For most students a visit from the parents means two things: the requirement to tidy your room and the promise of free food. So after spending several hours ridding my bedroom of its floordrobe last week, I happily headed to RUSTIQUE on Castlegate for a complementary dinner.
Tucked slightly out of the way of the main streets, Rustique, which specialises in rustic French cooking, has an immediately warm atmosphere. Colourfully decorated, the walls covered in posters of cancan girls (and oddly a couple of traditional English nursery rhymes), it makes a refreshingly haphazard change from yet another perfectly designed chain restaurant.
As we sat down to order, I was surprised to see a very student-friendly set menu, offering two courses for £11.95 and three for £13.95. This is definitely one to take advantage of when funding your own trip, especially considering the average main meal comes in at £12.95.
Going on a recommendation from a friend, I ordered duck with redcurrant sauce. It was amazing. The presentation was simple and perhaps could have done with a little more attention, but the quality of the food more than made up for this.
In fact, nobody had any complaints about any of the three courses we all managed to force down (the Pot au Chocolat is definitely one to try if you feel like treating yourself). However vegetarian diners probably won’t be spoilt for choice by the menu.
Rustique has definitely earned itself a place as a firm favourite for eating out in York and I’d highly recommend it, especially if someone else is paying!
I do not care for rustique.
I’d rather go to Chompie’s.