I've wanted to try the River Cafe for a long time for their seasonal fare and the location.
The Good: The ambiance is phenomenal. It's like a little cottage nestled in the heart of the park and it's especially pretty with a winter/Christmas feel. You can't beat the location.
The food was also mostly quite good. We shared the fish and game board to start (24). The housemade crackers were a nice touch and they had a delicious buttery taste. For dinner I had the Noble Farms Duck Breast (42) and my husband had the 'Bite' Beef Tenderloin (46). The dishes were all enjoyable and well-presented.
The service was average. A hint of pretension but attentive service overall. Waters were kept topped off and we didn't wait too long.
The Bad: It's the little details. Plates that are too big for the size of the tables so that every plate being delivered feels a bit treacherous (make sure you duck and get ready to move your cutlery). A miniscule pat of butter along with the bread to serve four people (is there a butter shortage I'm not aware of?) The Pecan Butter Tart (11) for dessert was really only so-so. It was overcooked and dry, I had a hard time breaking it into pieces with just my fork. (If you wish you had a knife, it's probably not a great tart). And finally, River Cafe, when I pay $180 for a two-person meal it'd be nice to have a mint or something along with the cheque. Even a tiny chocolate mint to sweeten the blow a little!
The Ugly: This one is entirely on me, but don't wear heels. There is no parking nearby and you will have to walk about ten minutes from your car to the restaurant itself in the park.
Overall, River Cafe is an experience worth having. Go with your sweetie or family for a special occasion and if the price tag is a bit much for you, skip appetizers, go for one of the delicious main meals and have a few housemade truffles (3 ea) with a hot beverage. Linger and soak up the atmosphere because it truly is a lovely restaurant with great surroundings.