River House Restaurant and Raw Bar — Restaurant in Louisville

Unfortunately, we did not receive the service we anticipated at this establishment. Although, the ambience was impressive, I noticed instantly that this venue lacked diversity. Please note, my husband and I drove from Nashville, TN to dine at the River House on 10 August 2024. I will try to sum this up in as limited context as possible.

For starters, we were told the wait would be about 45 minutes, which was fine. Therefore, we decided to sit at the bar until our table was ready. From the time we sat down, I noticed it took a while for the bartender to make her way over to us. When she finally came over she asked if we wanted a menu; we responded “yes” and she placed the menus on the counter and walked away.

However, the other two “white” couples that were seated next to us, she handed them their menus as well as handed them both a paper menu and went over the specials with them. My husband and I didn’t receive this introduction at all. By this time, I was irritated. We proceeded to order, which is when I noticed her fingernails were just as disgusting as her attitude; which is when and I communicated to my husband that I did not like the way this bartender was treating us (VERY PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS) and I most definitely didn’t want her serving us.

Shortly after, the order came there was a slight issue. When I made the bartender aware, she had the nerve to tell me “they all came from the same batch” which was clearly not true; considering she hand delivered the “white” couple sitting next to theirs and she also mentioned it was hot and fresh out of the oven, which was true because it was literally steaming hot. Ours was barely room temperature. When I brought this fact to her attention (theirs being steaming hot) as well as told her that I don’t appreciate her response to the fact that we had nearly cold cornbread.

As a result she literally rolled her eyes, threw her hand up and walked off. Of course, I was highly offended; but then I realized that she’s more than likely a resident of the nearest trailer park, I refused to allow her to steal my JOY. Therefore, I stood up, walked around until I found a manager. His name was David. I explained to him what happened, made him aware that her fingernails were disgusting and that we will no longer be dining there.

He was very apologetic and offered to take care of the tab we started; in which I told him we would take care of it. He insisted. He also asked me directly which bartender was the server and I disclosed to him via head gesture it was the white, brunette. By this time, I’m sure the bartender knew what was transpiring and why; because she didn’t come back to our section, but stared in our direction quite frequently.

Although, she rang in the check (we have a copy for our records) in the name “Brittany” as the server. I’m almost certain that’s not her name. I overheard a customer call her by the name “Shelly.” It’s obvious this bartender lacks professionalism and several other attributes. A person of her caliber would not represent any of our establishments; and should not be a representation of the River House. That is unless this type of behavior is acceptable.

Upon reading the reviews (following our experience) this is not the first time something to this effect has occurred at the River House. However, this is unacceptable treatment and requires immediate attention. Not sure if this is a franchise or a corporation; but this will be escalated and brought to the attention of the...

ALERT: My Fellow Blacks PLEASE READ!

Unfortunately we can’t tell you how the food is because the manager, Kim, showed her true ”colors” which was rude, and disrespectful to our skin color.

My boyfriend made a reservation here to end my birthday trip to bourbon town. I love water and this was said to be the perfect place to experience great food and a beautiful views of the lake.

We arrived and were seated outside, but close to the door. My boyfriend asked if we could be seated closer to the water away from the door because it was a high traffic area. The hostess said we could possibly sit closer and found a table. We got to the table and before we could sit down Kim came and said “you cannot sit here, because this waiter is at capacity and you wouldn’t get good service.” She then says “well, the waitress in this section is no longer taking any seating so you gotta move.” We asked if there were any other tables closer to the water (there were several open tables), but Kim rudely said “NO!” And commences to walk to the table by the door saying to me, “get your stuff.”

We went to the other table. Within minutes they sat a non-black couple at the table Kim said they were not sitting anyone else anymore. Then, sat another non-black couple at another unoccupied table we had asked about. My boyfriend asked for the manager Kim came over and announced, “I’m the manager.” My boyfriend asked about the table and Kim asked if she could sit down, we agreed and she replied with, “Well sometime there is miscommunication from the the host stand, I’m usually at the front of the house, but I’m not today so, sorry.” He asked again if we could sit at one of the other open tables and again she said no.

We placed our order with Hunter (who, by the way, was great), but we noticed after a few more minutes other non-black couples being seated at the other unoccupied tables. Kim walked by and my boyfriend said, “Kim, other couples were still being seated in the section you told us we couldn’t sit in.” Kim replied, “Look, I don’t know what to tell you.” She turned to walk away saying, “I have talked to you too many times.”

At that moment we decided to leave. As we were collecting our things the food came, we told the waiter thank you, tipped him, then told him no thank, we’re leaving. Kim then came and said, “Ok, where would you like to sit.” We said, “No thank you.” And we left.

Where we (blacks) can go and get exceptional service and food is Brendon’s Catch 23! We called from the car and the host, Cooper made our reservation immediately. The food was unmatched and the service..let’s just say color didn’t matter. Our waiter, Jamie complimented the Detroit Lions, gave me birthday wishes and treated us with love! 💜💜💜

The moral of the story is, Kim, the manager at RiverHouse, managed to show us all colors are not treated...

We originally went there for the all-you-can-eat crab legs but everybody got something different Grandpa got the steak with veggies and au gratin potatoes Nanny got the surf and turf linguine teacup got the shrimp spaghetti and I started off with the steak veggies and au gratin potatoes as well and the all u can eat crab legs we got the roasted brussel sprouts and brisket egg rolls the brussel sprouts for gross the egg rolls were very very bland so when my steak gets there I ordered it medium it was way overcooked very tough very bland grandpa said his steak was fine he didn't put ketchup on it Nanny's linguine with okay the shrimp was very tough teacup shrimp spaghetti was very disgusting the noodles were undercooked and the shrimp was very tough so teacup and I sent our food back she got the cheeseburger with fries ketchup and pickles only so I send my steak back keep in mind I'm still waiting on my crab legs so our food comes back out teacup said her cheeseburger was good the fries were very bland and soggy mistake now comes back out and it is most definitely rare in the middle so I send it back and just tell him to take it completely off my bill because it was just nasty so the waitress comes by and asks is everything okay I said I'm still waiting on my crab legs that I ordered 40 minutes ago she said oh they never did bring them out no ma'am they sure did not so I finally get my crab legs and they are DELICIOUS oh we also got the cor succotash and it was undercooked as well we also ordered fried Green tomatoes that we never received for the price that you pay for the food at this restaurant I was not impressed at all are waitress was very sweet and nice in the crab legs were delicious and teacup said that her cheeseburger was good then when you order extra crab legs they only bring you one cluster at a time and that takes 20 to 30 minutes just to get one cluster so I finally asked could I get two at a time and the waitress said I'll see what I can do so she started bringing me out two clusters at a time and that took 30 to 40 minutes with all that being said if I ever go back and that's a big if it would only be for the all you can eat crab legs and teacups cheeseburger! Like I said for the price you pay I was not...