River: A Waterfront Restaurant &amp; Bar

The Charles…read more Delicious food and a great atmosphere in beautiful Old Wethersfield We love the vibe here!

Food: 3.8/5 Service: 3.4/5…read moreAmbiance: 3.7/5 Value: 3.6/5 The Charles is a nice upscale restaurant on Main Street in Wethersfield which opened in 2020 and quickly made Connecticut magazine's list of best restaurants. It is inside an old house of some sort, so it has a charming ambiance. They have a small parking lot so the spaces are a bit tight. Then, although we were on time for our 8:15pm reservation, we found out that they didn't have a table for us on the main floor, which is bad because my parents have mobility issues and cannot climb stairs. They asked us if we would be ok waiting five or ten minutes. Sure, that was fine we said. The host was very reassuring and he let us know that the corner table near the fireplace was finishing up and he'd get it bussed promptly. So that was good. But after we sat down we experienced service issues. Many items were unavailable. No orrechiete. No crab cakes. No sirloin special. It was weird. We hadn't arrived that late, on a Saturday night, how could so many dishes be sold out/unavailable? We ended up going with the scotch egg $11 and butternut squash arancini balls $12 for appetizers, which were both great. The scotch egg was a decent size and came with a mini salad. The arancini balls were small, but the truffle gorgonzola fontina cheese filling was really nice. Entrees were not bad. My Berkshire pork chop cooked medium was tender enough and had decent flavor. My Dad's veal ribs over mac and cheese were really good. My Mom's wagyu burger was tasty and my sister's salad was satisfactory. However the cost of the additional protein to the salad seems high (Grilled Chicken +14 / Seared Salmon +16/ Grilled Shrimp +21 / Churrasco Steak +24). The drinks were well made, but took a while to get to us. The "Charles... In Charge!" with old forester bourbon, montenegro, spiced cherry bitters, luxardo $15 was a hit. My Dad enjoyed his $17 Manhattan made with Angel's Envy bourbon. My $11 FreeBird mocktail was refreshing. Yet, throughout the night we found it difficult to get our server's attention. All four dishes did not arrive simultaneously. We had to flag someone down for more silverware after the appetizers were cleared. Right at the end when we were ready to pay, she got tied up listening to a couple at a neighboring table tell her a story or something. This must have been quite a yarn because she was totally enrapt and oblivious to our needs. We started wondering whether our table was actually her responsibility or not. Finally she came by and we let her know we were done, no dessert or after dinner drinks, just the check and a few boxes for takeout please. This was a new restaurant that we hadn't tried before, and maybe I took a risk by booking it for my Dad's 89th birthday, which was supposed to be special. Our experience was okay, and maybe we'd go again in the future, but there were too many more ups and downs this evening than I would have liked for a special occasion. I am rounding up to four stars overall, even though on this particular evening I didn't think each individual component met that mark exactly.

Dining area

Burger

See all

Grilled cheese

J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood

4.3(975 reviews)

1.2 mi

J Gilbert's in Glastonbury, Connecticut…read more I got the 10oz sirloin with creamed corn (with bacon ) and potato au gratin -- everything was super flavorful and cooked perfectly. Total comfort food but elevated. My husband went with the burger topped with an unreal shallot jam and sweet potato fries... and yes, it was as good as it sounds Such a solid spot for a cozy steak night.

Oh man it hurts me to right this review. Because we have loved J Gilbert's for so long, but…read moreunfortunately it just not has been the same for a while. We were there celebrating after a very tough stretch for my wife so we needed a good night out. Our salads actually had brown lettuce in it. When we told the server she did not even seem to care or know what to do and actually said so do you still want them. Then my wife's scallops were way overcooked (I did not even think that was possible) and I ordered my burger Med Rate and cane out Ned Well. Again ghe server did not even seem to bat an eye. It was really about attention to detail and the steps of service. None of them were there. We saw employees walking past empty tables with dirty dishes and not help clear, and saw no teamwork. Maybe I am being to critical because I have been in this business for 35 years, but mayybe someone a manager or other employee will see this and will do something. Because that night no one came over to say they were sorry

Frozen Flavors

Char Crusted Tuna

See all

Wine

Lucky Lou's Bar & Grill

3.8(472 reviews)

0.5 mi

I ate so quick because the food was soooo good! Forgot to take pics. I'm gluten intolerant and they…read morehave a great selection of foods. We had the margarita flatbread which had all the ingredients of a calabrese salad but with a basil pesto out of this world! They fish and chips with Cole slaw which I haven't had in so long and was outstanding! Highly recommend it to GF customers.

My friend and I came her on a week day with a dog. We sat on the massive patio and were immediately…read morebrought water, for ourselves and the pup. Plenty of diners enjoying dinner around us. The patio is able to accommodate multiple larger parties. The cocktails were refreshing and came out quickly. We split the hummus platter and sweet potato fries. Everything was delicious! The pita was soft and warm, the perfect vessel for both types of hummus.

