La Rústica, formerly known as Villa Romanas, has successfully breathed life into the oldest Italian restaurant in Doncaster. The restaurant itself is steeped in history, originally opening as Carlo’s in 1979, rebranding as Villa Romanas and now serving under the La Rústica name, but regardless of change, it is still dedicated to plating up authentic Italian dishes. The restaurant interior is warm and rustic with pops of colour and unique accents. Find the photo frame wall feature or the vibrant poster prints, hanging wicker baskets and the distressed wood mirrors, all contrasting against the dark wooden furniture and other walls.
They dish up modern Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where customer satisfaction is of huge importance. The restaurant aims to use locally sourced ingredients to provide high quality dishes fresh to order. La Rústica has a split-level bar and lounge upstairs where diners can sip on a cocktail and head downstairs into the brick cellar to enjoy your meal.
The wine list features plenty of international wines and bubbles to choose from, plus liqueur coffees, many traditional cocktails and G&Ts. Diners can start their meal with a traditional sanguinaccio: baked black pudding and goat’s cheese topped with caramelised onion and Parmesan cheese, and served with sliced focaccia. For mains, diners can choose between pizza, pasta, steak and other native Italian dishes. We like the look of the maiale, a herb-marinated pork lion grilled plated on mushrooms and onions cooked in a creamy red wine sauce. Dessert includes an Amaretto, peach and chocolate tart and the double chocolate fudge with white and dark chocolate cream, which is a great decadent choice.
La Rústica offers a cooked to order all-you-can-eat Italian and Spanish tapas buffet on Mondays and Tuesdays and Saturdays and Sundays where children under five eat free. The restaurant also has daily drink specials in the upstairs bar including buy one get one free cocktails on weekdays from 5 to 7pm and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. La Rústica also caters to diners’ dietary needs, with gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and other special diet dishes available on request. There is also a children’s menu for those under 10.