Not the place for events. I have called and left messages to host a 200+ person party and cannot get someone on the phone. Meanwhile, every other restaurant on the river will pick up your call. I guess this explains why every other restaurant is busy and this one isn't. read more

Super cute spot next to the Chicago river. Wish we knew about the elevator heading into the restaurant. Def grab a seat outside. Pork chop was okay - wish it came with some sides instead of having to order. Lobster burger was good. read more

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Very good fried chicken sandwich! The barbeque chips were a little overdone. Came here early on a rainy Saturday and did not need to wait. The view of the river is great too. read more

River Roast - Fried Chicken Sandwich - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food was absolutely outstanding!! Such an amazing view of the river with a really cute vibe inside. The service was also top notch and easily had the best Mac and cheese of My life. Definitely recommend this restaurant if you're visiting the Chicago area! read more

Tried their roast chicken with potatoes which was tender, juicy, and so flavorful. Their beet and chopped salad were also delicious and their portions were huge too. Lovely ambience and fast service, definitely coming again in the future. read more

River Roast - Half Roast chicken - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We experienced this venue through a work event. We rented out the back area of the venue. The layout was long and skinny - which made it hard to facilitate the networking portion of this event. However, the staff was extremely friendly. The food was above average and the iced tea/coffee and other drinks great! Would love to come back for a dining experience. *great iced tea! read more

Super awesome atmosphere. Sit on the outdoor deck if possible. Plenty of drink options. The full brazier was good but on the fishy side (if you know what mean). read more

River Roast - Branzino - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The atmosphere, location, and service are all top-notch! We came for lunch on a nice sunny day and sat outside. The view is lovely and reminds you of Amsterdam with the beautiful cerulean blue waters. We watched the boats and kayaks and just enjoyed a great sunny Chicago day. Now let's talk food... The ONLY reason I didn't rate a 5 is because it takes about 35 minutes for the roast chicken. I wish it didn't take as long since this was the dish that I wanted to taste the most. Otherwise- no complaints at all. The portions are very generous and sharable. Come hungry or share the appetizers. Hey, if you have an appetite, you may be able to take it down solo, but it's a feat. Lol We ordered lunch so we went for sandos. The crispy chicken was seasoned well, juicy, tender, and the garlic aioli complimented the fries perfectly. The grilled chicken sando was moderately seasoned with thick cut bacon and an avo spread. I was expecting avocado slices, but the spread was satisfying. It tasted like it was thigh meat, which is my fave, but if you like chicken breast, ask to check. The fish sando was very fresh, not oily, very tasty. The artichoke appetizer was also very delicious. Lastly, our server was Jorge, and he was epic! Highly attentive, gave good suggestions and was super frie ndly. This place is a must visit restaurant. read more

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Meh. I won't be back unless I am forced to. We had just gotten done with a kayaking tour. It seemed like since we were not dressed up, that we were seated at the worst table possible. There were flowers literally in my face, so I couldn't see the river. And we had a high top, when everyone else was comfortably seated at an actual table. Their menu is pricey. The beer list is minimal. Their dirty martini, wasn't even dirty. It was just straight up vodka. If I am going to pay $14 for a drink, I expect it to be made correctly. Oh yeah, and their Bloody Mary didn't come with a bloody pickle? $14 and no complimentary pickle? GTFO. Along with that, the service sucked. Not attentive at all (at least to us). This establishment needs to come down to earth. I couldn't wait to get the hell out of this place. If I were you and was looking for a relaxing restaurant to go to on the river walk nearby, go to Tiny Tapp & Café. That place has much better vibes and is right across the river. read more