Bar area

Surf & Turf Special

See all

Chicken Tenders with Fries off of the Kid's menu

LongHorn Steakhouse

3.6(40 reviews)

2.5 mi

This review is primarily about the host, Liv & manager Will…read more My family and I came to celebrate my brother in law's birthday. My sister made a 6:30 reservation in advance, fully aware it would be busy, and it was. When we arrived, the wait for walk ins was already an hour. At check in, my sister went to the host stand because her phone was having trouble checking us in. The manager on duty at the time, Will, confirmed that he checked us in manually and assured us everything was set. About ten minutes later, my sister approached the host, Liv, because she continued receiving texts about checking in and seating. She simply wanted to make sure there wasn't an issue. Liv told her we were checked in, everything was fine, and to ignore the messages. Important detail: we were a party of five plus a baby. Fast forward nearly an hour later. My niece was understandably losing patience, so I went to the host stand to ask about our table. That's when LIV told me they had texted us, we "weren't ready," and they gave our table away. Let me be clear: they were calling parties by name the entire time. Our name was never called once. And LIV was the SAME PERSON who EXPLICITLY told us to IGNORE the messages. At this point, we were obviously upset. Will and others acted confused and tried to piece together what happened, as if what we were explaining didn't make sense. Eventually, we were told that a large party was about to leave and that table would be ours. Even then, we still waited another ten minutes. Shockingly, NO ONE apologized. The only explanation offered was "miscommunication." Once seated, our server was great, genuinely the only bright spot so far. Unfortunately, when the food arrived, everything was cold. At that point, it was almost expected. Another manager later came to our table, clearly in a higher position than Will. He listened to our side, apologized, offered to remake the food, and gave us a discount. When we paid, our server informed us that an additional discount had been applied. It wasn't until I was literally walking out the door, as the last one to leave, that Will finally said, "Sorry about everything. Have a good night." At that point, it felt far too late. If they're working, count me out.

Honestly, LongHorn is going to do it every, single, time!…read more The Wild West Shrimp and Wings are always seasoned well and cooked to perfection. Not too crispy, but crispy enough. And the Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Ribs?! Unmatched! The chicken is ALWAYS tender, the ribs always fall off the bone(they were a little too charred this time) , and the Brussels Sprouts ,w/loaded mash , never miss. Check them out!

Not trying it would be a crime! Our Outlaw Ribeye is bone-in, well-marbled, fire-grilled, juicy, and delicious.

LongHorn’s New York Strip is fire-grilled to enhance its distinctive flavor, this thick cut is a steakhouse classic.

LongHorn Steakhouse - Got the biggest steak in the game wearing our name! The LongHorn porterhouse combines a bone-in strip and tender filet in one thick cut.

See all

Got the biggest steak in the game wearing our name! The LongHorn porterhouse combines a bone-in strip and tender filet in one thick cut.

Red Fox Prime Steakhouse

3.8(62 reviews)

1.8 mi

A pescatarian going to a steak house? Hell, yeah! I need to see if there are options…read more Let's start off with the good. My happy hour dirty martini with a house potato vodka was better than I expected. I ordered pasta with vodka sauce and my husband had pasta Bolognese. Mine was very good. My husband enjoyed his meal. The restaurant was fairly empty at the time we were there. I walked around, it has a steak house feel. Dark, tasteful, a nice wooden ceiling, slightly stuffy vibe, plenty of wine and bottles on display. Now for the nitpicking. For an upscale restaurant, they don't pay attention to visual details. ( within eye-shot) In the corner walking from the bar to the lobby are a bunch wires going up the wall. It looks spastic and messy. There is a closet behind the bar that has a light in it about as bright as the sun. Left open, or even cracked completely throws off ambiance. There is a lot of clutter behind the counter of the bar which might be functional, it also looks messy. I didn't get a chance to check out the ladies room. I overheard they may have a change in the menu. My food was enjoyable, so I may venture in again. My disapproval of the clutter shouldn't prevent you from trying.

I hate to admit it, but I've been to the steakhouse now several times and if you have to try the…read moresteak! I was in the building to visit another restaurant that does not take reservations, but the wait was too long so I stopped by red Fox prime steakhouse for happy hour. I was served an excellent martini by the bartender Missy, but did not find any happy hour food that interested me that evening. She was quick to point out that they also had a bar menu and I decided to try the chickenParmesan small plate. Priced at only $10. This might be the best bargain in town. A rather generous portion of chicken served with spaghetti mix for a lovely meal. Specially when you add one of the delicious salads or apps. Recommend the meatballs and the roasted beet salad. I have only sat in the bar area, so I cannot comment on the restaurant ambience, but where I did sit was both comfortable occasionally quite lively. I am impressed with the food in the service and will have to stop in the steakhouse and actually have a steak which will perhaps earn that five star review.

See all

Chuck's Steak House

3.5(159 reviews)

3.2 mi

I had a tough day and was craving the largest margarita I could physically picture, and so I made…read morethe journey out to Chuck's because I knew it could provide this to me for a reasonable price. Chuck's is close enough to both UConn and ECSU to certainly tend to pull a college-crowd, with a rowdier first floor and a conveniently quieter second floor. The waitstaff are accommodating and typically ask where you'd like to sit, so we went for a second floor seating. The food is exactly what you want it to be--huge margaritas, enough food for 3 meals, deliciously fried up chips and salsa. This place was a favorite of mine in college, and it certainly holds up. Definitely worth swinging by if you need Mexican food or a good margarita.

Was pretty apprehensive to try this place because of the rating, but heard some pretty good reviews…read morefrom friends and coworkers so thought we'd give it a try. So glad we did. Excellent service, and all of the food was fantastic. The ambiance is cozy and inviting. Restaurant is clean. French onion soup deserves a special mention as does the es cargot. The filet was fantastic and cooked exactly as requested. I am super stoked to return. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a foodie snob and I give this place a gold star.

Salad bar - fresh!

