After seeing some pretty positive reviews of River Twice, I decided to make a date night out of it and go for their 4 course menu. My immediate thought after stepping into the restaurant is cozy. It's intimidate, yet casual if that makes sense? The open kitchen and family friendly vibe were a plus. My partner and I decided to add on the night bread and oysters with trout roe in addition to our 4 course. It was a tad too much food, but we made it fit. Service was pretty good throughout, although I did get a hint of dissatisfaction from our server at the beginning with my confusion with the menu. However, throughout the experience, our glasses were filled, pacing was excellent, and utensils and plates were cleared in an orderly fashion. I would also like to note, I really liked their dining sets. Reminds me of Japanese pottery. Mighty Bread (5/5): the sourdough paired with that vinegar butter was one of my favorite bites of the night. The butter also had a hint of sweetness to it? I could eat this all day. Oysters (2.5/5): Pretty fishy, especially with the trout roe. I was really hoping for a smooth and refreshing bite because of the strawberry and blood orange, but the gochujang and fishy flavor overpowered those delicate flavor profiles. Maine mussel tostados (4/5): pretty nice blend of flavors. I thought it was clever to use an eggplant miso purée as the base. I also appreciated the salsa dollops which gave each bite a kick of sensation. Heirloom corn grits (3/5): honestly, each item by itself is good, but together, it just left me a little confused. The truffle was a bit overpowering and it threw off the texture. You also get hit with lots of truffle when you go to breathe as you bite. I almost forgot there were grits and a piece of eel. The eel, to me, could have been seared or seasoned a tad better. And the grits were actually pretty good once I selectively finished the truffle to get a true sense of each ingredient. But overall, grits, eel, and truffle are a bit of a stretch to put together. I get the idea, but maybe needs to be better executed. Tilefish with charred caraflex (4.5/5): my tastebuds were a bit overpowered from the truffle for this lighter entree. After cleansing my palette halfway through, this dish was quite smooth. The shellfish butter, charred and seasoned vegetable, paired with the light fish was a well composed bite. If you have the fish by itself, I would think it's slightly under seasoned, but pair it with the vegetable and it's the perfect amount of seasoning. Plumcots with white chocolate and oats (3.5/5): for me, there was a little too much going on. The chocolate foam and candied oats was a bit too sweet for my taste. Maybe if I had the chance to dip into the foam vs it covering the entire dish. The sweetness from the chocolate and candy slightly took away from the fruit, which by itself is subtle. For me, the plumcot felt like an after thought. It's a shame because I really like plumcots. Overall, I think it was a good showing by River Twice. I think they need to tweak a few things in their menu, but I think they have potential, especially after interacting with the chefs at the counter. They are all super friendly and always served with a smile. I'm glad I got a counter seat, but probably would do a table because it seemed more cozy. Plus, most of the cooking was done probably 10 feet away from where most of the counter seating was, so you didn't get much of an experience or conversational piece. read more

We took the subway and then walked to get here and were not disappointed. Wonderful food including the best scallops I've had in...maybe EVER. read more

A relaxing and well paced 7 course prefix meal in a minimalist and endearing venue. If you like elevated seafood, this is the place for you. The service was top notch. Considerate, professional, and flawlessly executed. The staff were all friendly and made the overall meal enjoyable. The venue was minimalist and aligned well with their courses, coming together. The plate ware were absolutely gorgeous. I marveled at each and everyone one, perhaps even longer than looking at the food. We were able to try a variety of dishes which was balanced and understated. The flavors were discrete and unique. I especially enjoyed the mussels on toast and the miso icecream which was probably one of the best icecream I've ever had. They need to open an icecream shop only selling that. The overall course although good, felt passive. Like you being on a canoe in calm water just being carried by the stream. I wanted more of an adventure as no one dish had me thinking "wow". It was enjoyable but yet not memorable. A few dishes just needed a little more seasoning to bring out the depth. Even with 7 courses, I did leave feeling hungry as I had to go somewhere else and order more food after my dinner. With all that being said, it was worth the experience and with the ever changing menu, I expect this place to be a staple on Passyunk. read more

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Was really hoping to enjoy this restaurant however the new set menu is quite limiting. Additionally, they do not have a bar but only have pre-made cocktails in a jar. The corkage fee is buying one bottle of wine from them so ends up not being worth it just for two. I'm sure my experience would be better if they went back to normal menu read more

Great spot every time! If the burger is on the menu - Do it! The team here are very friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging.