River Roast - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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ON THE WATERFRONT This trendy restaurant next to the Chicago River is perfect for impressing out-of-town guests. After she had a positive experience some months ago, my wife suggested that we meet friends of hers on 7/5/20 at River Roast. It's just north of the river on LaSalle; if you hit Kinzie, you've gone too far. Unless you want to pay $23 in a garage, parking can be tough to find, so my recommendation is to use SpotHero if you plan on dining here. We started with a make-your-own charcuterie board, available as a half or full ($18 for 3 choices, or $30 for 5). Our picks were calabrese, speck, and 'nduja that came with fococcia bread, mustard, cornichons, and fruit preserves. They've also got a killer selection of cheeses, both firm (aged gouda, sharp cheddar) and spreadable (triple creme, soft goat) that come with honey & nuts. From there, my wife ordered a half dozen oysters ($18) served with shallot mignonette and lemon wedges. I opted for a pair of oyster shooters ($5 each), shucked and nestled in a shotglass w/bloody mary mix. This method of eating an oyster is way much more palatable than scooping a cold ocean booger out of its slimy shell. BLECH! Our entreés were delicious. The girls got the applewood smoked half chicken ($25) served with cubed potatoes. Their fried chicken sandwich ($16) includes spicy mayo, lettuce, and pickles with a side of homemade bbq seasoned chips. We also got a side order of the roasted asparagus ($10) with a pequillo romesco, essentially a red pepper sauce. Dessert was outstanding. Their key lime pie ($12) had a graham cracker crust, decadent curd filling, and toasted meringue....it cracked my all-time Top 5. The carrot cake ($12) is a huge portion that's perfect for sharing, made with a rich cream cheese icing, crispy carrot, parsnip shreds, and moist cake base. SUPER good. Bread = 5 Circuses = 4.5 They've got a happy hour from 3-5pm daily (yep, even on weekends!) that features some worthwhile specials on drinks. We took advantage of a rotating summer punch ($7) at least twice before the cutoff time. Our server Maria was great, the entire staff was diligent in refilling water glasses, clearing empty plates, and generally making sure our party of 4 was taken care of. Got several hours to kill? Take your guests on an architectural river cruise and come here afterwards! Those seated on their outdoor patio will be treated to a breathtaking panorama of Chicago's riverfront skyline. Keep an eye out for kayaking groups and yacht parties heading out to the lake. River Roast makes an excellent choice for people-watching, possibly the best in the city. * TL;DR * Stellar views, terrific food, and prices that aren't the pinnacle of ridiculousness? Shut up and take my money! We were big fans of the ambiance, especially the teal patio umbrellas (one of which we bought for our patio at home). The vibes are exactly what you'd expect for Near North: chic crowds will give you the side eye if you stroll in wearing ripped jeans and a faded T-shirt. Guys, dig out a nice polo and some khaki shorts. Ladies, bust out those new wedges you've wanted to try. If you or a visiting relative have only a few days to spend in the Windy City, make sure a meal at River Roast is part of those plans. read more

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Wowowow. Such a great lunch spot for a perfect weather day! I had never eaten by the river, so I didn't really know what to expect. It wasn't too busy, and the tables were spaced out appropriately for COVID measures. Our table had a great view of the river, and it was nice to watch kayakers and boats pass by as we ate. The shrimp & crab toast was AMAZING 10/10. I'm wary of anything with crab on it because I'm always scared it'll be imitation crab for some reason? This was seriously so good though, and the bread was the perfect texture and seasoned well too. The chopped salad was pretty good, but nothing too special. As for the lobster burger, I wish I had chosen something else. It wasn't bad, but the seasoning tasted somewhat identical to the shrimp & crab toast, and it overpowered the lobster. The chips they served with it were bomb though, even though that wasn't really the main portion of the meal haha. Our server was great, and someone came by between the appetizer and entree to clear our plates and replace our napkins+utensils which was a nice small touch. I'd definitely come back here to try some more drinks and a different entree. read more

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I've been here twice so far and have thoroughly enjoyed the service + food. Jorge was our waiter and he was the star of the show. So accommodating, so friendly and really made us feel good throughout the entire experience. Highly recommend the roast beef, shrimp & crab toast and the Mac and cheese. They were all realllllllyyyyy good. read more

