05/12/08

It's Official....Ruggles Rests on their name!

by AAAAAmember

I'm not an artist, but let me paint a little picture for you...ever since I have gone to Ruggles, they have always messed up reservations. So why should Mother's Day be any different...I should have known better! The front desk is completely disorganized, they didn't have enough wait staff, and people were complaining left and right! My experience to make a good Mothers Day impression was to arrive with "No" reservation after it was confirmed...enter into a restaurant that was "Arctic Cold"...every women was wearing their Sons sports jacket...the wait staff was so behind...people were leaving there bills at the table and waiters didn't even know if they had paid or not...I had to give my credit card to the front desk! I won't even get into the fact that they were so disorganized that in a panic they knocked over glasses which broke near our feet ..Cut my foot... The bottom Line!!! Accidents happen ... but under "No" circumstance should an owner let a Manager run a restaurant like this...Understaffed, and doing the best you can ... isn't a comment I want my sister-in-law to get when she asks three times to get my nephews orange juice refilled...she had to do it herself at the bar. Food was great...but I suggest the chef get a new gig at another restaurant soon because Ruggles can't rely on him forever!!.. Ruggles is Done!

• Pros: The Chef
• Cons: Everything from the Manager to the Reservations Desk

01/28/08

My new favorite restaurant in Houston

by fmarques

Went to Ruggles for a friend's birthday party and had a wonderful time! The food was absolutely amazing and very reasonably priced. The wines were excellent and the desserts were fantastic. We were already impressed with the presentation and quality of our meals, but the desserts were truly amazing. Highly recommended if you want to impress your friends, family, or colleagues - but don't want to spend a fortune doing so. The atmosphere is fun, colorful, and not stuffy at all. This is my new favorite restaurant in Houston!!

12/31/07

Overated

by lifecolors

WOW. What can I say, their food tastes and looks like it's 1995...their portions are bizarre and everything is so heavy and overstaurated with spices it makes it hard to taste the actual food. If you are going for spending a bunch on a ton of food regardless of any aestethic consideration to presentation and/or taste then you will love it. Not returning, they have had their time under the sun and apparently it's still 1995 at Ruggles.

• Pros: Lively decor and atmosphere
• Cons: Heavy food

09/02/07

Terrible service, overpriced food

by jenkins9

Four of us visited Ruggles last night and were extremely disappointed. The service was abominable, it took 20 minutes and 2 order to get our wine, we were brought the wrong appetizer and one wrong entree, and the replacement entree arrived 15 minutes after everyone else's meal. The menu was lackluster and overpriced, the music was very loud, and the Charlotte's Web dessert tasted like boxed pudding (the chocolate cake which was purportedly in the bottom of the serving bowl was all but missing). We will not be going to Ruggles again - if I want to spend that much money on dinner I'll go to Mark's....

08/05/07

Terrible customer service on a Saturday night.

by cluurr

We happened to get the one server that was having a bad night; the other servers seemed to be attentive and gracious. We sat there, finished with our meals, for 15-20 minutes until she came and checked on us; after we asked for the dessert tray, she ignored us for more than 10 minutes until we asked another server to find her. The worst part was that we were sitting right by the walkway to the kitchen so she walked by our table at least 6 times during each of these waiting periods.

I know this is supposed to be a great restaurant with a great reputation, but one bad experience will spoil my opinion of the establishment.

• Cons: Parking is valet only, and there's not much room for cars to line up.

01/30/07

Great Experience!!

by jec38

I went to Ruggles Grill for the first time this Saturday night. I had a 8 PM reservation for four, and was seated at 8:30 (which I was prepared for after reading the reviews on this page) We stood by the bar and had some pre dinner drinks. Our waitress came right over. We started with some appetizers, the escargot and tuna sashimi- both of which were good. The wine list was reasonable priced, however, they were out of a lot of reds that night. The main courses were very good, as were the dessert (you have to try the one they won the award for- I have forgotten its name). Overall, the experience was delightful. The dinner was our event for the evening. I don't think we left until 10:30/11. My out of town guests raved about what a great time they had. I really enjoyed Ruggles and look forward to going again.