Beautiful restaurant, good food, great service. I am a fan of the open kitchen concepts, so the design inside is great, and the food is really good as well. We did the tasting menu and it was plenty of food - my girlfriend is pickier than I am and she liked all of it as well. I will say that nothing stood out as mindblowingly delicious, but everything was very good. The sauces were phenomenal, there's a tomato broth that was really really good, as was the green sauce with the mackerel. read more

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The food here was good but a lot of their standout menu items are "add ons". They force the entire pre-fixe no matter (unless it's changed since I went). They are known for their burger, but good luck enjoying it (it's an entire meal alone) after having to eat through all the other courses just to get to it. I know multiple people who worked here or at their sister restaurant and apparently the chef owner is super nice but stubborn about going a la carte at river twice and doesn't want to just become the place with the burger. I also know their business is slowing down so maybe this isn't the hill to die on? I want to see them succeed and their service is spectacular but maybe loosen the leads a bit and let us just get what we want? I couldn't even tell you if the burger everyone raves about was good because I was too sickly full after a full meal to polish off half of a salty greasy burger. read more

We were excited to try River Twice and it was good, but disappointing. First of all, it's severely overpriced. In a food town like Philadelphia, it is not worth the money spent for the meal that you have. It was beautiful looking, but mediocre at best. We also had a pregnant friend with us and they notated it from the time they made the reservation a few months ago. The restaurant said it would be fine so we moved forward with the reservation. The waitress acknowledged it when we walked in, but instead of serving the beef tartar (which she cannot eat) she was offered a scallop sliced into four pieces, which was basically the exact same meal that we got as an entrée two courses later. The fact that they couldn't pull together any other opening course for our friend was pretty disappointing. They clearly have at least some vegetables or other ingredients to pull in some thing that is just an opening dish, it shouldn't be the same as what was to come in the entree course. Overall, it feels a bit try-hard. Philly is full of great food, try some other spots before you invest in River Twice - I can guarantee you'll find a better meal. No need to chase the James Beard fame to get a good meal, find your own path by asking locals and you'll find some amazing places in this city. read more

Delicious food! We ordered the oysters, beef tartare, charred cobia collar, halibut, and chocolate/salted bread dessert....I personally loved the oysters and charred cobia collar the most! Oh also the dessert! It was like a glorified Nutella and toast (and I normally could pass on desserts) ... The ambiance was great and intimate, but still felt safe/clean w Covid We ordered take out last year when restaurants were closed during Covid, and I'm so happy we went back for the dine in experience bc the food was at a different level! And staff was amazing! They also serve a few drinks now too! read more

River Twice - Waitress was nice enough to OFFER a tasting of their two drinks since I couldn't decide ...unheard of! - New American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This was by and away one of the best meals we've had in Philly. The focus on local ingredients and seasonality raised the profile of each dish, the sequence of which followed an arc from tart and fresh bites to rich and satisfying larger portions. The menu rotates often, sometimes by the day, which adds an air of unpredictability and excitement. The atmosphere was cozy and unpretentious - the chefs struck up conversation with patrons, played classic rock and seemed to truly love the food they prepared. If you go in the late spring, the soft shell crab with koji butter and caviar is a true stunner. This is already a marquee restaurant on Philly's already diverse scene - it's not to be missed. read more

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If you're in Philly, you need to find time to go to River Twice. If you want a meal that makes you believe in the power of really good food that is dependable and somehow nothing that you have ever had before ;and you really can't understand why), this is your spot. When I lived in Philly, I came here for the first time two weeks after it opened and fell in love. I supported with the Mother Rucker burger card and fried chicken buckets to go during Covid, and recently was back in town for a weekend and brought my now husband to the counter so he could understand why Philly will always be my favorite city. I promise it's always that good. Pro tip: sit at the counter. Move your reservation if you have to. Watching them prepare each course and getting to ask questions about the spices and sauces and preparation of each dish makes you feel like you to know what you're doing. read more

A great meal and experience all around. Spectacular seafood, local produce and dairy along with the best burger in Philly. The chef's counter experience is top notch, you get a full view of what's happening in the kitchen and you might learn a thing or two! The staff is equally amazing and always on point! read more

