Rustica -Rockland, ME

8/30/10

    After finishing school shopping we decided to head out to grab a bite to eat. We stopped at Rustica on Main St. in Rockland. I was craving a salad to die for. Unsure what my 5 year old would eat we perused the menu in the window before stepping inside. Upon entering and being seated I was handed a children's menu with only four items on it. Now this had to be the most impressive children's menu ever. There were only four items but they were authentic Italian homemade cuisine, and not the typical kraft Mac N cheese or pasta with butter you would normally see on a children's menu. After being impressed my son chose the gourmet four cheese pizza.  I found the entire menu appetizing, but I did find what I was looking for...the salad to die for. Baby Spinach Salad ~ Roasted pears, crispy bacon, blue cheese, toasted pecans and a champagne vinaigrette. My husband went for a heartier choice with the sausage and mushroom panini. We choose to split an appetizer of fried calamari hearing nothing but good things about it from previous guests of the establishment.

    The calamari arrived with two sauces for dipping on the side, a standard marinara and an aioli. The plate was heaping with perfectly fried calamari and banana peppers. The first bite was delectable! The calamari was fresh, perfectly cooked, and extremely satisfying. My 5 year old son decided to try calamari for the first time and ate nearly the entire plate himself.

    Next arrived the entrées... The four cheese pizza for my son took up the entire plate. The homemade crust was thin but not cardboard thin or dry. The blend of the four cheese added depth without grease, and my picky child ate half the pizza with no complaints. My husband ate only half of his panini, but it was not for any other reason than he simply could not eat anymore. The sausage had a nice spicy flavor, the cheese was not greasy, and it was cooked perfectly.

    My salad arrived in a very large bowl. At first glance I thought there was no way I could eat the entire thing. After my first bite I let out an orgasmic moan, and half the restaurant turned to stare. I looked at my husband and giggled. He knew I had died and gone to heaven with this salad. The meld of the salty bacon, the tang of the blue cheese, mixed with the sweet pears in the warm champagne vinaigrette was so perfect to the palate. Not only was I in love at first bite, but I continued my love affair until I realized that I had eaten the entire thing and there was no more. Even after gorging myself on that huge meal I did not feel lethargic or remorseful afterwards.

    This was probable the best meal I have had out to eat in the longest time. The menu is simple and appealing to any taste. I would recommend  Rustica to any and every one. I guarantee that Chef Ramsey could not find a single thing wrong with this establishment!

http://knox.villagesoup.com/business/el/Rustica-Cucina-Italiana/206098