Ruffinos

Very good food, great service. I would think identical

My parents have been many times. They love it. Maybe more than BR.

Having virtually grown up with Ruffino's in Baton Rouge, it somewhat pains me to say my opinion of the restaurant (either location) has deteriorated as my tastes have grown more refined. If a friend invited me there and they really wanted to go, chances are I'd say yes. But it is entirely (dare I say offensively) overpriced. In my opinion, great dining should carry a high price tag first and foremost for the quality of the food, secondly for the quality of the service, and thirdly for the atmosphere and/or other idiosyncratic factors. Ruffino's in Lafayette scores well on the latter two, but needs some work on the first if it's going to continue to justify such a high price tag with me. The meals I've had there have been good, but not great, and certainly not particularly original. I've been to Michelin recommended (if not starred) restaurants that were both significantly better and significantly less expensive.

In short, great place to gather with friends or family. Likely a great place to bring a first date. Food will be consistently good by Lafayette standards. But the value is a little too skewed for me to have a desire to go back regularly. Clearly, they get away with it for enough people to pack the house regularly, but just not by me.