For some odd reason we decided to do a weekend girls trip to a cold Midwestern city. However, Chicago did not disappoint, and overall we enjoyed River Roast. I ordered the cauliflower salad and butternut squash soup. It was delish. But I am glad that I passed on dessert. My sister ordered the cheese cake. We all tasted and agreed it was a big serving for sharing but the favor was bland. If you like more of a whipped texture and you don't like the taste of cream cheese, it might work for you. The service was also slow. There was a huge wedding party. When the staff did appear they where attentive and fast. Overall good experience with a location right on the canal. read more

I'm a big fan; love the location, and prime rib is one of those things you enjoy as a treat. Well, RR doesn't have prime rib all the time, but they are a quality establishment. Service is good, and you can't beat the river view. So, in terms of food: Appetizers: The Chicken Gobbets and Mushroom Toast. Really strange why more places don't mix the sweet and savory. Chicken bites glazed with honey? Yes, please. And the mushroom toast was a great surprise; in a sour vinaigrette on perfectly toasted bread, this was a taste revelation. For sides, the potatoes are great. Notsomuch is the Mac n cheese. You can doctor it up at the table with pepper, but it's...okay. Starter Mac n cheese, if you would. All in all, a good experience. read more

Absolutely great location right on the water. We came here on a Monday during Happy Hour. This place is big . Beautiful space. The staff is extremely attentive and polite. Definitely get some Happy Hour drinks. My friend tried the pomegranate martiini and thought it was refreshing. I tried the HH red wine with my main course and it was a really nice pour and good wine. Also had the Honey Bee gin cocktail and that was interesting too. They bring grilled bread with some sort of spreadable cheese to start, we asked for seconds on that ! Then we had apps of Octopus and also the RR Chopped Salad. The Octopus was great. The salad was nice but it's HUGE and really more for a table of 3 or 4 people rather than just a single person portion. I'd order something else next time. For mains my friend had the Roast Chicken and potatoes which is a nice portion and he liked. I had the Delicata Squash with roast veggies Vegetarian option .I actually thought the veggies around the squash tasted better than the Squash stuffed with black rice that they surrounded and next time I'd try the fish . But it's a pretty good Happy Hour deal near the River on LaSalle and a beautiful restaurant. read more

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Burger was overly peppery. This restaurant was worth the views but the food was overpriced and not tasty.

I've visited river roast several times and have not been disappointed. The roast chicken and charcuterie are the highlights here! I've also heard that the pumpkin cheesecake is a fan favorite. read more

River Roast - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went here for Father's Day and enjoyed the experience! The brunch menu had a wide selection of both breakfast type and lunch type meals. We all ordered a mocktail drink - they were good but a little overpriced. The food and portion sizes were good. Sitting at the window had a great view of the river! Super cool interior decor and the music inside was a good volume. read more

River Roast - View from our table - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Roast chicken was amazing! We ordered a few dipping sauces too. The roasted potatoes were probably the best I've ever had. Great service- manager offered us ice cream as dessert. Shout out to him for being so kind n checking on us, wish i got his name. read more

River Roast - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went on a Thursday night for a quick bite. We were seated quickly. The waiter was very attentive, friendly and patient with us. Service was excellent. The ambiance of the atmosphere was perfect for a date night, especially with a tall window view of the river. You're definitely paying more for the view because the food was subpar at best. There were a variety of options to choose from which was nice. We decided to go with the Shrimp & Crab Toast, Golden Gobbets, and Lobster Burger. My favorite was the shrimp and crab toast, they were tasty small appetizers. I suppose the lobster burger was good but I wish it wasn't smashed to hell as if it were a crab cake. As for the golden gobbets- I probably would not order this ever again. It was so heavily seasoned that all I could taste was the breading and seasoning even after I left the restaurant. I felt that the breading and seasoning ratio to the chicken was way off. Unfortunately the honey didn't help either. It come in a cute container though. I wish I had a more positive experience food wise but it is what it is. I might come back when there's an alternative menu but probably not until then. read more

River Roast - Golden Gobbets, Lobster Burger - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Back again. It's really simple. The ambience is everything here. The food is amazing, through in the view.. You have a great place to dine out. Hope to visit here again some day! read more

