River Restaurant

The river would most likely have both better quality food and service if it did not have a bunch of heroin addicts working there. Rick (the owner) should choose his staff more wisely because there are more drugs in and out of that place then some of the streets in the valley. When the staff is high or drunk it does not make for a relaxing dinner. And considering they took some of the staff from their competing restaurant Roselands you may as well just go to roselands. Better service and quality food. You won't find dope in your lasagna......

Posted 10/02/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

The food is delicious & plentiful; the staff is very polite & caters to your every need; the owners make you feel very welcome & go out of their way to make sure your visit is everything you expected & more; the band on friday night was amazing & talented and looking forward to my next visit very soon...A very enjoyable evening & would recomend to anyone! See you at the River :)

Posted 08/23/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

We make a point of having dinner at the River Restaurant least once or twice a month. We have never had a bad meal. The eggplant parm is the best and the angel hair pasta with asparagus and egg is amazing. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive to the customer's wishes. We request Diane whenever possible. She always has a smile and makes you feel like you are among friends. We were pleasantly surprised to find live music last night. The music selection and volume was perfect. Make a point of dining out a the River Restaurant and I guarantee you will be pleased. Kathleen A

Posted 08/08/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I visited my family in the Valley and all they kept saying was that I had to go to the "NEW" River Restaurant while I was there. Well, I did. What a wonderful atmosphere and friendly feeling you are greeted with as you walk into the restaurant. The wonderful aroma of good cooking is obvious and the staff makes everyone feel right at home. One of the owners, came to greet us at our table and low and behold, it was an ole' high school friend of mine. Kudos to the owners, the chef, the staff for an outstanding dining experience. Everyone should try the River Restaurant....I know I will be back when I am back in Derby in September.
Bernadette Anglace LaRocque

Posted 07/30/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

honestly it was a very bad experience, the waitress (Diane) messed up and had the nerve to argue with us continuously and charge us for not only the error but the fix. NOT COOL

Posted 06/22/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I went there Friday night and there was a nice band playing. The music was at perfect volume and complimented my dinner ,,,which of course was fabulous

Posted 06/22/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I recently enjoyed a meal with my wife, two children, my parents, and my grandmother on a Friday evening. All except my wife are lifetime Valley residents, but we all definitely know good Italian food from bad. The food was excellent and the service was impeccable. I would recommend the "new" River to all and it is quite a drastic improvement over the previous version. No idea what Mary B. is talking about below about the food quality. In addition, unless she works for the CT Department of Labor, I have no idea why she would even put in writing this particular employee "must be under age." I think youthful looking, polite, and hard working are more appropriate descriptions of this young man. Anyway, visit the new River Restaurant and give it a try. You will not be disappointed and it is much less expensive than one particular renowned (and extremely overpriced) pizza joint in Derby - that is for certain!

Posted 03/03/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

We went to the River Restaurant under the new ownership and we were very pleased with the food and the service.We will be going back on a regular basis and we will tell all our family and friends about it.

Posted 02/12/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I have eaten here, under new management, 4 different times and have tried different foods each visit. Everything was cooked to perfection, very tasty and was served by professional waite staff. The owners are always available to meet and greet and are very friendly and accomodating. The bar area is quite an improvement and the traveling accordian player on Friday evenings is so nice. This is now a wonderful family place as well as a great place to meet with friends for drinks. I am proud to have this establishment in our town.

Posted 01/19/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

The old River was much better. The previous owners were much nicer, and gave the place a much more family-type atmosphere. Now, there's nothing but stiff owners who can be very rude, who I've seen mistreat their employees, and overpriced foods that aren't even that great. I was sat in the back, and I heard how many times the kitchen messed up orders, and then heard the owners yelling at the waitstaff for it. Very unprofessional and very unfair to those employees. Not to mention a very young boy working there, which I'm sure isn't legal. I wouldn't reccommend it, not with the new owners. They were very rude to my family and I, and I'll never go back there again. It's not worth the cost.