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Great food, great service. Sat at the chefs counter. Started with toast and the swordfish tartare. Crab cracker and dumplings were great. Venison and halibut perfect but the duck was outrageously good. For dessert cheese, chocolate mousse and Varro pudding. Great dinner and super affordable read more

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I'm not sure how this place only has 3.5 stars... The food, service and ambiance were impeccable! Marissa was attentive and knowledgeable about everything from the food to the after dinner drinks ordered! Sitting at the chef's counter and watching everything being made was a real joy. The music was great and everyone from the staff to the diners seemed so happy to be there! The burger and scallop toast were so good, we actually got two of each. Whether you want the tasting menu or a la carte options, you can't go wrong. We already made a reservation to come back in a few weeks! read more

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Went for a birthday celebration and it was incredible. Wasn't a huge fan of the corn grits, but that's just personal preference. Every dish was so delicious and inventive. Their current menu (mussel tostada, tilefish) is only there for another week but I'm sure the next menu will be just as good. We added on the robia crudo and the oysters which were both fantastic too. Service was incredible, with a few freebies for the occasion. Go! read more

The food was truly sublime. I am shocked by the negative reviews and the fact that only 70 people have reviewed this gem of a restaurant. My wife and I are seasoned travelers who traveled all over the world, and this was the most gourmet meal we have ever eaten. Every element of the tasting menu was delicately curated. Each of the eight courses was unique, featuring exotic ingredients, gorgeous plate art, and flavor combinations we could never have imagined. What especially blew us away were the raw Maine scallops--so buttery, so silky. From the utensil drawers in each table to the candle and individual wash-towels in the bathroom, this was a luxurious experience. And the service was top-notch, as the staff exhibited pride over their craft and a friendly and smiley vibe. Don't take it from me, take it from Philadelphia's utmost authority, Craig LaBan, who gave this place three bells in 2020: https://www.inquirer.com/food/craig-laban/river-twice-review-east-passyunk-randy-rucker-craig-laban-20200124.html read more

I'm a big Philly guy. I support all the sports teams (Go Birds), take my family exploring different parts of the city multiple times a year, and absolutely love dining out with my fempanion, now my fiancée. The price fix tasting menu revolution that seems to have grown from pandemic dining is perfect for us. After reading several articles, we decided to celebrate our engagement at River Twice. A great decision to celebrate a great decision. Gonna start off the new year with the same format, FFS. Flair: South Philly is certainly an eclectic part of an eclectic town. You have trendy, you have old school, you have new, you have old. It's a barrage of atmosphere sandwiched (no pun intended for the ongoing cheesesteak war) a few square blocks. River Twice hits on the cool, trendy, relaxed vibe without the arrogance or pretentiousness that sometimes accompanies those places. It's laid back. It's fun. It's humble. But most of all, it's warm and inviting. Quaint, open, and right on a busy corner. Very cool. Food: I read a few reviews that complained of portion sizes and the amount of food offered. It's a tasting menu. That means not a full serving of each course. But there are also 7 of them, which is a lot of food. For me, I appreciated the fact that at the end of my meal, I was satisfied and didn't immediately need a food coma. My belt and pants agreed. I also read some of the negative comments regarding the quality and taste of food. I found that to be way off base as well. We appreciated the variety, flavors, and flow of the meal. There's a pic missing from one of my courses because I ate it too quickly. I won't go into each particular dish, because they were all top notch. If I had to pick the "worst" of the bunch, it would be the truth-tip...but only because I'm not a big meat guy and I would have enjoyed a little more sauce. The grilled custard was probably in the top 5 things I've ever eaten. Ever. It was perfect. Salty, savory, mellow, fresh, bright. It was unreal. The egg yolk fudge in the porridge was so comforting and warm, it made me want to just walk in the door from a day of sledding. That fig leaf merengue had great notes of cinnamon-y spices. It went so perfectly with the duck and persimmons. We both opted for truffles on our scallop, at chefs suggestion. Would probably pass on them next time, but I'm not super into them. They did add a great earthiness to the dish. And that dessert....could have been a vegetable course. You wouldn't know, because it was sweet and decadent, but if those Veggie Straw snacks from Wawa can pass for servings of vegetables, this definitely could. It was light and airy and delicious, you you definitely got the sense of their main ingredients. Don't know how they made mushroom whip taste like both delicious whipped cream AND fungus, but there we were. And it was perfect. SERVICE: Exceptional. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. They were attentive and considerate. They actually looked like they enjoyed working there. And we got special menus printed for us because of our occasion. There was absolutely zero concerns in this area, the staff was outstanding. Overall, what a night. The combinations and flavors and flow and concept were all on point. Can't wait to come back in a few weeks when the menu changes again. read more