Beautiful view of the river and so glad they got us a seat right by the window. The chicken roast and roast beef were so delicious and was cooked perfectly. Was a little salty to our taste but the flavors were good. Would come back here if ever in Chicago! read more

Drool-worthy roasted chicken This spot has been around since 2014! Another great spot to wrap up chicago restaurant week $59 . Perfect for large groups (there were team dinners for 12+ when we were there), events, or even just a beautiful date night with a view (sponsored : more on Instagram @midwestmunching) Got the : Mulled wine (thermos cocktail) Apple cider (thermos cocktail) One of each dish from the CRW menu to share. Sharing in order of the video Roasted chicken (apple wood smoke with crispy rosemary potatoes - not too salty and very flavorful through & through Fire Roasted Branzino - crispy and fatty skin topped with salsa Verde & roasted seasonal veggies (was celery, carrots, brussel sprouts this day) Chicken Pozole Verde - soups are "market soups" , so they cook what is best for that day. This chicken soup with lime, radish, large hominy, tomatillos, chile, lettuce, garlic was delicious . I've never had it before Chopped salad - great mix of olives, feta, super sweet cherry tomatoes, onions, roasted peppers & red wine vinaigrette! Pretty big portion too Carrot cake - turns out normal portions are 3x the size (I saw them make it, so impressive!). Topped with thin-sliced carrots + cinnamon sugar (just like cinnamon toast crunch cereal ) Raspberry Gelato - really delicious and not heavy on dairy. Had fresh raspberry seeds in it and super tart! Loved it read more

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Such great views and really high quality spinach artichoke dip!! Very creamy and with lots of actual spinach & artichokes - absolutely loved it! Wish I was hungrier so that we could've tried other items, highly recommended! read more

River Roast - Spinach Artichoke Dip - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We have had a couple work parties here and I have been very impressed: the place is huge, there are a lot of spaces including a big patio over the river which is as impressive as any river view restaurant. I don't specifically remember the food but it was overall good as we celebrated one of our first live events after the pandemic cleared out for crowds. A great memory of the space and the atmosphere pervades the memories of this venue. read more

Wow this place really surpassed my expectations! Every dish we had here was delicious and this is probably one of the best Mac and cheeses I've had. The staff was friendly but I will warn that they make the roast chickens to order so it may take an hour to get your food! The interior was very modern as well and I can't wait for it to get a little warmer so we can sit by the river! read more

River Roast - Mac and Cheese Broccolini Whole Roast Chicken Lamb Roast - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You cannot beat the the view here if you are on the patio. The food quite good depending on the day. .... But the host and service dismal. The reservation system makes no sense if you want to sit on the patio. Be careful if you go to enjoy happy hour as when we got the bill it was regular price. Bartender was clueless This used to be one of my favorite destinations. read more

