Rustic Couch

Reviews 3

PA

Paul Kosal

[Time & Date of visit] Multiple weekday nights. [Location/Ambiance] Same plaza as I Luv Pho #2. Skip waiting for the light to go up Satellite blvd, and take the far end entrance instead. I would say its fairly noisy due to the amount of traffic going in and out I think. As for seating goes, theres a couple various types of tables located through out the cafe. The open booth seating near the front is higher than the chairs that theyre paired at the tables. Ladies, if you have a date thats shorter than you with heels on, pick the other tables. They also have a private room that can be reserved. [Service] While you do order at the counter, there are food runners that bring the food to you via the numbers that are eerily similar to La Madeline restaurants. Water refills are self filled as well as utensils. [Food Highlights] Best way I can describe the food is, if the other boba tea cafes are selling various Asian street food /snacks - Rustic does their in a gastro pub w/ asian fusion. Fried Bun Bao: Trust me, it might sound weird. But its worth a try as this seems to be the main selling dish as everyone has been reviewing it. Its not a food-gasm waiting to happen, but its different enough to warrant a purchase. One order comes with two bun baos. The slight crispy fried dough has a subtle hint of sweetness on the first bite until you get to the familiar tasting pork filling which is the same as most bun baos. Calamari: No sysco pre-made here. Well, at least I hope not. Served on a mini flat iron skillet and accompanied by a slightly spicy marinara sauce. Though it is already topped with a "aioli" or siracha mayo sauce, I didnt feel that the marinara sauce added more to the taste. I have had it three times, and the breading is consistent. Flakey but not piled on to keep the balance of calamari and breading just right. Its not mind blowing. I would say its good for quick bites if you dont feel like venturing to a tapas place. Its good, but not great. Bulgogi taco: I wasnt really impressed with this one. Sure theres a ton of bulgogi for just one taco, but the bulgogi was pretty chewy. Maybe overcooked? The "salsa topped on it didnt wow me much either. I hope they can improve on this dish or get consistent on how they cook the meat. Pass on this for now. Bulgogi "cheese steak": Served with a miniature deep fry basket of tater tots. This is pretty filling and share-able. Though the bulgogi was also over cooked and tough, the slight amounts of cheese didnt throw off the taste. The tots were great though. Cooked slightly crispy, brown. Crunchy outside but still moist on the inside. I think I liked the tots more then the cheese steak. Im really hoping that the kitchen was just in a rush and was just trying to get out orders as fast as they could. Pass on this as well. Most drinks if ordered medium and are for dine in, get served in mason jars with handles. To go drinks are sealed in the plastic boba-tea cups and film lids. Its been varying tastes each time, mostly on the sweet side for the slushes so far. Ill have to ask for reduced sugar next visit. Rose syrup tea: All I can say is grab a cup of water to dilute this thing. Overly sweet. Million Dollar Cake: Im not sure what to say about this but to just try it. There are various layers of different textures from chocolate ganache, to almost cheese cake middle, to chocolate cake bottom. With a vanilla like frosting and "tiramisu" waves. Though it is pretty rich and should be shared. Unless you just have a sweet tooth. {Summary} I think for its location, its away from the masses of other coffee/ black milk tea shops off of pleasant hill. It has its own personality of being a "vintage vibe" kind of setting, I didnt want to review this place right away but after the hype train has died down a bit to see how their flow has changed and quality of food is consistent. But Ill just update it later. 3.5 stars for now.

BR

Bryan Liang

A few friends and I decided to visit here around 11:15PM after a talent show event we planned. It was less than an hour before closing, but the place was still really packed and a line at the counter. I really liked the decorations, kind of brings out that hipster vibe and aesthetic going on. The wood furnishings were really nice, and I loved how they had board games and activities for you to play while you were waiting for food/chatting with friends. I would definitely frequent here to study at more quiet hours or chill with friends, but its a little too far from my house. The menu selection looked really nice, with all sorts of drinks (from coffee to boba tea) and American-Asian fusion type deal going on with the food. I ordered the Banh Minh Burger, which was $9.50 with a side of tater-tots and ketchup. It was a little bit on the expensive side for a cafe to me, but I didnt really mind it. Serving size was good and I was pretty full, having skipped dinner. The burger game with a soft brioche(?) bun, and the patty was thick and cooked well, but a little on the dry side to me. The vegetable slaw on the burger was nice, adding a crunch to every bite. I can deal with spicy foods, so the raw jalepenos on the burger were a nice addition and kick, but my other friends who ordered the same thing mentioned it was too spicy. Finally, it was topped off with a little sriracha-mayo kinda sauce, which cooled down the jalepenos on it, but I felt like they shouldve added more. Tater-tots were done pretty well, flaky on the outside, soft on the inside. Nothing too special about them. I really liked this joint, and do plan on coming here again to sample other menu items. Im really in to cafes and coffee shops like these: its not common to see a more coffee-oriented cafe in my area. I like the concept, but like with the other reviewers, I guess its sort of overhyped but I see it as a good thing. I recommend coming here, and get the burger if the price is okay to you.

KA

Karina Cruzado

Ive been come here quite a few times. These are the only things I like about this place: - the atmosphere (Its chill) chill place to hang out with friends and to study - they keept their bathrooms clean so thats a plus To be honest, the place doesnt seem too special. They could really improve. I mostly dont like it because of their employees. Like I mentioned, Ive been here quite a few times and I always see mostly the same people and my experience has sucked. They are honestly just NOT friendly, AT ALL! They seem stuck up. I mean, usually when I come here, I just get a tea and I dread that I even have to go talk to them. I come from a job where customer service is big, and at rustic couch, they suck at it honestly. I mean the employees are such an important part of any business and their employees are just ruining it for them. When you pay for something at this store, I find it crazy that they even have a "add tip" option. If they were nice, Id tip them nice, but Ive been skipping that option for now. First time I came here I expected these super nice workers at a chill/cool place, totally not the case. Pretty much each time Ive gone the employees have been semi rude and not friendly; they suck. If I knew their names, Id mention them all. As far as their menu, they could add new things and just improve. This place isnt a 1 star or a 5 star but I think it deserves a fair 3. - And yes, I did in fact spend my time writing a LONG review because I believe they can get better AND I would not write a long review for no reason; this is from what Ive experienced from the 6 times I have visited this business. I also rarely post reviews for any business. Probably once a year, so that says something. Im a pretty chill person, not judgemental but I do observe customer service from businesses and this place has to get it together. Hopefully the owners or a manager or assistant manager or any employee there sees my review. Worth a try! :-)