Ruffino’s – Restaurant review

Ruffino’s Italian Restaurant

The Ambiance: Fine dining

Kid-friendly: Yes

Lunch: Yes

8811 Highland Rd. • 753-3458

Monday through Saturday, 4:30 – 11 p.m.

Sunday, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Reservations accepted • All major credit cards

ruffinosrestaurant.com

An upscale eatery called DiNardo’s Italian Restaurant opened in 1998 during the waning days of former LSU coach Gerry DiNardo’s “Bring Back the Magic” bid. A year later—when Nick Saban replaced DiNardo—the restaurant was reschristened Ruffino’s. For more than 12 years now, head chef Peter Sclafani and co-owner Ruffin Rodrigue have been creating some magic of their own by blending traditional Italian dishes with a bold Creole flair.

With its white linens, dark woods and extensive wine selection, Ruffino’s country club-style atmosphere is a perfect fit for its location on the eastern end of Highland Road near the Country Club of Louisiana. Sclafani is a native New Orleanian and an award-winning third-generation chef whose menu includes a variety of Louisiana-inspired seafood and steak dishes to complement Italian classics like pizzas, lasagna, veal picatta and chicken parmesan.

See what our secret diners thought of Ruffino’s below.

The Purist

I’m as Italian as they come.

I’d recommend: ?Crabmeat Omelet ($15.95). Brunch at Ruffino’s, especially the crabmeat omelet, makes waking up worth it. The delicate omelet stuffed with crab and peppered perfectly was a great way to start my Sunday. This dish has a terrific lemony Hollandaise and a few strips of apple-smoked bacon—necessary to any breakfast.

Seafood Arancini (9.95). Arancini—the Italian culinary term for rice balls—are hard to come by in Baton Rouge. Ruffino’s delivers them with Italian pride. The seafood is a different spin on the original, but definitely a must-try.

Shrimp and Grits (14.95). This is a dish made for the South, but leave it to Ruffino’s to elevate its level of sophistication. Nestled in a rosé broth composed of Cajun seasonings and a pleasant but surprising touch of mascarpone, this sets an all-new standard for this Louisiana classic.

Not my taste:? Hard to say. This restaurant really will have me ordering just about anything from the menu.

The bottom line:

Whichever way you have it, Ruffino’s nails that perfect brunch ratio of sweet to savory. Not all restaurants are created equal, but when an establishment can cross over from fine dining to leisurely weekend brunching, you’ve got a winner.

The Louisiana Purchaser

I’m looking for a meal that’s a deal.

I’d recommend: ?Getting Vino Advice. Our server was very knowledgeable, and after hearing what dishes we were thinking of ordering, she suggested a fantastic Merlot new to the restaurant. It perfectly complemented our food. Italian cuisine is far-reaching but almost always rich in different flavors. Having a wine-savvy wait staff is a huge plus for me.

Eggplant Bisque ($4.95). Delicious, filling, multi-textured, and at less than $5, a truly great deal. Shrimp and Andouille sausage spice up this roasted eggplant soup. I’m telling friends about this dish.

Filet Mignon ($29.95). This 8-oz. cut was cooked perfectly to order, and the accompanying roasted garlic and rosemary-flecked potatoes were crispy and delicious, though far from guilt-free, I’m sure. I would only add that the Imperial sauce ($10.95) and lump crabmeat topping were decadent and flavorful, but a little pricey considering this tasty steak didn’t really need any help. I’ll forgo that next time.

Not my taste:? Corn and Crab Bisque ($7.95). Ultra-creamy with a nice balance of sweetness from the yellow corn and the salty, savory tinge of crabmeat, this bowl still underwhelmed for the price. It could have used a few extra chopped green onions on top. I found myself hungrily hunting for more.

The bottom line:

Like the best Italian homes, Ruffino’s is a fantastic place for a big spread of rich food and wonderful family. Our service was excellent and attentive, though never overbearing, and the manager even stopped by to ask if we enjoyed our meal. We gladly told him, “Yes, we did.”

The Global Foodie

I’ve eaten on six continents and in 29 countries.

I’d recommend:? Seared Diver Scallops ($12.95). Two tender, seared jumbo diver scallops, served atop a velvety bed of crabmeat risotto. A fabulous appetizer that allows the sweet simplicity of the seafood to speak without the need for sauces or overt spices. Delicious.

Meat Pizza ($11.95). A wood oven-fired, crispy, thin-crust pie dotted with pepperoni, Italian sausage, prosciutto and provolone. It’s better than you’re going to find just about anywhere outside of Fleur de Lis.

S’more Biscotti ($5.95). This was just “ridonkulus!” It’s not a normal offering, so when they have it, order it! Toasted marshmallows sit atop three soft, Graham-crackery biscotti, served alongside a cup of “chocolate soup” for dipping. The sweet, dark chocolate was incredible by itself; had I not been surrounded by well-dressed diners, I might have licked the last bits of chocolate from the cup.

Not my taste: ?Capellini with Ruffino Sauce and Chicken ($17.95). Honestly, I’m just looking for anything even remotely negative to write. This was a tasty, utilitarian pasta dish, albeit easily replicable at any number local places.

The bottom line:

This remains one of the city’s top restaurants. I’d be happy to receive this food in New York, Chicago or L.A. The wait staff is friendly and playful; the ambience, comfortable. It’s home to one of the best wine lists in town, often with unique special selections, like Mollydooker The Boxer, a fab Aussie Shiraz not typically found around here. Ruffino’s is a classic, top-shelf restaurant that leaves you sated and content.