I found this restaurant by accident today after hiking along the chicago Riverwalk. I'm sort of conflicted writing this review because I absolutely loved the view from my window seat and my charcuterie board was beyond delicious but my waitress was cold. My server and I didn't seem to mesh well this afternoon. When I entered the restaurant I was greeted by an extremely friendly hostess and she encouraged me to head downstairs to be seated. When I entered everything was extremely formal and no one acknowledged me so I wasn't sure if I should seat myself. A young lady didn't seem to understand what I was doing there and she asked me if I wanted a seat by the bar. I explained I actually wanted to relax and dine in so she let me pick a booth and I asked for a paper menu to make it easier. She gave me a small plastic plaque instead and encouraged me to scan the menu from my smartphone. I'm not a fan of downloading these codes but there were no other options. I asked if I could combine the meats with cheese for my charcuterie board and she said yes. I chose chicken liver pate, humboldt fog and a triple cream cheese. She insisted they were out of chicken liver pate and suggested I pick the prosciutto. I told her I definitely would prefer the liver pate but if they ran out of it they could substitute it for prosciutto. She presented me with this absolutely exquisite charcuterie board and said they definitely had chicken liver. I saw the mistake immediately when I saw only one cheese selection and prosciutto with the liver side by side. She suggested she could have the chef remake a brand new board for me and I hate seeing good food going to waste so I simply suggested she add the triple cream cheese instead of returning everything to the kitchen. She brought out a generous portion of the triple cream cheese and extra toasted sourdough bread that I asked for. After a certain point I simply couldn't eat anymore so she brought out the check and a box for my leftovers. She disappeared and never returned to pick up my credit card so I finally got up and brought everything to the cashier up front. My bill was a bit higher because I ended up paying extra for the cheese I originally asked for. The original cost of a 3 selection charcuterie is only $18 but because I wanted the extra cheese I had originally ordered I was charged a bit extra. I definitely love the decor here and the food I ordered was incredibly good. My server was cordial but chilly and I could tell she's probably used to more sophisticated clientele. I'm a very warm person so I felt awkward communicating with her throughout my dining experience and I felt a bit "off" after leaving. I came here with positive vibes and left feeling unimportant. I took note that the other servers were a bit friendlier to their customers but for some reason my server obviously didn't like me that much She's probably not comfortable serving hippies Noteworthy-- the other servers here seemed a lot friendlier to their customers than mine. Perhaps she was having a bad day and her attitude towards me had nothing to do with me but she definitely seemed preoccupied. The appetizers here definitely look promising so maybe you will enjoy a good dining experience. read more

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The insanely high prices on the menu didn't match the quality of the food served. Service and food experience were sub-par. We received a burnt piece of toast along our overpriced charcuterie board, which was not edible. I pointed this out to our server, and he said, "Yes, it's extra crispy," and laughed out loud, and walked away. He did not bother to ask if we wanted a replacement toast or apologize and comp us for a dessert at the end of the meal or something that would have been the right thing to do. Instead, we received his sarcasm in return. Honestly, any professional restaurant would have never let a burnt piece of toast leave the kitchen. We will never be back again. read more

River Roast - Burnt piece of toast with our appetizer. - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here in a Sunday (day after Christmas maybe?) Service is great Ambience is great. Too come to eat out (winter is here) Food pics below. Was it great? 1. Mushroom on top of bread reccomend by server but I thought it was ... mushroom on bread. 2. Burgers were good but not memorable. Would I return? It's a great restaurant (for a group or a couple on a date and yeah, even a family with out being noisy. The word 'convivial' comes to immune. But nothing sets it apart. Would be great to return in summer though and experience sitting in the outside by the river. read more

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I had one of the best meals I've eaten before at this restaurant! From the view, to the food, to the server, the whole experience was amazing. We ordered the rack of pork and the "golden goblets" appetizer and both were very generously portioned as well as delicious. I would also personally like to recommend the Paloma, it was really good! Overall it was a great experience and I am already looking forward to the next time I go here read more

One of my favorite places in the city -- I've never had a bad experience here! We came a couple weeks ago, late June, shortly after outdoor dining was allowed again post-lockdowns. Early in the day, the sun wasn't too unbearable and we were able to enjoy the cool breeze of the river on a beautiful day. There are no time-limits to the tables that we were made aware of, and being that the tables around us weren't filling up, we were content to order slowly and enjoy our courses at a comfortable pace. Excellent service, and everything we ordered was delicious, as always. We even opted for a second round of the oysters (don't judge -- it's been a long lockdown!) read more

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the food here is phenomenal! the golden gobbets (chicken bites) were so juicy and delicious, and some of the best avocado toast ever. my friend and i went for my birthday brunch and our server Jorge made it so special! drinks were fantastic, service was amazing - 10/10 recommend!! read more

We took seats at a high top in the bar on a night when the restaurant and patio were full and a group of about 16 was in the back. Service was significantly delayed and it took about an hour from ordering for food to arrive. IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT! The half branzino entrée, grilled octopus small plate, and broccolini side were perfectly cooked and delicious. The chili oil on the broccolini was a welcome punch of heat. A return visit is a must to try the chocolate cake that looked amazing but was too large for our party of two. read more

