I Ruggeri

It was a Michlein star experience. This place is not cheap but definately a dining experience for a liftime. Great professionals serve amazing local specialties. The food is very close to art here.

A little bit expensive but meals were delicious

I dined at I Ruggieri after reading great things, and expecting a dinner well above the average. On the contrary, the food was less than bland and, although displayed pretentiously, a disappointment without subtlety. A true let down. Let me go into details: The opening was a sort of sandwitches/skewers made of gambas and fish (I forgot the fancy name that they had on the menu). They were presented with dots of various red,gree, yellow condiments that should allow varying the taste at will. The fish was allright but bland, without any particular care for the crispiness of the cooking, and nothing remarkable to it. The various colourful dots all had, in different ways, very unsubtle tates, and would have covered any other taste. Together, they were at ods with each other, and begged to remain separate. I was severely uninpressed. The second course was a complete disaster. I asked for an orata with fruits and gorgonzola. There is a sacred rule in Italian cuisine: don't mix fish and cheese. But!...I'm all in favour or brilliant ways of violating "sacred rules" and I went for it, expecting some subtle interpretation that would make the fortunate customer wonder why such rules were ever created. What I received was a disaster: the orata had been zealously boiled to a sorry state, killing every taste, consistencey and happiness from its meat. These sad remaisn of a fish were then completely covered with fruits and gorgonzola. NO subtle interpretation, no mercy for the poor fish: just the dominant, overbearing taste of hot gorgonzola stuffed directly into your nose and mouth. I could have as well ordered a pizza-gorgonzola, or make a dish of penne with a gorgonzola nut on top. Instead of old experiences at Maison Pic or Il Gambero Rosso, I found myself reminescing of highway stops at bad autogrills. The dessert was a chocolate heart that, although anonymous, was sadly the best part of that dinner. As a final note, I measure my eating out experiences also based on the premises, and, in particular, the restrooms. Although the dinign rooms are pleasant, and in line wiht the high aims of this restaurant, the toilets have not seen a renovation in decades, and are in clear need of one, with ancient black smears, streaks and a vague overall smell making the toilet experience completely not in line with the pretentiousness of the premise. So, in conclusion: this place is rather (not super) expensive and somehow aims at presenting an "international" cuisine, instead of local tastes. Unfortunately, it does it in the completely wrong way, and provides an unsavory mishmash of botched ideas. I have eaten waaaay better, in Messina, in a myriad of places. And for much less. Admittedly, few of them were as pretentious as this one. On a positive note, the staff was kind and caring. Uncertain between 1 and 2 stars, I give it one star because I cannot take out of my mind the sensation, during that evening, of actually eating autogrill stuff.

Five star food with five star service. This place makes me feel like a rich Italian yatch owner. The fresh pasta with oysters...no words. The best oysters ever and the olive oil...could have drank a bottle of it. I also had a bottle of Cicilian white wine witch was perfect with my meal. Didn't take any pictures, didn't want to look like a tourist even if I am one.?

Quite clean and that's all good I can tell about this place. The owner measures your wallet with his eyes and offers better service to those who may have more money. Food is much below the average. Not to be repeated. Answering the owner's response: I was there in October 2018, and I gave my opinion hoping it would be a help for those travelers searching for recommendations, as I do when planning the next trip.

Amazing place, delicious seafood, great service and good prices.

Holy smokes. Truly a 4.5 restaurant in the middle of Messina! Stopped by here on my own for lunch during a cruise stop over, I wish I could stay longer to try the other dishes. The boss and owner is always around to interact with guests. What a wonderful culinary experience!!! Certainly belong in my top 5 of bestest dining experience!

I will well remember this meal for eternity. The service and food were perfect. Each item served was wonderfully prepared and flavorful with fresh, wholesome ingredients.