Bistro steak w/ baked

See all

Carbone's Prime

3.6(341 reviews)

5.0 mi

The food was amazing. We had the Blue Point Oysters, Calamari, and fried mozzarella. I had the…read moreBlackened Swordfish, others had the short ribs, and salmon. We all commented how well all of our appetizers and meals were. The service was top shelf (Giovani) and ambiance is always great. Great evening, food, guests and service.

Food is mediocre in my opinion. Nick's pepperoni pizza with hot honey has good flavor but I think…read morethe crust of their pizza could use more flavor. Poached pear pizza is great if you enjoy bleu cheese. Margherita pizza is light and refreshing. Pasta sauce could use a little more salt. Their bread is delightful and full of flavor. Tiramisu was light and delicious. Perfect sweetness that pairs well with a cup of coffee. Service was very good. Staff were friendly, professional and attentive. Ambiance is absolutely gorgeous! Clean, chic, modern decor. It is a very nice restaurant. Ample parking in a private lot.

Dining room

Scallop Risotto; Follow me @RimyEats on Instagram

See all

Bar area

Ruth's Chris Steak House

4.1(302 reviews)

4.1 mi

•$$$$

Family-owned & operated

Free parking

Couldn't have had a better waiter for my mom's birthday dinner! Denis was on his toes the entire…read moredinner, from start to finish we were well attended to and the food was the cherry on top. Everything was cooked to perfection. The calamari was an absolute hit, along with the shrimp special. I've heard great things about this place and I'm finally glad I got to go. The dining is well decorated and secluded at the booths, giving an intimate atmosphere.

My fiancé made reservations here for our anniversary and I was super excited to go. I've heard…read moregreat things for years about Ruth Chris and couldn't wait to try it. The restaurant is beautiful, very clean and the serving staff was excellent. Unfortunately the food was not so fantastic. They gave fresh bread and butter to start. Prob the best part of the meal! We ordered the stuffed mushrooms to start, they were good, nothing exciting. We both ordered the ribeyes; one with seasoned butter and one with grilled shrimp and decided to split two sides. The augratin potatoes and the creamed spinach. The sides were on the smaller side for the price and neither had much flavor. The ribeyes were dry, a bit chewy and not a lot of flavor. We ordered med rare, so they weren't over cooked. Just a very disappointing experience for a special occasion. We spent around $300 with tip and had no alcohol. Not worth it.

See all

Texas de Brazil

Everything was fantastic. Food, service and ambience. We have returned several times and plan on…read morereturning in the future.

One of the strangest dining experiences my husband and I have ever had. The server started off by…read morebringing a bottle of wine to our table, setting it down, and fully tried selling it to us. When we rejected the bottle, he left it at our table until we ordered something else. I am all for getting your sales up, but this was incredibly weird. The steak was good, and the individuals bringing it over were great. Our night ended with this complimentary birthday... plate? Again, very strange for a restaurant of this price point. I am not from here, and was expecting a very different experience. You're better off going to any other steakhouse in the area.

See all

Feng Chophouse

4.2(255 reviews)

4.0 mi•Downtown

Family-owned & operated

Locally owned & operated

I went immediately after work for an early dinner with a small group. The place was very empty…read moreuntil 7 on a Tuesday. Our server was very friendly and helped us navigate the menu. We started with shishito peppers, calamari and edamame. All three were excellent. We followed that with nigiri, steak, sea bass for the table with a side of duck fat potatoes, asparagus It was an excellent evening after a long day. I'll definitely be back when in the Hartford area.

We had been wanting to try Feng Chophouse for a while. We have been to Feng's Marketplace many…read moretimes, but never actually pulled the trigger on the chophouse. After gymnastics at PeoplesBank Arena, we ended up going impromptu. We were dressed well enough, so we stopped in a little before the kitchen closed and were still able to order. We started with the salmon rolls, and they were delicious. Definitely the best sushi I have had in the Hartford area so far. The sushi at Feng's Marketplace is also good, but this was on another level. As far as gluten-free options, there were not a ton of choices. They suggested the salmon, so I went with that. Honestly, I would not order it again. It was not very flavorful, and the vegetables were canned corn, spinach, and mushrooms. I am not an Iron Chef, but I do think I could have made something similar at home, and probably better. Especially at that price point, around $40, I expected more. Very disappointing My partner had the Angry Lobster and also thought it was just okay. He was expecting better as well. The service was great, and the staff were pleasant, which we really appreciated. We would return to try other items, especially the sushi, but overall the main meals were a bit disappointing. Maybe when we are eating meat again, we would come back and try the steak. Overall great for a Date night/ birthdays and anything which requires dressing up. For the food 2.5/5 For the overall experience 3.5/5 Yelp doesn't do half so I rounded up

See more unrecommended reviews

16oz American Wagyu Ribeye

Korean BBQ Short Rib

See all

Citrus salmon over tangerine risotto $32

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

56 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Selena B.

22 days ago

I used to work here so some BTS... The cooks and some staff are super nice. Many of the servers have bad attitudes or have some drama. All of the bartenders are nice, some had their moments--but not as bad as the servers. The hosts got along, but there was one girl who thought she was always in charge so she'd make everyone else seat guests while she ran the iPad. The owners--the meanest people ever. No employee discounts, no military discounts, no incentives for working on holidays, long hours on holidays. When it's slow they cut you, but waited until you got there to tell you. They knew I was commuting from SCSU about 40min away and didn't care. They wouldn't let us drink water at the host stand, couldn't eat even if we bought it. They like to decorate really nice each season and made us do most of it. They had us also run their sister restaurant in the same building, Tequilla Rio, and they'd open it even if no one made a reservation. Our group chat always had servers cussing out the managers (sometimes rightfully so). People have quit left and right. The drinks and happy hour are great, but everything is overpriced tbh. They'd give you mosquito repellent wipes if you got seated outside in the summer. In the Winter they'd purposely wait for the one reservation that requests outdoor seating to persuade them not to dine outside. They like to do seasonal or special menu items and they mix weird things together. So many people have complained about the food--it's not cooked right, doesn't look good... The views can be nice, and you can sometimes catch this place on a good day, but so much happens behind closed doors, and sometimes even in front of customers. read more

Amanda D.

