Ruffian

“A modernized take on a wine bar, with a surprisingly upbeat yet intimate atmosphere. Wine selection is top notch, there is something for even the pickiest of drinkers, just let the staff know the taste you’re going for. The food is thoughtful and unique in composition. Portions are more for tasting so don’t be shy on ordering more dishes vs fewer. The first portion of the menu is predicated heavily on bread options, but it balances nicely with the main dish options which are lighter and don’t need any accompanying carbs.”

“great eastern european wine. loved the variety and quality of natural wine. good service and fun vibe. love the bar vibe and 2 sides of the restaurant. would recommend for a drink before dinner.”

“I was in town visiting friends and looking for the perfect place to catch up—Ruffian totally delivered. We did the tasting menu with wine pairings, and every course was exciting and deeply satisfying. The steak tartare was such a fun mix of textures and flavors, and I’m still thinking about the pork shoulder with Brussels sprouts and sour plum. Absolute flavor bomb. Dessert sealed the deal: chocolate coconut rice pudding with pickled pistachios—so good. The wine pairings were spot-on, enhancing the food without ever stealing the show. You can really feel how much care goes into every choice. What really makes Ruffian special is the vibe: casual, warm, and polished all at once. The team is incredibly knowledgeable but totally approachable—excited to share and clearly passionate about what they do. Left already planning my next visit. A truly standout food and wine experience.”

“Perfect experience! Exquisite wines, delicious food, attentive service. Some places should be much more hyped than they are, such as this one! We ordered the duck pastrami and the mushroom dumplings, both were delicious! Bread was so fresh.”

“The atmosphere and service at Ruffian are outstanding. Our server was wonderful, and the wine list is extensive and well-curated—I’d definitely return just to explore more of their bottles. As for the food. The Parker House rolls were good. However, the rest of the meal was a bit of a letdown. The dumplings felt over-complicated; there were so many competing flavors that nothing really stood out. Most disappointing was the Berkshire pork, which was dry which is hard to do for such a high-quality cut. I expected much more moisture and flavor. Verdict: 4/stars. Great vibes, but the kitchen needs a bit more consistency.”