked medium rare. - Yuzu Cheesecake (dessert: 5/5) I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! - Penna Cotta (dessert: 5/5) Lastly, I want to send a shout out to our waitress with the mostest, Bridget. She along with part owner, Kay.... Well 5 Star service!!! Looking forward to coming back here, VERY SOON!!! read more

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Hands Down 5 Stars! We were greeted warmly by one of the owners, I forgot her name but she was very nice. Came here for the happy hour and we ordered their recommendations. I got the Spicy Margarita and hubby ordered the Lilikoi Martini. Both were very good. They also offer an early dinner pre-fixe 3 course meal for $36 from 4:30 -5:30pm. The menu changes every week, I believe, and was disappointed that the braised short ribs was not included when we visited. We got the following from the pre-fixe: Crispy Lamb Love Letter - this comes with tomatoes and quinoa, 2 of my favorite ingredients and paired with crispy wonton with lamb filling was truly incredible! Great portion too for a starter! Japanese Style Fried Chicken - their version of chicken Karaage was tasty, the sauce is the star of this dish! It was so good and should be bottled and sold by itself! It was fantastic! Sesame Crusted Mahi - another touch of Asian fusion, good portion too. Seared Picanha- The beef was cooked medium rare but still chewy, I did not particularly like the meat but I enjoyed the yakisoba noodles. Yuzu Cheesecake -comes with berry sauce. Smooth and creamy, so yummy! Panna Cotta - OMG! Best ever I have ever tasted! It comes with dragon fruit, pistachios and pomegranate! Just perfect combinations! Very nice interior and it was not too crowded at 5pm on a Friday. I highly recommend trying this place out! There are so many dishes that I want to try and we will definitely be back! read more

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Another amazing meal at Rustica!! Once again, Chef Jean-Marie & staff did not disappoint. We sampled some incredible appetizers like Argentinian shrimp & Ahi Tuna nigiri, HOMEMADE brioche toast with brown buttered Shitake mushrooms, Crab cakes & mussels steamed in a Vietnamese curry (sublime!). For main courses we opted for the braised beef cheeks & the Berkshire pork chop. Both wonderful, served with an array of farm fresh vegetables. Not sure what more you need except a nice wine & some fabulous house-made desserts: Raspberry Yuzu cheesecake & Molten Lava cake. WOW!!! read more

Never went there!! Absolutely wonderful! Service was excellent and the ambiance was delightful! read more