The House on the River — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

"The House on the River" in Fort Lauderdale, FL, is an absolute gem that deserves every one of these five stars and more. My boyfriend and I recently had the pleasure of dining here, and I can honestly say it was one of the most romantic and enchanting evenings we've ever experienced.

From the moment we walked in, we were transported to a bygone era, thanks to the restaurant's old vintage vibe. What sets this place apart is the variety of themed rooms, each with its own unique charm. We were fortunate enough to be seated in the "Swing Room" on the second floor above the front porch. The name alone had us intrigued, and as soon as we stepped inside, we were captivated. The room was like a magical garden oasis, complete with a table flanked by swings hanging from the ceiling. It was the perfect setting for a romantic dinner, and we couldn't have been more delighted.

Now, let's talk about the food—oh, the food! Every bite was a culinary delight. I opted for the pan-roasted 1/2 chicken with whipped potatoes, and my boyfriend indulged in the 20oz Ribeye. Both dishes were cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The appetizers, mussels, and roasted carrots, were also outstanding. The presentation was as impressive as the taste, and we found ourselves savoring every morsel.

But it wasn't just the food that left us in awe; it was the entire experience. "The House on the River" offers something truly unique in Fort Lauderdale's dining scene. The attention to detail in the decor, the ambiance, and the way each room tells a different story—all of it combines to create an unforgettable dining adventure.

To top it all off, the service was nothing short of superior. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about making our evening memorable. We felt like royalty throughout the entire meal.

As a testament to how much we loved our experience at "The House on the River," we even took some pictures to capture the magic, which I've included in this review. It's not often that a restaurant can leave you so utterly enchanted, but this one certainly did.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a place that combines exquisite cuisine, a romantic ambiance, and unparalleled service, "The House on the River" is the ultimate destination. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to create lasting memories, do yourself a favor and reserve a table here. It's a hidden treasure in Fort Lauderdale that deserves all the praise it receives. We can't wait to return for another enchanting...

This afternoon, my daughter and I had reservations for high tea at The House on the River in Fort Lauderdale. This was our first dining experience at this location, and we had high hopes for this gathering. First, let me acknowledge how picturesque this location truly is. It is seated on the water, and attendees can watch boats and seacrafts of all sizes pass along the water. It is stunning. Unfortunately, outside of the aesthetics of the venue, there is very little else that I can speak to that was positive. We were seated at 1:32 PM. While we were provided with a selection of teas, we did not receive any food until a full hour later.

The first course consisted of a roasted tomato basil soup, which would have been tremendous had it not been served in a thimble. Another 30 minutes passed before we received the remaining courses, which were presented on a three-tiered tray. The portions for the sandwiches were small and dry; as if they had been sitting out for some time. The selection of sandwiches that were listed on the actual menu did not match up with what we received as part of our meal. For example, the menu listed that we would be served cucumber, dill, and cream cheese sandwiches, which were not an option that we received. The menu also listed that we would receive scones, which the wait staff insisted we received, but nothing on our trays resembled a scone, which can typically be enjoyed with clotted cream.

Although it is expected that a high tea experience is a leisurely one, from start to finish, our experience was more than two hours. It is also important to note that there was a table of ladies nearby who requested to speak to the manager to formally complain, as their meal also took an extended period. The manager acquiesced by providing the table with additional food to compensate for the inconvenience. Perhaps part of the issue is that one waitress served three tables, totaling ten people. I cannot attest to what the typical number of guests they service is, but today, it was painfully clear that they did not have enough staff present, at least not in the section we were seated in. I cannot adequately express how disappointing this experience was. I honestly believe that our waitress did her best under the circumstances, but there is no reason for clientele to be seated with tea only— for a full 60 minutes. This experience was drastically underwhelming. Including parking, this experience cost us $70 per person. Unacceptable. We will not...

I am writing this review to express my frustration and disappointment with my recent attempts to book an event space with House on the River. I have been trying to secure a reservation since December 5, 2024, but unfortunately, my experience has been far from satisfactory.

Initially, I attempted to reach the venue by phone, but I was unable to get through due to a full voicemail inbox. On December 6, I reached out via Instagram, and I received a message stating that someone would be in contact with me. The following day, I received a call, but the representative I spoke with was not helpful and quickly rushed me off the phone, indicating that an event manager would reach out to me. Days passed without any follow-up, so I sent another message on Instagram. I was assured that someone would contact me. On December 12, I received a call from Ernest, but when I explained that I was in the middle of a important appointment and asked if he could return my call later, he appeared aggravated and insisted that I call him back when I was finished. I did so two hours later, but he did not answer and has not contacted me since. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, I have not received any further communication, though the Instagram account continues to post promotional messages about booking events. I have also requested to speak with someone in a higher position, but there has been no response.

Given the glowing recommendations from friends, I am truly disappointed by the lack of professionalism and responsiveness in this instance.

Update: I ended up canceling my bridesmaids proposal at House on the River and going to Shooters waterfront instead. The manager from House on the river was supposed to give me a tour. I ended up waiting an hour and a half to get a tour with my mom and grandmother The host at the time was very rude and trying to make me leave even though I drove 8 Hours into town to see this place and get a tour I was promised. I let the manager know that the host was very rude and that I was unsure about continuing with their services after dealing with them on social media and feeling unwelcome. The manager let me know that this wasn’t the first complaint the host has gotten for being rude and assured me that she would be there the day of my event. At the end I was very disappointed and cancelled from all the red flags that came from this. I do...