River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar
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I didn't do my research of the location. So to my surprise, the restaurant is located in the Xerox building. Upon arrival to the location, there is a sign for the restaurant at the entrance of the parking lot. As you drive in there's another sign indicating it's in the back. Naturally, I follow the sign & of course that's the wrong thing to do. It takes you to the side of the building where parking isn't available. Instead, park in front. Then go into the main entrance of the Xerox building. Only then do you see the other sign giving those exact instructions, smh. Upon entering the restaurant, the hostess gave a pleasant greeting & asked if we preferred instead or out. Of course, we chose outside on the 2nd level, since it was a beautiful day. The view was gorgeous & we also had the pleasure of seeing some jet skis out enjoying the weather. At the bottom, there's another tent & seating area. No one was down there. They may have events in the evening. I also noticed heaters for both levels, so it must be comfortable to sit outside in the evening as well. The waitress came over & was patient with our indecisiveness on the drink orders & also provided suggestions. The orders were placed & the beverages arrived pretty quickly. I was shocked when fish bowl was presented. She tried to describe the size prior, but it didn't get through. The menu says for 2 people, but 3 is more like it. The fish bowl isn't something you'd find at the carnival. More likely to be sold at a pet store. Sadly, there is more blocks of ice & blue caraco(sp) than liquor. I wouldn't purchase it again. The waitress returned after 15mins {estimate) & after much debate at the table, the food orders were placed. Again, the waitress was very patient & tried to assist with the final decision. Unfortunately, the food took a long time to appear. So much, that we were checked on a few times & had to be reassured the food was on the way. Once, it did come, we immediately started eating with our eyes. I think we were full before we started digging in. I ordered the French toast & wasn't disappointed. I coukd taste the salty & sweet with the peanut butter & cream cheese. Not to mention the syrup, bananas & cream. I knew I signed up for a food coma when I picked this dish. However, the French toast itself became tiring to eat. In my opinion, the bread used was somewhat tough. Towards the end, I found myself only eating all the fillings. My counterparts, chose the seafood pasta & the lobster benedict. No complaints from the pasta. The benedict on the other hand, was disappointing. For paying MP ($28), only 2 small claws were included. If a restaurant is charging full MP, they should really include some of the tail. It would have been nice to have the tail shredded so the benedict is overflowing with meat. In addition, the English muffins were well done. They were extra crispy to the point where you were sawing them in order to cut through. We opted to skip dessert. I'd return to try their normal menu. I'm not in a rush to do brunch here again.
Lori DLori D
00
Title: A Rainy Day Turned Bright: A Memorable Luncheon at River I recently had the pleasure of attending an annual luncheon with a group of over 50 women at River, and despite the pouring rain that threatened to dampen our spirits, our experience was nothing short of magnificent. Upon arrival, we had expected to enjoy the breathtaking view of the beautiful Connecticut River from the tent, but Mother Nature had other plans. The rain was relentless, and by noon, we had already accumulated two inches with no signs of it letting up. Nevertheless, the staff at River promptly relocated us inside, ensuring our comfort and satisfaction throughout the event. What truly sets River apart, however, is its commitment to offering a memorable dining experience regardless of the weather. The establishment boasts a deck with heaters, a charming patio, and a spacious tented area, all of which still provided us with the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque river view. Even on a rainy day, the atmosphere remained warm and inviting. When it came time for lunch, we were delighted by the culinary offerings. The meal began with fresh salads and delectable bread, setting a high standard for what was to follow. The chicken and salmon dishes were nothing short of outstanding, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. The only minor disappointment was the vegetarian option, which consisted of minimal vegetables and an abundance of pasta or gnocchi. While it wasn't what we expected, it certainly didn't overshadow the overall excellence of our dining experience. The service at River was exemplary throughout the luncheon. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and accommodating, ensuring that our large group felt well taken care of. Their professionalism and dedication to our satisfaction added to the overall enjoyment of our day. In conclusion, our annual luncheon at River was a resounding success, thanks in no small part to the restaurant's commitment to exceptional service and its stunning riverside setting. Despite the inclement weather, the establishment's amenities, including the heated patio and tent, provided us with the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the Connecticut River. The delicious food and top-notch service left a lasting impression on our group, and many of us are already planning to return for happy hour or dinner, eagerly anticipating the chance to savor more of what this remarkable restaurant has to offer.
Geena Becker, REALTORGeena Becker, REALTOR
00
Horrid Experience from an out-of-towner. Just left and I could not wait to write this review because the experience was so bad. First, my sister-in-law called ahead to check if a reservation was necessary and they told her it wasn't. We arrived and we're still asked about a reservation. She explained her call ahead. Fast forward to us being seated pretty quickly. I was visiting with my brother and his wife with my husband and son, so 4 adults and a baby. We were given a high chair. We waited about 20 mins for our server "Pri/Bri” to bring waters. She didn't introduce herself, any specials, or ask any questions, but just rushed us to order. I asked about mocktails and she suggested lemonade, sweet tea and other non-mocktail items. I decided to stick with water and she indicated the drinks were in premade batches. My husband and sister-in-law ordered sangrias that took another 10-15 mins to get. My sister-in-law was nearly killed by the cherry garnish, also not indicated on the menu (she is allergic) so hers took another 10 mins to get. I was in deep conversation with my family and decided to order my son fries. The fries came out in about 15 mins. We ordered salads (my husband and I), calamari, a salmon burger and pasta. Pre/Bri was very inattentive and non communicative. Our food took