THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Rustica Europa

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Rustica Europa Restaurant Review:

The marble is faux and so is the brick, the stonework and the greenery in ornamental urns, but this little hideaway has the charm of a European courtyard. It’s amazing what can be done to transform a couple of storefronts into a romantic restaurant, and this one is the perfect stage for a menu including a number of well-sauced pastas, including farfalle with grilled shrimp, pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes in garlic-herb olive oil, mussels steamed in white wine and garlic and braised chicken with tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and olives on rice pilaf. Chef-proprietor Michael Thomas Jr., once personal chef to an NBA star, does most of the cooking himself. He offers a changing array of fish specials and his nine-layer vegetarian lasagna is a featured dish. Champagne mushroom soup is the house selection, and it is a light, refreshing version of what can sometimes be an overly heavy soup. A small wine list of just 25 choices is offered, with most available by the glass.