01/14/07

AMAZING! truly a houston jewel!!! - but not for the "passive" diners

by wgzn

ok, there is a lot of debate here about this place (read on for specifics). but i've been a dedicated customer for give or take a decade now and it never fails to impress. guaranteed amazing entrees are (in no particular order): pork chop, seared red snapper with fontina cheese, chihuahua cheese and spinach stuffed chicken breast (the sides alone with this one make it a great choice!) and ANYTHING they do with chilean sea bass is exemplary! fried calamari and corn chowder are also good bets... and the carrot cake dessert borders on mind-blowing! - - there ARE though, things to consider about ruggles. first is that its "destination dining". meaning that its not a place to go before the theatre or other event where time is of importance. its an experience to be savored and enjoyed in its own light. second (and most important) is that if you think chilli's or olive garden is "fine dining" this might not be the place for you. ruggles is a VERY social atmosphere and some would even call it "trendy". and in that respect you have to understand that its a very popular (and SMALL) place. reservations will GET you a table. however, not specifically at the EXACT time you requested. a 30 to 45 min wait is not unheard of. and the servers are busy! they dont have the time to be "chatty". however, in my experience are exceedingly hospitable as long as you comprehend the pace of the room... - -

it helps if you have a reasonably seasoned (and adventureous) palate - and can find your way around a menu... you will find flavors here that you will not find anywhere else in the city (or world for that matter) - -

if i owned the place, id find (or build) a bigger and more accessible location - then they could avoid some of the negative reviews they get here - but then it might lose some of its charm. - -

forget the naysayers, ruggles has been and still sits solidly among the list of some of the best dining experiences in houston!

• Pros: superb food, top-notch service, comparative value
• Cons: parking (vallet only) can be a headache

12/29/06

Best meal we've had in Houston

by nem73

We LOVED our first visit to Ruggles on Westheimer. (Have been to the bakery in Rice Village before, but had never been to this Ruggles.) My in-laws were in town from SC and were very impressed. We were seated immediately (with reservations) and our waiter was attentive, but not intrusive. I had the seared salmon over orzo pasta with lobster and lump crab meat which was delicious. My father in law had the tuna special - he's a man of few words, but was super-impressed - couldn't stop talking about all the 'extras' that came with is entree. My husband and mother in law enjoyed it as well. The portions were huge and just as good left-over the next day. Dessert selection was great, too. They loved the Charlotte's Web, but the tiramisu was my favorite. Enjoy!!

• Pros: great selection, huge portions
• Cons: could seem crowded/noisy if there for special occasion

10/03/06

Timelessly amazing every time!

by hookerlegs

I just had my big birthday dinner here- we made reservations for 10. I didn't even request a private room- yet our table was set up in a wonderful private room upstairs! We had excellent service from Jonathan- who was incredibly attentive and came by often to check on us. The food is outstanding! The whole table ordered calamari- everyone was impressed. I ordered sashimi with my birthday boy- it was superb! moist and juciy and full of flavor! My main course- vegetable plate- the best I have every had- hands down better than Marks, Churrascos, Amazon grill. So much food cooked up in such unique ways! We had a few bottles of wine and felt ilke royalty! The creme brulee was smooth and sweet and light- just like I like it! We even loved the classic R&B or marvin gaye and barry white that we heard as our ambiance music :) I am always impressed with the quality of this place- but this time- they really took the cake!

• Pros: Wonderful atmosphere- unique great menu
• Cons: This palce is really popular- so make reservations!

08/10/06

Best Vegtables EVER..large amount of food for your dollar

by mtopher4

We have been eating here 3 to 4 times a year for all our special occasions. The food you get for the $ just can't be beat. Always order a meat and not a pasta so you will get the vegtables. We always eat the lamb chops and my husband gets a crusted fish and they are to die for>>>

With appetizer and tea and dessert it's never over $75...

Service is good, gets noisy sometimes but the food is worth it :-)

We will always go back :-)

• Pros: Vegatables and price
• Cons: can be noisy