River Oaks Pizzeria - Carolina Forest — Restaurant in South Carolina

TLDR: Service was abhorrent, especially in comparison to other patrons. Food was fantastic, and I hope the servers work out their issues ASAP. Until then, we will be ordering take-out.

The food, while overpriced, was splendid. Having read other reviews, it seems this place excels at a select few of their pizzas and not much more which I can whole-heartedly agree with. The service on the other hand is another matter entirely.

The issues with service began after we were seated and met our waitress, August. It seems from a number of prior reviews that she normally provides a wonderful experience to patrons, but this afternoon was the exception. Not only was she hard to find, she consistently disappeared to talk to other staff, and had an overall curt attitude as though we were less worthy of service compared to any other patron in the building.

In our section, there were two other waitstaff bustling by our table consistently checking in with their tables. This would be fantastic news if our server was doing the same. Unfortunately, we had to wait nearly ten minutes for her to come back by upon receiving our food. During that time, no dinner plates were delivered for the pizza we ordered, and my fiancé was forced to eat her lunch on an appetizer plate. My fiancé also ordered an extra side of vodka sauce for her pizza, to which our server immediately replied "I have to charge you for that" as though we assumed it would be free. When the sauce arrived, it was freezing cold.

Upon the conclusion of our meal, we asked for a box for our leftovers, and she simply left the box on the table and rushed away, even as other waitstaff were seen boxing their tables' leftovers. Yet again, the comparison made this feel far worse as it was made obvious this was not the usual treatment from staff. Not only that, but she rushed off, seemingly busy, but immediately was seen chatting with her coworkers, with no other tables in sight.

As we went to pay, it yet again took another 5-6 minutes for her to come around, and when we handed her the card she disappeared for TWELVE MINUTES. It may have been a bad day for her, which happens to the best of us, but to receive this type of service after my fiancé had raved about the restaurant for weeks prior, was disappointing. The fact that we paid as much as we did (60+ for three items) and expecting (at the very least), mediocre service, only to be shunned by our waitress while other staff happily greet tables and assist other patrons left a terrible first impression.

We have a combined 10+ years in the service industry between the two of us, and do not take matters like this lightly. My fiancé was so upset with the service that she declined dessert (to my dismay), wanting to leave the restaurant as quickly as possible.

While normally I would be empathetic in my review, having read other reviews and confirming that staff has declined in mood recently, it motivated me more to write this out and make mention that kindness and prompt service are always key. I hope that whatever is going on within the restaurant works itself out quickly, or we will...

We recently had the pleasure of dining at River Oaks Pizzeria, and I must say, it was a truly delightful experience. From the moment we stepped inside, the warm and inviting ambiance set the tone for a memorable evening. The star of the show, however, was undeniably the fantastic service provided by our server, TJ. His attentiveness, knowledge, and friendly demeanor enhanced our dining experience and left a lasting impression.

Now, let's talk about the food. River Oaks Pizzeria truly knows how to create culinary masterpieces that satisfy even the most discerning taste buds. One of the highlights of our meal was the lobster ravioli. Each bite was a heavenly blend of succulent lobster meat and perfectly cooked pasta, bathed in a flavorful sauce that left us craving more. It was a true indulgence that showcased the restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients and expert craftsmanship.

Another standout dish was the eggplant margarita pizza. The combination of the smoky eggplant, tangy tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fragrant basil was a match made in pizza heaven. The crust was thin and crispy, providing a perfect foundation for the explosion of flavors in every bite. It was a unique twist on a classic pizza that left us thoroughly impressed.

To accompany our meal, we decided to try the River Oaks Old Fashioned, and we were not disappointed. The blend of premium spirits, muddled fruit, and bitters created a balanced and smooth cocktail that was simply exquisite. It was evident that the bartenders at River Oaks Pizzeria take great pride in their craft, as this drink was expertly mixed and presented.

In addition to the outstanding food and drinks, the overall dining experience at River Oaks Pizzeria was exceptional. The staff was attentive, and the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. The restaurant's attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the beautifully presented dishes to the comfortable seating arrangements.

If you're in search of a remarkable dining experience in the area, I wholeheartedly recommend River Oaks Pizzeria. The lobster ravioli, eggplant margarita pizza, and River Oaks Old Fashioned were undoubtedly the highlights of our meal. Combined with the exceptional service provided by TJ (even though he’s a ravens fan) it was an experience that exceeded our...

We dined here for the first time on Saturday 3/11 - Congratulations to the owners on your opening and our best wishes for your tremendous success!

First, the positives: Table Service - prompt and attentive Menu - great variety Atmosphere - nicely decorated Food: We had the appetizer of Eggplant Chips. They were terrific - it was nice to have something unique for a change.

Pasta we had broccoli rabe with sausage - very nicely prepared and it was delicious ( I would have liked the sausage to have been browned first. It appeared to have been steamed or boiled)

Eggplant Rollatine - excellent too ( maybe a little short on the ricotta)

Gelato for dessert - excellent - maybe add a fruit flavor

Wine - nice selection of by the glass options

Bread - crispy and delicious

Second, where there could be some room for improvement:

On arrival we had to wait even though there were plenty of tables - but the staff seemed disorganized and flustered -

But, there’s really no where to wait - as we stood there we were literally bumping against tables dining - We know you want to maximize your seating but maybe remove one table or don’t use it unless you’re completely full ( just a suggestion)

You open at 3. We arrived at 430pm and were told they were out of Calamari - for a Saturday evening this seemed very unusual - (maybe order differently)

Seating - it’s cramped! They have attempted to use every square inch of space, but it is a trade off to comfort and ambience.

Music - Wow! Shocked at the volume and selection (hip hop/ rap really doesn’t fit with the atmosphere you’re trying to create)

We asked to hold the pasta on a dinner and for a side of vegetables instead - we were told we could only substitute with a full side purchase. Suggestion: for the price of the dinners it would be more customer friendly to just ask for a $2-5 up charge when someone has already purchased a dinner.

Prices- everything is priced on the higher end of this area’s...