The River House

love the food. great wine selection, the only thing is that the room always clears out super early. The staff always look at you like you should be leaving and they want you out around 10.
we like dinner and drinks to take a few hours so its unfortunate we always feel rushed. I figure if we are spending heaps of money why not stay and serve us with a smile? if you want to have dinner? great place!
if you want to have dinner and drinks and relax… go somewhere else! or the staff will stare you down until you’re so uncomfortable you leave.

Excellent atmosphere, service and a memorable meal. I highly recommend, I will be back.

We went to this restaurant when we first moved to St Albert over 15 years ago. Found it overpriced, tired, musty… never returned. Until this past weekend. We’d heard it was under new ownership… waitress said it’s already been 3 years, who knew? Redecorated. warm, inviting, classic, .fantastic. Yes, it’s pricey, but the food was great! I have to agree with a Google reviewer who said they should consider offering the lovely brioche complimentary before the meal.:) The mussels in particular, absolutely delicious! The broth was so complex and flavourful. We’re happy to return with the added bonus of supporting local! Great job!

This was a tough one to rate… the food was really good and fresh and my girlfriend and I nice time. I had the gnocchi and she had the «pasta of the day». But I felt it was really over priced for what we got. The bill was over a $ 100 and all we ordered was 2 appies, one drink each and our meals (which where the cheapest on the menu). I could be wrong but I personally feel it was over priced.

Great St. Albert spot. Creative chef specials, and a good wine list.

I love coming here for brunch on the weekend. The Spa Bennie is like no other! They have a large selection of coffees, teas and lattes as well as a menu that changes seasonally! Definitely recommend this restaurant.

Not usually do I do updates on restaurants but when I give out 5 stars, it better be as good as when I went there the last time.
Foie Gras & Toast — changed the brioche from my last review which was a huge disappointment as what they gave this time did not pair as well with the foie butter. The foie was still very good but changing that element really changed the flavors of the whole dish
Chefs special of duo of lobster — it was very good but not to the 5 star level
Steak — sous vide which you don’t see this technique used very often around here. Very tender and excellent flavors.
Wine Selection — good. We ordered their best wines and the price on them didn’t make you feel like it owed you a free meal
Service — excellent. Our server was very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.
Sorry River House but this time the food did not hit the 5 star mark but I will be back, maybe you can earn it back.

I was so looking forward to going, Sat in booth beside kitchen just to notice wall and intire back of booth covered in flys so gross. Witch made enjoying the awesome food impossible didn’t even get to have dessert because of it. We had to eat our food so fast because of the flys flying around trying to land on us and our food. So disappointed I have wanted to try this restaurants for so long.

Great place
Location and food is one of the best. We booked a reservation through Unilocal and I found that be be a super easy experience and I would do it again. We chose to sit on the patio. We had the crab cakes to start which were fantastic. I had a tough time choosing a entrée as most of them look good. The rib eye won my eye and it did no disappoint. Dessert I chose crème brûlée. It was good not the best I have had but tasty.
The prices were decent for portions given. I don’t drink but I did appreciate a half price refill on soda.
I will be back for sure

WOW!
I eat out very frequently at high end places in Edmonton and Vancouver. River House is as good as the best in those cities. They cooked my halibut to perfection and my friends were just as happy with their meals.
Easily the best surprise find that I’ve made this year.

Beautiful cute location. Decent service. But I’m not gonna lie they good was no more then decent. Really disappointing because it’s such a cute place but my husband and I ordered quite a bit of things from the menu and we just didn’t find anything great.

Every time I have been to the Riverhouse Grill my expectations have been raised, and always equalled. The food is superb, the service is even better, and everyone is super nice, from the staff down to the chefs. Highly recommended.

