Review of 'Rustiko (NOW CLOSED)'
So there we were, on an early Friday night wandering around Soho (as you do) looking for somewhere to eat. I had a hankering for Japanese but this night it was my companion's choice. So, as we made our way along Old Compton Street there was something about the small menu for the equally small “Rustiko” that drew us in despite the slightly loud music. The ground floor is small with a trendy metal spiral staircase going up (more seating) or down (bar area and toilets). A large bar dominates the left side of the restaurant with the kitchen in the back. There were a couple of tables out on the pavement (sidewalk) for those that wanted to get close to the night-life of Soho (!) or, more likely, wanted to have a smoke. We chose to eat indoors - it was getting a bit chilly.
Shown to a small table we made ourselves comfortable and browsed the menu. It is divided into a number of different sections with the key ones being: “Pots & Mugs” (small appetisers served in…you guess) with items between £3 and £5, “Piattini” (more, slightly larger, appetisers served in “saucers”) between £4 and £7, then mains in the “Grilled Pizza”, “Pasta”, “Fish”, and “Meat” sections with items between £8 and £18, the four deserts on offer all were priced at £4. So, not expensive by any means.
We decided to start with the “arancini” (“rice balls filled with bollagnese”; £4) which were served in a mug lined with brown paper and topped with shaved Parmesan - Not bad but a bit bland with a nice amount of cheese and the hint of tomato. Thankfully they were not in any way greasy at all.