over an hour and we had to ask about it. When it did come all the plates did not come at the same time. My calamari came out and was pretty tasty and hot but my Caesar salad looked as though it had been sitting out and is dangerous for me to eat at 7 months pregnant. I sent it back and asked for the manager. She asked why I sent back the salad and I indicated it was warm and did not look fresh. Pre/Pri told us the manager would be out "when she got time," and that was about 10-15 mins later. "Michelle the Manager" apologized upon walking up to the table but made no concessions for over an hour wait for food. She offered to remake my salad (a side salad) and I reluctantly accepted. I wish I had not. It was a mediocre side salad and had a surprise of avocado slice in the salad (I am glad I am not allergic but cross contamination? Possibly). I stopped eating when I saw it and waited for the bill. Pre/Bri was most attentive to bringing the check. $99 for a 2 hour wait, plates to come out separately and subpar service. She even charged me for a full salad and not the side salad that was made. She told me when I asked about it that "she thought" she could charge for a side salad at lunch but couldn't (but never indicated otherwise). I made her take it off. When she took it off and brought it back she did not hand it to me, she dropped in the middle of the table, didn't make eye contact and walked away. I dropped the check at the register and left too. Michelle didn't do her job as a manager and compensate for the short comings of the restaurant. Pre/Bri. was minimally communicative and did a poor job of checking on us and keeping us informed. Several times we wanted to leave but were already down the rabbit hole hoping food would grace our table. The 1 star is for the food and view. She did not get the 20% I would've given if the situation was properly handled. 0 stars, would not recommend. Trash Juice.
Jasmine PhilpotJasmine Philpot
00
This is definitely a hidden gem! Its within a business building which seems a little different from the usual restaurant setting. We entered this place thinking we were under dressed because it's so beautiful inside but no, you can definitely dress comfortably with all other customers dressed the same and not feel out of place. The food!?!?! Is to die for...I got the Braised Short Ribs 🤤🤤 This tasted as if it were home cooked. Gravy and mashed potatoes were so savory! The ribs were so tender. My husband’s fish and chips were also great (and he's a super picky eater). The good sized peice of fish along with the batter was seasoned nicely and was nice and crispy. Fries were great too. Ive attached pics here of the view and food. The dessert was yummy as well. We got the cannoli cake and the chocolate caramel cake. They were so good. Our appetizers were the maple smoked bacon and steak skewers which was a wonderful start to this A+ meal. Forgot to get a pic of these but just know, they didnt last long at our table lol The food here was so good that we didn't want to leave. Our server Thomas M. was THE BEST!!! He went above and beyond to ask if the kitchen would make my meal although it was a little too early for a dinner entree. He also asked if the bar could make my drink a little spicier, to my liking. He was GREAT! Hope we have him again next time we visit. We can't wait to go back. Also, the view over looks the CT River. There's plenty of outdoor and indoor seating that share the view. We also noticed that they have plenty of large outdoor heating lamps strategically placed so this place would be a great dining option during slightly cooler nights. Love it here! Will definitely be returning!!!!!
C. RosadoC. Rosado
00
Let me start by saying, don't let the exterior fool you. This is an amazing restaurant with great views and great food. When you first get there, you literally pull into the parking lot of a company. You park in the front and go in. The lobby is nice but head straight back to the restaurant - it is beautiful! There is a huge bar, indoor seating and outdoor seating. And as the name suggests, you are right on the river. Amazing views, we even saw a few deer! The staff were all very nice here, from the moment we set foot in the door. We were waiting for some friends, so we sat at the bar initially. Great bartender, friendly and was attentive. They have good cocktails here and a good wine selection (I believe the beer selection is good too but I'm not a beer drinker so I didn't notice). We got a table outside and that definitely made it an even more enjoyable night. Our waitress was also really nice and attentive. I ordered the branzino, came with bacon fried brussel sprouts and polenta. Where do I start? The fish was lightly battered and fried and was really good. But I can't figure out if the polenta or the sprouts upstaged the fish more :-) The polenta was the best thing I have eaten in ages. I would have eaten a whole vat of it. The bacon in the sprouts made the whole dish phenomenal. You have to try it. My husband had the seafood fra diavolo. The seafood was good and the sauce had a nice kick. We had no room for dessert, so maybe next time ... Overall, this is a great place and we will be back!
Mudi KenneyMudi Kenney
00
Was looking to try a new place and found this place on Google. Got in the car, drove 1hr 30min to get there. Upon arriving to the location the front of the place looks like a big office building, I thought I was in the wrong place lol When you come to the front entrance either go up the stairs or handicap ramp on the side and go to straight to the back of the building. The restaurant looks good and the deck where you can see the river looks great. I also noted that there was heat out there for the cold months as well. Upon seating, our server came, got everyone water and we ordered drinks. We ordered an IPA and the bloody mary. The drink menu was very dirty and looked like it had black mold, the manager said it was a bad copy. We ordered the calamari app, the flavor was good but the portion was very small. We also got the clams casino app the flavor was very good and had six half shells. For my main course I got the lobster mafalde. The portion was small and the flavor was not there--very bland for $37. I was very disappointed, it tasted like warm buttery milk as opposed to the creamy herb sauce the description listed. I went on to try my wife's sea scallop risotto and it was good. Scallops were tender and risotto was more flavorful than the lobster dish. We finished with dessert. We ordered the strawberry funnel cake and it was good. Overall I think the place is just OK. It was an expensive meal that didn't feel worth the price for me so I probably won't be back.
Hoppychulo101Hoppychulo101
00
Nearby Attractions Of River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar
Old Wethersfield Country Store
Webb Deane Stevens Museum
Noci Gelato
Keeney Memorial Cultural Center
Anderson Farms
Buttolph-Williams House
Wethersfield Historical Society