Great simple food. Fresh. fine ingredients. With lovely sauces. A lovely atmosphere that has impecable service.
I came here for a staff function with about 30 people. We took most of the restaurant but it did not feel crowded at all.
The service was perfect, timed perfectly and provided everything and more when needed.
I normally fancy steak but the salmon was what was calling me that particular night. So I switched it up. Omigod it was the most tender juicest salmon I had ever had! It was topped with a heavenly yellow sauce. The salmon was seasoned perfectly with a healthy taste that I literally licked my plate clean. I did sneak a taste of the steak too and it was quite good. But the salmon is divine. The best ive had EVER! It tasted like it was caught in bc that morning…
The deserts and coffees finished are meals off quite nicely. But the highlight was the salmon. You must try it! I would rate it as the best seafood entrée in edmonton and area! If I can make it back I will defintly be back for this dish.

Came for my birthday dinner and everything was amazing! The appetizers were fantastic! Then the main course arrived and my taste buds hit the truffle chilli sauce! WOW WOW WOW!!! This is the best sauce I have ever had! Then Chef Steve came out to offer me a bottle to take home as a gift! This place is such a hidden Gem!!! Can’t wait to come back!

I’ve dined at the River House several times now but most recently I sampled their Crab Cake with pepper sauce on arugula with a lemon oil at the Sturgeon County Wind and Food Festival this past Saturday, on 2013-​10-​05.
I must say that of all the restaurant/​food vendors at the festival, the River House had the best item to order for both value and taste!
The crab cake was cooked to perfection and complimented perfectly by the pepper sauce.
A+ River House.
Bites like these are the exact reason I will continue to pick you for special nights out!

After the Unilocal Elite event, I had to come back and hopefully taste the creative dishes. Unfortunately for us, chef Steven was not in and to our dismay, the menu had changed and we could not have the charcuterie.
We both started off with a glass of Mascato which I knew could be big trouble. It was was so subtle and mouth watering that you could probably finish a bottle and not even realize it.
We then had the beet and goat cheese salad and scallop proscuitto for appetizers. I’m not a fan of pungent smelling cheeses but this salad has made me a fan of goat cheese. Paired with a sorbet, the cheese just melts in your mouth with the sweet and savory beets.
The scallops were one of the largest scallops I’ve ever eaten, seared on the tops while retaining the moisture on the insides. It was buttery smooth and had a good contrast to the salty dried proscuitto. What I really enjoyed about the scallops was the dressing and crunchy bread crumbs that were decorated on the dish. It added smaller complexities which forced me to really slow down eating and enjoy the finer details.
Based on the server’s recommendation, we had the bison tenderloin and salmon with chilli aoili. I’ve never had bison before but as far as I could tell, i could not taste any game-​y-​ness. It was cooked just right to medium-​rare and the parsnip purée was an excellent touch.
The salmon was incredible as it was topped with dried shredded brussel sprouts encompassed by a fluffy chilli aoili which reminded me of an Asian influence. It was interesting to see a balance of western and eastern cuisine fused into this dish.
What I was really impressed with was the accomodation the staff was to our meals. The chefs came up with a play on chocolate mint ice cream for dessert complete with candied rose petals. It was delicious to have the mint chocolate ice cream melt in your mouth followed by a fruity candy burst of flavor by the rose petal. I can’t stress how much the staff went above and beyond to ensure our experience was memorable.
My only complaint which in my mind was redeemed as the dinner service went on was there was a lapse in time where we were both waiting for our server to return to take our orders. But to their credit, they were quite tentative and accomodating after our orders were taken!
Dinner was approximately $ 150 for two.
Will definitely recommend and return here.

