DJ Glasseyes

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

The Ruse was the culinary highlight of our week in St. Michaels. From the outside it's modern and unassuming, but as soon as you walk in you're greeted by baskets of fresh oysters behind the raw bar. That immediately tells you what this restaurant is about: exceptional ingredients treated with respect. The oyster program is one of the best we've seen. Rather than simply listing where each oyster comes from, the menu teaches you what to expect—describing the brininess, minerality, sweetness, creaminess, and finish of each variety. We sampled oysters from several regions and every one was impeccably fresh. We also ordered the spicy tuna hand rolls, which turned out to be one of the most enjoyable surprises of the evening. Instead of arriving pre-made, the ingredients are presented separately with instructions so you assemble each roll yourself. It was fun, interactive, and absolutely delicious. Then the Radicchio & Peaches salad arrived. At that point it became obvious why Chef Michael Correll has received James Beard recognition. Jamón Ibérico, peaches, Marcona almonds, white balsamic, and St. Malachi Gouda came together in a way that was both creative and perfectly balanced. Every bite offered something different, yet everything worked together beautifully. We honestly considered coming back later in the trip just to order that salad again. The menu changes with the seasons, so this exact dish may not be available when you visit. If that's the case, don't worry—order whatever seasonal salad the kitchen is featuring. Based on our experience, it's likely to be something special. For our entrées, my wife chose the Day Boat Scallops, beautifully cooked over fresh corn polenta with cherry tomatoes and basil. I ordered the Blue Crab Cacio e Pepe, a creative Chesapeake interpretation of the classic Roman pasta. The rich Pecorino and black pepper sauce paired beautifully with generous pieces of sweet blue crab, creating a dish that was both comforting and refined. Dessert finished the evening on the same high note. The house-made butterscotch pudding was silky and deeply flavorful, while the black cherry frozen yogurt with pistachios was bright, refreshing, and the perfect ending to the meal. The dining room can get a little noisy during busy service, but the energy fits the restaurant well. Service was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. Restaurants like The Ruse are why we enjoy traveling. It's the kind of place where talented people take outstanding local ingredients and create something memorable. If you're visiting St. Michaels, don't miss it.

Brooks Perry

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

🦪 🦪 🦪 St. Michael’s top spot for Happy Hour and Oysters! Ruse sits right off the main drag in St. Michael’s, Maryland, adjacent to a little country store. The restaurant is a large, open space with two bars and plays upbeat music (at least during happy hour). Ruse also has a patio but with little shade. The menu is robust offering up lots of fresh seafood options and culinary favorites. My wife and I stopped in for happy hour and shared drinks and oysters to start. Ruse had lots of oyster options, each uniquely described with taste profile and location – perfect for oyster rookies. We then split a burger and shoestring fries and finished the early evening off with a lovely cup of ice cream topped with cotton candy shreds and strawberry swirls – A MUST for any sweet tooth aficionado! 🍨🍨 Make sure you stop! 🛑

Elizabeth Kern

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Ruse is such a gem! Many shop owners recommended eating here. We had reservations and were seated immediately. Our waitress was delightful and explained the menu. We got a few shared plates including the bread & butter, mussels, and carrots. In my mind I was expecting the carrots to be warm but they were cold but seasoned to perfection. Very unique. My husband and I split the chicken. I’ve had Alabama white sauce before but this was hands down the best I’ve ever had. I normally don’t get chicken when on vacation but this was a must have.

Camille Danieli

4 out of 5 stars★★★★☆

Fabulous! Had a great experience. Such a cute spot with fabulous wait staff. Amazing drinks & wine list. Extraordinary raw bar options. The cheeseburger did not live up to the hype. The fries were barely luke warm…. But I would still come back!

Dawn Ange

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

My husband and I traveled over the bridge to come here for our 13th wedding anniversary and it did not disappoint! Our server was great, she was very knowledgeable of the menu and made excellent recommendations. We had some appetizers, a salad that we shared which had we known the size ahead of time we would have probably gotten two, and entree each and a dessert to share. Everything was excellent!