5 years ago

Anyone who enjoys dining out on a regular basis has seen how restaurants have struggled during this pandemic. Due to restaurant closures and laying off staff during restrictive indoor dining measures, it's clearly been hard to restaff. This is something I have noticed at every restaurant I've been to lately. I mention this because this restaurant was noticeably understaffed. BUT everything still came out completely perfect for our table. You could tell the server was overwhelmed with how many tables she had to take care of - but she did a phenomenal job! Food took a bit of time to get but it's a busy Saturday night so we had no issue with that. Everything came out hot, fresh, and incredibly delicious. From the lobster bisque and mussels Florentine to start, to my Asiago crusted salmon! It was all delicious! Everyone was happy with the food and service and incredibly impressed by how hard everyone was clearly working to make up for the shortage. will definately be returning again, most likely frequently!! the view and atmosphere is absolutely stunning and the icing on the metaphorical cake! ( we were too full for literal cake but they do have a variety of homemade desserts as well) read more

Sharon H.

4 years ago

My son and I arrived at the River approx 10:55 am. The girl at the podium asked if we had reservations, and I said No we didn't! She told us we could not be seated because we had no reservations!! I told her we've never had them before! When I got home, I went to the river website! The website said, "We recommend reservations, BUT, we NEVER turn walkins away!! I called and spoke to a girl named Ariel and she told me her manager told her to Not take anyone without a reservation!! Ariel offered to put her manager on the phone, but Ariel said manager couldn't take call!! If I could make my rating even lower, I would!! And, while I'm at it, last year I took my son to Sunday brunch for his birthday, mid-August. I told the waitress privately it was my son's birthday and could they bring him a piece of Birthday cake!! No one ordered dessert! I didn't realize until I got home that I was charged $10.00 for a piece of birthday cake!! In my whole entire life have I ever been charged!! It's always been a little token piece of cake for the birthday boy or girl!! I feel it was very bad customer service! read more

Tina L.

3 years ago

So this is my second time trying this restaurant. First time was a walk out with my Mother due to bad vibe and rudeness by staff. Stuffy for not reason. It's ONLY Wethersfield CT. Figured Husband and I would give it a go a second time a year later. Sat at the bar and was not acknowledged for 15 mins. Awful vibe and food was an extreme disappointment, topping it off with awful and loud 80 dance music. One of the owners came by to ask how everything was and was speechless by the entire experience , couldn't bring myself to speak about it. We are well traveled and always willing to give the benefit of the doubt anytime and anywhere . This has been one of the worse experiences we have have had at the tune of $160.00. This place has so much potential, a few tweets and it could that upscales restaurant we are all looking for. Please fine another date night or family dinner location. read more

Judi M.

7 years ago

Celebrated Mother's Day/Graduation with dinner at River. Even though the day was rainy and cold, the experience was very warm and comfortable. Obviously, being Mother's Day AND UCONN's graduation day, it was full to capacity. We had made reservations earlier and we were seated within 5 minutes of our arrival. The service was quick and thorough. Our server, Erich, was very pleasant and knowledgeable. There were some dietary restrictions for some of us and he was able to give us all the information regarding ingredients that we needed. The food was served within an appropriate time and the servings were more than adequate. Everyone ordered something different and no one had any complaints about their meal. I would definitely make a return trip. read more

Les V.

7 years ago

If I could give zero stars I would. This place is completely racist. They make people who are non-white feel like complete shit. We waited over an hour for outside seating just for another party that just walked in to get seated outside. The manager Ortut (probably incorrect spelling) does not deserve that title. Lynn Ellen, the host, is horrible. We asked our server what's the update on outside seating when there are so many tables available and he says, "oh that's something you gotta talk to the host about." Then when we ask Lynn Ellen she says, "you have to talk to your server about that." Complete shit show of a place and experience. Our first time being here and this place won't even come into mind when I think of outside seating restaurants now. read more

Exy H.

118

110

1 year ago

I dined at this establishment for both brunch and dinner, and I was pleased with the quality of the entrees and the exceptional service provided by the waitstaff. Their attentiveness is commendable, and I appreciate the thoughtful decorations they put up for each holiday. The seasonal drinks are delightful, although I find the dessert offerings to be somewhat lacking, especially considering the high prices. While I believe the costs do not entirely reflect the value, the ambiance makes it a suitable choice for special occasions. Additionally, the managers frequently check in on guests, which can sometimes feel a bit intrusive; for instance, as we moved to the nearby Mexican restaurant, one manager followed us to inquire about our experience read more

Jennilee W.

7 years ago

Went to River for dinner and drinks with friends. We were seated promptly outside, and it wasn't too buggy which was nice. We inquired about happy hour drinks & appetizers and were told we would have to leave our table and "just stand in line" at the bar to be served the special drinks & prices. That was a turn off, as we were trying to sit down, relax and unwind. Our server was very slow and seemed to disappear for over 30 minutes after our food arrived. It was not very busy. Our food also took a very long time to be served, but it was very good. Overall it was a decent experience but I am not in any rush to return, as you can get better service and prices and comparable if not better food at other places in the area. read more

Charles B.

