Ruse
Restaurant · St. Michaels ·
Refined seafood, oysters, and cocktails with seasonal, local ingredients
Refined seafood, oysters, and cocktails with seasonal, local ingredients
"When I saw “blue crab cacio e pepe” on the menu in St. Michaels, I ordered it immediately; it was rich and generally appealing (if a hefty $48), but the restaurant’s lower-priced, vegetable-focused alternative quietly stole the show: humble-looking strozzapreti threaded with big chunks of tomato and zucchini and ribbons of basil, where an olive oil–based dressing carried sharp pepper notes and earthy vegetables that added satisfying textural contrast. Sometimes simple is better." - Eater Staff
"Led by chef Michael Correll, who received a 2025 James Beard nomination for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, the restaurant serves a "reimagined take on the traditional Eastern Shore dining experience." Expect flavor-packed bites such as smoked trout dip, anchovy toast, and spicy tuna handrolls." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"At Ruse in St. Michaels, Maryland, the Sunshine Daydream pairs locally made, female-owned Lyon rum with pineapple, coconut cream, and lime for a tropical, creamy cocktail rooted in local spirits." - Lulu Chang
"As The Wildset Hotel's on-site restaurant in St. Michaels, Ruse is highlighted as part of a compelling reason to book the boutique property." - Perri Ormont Blumberg Perri Ormont Blumberg Perri Ormont Blumberg is a New York City-born-and-based writer. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, Travel + Leisure, Rolling Stone, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"When we bought it, there was an indoor pool (where the restaurant, Ruse, is now located). We completely gutted the properties. There are eight rooms in the main building that we kept largely intact, but it was a full renovation. The only thing we added was when we demoed the pool area for the restaurant, we added two more rooms." - Nancy DePalma