River Tavern
| Address: | 23 Main St, Chester, CT 06412, USA |
| Phone: | +1 860-526-9417 |
| Site: | rivertavernrestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 25
A
A Private User
I really want someone (maybe the owner?) to pay attention and save this restaurant from itself!! The location and ambience are perfect. The food can be fantastic but often times the kitchen is way too heavy-handed with the black pepper. Its probably because the waitresses cant be trusted with offering black pepper at the table. Your safest bet is to eat at the bar (although the chairs are uncomfortable). The new bartender, Jeremy, is fantastic. Some of the waitresses are friendly and responsive but there are too many others that are unconscious and unwelcoming. The steady crowds should not be so surprising to the staff or the kitchen. NY crowds deserve NY service for NY prices...even if they happen to be in CT.
AN
Angelique Craney
River Tavern used to be my go to place in my lovely Chester town. I have enjoyed meals there since its opening. but...since the owner opened his new restaurant, WRIGHTs and his wife fired most of the staff there and at Wrights, the service and food are...unremarkable. Even the Caesar salad, an uncomplicated dish they had mastered is now banal. The wait staff changes every other week, and is composed of young girls who stand looking stunned most days, not smiling, or wiping off tables. The bar tenders are asking the wait staff how to make drinks. It is very sad to see the demise of this once lovely establishment. I wish Jonathan would consolidate and go back to paying attention to his baby.
BR
Brendan Cunningham
This is a really wonderful restaurant. The food is amazing and so are the cocktails. We started with fresh guacamole, which was delicious, and shrimp and grits which were perfectly cooked. We also had scallops with muscles and filet mignon. Both were delicious as well. You could tell the ingredients were very fresh. The sauce with the steak was very savory. I asked for the steak medium and it was closer to medium well. But thats OK. The date pudding is awesome, go for it. Staff were very attentive, friendly and helpful. Great ambience, try to sit in back for a view of kitchen, bamboo and river. There is also outdoor seating. Well go again!
SE
Sebastian Ueckert
We had a throughout excellent experience in the River Tavern. It started with a very good aperitif (Orange Blossom), chosen from a considerable list of specialty cocktails, and continued with an immaculate guacamole. Our main courses, filled zucchini blossoms and pan seared shrimps and scallops with vegetables on corn bread were excellent: fresh ingredients, perfectly prepared and creatively composed. We finished with the famous date pudding which deserves its fame without any doubt. The whole menu was accompanied by professional yet warm service. A true gem: excellent food, service and atmosphere.
LY
Lynn Carnaroli
We have been dining here for several years. Although we love the food , the service and experience has been disappointing almost every time lately. The "manager " seems to wait on a few tables but is very inattentive. On tonights meal we had to ask for bread and for a second drink. One appetizer was missing and monk fish was substituted for shrimp on two meals. The food is amazing. Its why we return often. But it is so unfortunate to be continually disappointed with the service and attention each time. Where is the owner ???
KA
Kathleen Gargano
This restaurant is about a 40 minute drive from our home and worth the time! Everything we had there today was so over the top delicious we know we will be talking about it for a long time. We had mussels for an appetizer with bread right out of the oven. Farm raised beef and smoked salmon were our choices for lunch and they were superb. We shared a date pudding which is something we never heard of. OMG!!!! Awesome!!!! The service was excellent. We highly recommend this place!
JE
Jean-Pierre Diels
Took a midtrip break between Cape Cod & New York in Chester, CT. It is a lovely little town and has this truly wonderful restaurant. On a really hot day we had a "garden salad" that was full of delicious fresh veggies.... and a chicken sandwich with an amazing aioli on toasted brioche. This may sound like boring but it was nothing of the sort. Both were utterly scrumptious. Add to that great, friendly service and a beautiful restaurant. What a treat!
EL
Elizabeth Leete
I always have a good meal at the River Tavern. They change the menu frequently, so there are new dishes to try and you are never stuck with the same choices, great though they may be. I eat there regularly with friends when we have tickets to the Goodspeed at Chester Theater. However, I note that on the internet Google seems to think the cuisine is French. I would not call it that - just great American with new twists and variety.
A
A Private User
well , the wine , just a little on the skimpy side , give me a dam glass of wine for $10 . the bread ok , tough not warm and oil ,if i want oil ill go to jiffy lube . i want butter , this is america ! the main - for 30 they should give you the best part of the lobster not the toughest parts . egg noodles were very good , plenty of egg yoke in them . trendy but more show than go to me .
PA
Pat Christensen
The food I received was clearly the tasty scraps they were going to feed to pigs or throw away... Except it went on a plate to a human - me. (Although being a vendor I suppose I am less then full human). Not cool; But I do have feelings and a smartphone. One star and a thumbs down brings your average down.
ME
Mel Amber Wiltsie
Great restaurant. The food is always delicious. Fresh, healthy menu with creative options. The menu is always changing. The cocktails are fancy and delicious! The dishes are very well presented. Great cozy place. Make sure you make a reservation!
A
A Private User
I find the food to be creative and tasty. If you want a piece of heaven order the date pudding in advance. And be sure to leave some room so you can actually eat it. You will be very pleased.
AU
Aubri Drake
I enjoyed the food and the service here but they cater to clientele that seem to be of the old money variety. As a younger, middle class person, I wasnt comfortable while eating here.
A
A Private User
Inventive, simply genius food - a cut above the rest. Love the sleek design, especially the cozy window booth tables. One of my favorites!
J
j smooth
Very unfriendly to local farmers I was ridiculed insulted and told you I was doing was illegal when selling local home grown produce!
JA
Jacob Horton
Slightly pretentious atmosphere for what the restaurant delivers, but undoubtedly there are some delicious items on this menu!
JA
Jarek G
a little out of the way place but the food delivers and the menu changes often so theres something fresh each time you visit.
CH
Christian Haerter
Delicious, innovative, food served by an efficient staff in a cozy environment. I would describe the prices as moderate.
GE
Georgios Katsikis
Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere was calm and relaxed. Every morsel of food here was fresh and delicious.
SA
sandra khoury
Every time I eat at river tavern, it is always the best in food and service! It is such a pleasure to go there.
W
w Bloethe
The food is excellent but the service has gone downhill unfortunately. We go but much less
WO
Woodbridge Doench
FOOD IS INVENTIVE, WITH CONSTANTLY CHANGING ITEM.SERVICE CAN BE FORGETF
JA
James White
Lovely lunch in a modern, clean environment. Great service!
HA
Harold Gibbons
Great ambiance and menu, with a friendly staff.
GA
Gary Rudnick
Great food, nice setting and helpful staff.
