As a local, neighbourhood restaurant this is very hard to beat. Frankly, as Italian cooking in London, this is very hard to beat.
Now, first the caveat - I'm vegetarian. So I can't directly review the steaks, butterfish etc. But every non-veggie we've ever taken has been wowed. On a veggie tip, choices (particularly Fri/Sat night) can be limited, but what we get is always stunning - so it feels churlish to complain. But it is worth ringing ahead and reminding staff if you are veggie so they know to hold choices for you etc. And La Ruga seems sadly less veggie-friendly than a few years ago (I once saw a wheat-intolerant vegan turn up with no warning and leave happy).
Food tends towards classical Italian cuisine done in hearty portions. In other words, heavy and powerful flavours, little in the way of frou-frou complexity. But instead great ingredients allowed to shine for themselves. And that suits me just fine - so if you're the kind of person who wants a great big chunk of fish/steak/pasta and you want it done perfectly, then it's ideal. If you're the kind of person looking for reinventions and faddish versions of Italian cooking, La Ruga's wrong for you.
What's most special about La Ruga is the way the atmosphere - relaxed, fun, romantic fits perfectly with the comfort food and friendly staff. This is not a two sittings, bustle-you-in-and-out place. Turn up expecting to spend the night and linger over your meal.
In short, lovely, lovely, lovely! read more