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My partner had been wanting to try this spot out for a while. Tonight was our first time dining here (during COVID). We started with the trout small plate. I thought this dish would be warm but it wasn't. It was ok. The scallops came out next and were really tasty. I thought the tomatoes should've been grilled. Our sever recommended the sweet corn porridge with pickled blueberries, which sounds very weird, but was pretty good. Definitely an interesting dish. We finished with an apply crumb cake that also wasn't warm and a bit dry. Overall, the place was ok. The server was great but the atmosphere and food weren't anything special. The gold flatware and dinnerware were so chic. I appreciated that after each dish, we were served fresh dinnerware. read more

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Often when reading reviews you kind of take it with a grain of salt, but in this case the comments here are right on the money unfortunately.. The service is immaculate, and the reason for the stars. The food we found to be hit or miss, a few good items but nothing that really stood out. The seasoning is very conservative, which I understand to a point since it is a set tasting menu with minimal customization, and it makes sense to not have spicy or heavily seasoned items. That being said, the basic salt and pepper levels of the dishes were very under in our opinion. Portion sizes were small as well, we left quite unsatisfied, and ended up getting snacks afterwards. The very high bill did not reflect the amount or quality of the food - overall, would not recommend. Again, wonderful service though. Great gram potential for the Tom Haverfords out there too. read more

Pros: the ambiance is great. I'm European and this kind of concept restaurants with fixed tasting menu are really popular over there. The menu changes every week, the staff is really nice. They use very high quality ingredients that are in season. Cons: The food is pretty monotone, nothing really "hits" your palate. Everything was pretty much meat with rice of some kind, nothing fun was done with vegetables. The beef tongue needs to go. Dessert was also pretty bland. All in all pretty "meh", for what ended up being a $300 check for 2 people (tip and wine included). I gave most of my food to my date and made myself some bread and butter when I got home. I'm disappointed. I really wanted to like it. read more

River Twice is a beautifully appointed space - the interior is muted and feels very Scandinavian, and we loved the utensil drawers. The wine menu was well-curated. The service was friendly and attentive, and the pacing of the meal was great. Unfortunately, the food did not live up to our positive first impression. We went for the tasting menu ($85pp), which was described as a mix of items on and off the menu - we loved what was listed on the menu, but the only item we actually received from the menu was a cantaloupe dish. The salmon hand rolls and raw salmon with cucumber both lacked flavor. In the bluefin tuna with tomatoes, the tomatoes were too acidic and I was not able to appreciate the natural flavor of the tuna. The two best dishes of the night were the uni with pole beans and the heritage turkey with chanterelle cream sauce, which both were flavorful and well-thought-out. However, both dishes could have been portioned larger - and that was the biggest problem with the meal. Every dish was at most 3-4 bites and there was no carbohydrate element at all, so seven courses felt like barely anything. I have never left a restaurant hungry - and at 5'1", I'm certainly not a big eater. But for the first time in my life, I had to go down the street after dinner for a cheesesteak. All in all, River Twice is pretty aptly named - the turkey was delicious enough that I'd consider giving them a second shot, but would definitely opt for à la carte and hope for more standard-sized portions. read more

HANDS DOWN BEST RESTAURANT IN PHILLY We did an 18 course tasting menu, paired with wine. Each course was thoughtful, creative, and executed perfectly. The flavors, textures and presentation were outstanding!!! My kitchen crew left inspired and full! Thank you River Twice, again, for a mind blowing meal! read more

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We've been to River Twice pre-pandemic and during the pandemic multiple times each. And one thing I can say is that despite all of the changes and craziness in the world, all of the important things to me have remained consistent here. Great interesting and unique food, service and ambiance. We were first exposed at a Tasting Collective event and had such a great experience that we made a reservation for a week or two later. We also snuck in an amazing dinner with the best steak I have ever had just about two weeks before things shut down. Now we have been back several times - opting for the tasting menu initially, but now that they moved to the tasting menu only minus Sundays, coming in excited and ready to try new things. They have a great wine selection, a small selection of unique mixed drinks, and some N/A items. So there is something for everyone. I want to add that I think they have some of the best pandemic service we have experienced, too. Whereas a lot of places struggle to have a great and consistent staff, they seem to be doing a great job from where we sit. The service alone is worth me wanting to keep returning. Keep doing you, River Twice. We appreciate what you are bringing to the great Philly dining scene. Please bring back the dry aged ribeye (I think that's what it was) that you did back in March of 2020. I figured I may as well throw that shameless suggestion in here. read more

