Ruby Ladle in Texas

"Eric and I had the most amazing dinner. Perfect fine dining experience from the hostess meeting us outside with an umbrella, our server explaining the menu options and the chef special. We had moscato with a jumbo crab cake (oh my god I could have had ten), then we tried both the gumbo which was perfectly spiced and th cucumber salad which was delightfully acidic. I had the most tender melt in your mouth tenderloin and Eric had herb crusted lamb. Both with smooth and salty mashed potato and green beans. Nearly full but not quite done we decided to order the French press coffee and the bread pudding. Nothing was amiss, the service from Gillian was top tier. She boxed our food for us and kept it in the fridge while we waited on dessert, and even packaged up our coffee. I have zero complaints. I can’t wait to come back."

"Ruby Ladle is my new favorite spot! This was my first time dining in and I was not disappointed. The service alone was amazing. For dinner I had the salmon and caviar which was perfectly cooked, seasoned, and tender. I also got the privilege to talk to Jessica who ensured we had a wonderful experience. Would definitely recommend the key lime pie as a final touch. I will definitely be coming back not only for food, but the outstanding service."

"The Ruby Ladle is hands-down the best restaurant in town. Four of us went for dinner and ordered a variety of dishes to share, and every single plate was impressive. The quality of the food is on another level—fresh ingredients, rich flavors, perfect textures, and absolute consistency across everything we tried. You can taste the care and skill that goes into each dish. The chef and staff truly went above and beyond for us. They were welcoming, attentive, and passionate about what they serve, which made the entire experience feel personal and memorable. It’s rare to find a place where the food and the service both exceed expectations this much. We left saying the same thing: this is our new go-to spot. If you want top-tier food and exceptional hospitality, The Ruby Ladle sets the standard. Highly, highly recommend!"

"Simply Amazing — A True Corpus Christi Gem This place is simply incredible. It’s a small, family-owned restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team. The husband is an internationally trained chef specializing in French and Cajun cuisine, and his talent shows in every dish. His wife, Jessica, runs the front of house, and she is phenomenal — warm, inviting, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the Corpus Christi area. The ambiance is intimate and stylish: dim lighting, smooth soul and street-jazz playing softly in the background, and an overall vibe that makes it perfect for date night, a late dinner, or anyone looking for a refined dining experience without the stuffy formality. The food is top-tier. I started with the jumbo crab cake, and it was absolutely to die for — no filler, just fresh, flavorful crab cooked perfectly. For my entrée, I had the salmon served with wild rice and green beans. Everything was seasoned spot-on, cooked to perfection, and tasted incredibly fresh. I finished with the key lime pie, and honestly, it’s one of the best I’ve had in years. Dense, tart, sweet, and done exactly the right way. Pricing is very fair for the quality — my full meal, including tip, was around $100, and the average guest will probably spend $65–$75 per person. Service is top-notch, the setting is intimate, and the food hits every note. If you’re looking for an elevated dining experience in Corpus Christi that’s both cozy and memorable, this is the place. Highly recommended."

"Ruby Ladle is hands down the best restaurant in Corpus—maybe even all of Texas. Every dish shows incredible technique, balance, and intention. You can feel the chef’s craft in every bite, from the flavors to the presentation. This is next-level cooking, the kind that makes you stop and appreciate how good food can be. Truly exceptional. Had great conversations with Jessica too, very professional in hospitality and they definitely know what they are doing. If you haven’t try this place YOU HAVE TO!!"

"A wonderful addition to fine dining in Corpus. We just attended Chef Michael Smith's seven course Game Dinner with locally sourced game and fish and it was one of our most enjoyable dinners in years. We were greeted with a complimentary champagne glass before being taken to our table, they were refilled before Chef Michael introduced the first course of buttermilk fried quail knots with red eye gravy, followed by pan seared duck with honey and cherry bigarade and then Clearwater Farms baked oysters with applewood smoked bacon with black garlic and Chipotle aioli. They were really excellent, and the farm owner who was attendingb the dinner also offer us additional tastings of fresh ones -briny and sweet they were the best cultured oysters we have tried in the Coastal Bend. A raspberry sorbet with mint cleared our palates before being presented with rabbit fricassee wild mushrooms and sherry cream sauce, followed by frenched boar chops with whole grain mustard and toasted pecans, and that was followed by S. Texas Nilgai antelope with truffle pom puree and blackberry demiglaze. The final touch was a delicious desert of white pudding and berries with chocolate caramel sauce. All the courses were paired with well chosen wine selections -with complimentary refills- and introduced by the Chef. They were all delicious and of very generous size (first time we have taken food home from a tasting menu). The service, headed by manager Jessica Chappell Smith was excellent. We cannot recommend enough Ruby Ladle and it should be tried by anybody who enjoys fine dining at very reasonable prices."

"Delicious and exquisite entrees with a very relaxing atmosphere. Chef Michael and chef Jessica are very true community leaders and it shows in their service. Mind your business success Agency is proud to endorse them as a leading restaurant in the coastal bend."

"If yearning for a nice dinner in Corpus, look no further. The love they add to the food is revealed in the flavors. We’re always pleasantly surprised with the presentation and attention to detail. If you want a treat, a monthly dinner (6 - 7 courses, theme-based, lasting 2.5 - 3 hours, with wine paring) will rival most chef dinners found in larger cities without the accompanying travel. But a warning, reservations for this experience book fast in this quaint setting."