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An Evening at La Rustica



A spontaneous idea for my sister-in-law's birthday celebration turned into a wonderful evening at one our favorite restaurants, La Rustica. Jennifer woke up on her birthday to a big mess made by their elderly dog and she knew it was going to be bad day.  Not fun when it's your birthday.  There she was on her hands and knees scrubbing the carpet and crying "Happy birthday to me!"  I can relate after caring for numerous animals/pets when the kids were at home, especially in Idaho where we had a horse, goats, chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats and kittens.  Hardly a day went by when there wasn't some mess to clean up, animal chore to be done and something to repair.  I've spent many a day on my hands and knees scrubbing up messes.  Sometimes, you just think to yourself, "please, just one day of nothing happening..."  I remember that well. I don't have the energy to live like that anymore which is why we "downsized" to a house with a small yard and one cat. Easy.   But having to deal with it on your birthday, another animal disaster?  It's just not fun.   So, my brother, Bob, called me up while he was at work and asked if Bruce and I wanted to join them at a special dinner out at La Rustica to cheer up Jennifer.  How could I say no?  It's one of our favorite restaurants in our neighborhood.  Unfortunately, Bruce is out of town for work so he missed out.  We've been there about four times since we've moved here and now it's one of Nick and Lauren's favorite restaurants, too.  We were told about La Rustica by several different people when we first moved here so it does have a reputation of being a special place.  They have outdoor seating going on now so more room this time of year but on this evening it wasn't too crowded at all.  We were seated next to a window with the beach across the street. 
La Rustica is a family run Italian restaurant that is very authentic from the atmosphere to the food.  You feel like you are really in Italy.  We just love it.  They serve all-you-want soft bread sticks immediately when you sit down and their dinners come with salad.  


We all just inhaled the salad.  The dressing was so aromatic, full of garlic and so fresh, you just couldn't stop eating it.  We all ordered different entrees; Jennifer got their special slow roasted, fall-off-the-bone lamb shank with risotto and roasted vegetables. 

I got a prawn dish with pasta and roasted vegetables.  I love all the items on their menu and tonight I felt like something on the lighter side.  I know their risotto is very rich and filling but I felt like some pasta so a little spaghetti was perfect.  I love their roasted vegetables, too.  They are cooked perfectly and I could eat a whole plate of just those.  


I Iove their colorful china and white tablecloth settings, too.  It's very elegant and it really makes you feel like it's a special occasion.  It's been about year since we ate here.  We were here last in May of 2016 when Nick was visiting from Japan and then again in July 2016 for Lauren's birthday, her first choice of a restaurant to go out and eat.
You can see it is a family favorite, not only for our family but also for my brother's family.  Bob especially loves the desserts.  He and my nephew each ordered the chocolate molten flourless chocolate cake (with a little whipped cream)


and Jennifer and I split my favorite lemon tiramisu.


As we were digesting our dessert and just pondering what a wonderful meal we had just had, Jennifer opened her presents.  


My gift to her was a little cosmetic bag I'd been meaning to give her for a long time since she does my hair and runs her own hair salon.  After her day starting off so badly, I knew this was the day to give it to her. (And, yes, her hair always does look perfect.)  While Bob and Cameron stayed to pay the bill, Jennifer and I took off across the street to the little beach.    It was so gorgeous out there with the sun setting.


Jennifer and I took advantage of the evening light for some photo opts. 



 I learned that this little beach, which is just around the point from Alki Beach, is called Weather Watch Beach.  I like that name.  It was the perfect way to end our evening.  But wait.  They still had to drive me home and when we got there, we had to take photos of Mt. Rainier because the mountain was out.  The start of a birthday that began on a bad note actually ended in glorious fashion. 
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