We hear many good things about River Twice so we decided to visit. All in all the service was good, but the food was not amazing. For $100 per person at BYOB there are many better options in the same neighborhood. We had the tasting menu. As you can see from the picture it was seafood heavy, which tells me the chef may have ordered way too much seafood and was trying to move it. To be fair, some courses (if you can call them that) had a wonderful flavor. Other however (tough tuna) we nothing to write home about. Dessert was mediocre at best. For the amount of money I would give elsewhere. read more

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Oh my god! What?! Come on now! Are you kidding me?! My life has been changed! All of the above were exclaimed last night in between bites at the Chef's Counter at River Twice. River Twice is the kind of restaurant that will ruin every other dining experience for you. It's just dunking over the competition course after course. It's not fair how good every aspect of this restaurant is. River Twice is truly special. Special. For any special occasion, or if you just want to feel special, and you are fortunate enough to afford it, treat yourself to the Chef's Counter menu with wine pairings by Ben and be prepared for a life-changing experience. I won't walk through every course, because I think the joy, the sheer joy, of this restaurant is its ability to surprise you with every bite (and sip). If you have an adventurous spirit and palate and trust River Twice to take care of you (which you should), you will not be disappointed. There are few components and ingredients that my wife typically avoids or does not care for, but in River Twice's hands they turn them into gold, and my wife is now a convert who can't stop thinking about these dishes. Special. Life changing. And Ben is a wizard with the wine pairings! Perfect every time. New (to us) and exciting wines that we would never have tried before. German wines? Rieslings?! He nailed it. I want Ben to follow me to every restaurant from now on and offer me the perfect pairing. But that's silly, because why would I eat at any other restaurant? All of the staff and chefs behind the counter were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, easy to talk with, and I hope they found enjoyment in our enjoyment of what they were putting out. We could've stayed for hours and chatted with them about food, art, French rap music, you name it. We lived in NYC for ten years and ate at many "Good" restaurants during our time there, but never have we been so thoroughly delighted than at River Twice. I don't know how they do all that they do out of that small kitchen. It's miraculous. That's not true. It's not a miracle. It's a ton of hard work, excellent sourcing, years of experience, and trust in their team of collaborators. Thank you River Twice. I hope you know how special you are. And yes, the Mother Rucker is as good as everyone says it is. Better even. read more

Don't typically write reviews but it is amazing to me how many people have written bad reviews on River Twice. Food, interior, staff were all great! A lot of complaints about seasoning on yelp, we had the complete opposite experience, we thought the flavors and seasoning were fantastic. We were at the chef's counter which makes it a little harder to interact with the server but he was nice and attentive. From a pricing standpoint, the 4 courses for $80 felt fair to us. We did add a few dishes and got 2 drinks and 2 glasses of wine. The chawanmushi was amazing, everyone should get this, my wife loved the stracciatella that came with the bread. The scallop main was perfect and great for a hot day, subtle dish that let the scallops shine. Ignore the bad reviews and try this place out! read more

I would call the food here meticulous, clean, fresh, delicious, gorgeous. I'm really happy my friends convinced me to go here. You should add one or two dishes to the 4 course meal. Service was warm and attentive as well. River twice is fantastic. I would put this on par with 2 Michelin star lazy bear in San Francisco. read more

The place is nice, modern, the tables were cool. Drinks were meh. Now to the food...... We got the tasting menu bruh, that jawn was bland as hell. Everything was fresh and tasted like it should but it was bland. The flavors didn't mesh well to me. The sushi roll tasted like I was a cow eating herbs. A vegan wouldn't like it, I'm use to bold flavors and everything was just light and nothing stood out and shined in a good way. Nice place, great service, but the food was lacking. The food was not fuego. read more