6 years ago

To: Mr. Patrick H. Fr: Charles Baxter cab.930dd@gmail.com Dear Mr. H. Me thinks you need to seriously consider reworking...no, actually removing some in your management staff. There are serious flaws in the training and attitudes of some of your service staff and they are, unfortunately, mirrored by several of your managers...a fatal flaw, as you well know, in a restaurant operation. I will say no more, other than I am a restaurant consultant with twenty five years as owner/operator experience with multiple successful high volume restaurants in Connecticut; and I know how difficult it is to attract and keep quality staff and committed customers. Good Luck Sir! read more

Bev W.

7 years ago

Went to River for Mother's Day as I thought a month ago what a pretty place to take my Mom, it turned out to be a rainy dreary day! What made the day fab was having Chelsey as our wait person, she could not have been more accommodating even as busy as they were. The food selection for the buffet was terrific, lots of breakfast items, lots of dinner items , Personally made Caesar salads, many desserts items including strawberries flambé, we have never experienced a manager as attentatjve (and my brothers owns a restaurant ) as Asia, she was truly amazing, could not do enough for us, even the owner came out to greet everyone, do,yourself a favor and experience "River" read more

Brian B.

2 months ago

I had an amazing experience at this restaurant! To my delight, they offered a variety of vegan options on the menu, which is often hard to find elsewhere. The dishes were not only thoughtfully prepared but also packed with flavor, making each bite satisfying and enjoyable. In addition to the delicious food, the view from the dining area was absolutely breathtaking, adding to the overall ambiance of the place. Despite the staff being incredibly busy, they were impressively attentive and accommodating, ensuring that every guest felt taken care of. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience that exceeded my expectations. read more

'Madelyne C.

1 year ago

We celebrated our anniversary at River tonight, and it was an unforgettable experience. Jen was our server, and she was absolutely amazing. She greeted us with a warm "Happy Anniversary!" and made us feel truly special from the start. She surprised us with a thoughtful complimentary treat and was incredibly attentive, even taking care of us to avoid an ingredient I'm allergic to. Her kindness and attention to detail really made the evening one to remember. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect--but it was Jen who truly made the night exceptional. We'll definitely be back on a sunny day! read more

Mia D.

119

7 years ago

The service was outstanding. Asia has a gift for selling the restaurant and made our table feel like honored guests. She knows the menu well and exudes excitement and passion for her work. Matthew, our waiter, was attentive and pleasant, always returning to the table at just the right time. The bartender is a masterful mixologist. The chicken entree was good, though a little more flavor was desirable. My dining companions had the pork chop entree and it was seasoned to perfection. Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience and I look forward to returning soon. read more

Linda B.

8 years ago

The view is beautiful, the food was delicious and our waiter, Erich, was great. Our non-alcoholic drinks were refilled without asking and my wine came without a delay. Our food also came in a timely manner. My sausage and pepper pizza was yummy. I even had dessert which I don't usually do and the cheesecake was heaven. It was nicely balanced between too heavy and too light, the perfect consistency and nicely presented with blueberries and whipped cream. I have been here twice and had a very enjoyable experience both times. read more

Aaron D.

8 years ago

My friends and I went to River for the first time a few days ago. The place was absolutely jammed. While I was trying to get a drink, I could see the bar off in the distance - that's how jammed it was. Tried one of the appetizers, the calamari which was delicious, and one of the pizzas, the Ricotta, which has now become one of my favorite pizzas around. It's definitely got some noise in the room, but that's okay because it feels like a good time in there. read more

Janet M.

8 years ago

THE FOOD IS UNBELIEVABLE! The service staff is very attentive and helpful, cause I can get lost in a wine list a little too easily, and my server helped me right out! The view, obviously, is so unique. There's nothing like it in all of Connecticut - it kind of reminds me of a New York style restaurant inside, with the high ceilings and the big windows. I will definitely come back again and again and again! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Keep on rockin' River!! read more

Ron D.

7 years ago

My wife and I love the location and food here. One of our favorite restaurants in town. We decided to host our daughters rehearsal dinner here this past weekend, As per usual - River did not disappoint!! Hayley helped us plan a perfect custom menu!! The room was perfect for us, food outstanding and our staff was attentive to a whole new level. Thanks to Lachanna, Enita and Ariah for a perfect evening. A great start to our wedding weekend! read more

Victoria M.

7 years ago

What an amazing night we experienced going to River for dinner. It was our first time dining here and it was an outstanding evening out. Lindsey was very knowledgeable about the menu and answered our many questions we had. She made our experience memorable and we will most definitely be returning. The food was outstanding and the memories and laughs made with her will forever be with us. Great job! read more

Betsy B.

7 years ago

Excellent! Our book club met there on September 25th and Shane was our server he was very accommodating and personable. Besides, he said he would dance for us and we will hold him to that. The food was very good especially the seafood dishes. The ambiance was lovely, the staff classy and the water view enjoyable. I recommend this place for a nice night out with good food and drinks. Ask for Shane! read more

Beth G.

7 years ago

This is an absolutely wonderful restaurant! Every bite was exquisitely delicious, warm and mouthwatering. Right on the Connecticut River with stunning views and their own family of geese on the riverbank made for a wonderful atmosphere. The staff was very courteous, and available without hovering, taking care of every need. It was a wonderful meal and experience and can't wait to go again. read more

River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar - steak - Updated August 2026

People who viewed River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar also viewed

Butchers & Bakers

3.6

(537 reviews)

Such a great happy hour!! Nice outdoor seating area and outdoor bar during the summer time that we…read moresat at for happy hour. The bartender was so friendly and we had a lovely time! Food was all fantastic. Will definitely be back.