A colleague and I went to River Roast around 1 pm and were immediately seated outdoors. Our server, Allison greeted us and retrieved a menu for my colleague because she was having trouble with the QR code. We did not see her again until 1:42 when we had requested another server to go get her. She took our orders and then promptly delivered mushroom bread (I think to accommodate our wait) and quickly explained that she "got tied up inside." At 1:55 we decided we couldn't wait and asked that our order be bagged to go. It was brought out by another server along with the manager who took our cards. Allison brought our cards back and mumbled "sorry." Honestly, I'm confused about the level of service. It was crowded indoors or out, but we definitely felt forgotten and looked over. River Roast does have a nice view, but that's about it. read more

River Roast - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Made a reservation and stated I wanted to seat outside. They told me there was no more seating available outside so we sat inside. Watched two groups go and get seated outside.. not very impressed. read more

Great atmosphere and tasty food! We stopped in here for lunch. There was a nice lunch crowd - every table was happy! Our server Jose was great! He was very attentive, and took care of us. Lunch was really good! I had the Smoked Beef Chili. It was just the right amount, it had a little kick and I really enjoyed the smoky flavor. If you like chili, I think you'll like this too! The Chicken Pot Pies arrived at the table smoking hot! They were topped with a perfectly browned puff pastry crust. The filling was hearty - lots of chicken and veggies. Everything was just right! read more

What a pleasant surprise, had no idea I lived so close to this spot! It's not one of the spots people often talk about, overshadowed by the nearby RPM restaurants, the steakhouses on Kinzie and the restaurant Mecca close by on Clark and Hubbard. Overall there were some hits! Favorite dishes here were the burrata and the prime rib. On the burrata - couldn't tell what kind of fruit was on there! The cheese was really creamy and the bread was toasted to the right level. I personally like my beef a little fattier and more tender, which this prime rib actually wasn't, but it was cooked perfectly to medium rare and the quality of the beef was solid. I felt while the chicken was seasoned pretty heavily the inside was a little bit dry and bland. Mac and cheese is a run-of-the-mill mac, which is to say pretty good but nothing to write home about! These brussels aren't super crispy (despite being fried) but if you like steamed brussels you'll like these. Would check it out again, it's a convenient spot! read more

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it was a bummer that it rained the morning before we went for lunch so we didn't get to eat outside as requested on the reservation since it was wet. however, they did put us at the window which i am guessing is because we requested the outdoor seating before and that was super great. the view even from the inside was great and the service was as well. our server was super attentive and nice! we went for sunday brunch so we were able to order off the brunch menu. what we got: street corn (10/10 yUMz): this is a MUST GET if you LOVE sweet corn. it was so sweet and fresh, not mushy at all and well seasoned. i literally could have eaten the entire thing myself. it is a great dish to share with family or friends and tastes super refreshing. chicken roast (10/10 YUMz): this was better than any roast we've had in the bay area. it wasn't dry at all, not too salty and was super well seasoned. it had that smoky flavor to it and the half portion was enough for me and my mom with the corn on the side. the potatoes on the side that come with it are also so crispy and well seasoned. the inside is fluffy. definitely order this! omelet: won't give a review on this because it was supposed to have ham but we took it out since my dad is vegetarian. it was a good portion and was tasty, but just like an ordinary omelet. also came with the potatoes! fruit crumble (7/10 yumz): i think this just wasn't suited for our taste since it was a little sour (it was the apple one). there are two scoops of ice cream on top and the portion of fruit is HUge but we felt like it needed a third scoop to balance the sourness a bit. if you love a sour apple pie (especially the filling), this is for you. we also got the cranberry and orange juice and they were both good. they don't water it down with ice so the cranberry juice was a tad bit warm when it came but the orange juice was great! would come here again :) read more

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We came here on a work trip and booked out the bottom floor dining room. The prime rib was phenomenal and their tomato pasta was amazing too. I didn't get any pics of the food but the fact that the river was right next to us elevated the entire experience. I stayed consistent and had a few rye sours, which was a great way to end the night. Would def come back read more