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Ordered the fluke, ricotta, dumplings, oysters, halibut collar and bread au chocolat. This meal was the perfect amount for two women who love to eat. Fluke was under seasoned and broth with the dumplings was a touch too salty. But the oysters, ricotta, and bread au chocolat were perfectly seasoned and flavorful. By far the most impressive looking and best tasting dish of the night was the halibut collar. I'd order that dish again and again and again. This menu changes often though so I suspect the next time I go I won't be able to order any of the same stuff--both a good and sad thing. We sat outdoors; they have heaters. Service was excellent. read more

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The food here is absolutely beautiful. If you want to have food art,, this is the place. I'm so happy to be here. I would highly recommend the tasting menu. The flavors are amazing and creative. Maggie took very good care of us. Her wine pairings were masterful. read more

Strongly hoping that in the wake of recent news surrounding a pandemic, this place has re-considered its "Hillbilly Hand Roll" item/course on the tasting menu. This is where staff hands you, barehanded, an unrolled blunt of scallops and other accoutrements. Contrary to intent, sweat from staff does not activate the flavor. As someone who spent a lot of time in West Virginia growing up, this dish is as much an insult to hillbillies as much as it is to hand-rolls. For what River Twice charges for dinner, you could take a river cruise. You'd probably get a tastier meal. read more

Everything and I mean everything was amazing. I've been a few times but was the first time dinning outside. Easily one of the best meals I've ever had, I look forward to see what's to come with the place, as well as watching the legend grow. I will visit again and again v read more

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Dining at River Twice is such a wonderful treat for my family. We have been for special occasions and sometimes just for fun! We have ordered the amazing burger for the kids but they actually enjoy the fancy food that Chef Randy prepares so well. The staff is very attentive and friendly. Their beverage recommendations have always been spot on! We can't wait to go back! read more

We sat at the chef's counter for their second night. I can't come up with a single thing that I didn't like. The servers were fantastic and passionate about the food and how the ingredients were sourced. We had the raw scallops, roe pancake, mushroom and egg, and the short rib. My wife and I kept debating which was our favorite. River Twice is doing fantastic things and we already made a reservation to go back next month. I can't wait to see how it evolves (the menus changes daily). read more

Overall the food was ok but kind of bland and not worth the price. For two people 4 small plates one large and two deserts was $210 with tax and tip. We started dinner with the oysters which were good. The snail toast was bland. The tuna belly and the scallops were probably the best dishes. We also ordered the bread dumplings but they were cold by the time we got them, because the waiter brought us all our dishes at the same time, but overall the taste was ok but the dumplings were dense. We had the short rib for our large plate, which tasted like a upper scale pot roast. For desert we had the chocolate and foie gras, both were good but not overwhelming. Overall it wasn't a bad meal but underwhelming for the price. read more

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Went here this past week for the tasting collective and oh man what an experience. Randy and his team are doing an amazing job and are putting out some talented dishes. Out of the dishes I tried I really liked the Caesar like salad which made me think of an everything bagel on a salad which was super complex and delicious. My other favorite dish was probably the Carolina gold rice topped with point Judith squid and hakurei turnips. The rice was soaked in a miso broth that brought such powerful umami flavoring to this dish. A rotating menu and daring dishes definitely make this a top place to check out in Philly. Also there is a secret menu item you can stop in and try but I won't spoil the surprise here. read more

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Really great restaurant in the heart of East Passyunk. The menu changes every week and always keeps things interesting. The staff is very friendly and the food is approachable but also upscale. The vibe and ambiance are super cool and they really make sure every customer has a great experience. Chef Rucker does an amazing job with unique ingredients and I can't wait to return! read more