Old Wethersfield Country Store
4.7
(150)
Click for details

Webb Deane Stevens Museum
4.7
(60)
Click for details

Noci Gelato
5.0
(41)
Click for details

Keeney Memorial Cultural Center
4.5
(37)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar
Lucky Lou's Bar and Grill
Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre
The Charles
Village Pizza Restaurant
Aroma Bistro
Lenoci's Italian Kitchen
Tequila Rio: Mexican Cantina
Old Town Cafe

Lucky Lou's Bar and Grill
4.4
(468)
Click for details

Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre
4.7
(417)
Click for details

The Charles
4.6
(395)
$$
Click for details

Village Pizza Restaurant
4.6
(370)
Click for details
Basic Info
Address
100 Great Meadow Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Map
Phone
(860) 852-6287
Call
Website
riverontheriver.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.1
(893 reviews)$$
Ratings & Description
Description
Modern choice with upmarket steaks, seafood & pastas, plus a large riverfront deck & scenic views.
attractions: Old Wethersfield Country Store, Webb Deane Stevens Museum, Noci Gelato, Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, Anderson Farms, Buttolph-Williams House, Wethersfield Historical Society, restaurants: Lucky Lou's Bar and Grill, Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre, The Charles, Village Pizza Restaurant, Aroma Bistro, Lenoci's Italian Kitchen, Tequila Rio: Mexican Cantina, Old Town Cafe