Posted 01/17/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

how can anyone say a restaurant will have you digging in your pockets, when your ordering pizza!! haha i love this place,oohhh!!!what an improvment.great place

Posted 01/03/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

Ordered a pizza to see what the buzz was about. Apparently the chef from a competing Italian restaurant had taken over the kitchen, and my curosity was peaked.Save your money-Go to Alberto's in Seymour for a good, tasty, not too thick, not to thin pizza. The one from River was too thin, loaded with cornmeal on the bottom and the crust was just not up to par. They were also a little stingy on the cheese, the former owners were not.
Will probably try one entree before I completely erase it from my choice restaurants, we'll see. Definitely not impressed!!

Posted 11/21/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

The River Restaurant now features a new menu and underwent some major remodeling. There are three 42" plasmas located in the bar room and a new separate area for a la carte spillover and private parties. The new owners are Derby guys and the new manager has a massive amount of successful restaurant experience in Fairfield county. The menu is unique and the chef puts a nice flare into traditional Italian dining. Prices are more than reasonable and entree portions are ample. The pizza and sauce are all new and you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend the River Restaurant for an affordable quality dining experience.

Posted 11/17/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

Great restaurant. Highly recommended soon as it will be under new management. I've heard the place is getting completely overhauled, very exciting for anyone in the valley!

Posted 09/08/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

The food at the River Restaurant is always good and ample. The staff is excellent and gets to know you like old friends. A great place to stop for lunch or dinner and inexpensive too.

Posted 01/09/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I absolutely love this place...They are very efficent workers & the food is great.I had their shrimp dinner.It was worth every penny I paid for it..The place is always clean& not too crowded.Service was excellent.

Posted 12/30/07 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I like River Restaurant. I go here with my parents on a regular basis. They are consistent. the service is always good. The prices are very reasonable. It is a great place for a quick lunch when you are out shopping.

Posted 12/28/07 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

If I think it was better I pick more stars.But I dont like it.I dont like it because I want better and I find it to.I dont like not fresh food.Somethings is falling apart so I know its not fresh.I have chiken and its not to good or fresh.

PROS: not fresh for me
CONS: to much money for this place and food

Posted 10/26/06 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I had shrimp with bean sprouts.
The food I ordered and that of my family's was ALL LIMP .
It isn't a very good quality place to eat.
It doesn't have the freshness I look for and judge by.

PROS: none
CONS: Limp And Stale

Posted 10/21/06 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

WELL, THIS PLACE WILL HAVE YOU DIGGING IN YOUR POCKETS AS IT IS OVER PRICED FOR THE QUALITY.
THE FOOD IS AVERAGE AND NOT ANYTHING MORE.
IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA , YOU CAN TRY IT.
LOOKING FOR BETTER PIZZA ? TRY ALBERTO'S IN SEYMOUR.
I LEFT DISSATISFIED.

PROS: AVERAGE ITALIAN FOOD
CONS: BIG BILL

Posted 10/07/06 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Some of their food is good. The sauce is lousy and I can't stand the fact they don't drain their pasta properly. There's ALWAYS a half inch of water at the bottom of the bowl!

My father adores their Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing. Says it's the best.

PROS: Decent food. Nice staff.
CONS: Lousy sauce.

Posted 04/10/06 | Report Abuse

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Posted 11/13/05 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Have been going to this restaurant for many years (even when they were in a different location). They make a sauce like no other restaurant...excellent italian food. The seafood is ok, so we opt for anything italian on the menu and it's always great. Although smoking is no longer allowed in restaurants, I always seem to pick up on cigarette smoke in the bar section when we go there which is a huge turnoff..only a doorway separates the two ares. The prices are a bit pricey for the food, but you can not deny that the italian food is really one of the best around !!!

PROS: Great Italian Food, Casual Atmosphere
CONS: A bit pricey ...especially for such a casual atmosphere

Posted 11/11/05 | Report Abuse

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?