I'm going to be pretty blunt with my review and mind you, I've never reviewed a restaurant before so this was just a terrible food experience that I needed to share. If you're thinking that this is going to be cruel, it is, but understand that my partner and I ate here in January and I'm now writing this review. It's been on my mind for two months, so I've taken the time to write and think whether my actions are justified. This was not written in haste. Before I rip into this meal, let me start by saying that the hostess/waitress were friendly and attentive. The food was executed perfectly, so the cooking staff were doing wonderful. Now, why the one star? Every dish had little to no seasoning across the board. How do I explain the little seasoning in these dishes? Well, imagine making instant ramen and not using the sauce packet -- just water and noodles. It was that bad. The whole pre-fixe was forgettable. The underlying theme of the courses were, "where is the salt?" "This is not seasoned properly, blah blah." I'm not asking to douse my pallet with salt, but there was no acid, sweetness, lacking of texture, etc. There were some dishes that we didn't even touch after the first bite; the other dishes we finished were simply out of obligation. Mid-way through the dinner, someone dining outdoors requested for salt and there was the "head chef" who was standing at the bar helping with expediting? I'm not sure what he was doing aside from drinking because he was standing on the side of the bar that wasn't in the kitchen, but where the guests should be seated. Anyway, when he heard that a table asked for salt, he slammed the bar and jokingly shouted, "they want salt?!?!" Nervous laughter ensued by the staff and the guests in the restaurant. This made us uncomfortable because we've had about 3-4 courses at this point and wanted to request for salt; however, our disposition changed when the 6th course came around. The 6th course was a wagyu dish and it had very little to no seasoning. My partner and I were fed up with the dishes being under-seasoned so we requested for salt -- no fuss. After we finished our "dinner" we went to a bar down the street to grab a burger there because we didn't eat much. As we're eating our burgers, the entire staff from the restaurant enter the same bar and sit in the back of the bar which is where we were. It was obvious they knew who we were as they stared/pointed, and I was enjoyably eating my burger because it was by and far the best thing I ate that night. Why am I bringing this up? Well, that same head chef was there with his staff and he was visibly stumbling from his table to the bar. I'm not here to speculate that he was drunk, so take that with a grain of ..salt. Overall, you have to be blinded by your own arrogance to charge $100/person for a meal that poor. Once again, food was executed very well, so under seasoning was a purposeful move. I'm sure the reasoning is somewhere around "we want our guests to taste the freshness of ingredients blah blah", but if a guest wants to enjoy their meal with salt, let them do it, don't guilt-trip/shame them behind closed doors because you're not fitting the bill. Before I sign off, $100 for a meal is not a bad thing, but you better come correct to justify the high expense. If a guest is coming to your restaurant, you have to understand that a $100 meal is a privilege to enjoy for them, and one that many can't afford so this is a treat, a moment to feel special/accomplished. Sadly, there's nothing to feel special about River Twice. read more

Less than mediocre food for a $120 tasting menu, to leave about 50% full - do NOT recommend coming here I don't understand why subpar restaurants do tasting menus. This place was such a disappointment. Food The welcoming broth and corn Madeline were just ok. The same for the razor clam hand roll. Two year old potatoes and the carrots were decent/pretty good. The snails and root vegetables risotto was terrible. I like snails normally but these tasted terrible and the vegetables were also pretty awful. I could only manage 1 bite before letting it get taken away. The trout was very good - but I did almost choke on 2 small bones. Wagyu was ok- not the nice, melt in your mouth cuts we're used to getting for tasting menus. Dessert was not good- ate half then gave up. Service Server didn't care that I had bones in my trout. Server also didn't care that the snail dish was mostly untouched- not the norm for any of the tasting menus I've had. Water was always getting refilled which was nice- but otherwise service was below average. read more

Came for our wedding anniversary. Menu is limited but we went for the prix fixe which had some off-menu items. Food was fine, some good courses, some unremarkable. One course was seared scallop. My wife's was cooked well, golden brown. Mine were carbonized. I ate one, noticed the burnt flavor, along with grit from carbonization and didn't eat the second. My wife handled informing the (very kind, friendly, helpful) server that the scallop was burnt and the server took the plate. She kindly offered to ask the kitchen to fire another but we said no thanks, we were happy to move along with our meal. Then the chef came out, offered no apology and rudely explained that it was in fact perfectly cooked and they have always cooked them like that, it was "caramelized." Pretty unpleasant exchange. Pretty weird for him to come out from the kitchen to be rude like that, but let's just get on with our meal. (Needless to add, if my scallop is blackened, and my wife's is golden, obviously they're not always cooked the same.) My wife's next course was "Charred Cobia Collar." It was on the menu, and titled that way, so we were expecting the charred collar that we received. A server delivered it, but the chef was right behind, rudely adding to the server's description, "Are you going to be okay? It's charred." One rude interaction with the chef was certainly surprising, but his coming out a second time to do it again was something else. The service staff did apologize by adding on a complimentary dessert. Anyways, don't recommend due to a limited menu, high prices, and extremely rude chef. Service was good. Hopefully chef's nicer to the staff than he is to the customers. read more