Location: 2373 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL   Phone:  561 694-1188  http://www.riverhouserestaurant.com

 

Hi everyone, we’re back!  I finally made an honest woman out of Maria, as the official union of MRS and RAG took place August 9th in Saratoga Springs, New York.  Surrounded by our families and closest friends, beyond all comprehension, the most beautiful and awesome woman in the world said “I Do” to me!!  Greatest day ever, and by all accounts, everyone had a blast.  The DJ played overtime and all the hardcores were out there dancing with us until 1 AM .  My son and best man, Ethan, put on an especially good show, showing off some moves I didn’t know he had!  My bride was the star though.  In a sea of beautiful people she stood out like a brilliant star.  Google “Luckiest Man in the World”, you should see a picture of me.  Anyway, as you might guess, after all the planning and anticipation, it all went by in a flash.  When we got home, we felt like we hadn’t seen each other for a week, so we decided to treat ourselves to a night out at one of our very favorite places, The River House.  And it was soooo good, we decided we had to give them a little more pub.  It’s been a couple of years since our last review of TRH, after Maria’s first visit.  You might remember, in that one, she made a crucial error not taking my advice and getting the sea bass blackened.  Well, live and learn she did, blackened it was this time, and amazing it was.  My turn to screw up.  I told one of our waiters, the very entertaining Billy, to just “bring me the biggest filet you have, medium rare.”  Mistake.  It was good, but bone in.  We are not bone in filet folks.  Not sure why anyone would want a bone in their filet mignon, but again, live and learn.  I was too intoxicated with being home, being there and being with my new bride.  In the pantheon of mistakes, not the worst one in history. 

I know it’s cliché, but the wedding was literally, a blur.  I know that I thoroughly enjoyed the blur and that’s what’s important.  But I most certainly did not get enough one on one time with my new husband.  So, a lovely welcome home dinner was seriously in order.  And what better place to celebrate our new status than that of the incomparable River House.  Their delectable menu paired with a naturally beautiful ambience makes it one of our no-brainer picks for a special occasion.  We made sure to get there early enough to enjoy the scenic patio bar and sip some cocktails beside the intracoastal waterway.

And what a breathtaking view!  It’s exquisitely romantic.  And then to follow this up with killer food is just an added bonus.  I love Chilean Sea Bass and I’ve had my share over the years at quite a number of high end institutions, but the River House is in a class all its own.  It’s winning edge comes in a 2 oz. ramekin filled with their signature Mango salsa that accompanies this perfectly blackened fish.  The fish flakes off in giant, bright white strips of melt in your mouth goodness.  The end result of proper culinary training.  My thought would have been to get two of these, but RAG loves his filet.  In truth, although the River House executes a wonderfully juicy steak, it holds no water to the Okeechobee Steakhouse IMO.  There is just no other choice at this establishment than the bass.  End of story.  BLACKENED!!  LOL.

I won’t disagree with the sea bass assessment or the Okee Steakhouse kudos, but I do think TRH serves up a damn good filet.  I’m the jughead who ordered it with a bone.  Bones or no bones, you still get that beautiful view.   Be sure to stop by the outside bar before dinner for a glass of wine by the water.  There’s usually a wait, especially during season, and you’ll hardly notice as you sip your libation and watch the boats float by.  The best food you’ll find anywhere, including a fantastic salad bar,  service beyond compare, idyllic setting.  What more could you ask for from a restaurant?  These days establishments come and go, so when you see a place stand the tests of time, you know they must have it going on.  1984.  Just another year you say?  Oh no my friends.  One of the best years of movie releases ever (don’t believe me?  google it.  you won’t believe the classics).  The year The River House opened their doors, and also the year Maria (MRS) arrived on the scene.  No offense to George Orwell, good book, but in reality, a magnificent year!  

My husband is the sweetest man alive, in case you were wondering.  And oh, that salad bar is divine.  It’s the scene of one of our telling first dates.  “You like BEETS!?”  Ross exclaimed that sentence as I heaped a hefty serving of the root vegetable onto my plate on our first visit in 2011.  There are so many reasons to love this place, including their sense of humor.  I got a good chuckle as we ascended the ramp and read, “No Crybabies” on their conduct list.  Didn’t catch that gem on our first trip.  You cannot have a bad time at the River House.  There’s just too many wonderful things to fall back on.  Even when you make a tiny mistake, like ordering the wrong steak, there’s always the view, the salad bar and that gorgeous piece of bass to fall back on.  Blackened.

Ross’ Rating:  5 Wine Glasses out of 5.

Maria’s Rating:  4.5 Wine Glasses.