Rucola

Every neighborhood needs a Rucola. We’re very lucky here in Boerum Hill because our Rucola is Rucola.

What is Rucola? It’s our local spot that serves thoughtful, seasonal, and deceptively simple Italian food. This is the opposite of a red sauce joint; you won’t find spaghetti and meatballs on the menu at Rucola. Instead, you’ll find an antipasto platter elegantly arrayed with olives, cheese, meat, and various spreads.

There’s a bar with original cocktails (including the requisite Negroni) but the main reason that I keep coming back to Rucola is their lunch. Specifically their tuna sandwich:

Going out on a limb here: this is the best tuna sandwich in New York. Okay, I can’t really say that because obviously I haven’t had every tuna sandwich in New York; let’s just say it’s my favorite tuna sandwich that I’ve had so far in New York.

The key ingredient isn’t the tuna, it’s the bread. It’s crusty on the outside, pliant on the inside, and a perfect vehicle for the olive-oil packed tuna that’s piled up beneath a spread made from olives, anchovies, and roasted peppers. Served with some pickled vegetables on the side, it’s my favorite lunch to eat when I’m not making lunch for myself at home.

But Rucola is great for dinner too. We’ve gone early and had a lovely meal before hopping on the A train for a Broadway show. Check out this burrata salad we had for an appetizer in the summer:

Those colors! Those tomatoes! And all of that pesto! Heaven.

And their fish dishes totally hit the spot if you want something light but substantial for an entree:

Whether it’s a whole roasted brook trout (like the one on the left) or a seared piece of Arctic char (like the one on the right), it’s always a generous portion with complementary, texturally-interesting elements on the plate.

The other major reason that we love Rucola so much is the environment. It’s right on a beautiful corner of Boerum Hill with lots of sunlight streaming through the windows. It’s the place that we take all of our visiting friends for lunch when they come to town, or friends that we’re meeting up with who live in the city.

And just between us, there’s a very good chance you’ll see a celebrity at Rucola. It’s that kind of in-the-know, local place; well it was, until I just spilled the secret.

So the next time you’re visiting Boerum Hill and you’re looking for a Rucola-like spot, try Rucola. It totally hits the spot.

Rucola / 190 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11217 / (718) 576-3209