From the warm rustic fit-out to the familiar aromas of fresh garlic, basil and rosemary, La Rustica feels a bit like a holiday in southern Italy — The cuisine is authentic. A family run business, La Rustica has been indulging Canberra taste buds for 15 years with a huge selection of reliably good Italian dishes including pasta, home-made gnocchi, veal, chicken, beef and of course, pizza. The chefs emigrated from the stunning Calabrian coastline of Mare Ionico, bringing with them the region’s culinary secrets. The simple Gnocchi Sorrento - rich tomato and basil sauce - is somehow perfect without all the fuss, while the Spaghetti Pescatore - fresh seafood, garlic, white wine, chilli and tomato sauce - gives marinara the edge. Seafood dishes are common in Calabria so expect a good selection here. La Rustica’s casual environment makes it a great family venue, reminiscent of a neighbourhood trattoria. Like the menu, La Rustica’s wine list is big. It offers Australian, New Zealand and Italian wines and helps make lunch or dinner the complete Italian dining experience.