Food: 3/5 Service: 3/5…read moreAmbiance: 3.5/5 Value ($65 Easter brunch): 2.8/5 An altogether mediocre/disappointing experience at Butchers & Bakers for Easter brunch 2026. I came with my elderly parents who are of limited mobility and we were disappointed to find that patrons must descend a short flight of stairs to get to the restaurant level from street level. The host was not that friendly - after I gave him my reservation information, he showed us to our table, but did not inform us / reassure us that there would be a server coming shortly to take our drink order. We were sitting there confused for a few minutes when we didn't see any wait staff coming around to any of the tables. Finally I flagged down someone who said yes, someone would be coming by. Our server was nice. I asked her if my Dad could order a la carte off the menu because he didn't feel like getting the buffet. She said no, today was all buffet-only, sorry. That's fine, I said. But then when I walked a lap to see what was on offer, I was surprised that many items were almost finished or completely out. This includes the shrimp on ice. There were only a handful left. This was at 3:55pm. The buffet's last seating was at 5:15pm for a two hour period, so they should have refilled the shrimp but did not. The carving station was weak too. The "prime rib" was not juicy and they only offer a few small slices of steak at a time. The Easter ham was not at the carving station. The scrambled eggs were rubbery, while the eggs Benedict and salmon were also overcooked. Pasta and meatballs were watery. The desserts were not good; only a few danishes and cookies and only one cake. For $65, this was not the experience we expected. We suspected it wouldn't be as good as Avon Old Farms Hotel's Easter buffet at Seasons restaurant (which we went to a few years back), but we hoped it'd be better than what we got. We asked for a split bill, but when she brought over the copies to sign, the itemized receipt was missing. I typically like to see the itemized receipt in order to double-check the items/pricing. In the end, Butchers and Bakers seems more like a place to drink (many good beers on offer and the cocktail menu looked okay) than to eat. Not sure how much longer they'll be around if things don't improve. Which is sad because it's a decent-sized space.

Max Downtown

4.2

(577 reviews)

Mother's Day dinner with the family! There were 5 of us…read moreand it was great! We ordered Shrimp cocktails Caesar Salad Complimentary warm salted rolls Three ordered the filet mignon One ordered the Filet Oscar One NY strip We ordered sides to share and try French fries Onion rings Creamed spinach Brussels sprouts Whipped potatoes Asparagus The steaks were the most tender I've ever had The sides were all very good Dessert Cookie plate. ( meh) Baked Alaska. Really good Valet parking makes it nice and easy Being Mother's Day we appreciated not being rushed and kudos to the kitchen. Once our order was in it went right along smoothly. All steaks were cooked to order. In addition, the turnaround for the bar was not bad for it being a full house. We enjoyed our dinner at this iconic landmark and of course will be back.

10/10 we love able!! lol…read more drinks 10 appetizers 10 entree's 4 -ability to make what i asked and accommodate me and my likings.... big fat 10 for a specification, i had the chef special scallops in something sauce and to be clear. i didn't know what that sauce was when i ordered it and the texture to me. it was terrible, but that is definitely a preference thing and a lack of knowledge on my part however the scallops were not seasoned to perfection. the way the pork belly was and the way the crabcake was so there was also that.... nonetheless able, and the staff in the kitchen were so accommodating they were able to make me exactly what i wanted and i just picked a few things that i wanted and they were able to make a plate for me so that's amazing. the ambience was classy quiet i think me and my girlfriend made the most noise there just laughing and enjoy f ourselves, but it was festive and lively for the most part. uconn was playing by the bar and uconn one so there was a lot of noise for that as well, but the vibe was really quiet and classy over all.

Lucky Lou's Bar & Grill

3.8

(472 reviews)

Wood-n-Tap - Farmington

3.2

(279 reviews)

I recently had a nice experience at Wood-n-Tap in Farmington. I went with friends for drinks and…read moreappetizers. We ended up ordering the monster nachos with chicken and beef. The nachos were delicious and was a large enough portion to share between 4 people. The highlight was sitting outside by the river--the view was beautiful and made for a relaxing atmosphere. The service was friendly and attentive overall. The only downside was that not everyone at our table received water, and water refills were infrequent throughout the meal. Aside from that, everything went smoothly, and we enjoyed our visit. I would definitely come back for the outdoor seating, scenery and to try more items on their menu.

Best place for outdoor dining. Great menu. Love it there atmosphere worth the trip always busy for…read moreoutdoor dining

At The Rooftop

3.6

(101 reviews)

We had the pleasure of having Alexzandria as our waitress during one of the most special nights of…read moreour lives which was my engagement dinner with my future wife, our sister, our friend, and our niece. She made the entire experience so memorable with her kindness, attentiveness, and positive attitude. She checked on us often, made sure everything was perfect, and was especially wonderful with our niece, which meant so much to our family. Even though the restaurant was busy, she never made us feel rushed and always had a smile on her face. Thank you, Alexzandria, for helping make such an important celebration even more special. We truly appreciate your excellent service especially since you let us know as we were leaving you were newer to the restaurant.

We came for Mother's Day, and they had a buffet of salad,…read moresushi, and corn risotto. The carving station had prime rib. Desert station that had custard-filled puff pastry, chocolate cake, and lemon tart was overall very good !!

