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Restaurants > River Cafe
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- Neighborhoods:
- Vinegar Hill
- Cuisine:
- Traditional American
- Price:
- $$$$
- Categories:
- Catering, Restaurants
- Restaurant Special Features:
- Payment Methods:
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At a Glance
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96% ambiance
“love the atmosphere, service, the menu.”
92% dessert
“The entree I chose was a pan-roasted duck w/ a crispy risotto cake.”
93% drinks
“was seated right away and was moved to a table with a view before the drinks were served, food was excellent.”
91% food quality
“The steak was good but franchise steaks are just as good.”
100% menu variety
“Excellent menu.”
100% overall
“The service is excellent, and it's a great place for Sunday brunch too.”
100% return potential
“The view and ambiance are perfect - I'd definitely like to go back for dinner to see the view at night.”
86% service
“The staff is incredibly polite, the view- spectacular.”
68% value
“it's not cheap eat, but great place for special occasion.”
0% wait time
“Demeaning, rude, and slow.”
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River Cafe
What Our Expert Scouts Say
March 07, 2013
Too often derided for its preposterously beautiful view and identity as a romantic nirvana, the fact is that The River Cafe has always been and remains one of the very greatest New York restaurants.
0
Heart
Tips for River Cafe
January 13, 2012
Not recommended. I walked in with my bf 9PM today (1/13/2012) and the front girl looked up and down us and said this is not place for us. I wore a jean cause it was casual friday for our company. I think she just figured that we can't afford food from there. But I'm sure I make more money than she. She were pretty nasty and it was the first time I got race discrimination in public. (FYI I'm an Asian.) So embarassed. If you are an Asian or if you think they 'MIGHT' discriminate against the race I highly recommend not to go there. They totally ruined our friday date.
0
Heart
February 10, 2011
expensive-- BUT THE VIEW IS INCOMPARABLE!. I knew it was very expensive- but if you live in NY you have to have this experience at least once. Go for breakfast - it won't break the bank. It is remarkably romantic and the view.. nothing like it. I fully expected Billy Joel to show up playing "New York State of MInd" .
0
Heart
January 12, 2011
absolutely great. Expensive, but the view and the food were amazing! Very romantic!
0
Heart
December 20, 2010
A classic. Expensive, yes. Full of tourists, yes. A great experience, yes. It's an institution. It's romantic as all get out. The food isn't great but it's not bad, either. It's a special occasion joint and there you sit, under the Brooklyn Bridge with a breathtaking view of lower Manhattan. There's no other place like it in the world. It reeks of pretension because its pretentious. If you can't enjoy that don't go. If you're going to be grumpy because it's expensive and full of tourists, don't go. You want a glass of wine and a hanger steak there are plenty of swell places in Cobble Hill that won't cost you half (or Pete's Downtown, for that matter, just across the street.)
0
Heart
August 31, 2010
Needs more than just a view!. Been here twice, went back hoping my 1st experience (a bad one) was just a fluke. It was not. The most unhappy and arrogant staff I have ever encountered. Besides the view, which is amazing, everything else about this restaurant reeks of pretension. One can't help be be reminded that getting your $$ is their top priority. Even the Maitre d' made it clear (in poor English) that a nice tip was expected for a good table! Certainly this place will follow other such tourist traps as Tavern On The Green and ultimately fail.
0
Heart
May 21, 2010
Great Romantic Date Spot. I took my girlfriend here for our one year anniversary and safe to say, sparks flew. The food was great, the view was amazing, and the service was charming. The Pre-fix is a good option, especially if you like variety. My only caution, check your bank account balance before you go!
0
Heart
March 14, 2010
A Beautiful Experience. My husband first took me here on our 20th anniversary and we have made it a tradition ever since. I love the atmosphere, service, the menu. Never disappointed. It's wonderful to have a place with a grown up atmosphere. It makes all the difference in the world.
0
Heart
July 21, 2009
Romantic.
The service was very good.
Right by the water at night. This place is great.
In a restaurant like this we feel it is the little things such as remembering the order and who ordered which dish which makes the meal so seemless and all was without question here.
0
Heart
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River Cafe
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Best of Citysearch
Won for:
Bloody Mary
(2008)Outdoor Dining (2005)
Romantic Restaurant (2005)
View (2005)
Nominated for:
Romantic Restaurant
(2013)
Romantic Restaurant (2010)
Brunch (2008)
Sex-Inducing View (2008)
Outdoor Dining (2007)
Romantic Restaurant (2007)
Outdoor Dining (2006)
Romantic Restaurant (2006)
Power Lunch (2005)
Waterfront Restaurants (2005)
Romantic Restaurant (2010)
Brunch (2008)
Sex-Inducing View (2008)
Outdoor Dining (2007)
Romantic Restaurant (2007)
Outdoor Dining (2006)
Romantic Restaurant (2006)
Power Lunch (2005)
Waterfront Restaurants (2005)