River Cafe

I walked in with my bf 9PM today (1/13/2012) and the front girl looked up and down us and said this is not place for us. I wore a jean cause it was casual friday for our company. I think she just figured that we can't afford food from there. But I'm sure I make more money than she. She were pretty nasty and it was the first time I got race discrimination in public. (FYI I'm an Asian.) So embarassed. If you are an Asian or if you think they 'MIGHT' discriminate against the race I highly recommend not to go there. They totally ruined our friday date. more

I knew it was very expensive- but if you live in NY you have to have this experience at least once. Go for breakfast - it won't break the bank. It is remarkably romantic and the view.. nothing like it. I fully expected Billy Joel to show up playing ""New York State of MInd"" . more

Expensive, but the view and the food were amazing! Very romantic! more

Expensive, yes. Full of tourists, yes. A great experience, yes. It's an institution. It's romantic as all get out. The food isn't great but it's not bad, either. It's a special occasion joint and there you sit, under the Brooklyn Bridge with a breathtaking view of lower Manhattan. There's no other place like it in the world. It reeks of pretension because its pretentious. If you can't enjoy that don't go. If you're going to be grumpy because it's expensive and full of tourists, don't go. You want a glass of wine and a hanger steak there are plenty of swell places in Cobble Hill that won't cost you half (or Pete's Downtown, for that matter, just across the street.) more

Been here twice, went back hoping my 1st experience (a bad one) was just a fluke. It was not. The most unhappy and arrogant staff I have ever encountered. Besides the view, which is amazing, everything else about this restaurant reeks of pretension. One can't help be be reminded that getting your $$ is their top priority. Even the Maitre d' made it clear (in poor English) that a nice tip was expected for a good table! Certainly this place will follow other such tourist traps as Tavern On The Green and ultimately fail. more

I took my girlfriend here for our one year anniversary and safe to say, sparks flew. The food was great, the view was amazing, and the service was charming. The Pre-fix is a good option, especially if you like variety. My only caution, check your bank account balance before you go! Pros: Amazing Food, Great Service Cons: Very Expensive more

I like. Pros: Nice View Cons: Expensive more

My husband first took me here on our 20th anniversary and we have made it a tradition ever since. I love the atmosphere, service, the menu. Never disappointed. It's wonderful to have a place with a grown up atmosphere. It makes all the difference in the world. Pros: Outstanding service more

Jacket to suit to what? Snuffy more

The service was very good. \r \r \r Right by the water at night. This place is great.\r \r \r In a restaurant like this we feel it is the little things such as remembering the order and who ordered which dish which makes the meal so seemless and all was without question here.\r more

test testtesttest test test test test testtesttest test test test test testtesttest test test test test testtesttest test test test Pros: test Cons: test more

Unlike other upscale restaurants, the River Cafe has mastered creativity with taste. \r The food was so delicious that even if they served it in paper plates I would stiil go back.\r The presentation was exquisite of course but the taste was unbelievable.\r The service was human. That is with a smile and pleasant conversation. No stiff uppity waiters.\r And of course the ambiance, the view the comfortable environment.....unbeatable.\r Pros: great food more

If you ever get a chance to visit brooklyn or to stop by you def. should. My husband took me here for our 5 year anniversity and i will never forget it. The views are soo beautiful and it is in a nice location.\r \r The food we were served was delicious prices are reasonable. The only problem that i had was with the staff. My huband made a reservation but it still took them 15 min to seat us. Than the waiter was rude and it took him forver to take our order bring our drinks.\r \r But waiters can change maybe he just had a bad day but it didnt matter if you have a bad day come here and just sit youll forget all about it Pros: beautiful views good food Cons: staff more

I called for my boss to make a reservation and the person taking the reservation never put it in the system. I'm sure the food is great but the staff of a business should represent the company and in today's economy everyone needs to accept when something goes wrong. I called them back and no attempt was made to ensure this doesn't happen in the future because I'm sure it has happened in the past. I just expected them to be more receptive to resolving customer complaints because no company is excluded from going bankrupt these days. Pros: Great Food Cons: Some staff below average but they represent the company more

\r After living in New York for many years, I had yet to experience one of this area's treasures.\r The River Cafe. I had always heard that it was wonderful. Let me say that dining at The River Cafe was one of the most unforgettable evenings of my life. The view! The delicious food! Love that chocolate Brooklyn Bridge! The fabulous pianist! The attentive and friendly service! Was I in a movie or was this really happening? It was real. And It was just terrific! more

Coming to this restaurant is a great experience that everyone should enjoy at least once. It is a little bit off the beaten path, and is not inexpensive. \r But you will not soon forget the things that this place is famous for. I was there for dinner in December, and just got the credit card bill today. Of all the things I spent good money on last month, dining at this place was the best deal in New York. Pros: Flowers and Romance galore more

Thisspot has amazing views and pretty good food. But, I didn't find the service to match the space. I got a GiftCert for my engagement party. It would have been a nicer experience if the staff were at all warm or friendly. Also, if the wait for food and drinks wasn't so very long. It was exciting to go to such a ""nice"" place and perhaps I was just expecting it to be better than it is. more

My boyfriend and I dined at the River Cafe to celebrate my 1 year anniversary with my company. The wait staff wasn't very engaging, but as nice as they had to be, I suppose. The friendliest member of the restaurant was by far the pianist who returned my smile as I walked by. Not impressive, yet not a bad evening, until our car was returned by the valet, who had accidentally ripped off the inside door handle. I do believe it was an accident, and he was very sweet and apologetic. The manager on duty took photos and after trying to pull a maneuver of implying that the handle was already broken, he assured us that they would cover the damages. Well, they gave us the run-around until the deadline was up and we could no longer file a claim. Imagine our disgust with this place after spending over $400 and basically being told to f off. The head manager told us that they are often taken to court and suggested that we go ahead and do that. This is big city, filled with so many amazing places to dine. Please don't waste your time (& money) here. Aside from the unabashed disregard for their customers, the atmosphere is not as great as it's hyped up to be. Feels like dining in a nursing home. Pros: the pianist playing the night we were there was very sweet and played beautifully Cons: a**hole manager, vandalized car, leering unfriendly wait staff more

Loved the lobster special, loved my wine, loved my decadent chocolate dessert , loved my server. But my entree was a bit too salty, and dinner was super expensive, and when I think that I could have had a pair of designer jeans and new shoes for the price of one dinner that is now long gone, it makes me a little regretful. Not sure I'd go back unless someone else was paying, way too many other places I still want to try. Pros: ambiance'service Cons: pricey more

Flew in from the west coast strictly for 2 shows and this restaurant -- sole purpose of the trip, nothing else The two shows were spectacular -- everything and more !! No such luck with this . Yes, the view is without a doubt the best in NYC. Also, the food was prepared exquisitely and was literally the best fois gras I've tasted. So why the negative? The Service was abysmal. Not just bad, but ... a...bys...mal! I wish I could say the waiter we had was just pretentious but that would be a mistake -- it was much worse than that -- I would say instead he was pretending to be pretentious, and he couldn't even pull that off. Would I eat here again? NO. WAY. -- not based on the experience with this srever. Demeaning, rude, and slow. Then to rub salt in the wound, the restaurant has cars out front will take you back to your destination for flat-rate-fee. Our driver decided to milk us with a ""oh, but that rate is only for this many people -- you had 1 extra which will cost you $20 more"". What a bite. (Yes, there was a cooling down period in writing this review). Leaving on a positive note, the wine steward did give us a great recommendation on the wine, and again, the food was good, but the service just bit. Pros: Food and View - great Cons: VERY Poor service -- Don't use their car service. more