The Foundry

3.7

(53 reviews)

Honestly, the meal felt like I was being edged. Everything was close, flavor wise, but just needed…read moresomething. We got hamachi crudo and I don't know if the supplier of fruit is in cahoots with la Croix but I've never had a slice of citrus taste so bland. The dish was in desperate need of some acidity. Foie was great, I think the only plate aside from the halibut that didn't need any tweaking. We also got the pour over and over as our first drink -- I am fascinated how a cocktail can be both an espresso martini and not at the same time. I wanted to love it, then I saw it and wanted to hate it - then was left feeling perplexed and intrigued by the experience. I think that's a good way to describe the evening, perplexing and intriguing and I'm not sure how to feel but I do not think I will be back for anything other than cocktails because it is frankly a waste of time and money. The place itself is pretty and very Instagramable. The service was fine. You have to put in your entire order at once because that's what the chef prefers which feels a tad pretentious to me -- kind of the vibe of the whole place. Two key words as a takeaway: overpriced and underwhelming.

We had a 7 course tasting menu for three. It took a little over two hours. It n my honest…read moreopinion, I wanted to see what the hype was about and I don't get it. It's decent food but not the greatest. I get it, it's fine dining but not all the flavors were there. Three of us paid almost $800, so, yes, I was expecting to be blown away with my tastebuds in overdrive but my tastebuds were underwhelmed. Started off with canapés: east coast oysters (green grape granita); could've used sprinkle of salt. Beef tartar (green garlic kimchi aioli, lime, mint, anchovy breadcrumbs); needed more salt, very bland with little flavor & carrot veloute (coconut milk, red curry, cilantro, peanuts), very delicious and flavorful. 1st course: Hamachi Crudo (celery, sorrel, green apple), needed salt. 2nd course: Foie Gras Torchon (black mission fig, five spice, brioche bun). Brioche was extremely dry and cold, not buttery and soft like a brioche should be. 3rd course: Mackerel (thompcord grape, lardo, smoked yogurt); extremely fishy and unpleasant. Grapes were sweet and delicious and smoked yogurt and lardo didn't contribute anything great. 4th course: Chestnut Tortellini (browned sage butter) was great! 5th course: Dry Aged Rohan Duck Presse (beet, huckleberry, port jus) was underwhelming. Breast was cooked to right temperature but skin was super fatty and soggy. As an avid duck eater, I think a crispy skin and more seasoning in the actually meat would've been nice. It needed salt for sure to enhance the flavors but the roasted and pickled beets were delicious. The port just didn't do much for flavor and huckleberry was delicious and could've used more of it. 6th course: A5 Wagyu Ribeye (roasted daikon, black garlic bordelaise, hen of woods) very delicious in every aspect. The black garlic bordelaise brought this entire dish together with its incredible flavor! I wish the bordelaise was served with the duck as well! 7th course: Foie Gras Ice Cream & Apple Tarte. Interesting ice cream flavor by itself but eaten with the apple tarte it worked well. The tarte had crispy bits of caramel that added great texture and flavor. Ambiance is beautiful on the 20th floor overlooking Hartford. I'm sure it's beautiful during sunset. Again, I wish I was blown away like others have been. Maybe my expectations are too high, I'm not sure. I'm neutral as I am unsure if I would recommend this establishment. I do know that I wouldn't return.

Maggie McFly's

3.1

(589 reviews)

It's been years since I've been here. The restaurant is located on 40 Glastonbury Rd in…read moreGlastonbury. Well, I'm off to a rough start. There's no Happy Hour here and the mixed drink menu has no prices. For my first drink, I'm trying the Mine Hill Manhattan made with Mine Hill bourbon, Mine Hill Amaro, cherry (garnish?) and Angostura bitters. This tastes great! Nice Amarena cherry garnish too. We are trying the Nacho Platter made with tortilla chips, melted cheese, pinto beans, tomatoes, black olives, scallions, sour cream and fresh salsa. This is a big plate! These are really good! I am having the Thai Lettuce Wraps with chicken). You can also have panko fried avocado. It is also made with carrots, charred chickpea quinoa salad (red bee honey from Weston, CT), sesame noodles, cucumbers, bibb lettuce and crushed peanuts. They use a house made Thai peanut Asian ginger and orange ginger sauces. This is real good! It's light and easy to eat. For my last drink, I'm having the Peach Mint Whiskey made with Ole Whiskey Peach Whiskey, ginger beer, fresh mint, lime juice, agave nectar and a lime garnish. The mug is nice and cold. This is light and delicious! What a great time here!

Went today with my daughter for dinner. She ordered the steak sandwich on a gluten free roll with…read morejust mayo on it or on the side and a cocktail. I ordered the fish and chips and a raspberry margarita. My drink and my dinner was great. Her sandwich was delivered and had a weird sauce on it that she didn't want. The sandwich was returned and the one she ordered was delivered. She gets this same sandwich every time we go. We ate our meals and then ordered the GF cupcake. We each took a bite and it was awful. The frosting was awful. It was so dry and tasted like it was a week old. We didn't eat it. We told her it was terrible. She gave us our bill and noticed the cupcake was still on it. It was not taken off the bill. We paid the bill and left. We think we will try some place else next time. Seems like the food and service is going downhill. We sat outside as it was a beautiful day. We eat here often because of the GF options but like we said maybe it's time to try some place else next time.