Okay, I admit it, I was sceptical going in… Let’s start at the beginning: I met the new Head Chef of The River House at an industry event, he said his goal was to be «the best restaurant in Edmonton within the next year»… Ya, that’s what I though too: good luck buddy! I mean, in life you have to be your own biggest supporter, your own number one fan (y’all know I’m the Prez of the I Heart Jennie M. Fan Club!) so I immediately admired his tenacity, his brava, his well, prairie oysters at making such a bold sentiment. He and his words stuck with me over the next week, and when I was long over due for a date night with my BFF, whom resides in StA, I figured time to see what this place was all about!
Now being born and raised with family that lives out in Etown’s trendy Northern burb-​city, I have seen the River House. How could you not? It’s a gigantic, old fashioned mansion on the side of the Sturgeon River, smack dab on St Albert Trail! Entering the place I was struck by the gorgeous veranda that wraps around the side of the building, as well as the structure of the place. The River House its self is separated into two smaller rooms, a dinning room that is quaint and has a 1920’s feel to it. As well as another room that that looks like it was perhaps redecorated in the last 10 years and it is well, not good. There is no delicate way to say this, the light fixtures look like sperm ready to shoot off from steel holding bays. And the art work clashes garishly with what the feel of the building is emitting. But, we all know it is All About The Food; I don’t care if I’m on a park bench or a back alley, if the food blows me away (pun not intended), I’m a fan!
The food, simply put, is spectacular. Chef Steve has been well trained, has vision and creativity is pushing the limits as what this sleepy culinary town has seen before. He has taken your Grandfather’s steak and potatoes and gastronomically exploded it into this decade! The menu is well balanced, although utterly lacking in the true description of how elegant and amazing each dish is; I’m thinking serious re-​write!
No matter what you order, or if you are just in for wine, order the in-​house marinated olives. The are encased in jars with peach hickory smoke that oozes out as the jar is opened; it is an experience that stimulates and delights taste, smell and sight all at the same time. Amazing! By far my favourite dish is the baked Halibut topped with crispy prosciutto, bathed in a smoked tomato broth with goat cheese, basil and fire roasted sun dried tomato house made ravioli. I have had this dish 3x now, I dream about this dish! I also love the Fois Gras; with toast and red grape reduction — So smooth, buttery soft, crazy amazing. And my final major mention is to the soy lime Beef Short Ribs on garlic mash with green apple purée and julienned snap peas. It is a delectable carnivore’s dream! And to top everything off, there is always an outstanding amuse bûche sorbet to cleanse you pallet. From Pineapple, to Earl Grey & Lavender, to beet & wild honey, they are always fantastic.
Well done River House, well done!

Although I’ve not had a full meal at the River House, I did enjoy probably the best appetizer of my life here and would encourage you to try the Scallops with Prosciutto. It was a bit pricey and a bit slow to arrive, but worth both every cent and minute. Firstly, it’s a work of art, and looks like the plate was created by someone who really appreciated the food and wanted to insure that you did as well. The flavors were wonderful — three large sea scallops with thinly dried prosciutto «chips» or slices, on a bed of bleu cheese ganache — don’t worry if that might sound like a strange pairing, it’s incredibly delicious and I would definitely order it again with pleasure.
(Also worth mentioning — every staff person we encountered was friendly, helpful, and attentive, happy to answer questions and make us feel welcomed)

Intimate and romantic yet still appropriate for a family, business meeting or gathering with friends that enjoy good food and wine;) I would definately take a client here if I wanted to impress them. The staff was youthful and friendly and helped make the whole experience enjoyable.
The décor was a little dark for me personally but it had a nice mix of old meets new.
The locally sourced food had decent portions (not big, just filling) and the menu was modern and fun yet still enjoyable for even the simplest of palates.
My husband and I can’t wait to go back for our 5year anniversary in July!

Thank goodness I did my research ahead of time because I would have ended up at Ricky’s with the rest of the crew — yuck.
This is a cute little restaurant in an older looking building just off St Albert trail. The building itself is only 20 years old, but it had a lot of character. Rivet House Café has been around for 10 years. Before that, this place was a home for some commercial housing and an art gallery, so I was told.
They have a pretty simple menu. All of their starters are either a type of soup or salad which was kind of weird, but it all looked good so I didn’t mind. If you want to share a starter, they charge a $ 3 for splitting it — also strange. I ordered the blended lentil soup with lemon yogurt to start. It was perfectly mild in taste and the lemon yogurt gave it a nice little kick. I got the center cut angus sirloin. It was a huge 12oz steak grilled with pink peppercorns topped with a chipotle butter, balsamic drizzle, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The best part about a good restaurant is that you get REAL vegetables! Everything was very good except that my steak was a little too well done for my liking.
Last thoughts: the food was good but there were some things that could have been better. However, the service was great, the venue is very cute, and the washrooms? Super tiny! (just as cramped at Ming in Calgary)
¹⁸⁄₃₀