Maple Tree Cafe

3.4

(93 reviews)

The beer here is great but wish I read my previous review because I forgot and odered another Greek…read moresalad. Yuck !!! Absolutely the worst Greek Salad ever. The chef should go to Michael Angelo's in New Hartford to see what a Greek salad is supposed to be.

We loved our meals! First off I am always impressed when the wait staff do not write down our…read moreappetizer and meal choices and later our dessert choices and there were no mistakes. The food arrived slowly and allowed us to enjoy our meals!! The food was delicious and so fresh and all the fried offerings were not soaked in oil! My sweet potato fries were perfect and my hamburger was so delicious with just the right amount of toppings !! Overall a delicious and enjoyable meal! Even my summer sangria was amazing! Thank you to our waitstaff!'

The Hollow

3.8

(37 reviews)

I'm back! The restaurant is located at 305 South Main St. in Manchester, CT. I like the happy hours…read moreat golf clubs. This one is 3-6 Sunday-Thursday. The music is nice too! They all seem to add a bit of class. For my first drink, I'm am having a Cosmopolitan. A Cosmopolitan (or Cosmo) is a popular pink cocktail made with vodka, triple sec (or Cointreau), cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice, typically shaken and served in a martini glass. It's known for its tart, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor profile, often garnished with an orange twist. While served in a martini glass, it's not a true martini as it lacks vermouth. The drink has nice presentation, chilled, garnished and well-balanced. For my first food item, I'm having a Chef's Salad. A chef salad is a hearty American main-course salad with a base of lettuce topped with various ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, one or more meats (such as ham, turkey, or chicken), cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers, often with croutons and a vinaigrette or ranch dressing. I am having vinaigrette for my dressing. Oh yeah! Nice restating! This is good! I see romaine lettuce, olives, eggs, turkey, ham, canned green and red peppers, pepperoni, cheese, picked onions, cucumbers, etc. It's a big portion size for $7! For my next food item, I'm having the (1/2 lb) Mussels. Mussels are a popular, sustainable, and nutritious seafood known for their briny flavor, often served steamed in broth with wine, garlic, and herbs, and paired with crusty bread. They are filter feeders, rich in protein, omega-3s, and vitamin B12, and are farmed responsibly, making them an environmentally friendly choice that improves water quality. These are good you. They are hot. I like the grilled, buttered bread. Make sure to squeeze the lemon on top. This is the "red" inversion (white is an option). These are good! I love this broth! For my next food item, I'm having the Bogner's Chili Cheese Dog. Bogner Quality Meats in Manchester, CT, offers a selection of premium, house-made hot dogs and franks, featuring all-beef skinless, natural casing, and kielbasa dogs. Known for high-quality meats since 1942, they also offer bulk 5 lb packages, perfect for grilling, along with a full service butcher counter. I only get to eat this kind twice a year! This is all beef and locally made. What's better than this?! This is great!!! Love that pickle and those thick kettle chips! For my second drink, I'm having a margarita. A Margarita is a classic cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec), and lime juice, often served in a salt-rimmed glass with a lime wedge garnish. It can be served shaken and "on the rocks" (with ice), blended with ice, or straight up, and variations include different tequilas (like reposado) or sweeteners like agave syrup. No margarita glass or sake/sugar rim but it is nicely garnished and tastes good. The floating orange is odd. Still, it's quite good! For my next food item, I'm having the Geno's Meatballs. Gino D'Acampo's traditional meatball recipe features a mix of minced pork and beef, soaked bread, egg, pecorino cheese, and parsley, typically simmered in a simple tomato sauce. For best results, brown the meatballs in olive oil, then simmer slowly for at least 30 minutes to two hours for a rich flavor. I like the cheese strips on top. Lots of sauce! These taste great! For my last drink, I'm having a Vodka Mule. A Moscow Mule is a refreshing, vodka-based cocktail made with lime juice and spicy ginger beer, traditionally served in a copper mug which keeps it extra cold. To make one, combine vodka, fresh lime juice, and ice in a mug, then top with chilled ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel. It's a simple, no-shaker-needed drink that's popular for its balance of spicy, sweet, and tart flavors. I like the copper mug! It's chilled, nicely garnished and well balanced. For my last item, I've been dying to try the Special- a bork of Legume Soup. Lentil soup is a hearty, nutritious soup made with lentils as the main ingredient, often featuring a base of sautéed onions, carrots, and garlic, simmered in broth with spices like cumin and turmeric, and finished with fresh herbs and lemon juice. It's a staple in many cultures, known for being filling, economical, and rich in protein and fiber, with variations using different lentils (red, green, brown) and additions like kale, potatoes, or pasta. I like the cute, little crock pot. These are good crackers. It's nice and hot. It came out fast too! For my last item, I'm having the Southwest Chicken Eggrolls. I've never tired these here!Southwest egg rolls are crispy, deep-fried appetizers typically filled with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, spinach, and Monterey Jack cheese. Let's see what comes out! There are fantastic! They're hot and delicious! What a great meal here!

We order take out from them and we're highly disappointed. Ordered "the cut " and it was by far the…read moreworst fried chicken sandwich I've had . Has garlic Mayo but the garlic is so overpowering you can't taste anything else but garlic and grease . The fried chicken was SO greasy it made the hoagie bread soggy and was SO thin ! It was fried so hard it made the chicken inedible.Very Wilted lettuce and tomatoes .The chicken was also so thin and fried sI also ordered it with fries and the fries were just thrown in a brown paper lunch bag instead of any packaging . The grease from the fries soaked the bag. For $20 each meal - I will not revisit .

Red Rock Tavern

3.7

(125 reviews)