River Café (Brooklyn)

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Not to be confused with The River Café (London).
River Café
The River Cafe at night.jpg
Restaurant information
Established1977
Head chefBrad Steelman
CityNew York City
StateNew York
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°42′13.28″N 73°59′41.47″W / 40.7036889°N 73.9948528°W / 40.7036889; -73.9948528Coordinates: 40°42′13.28″N 73°59′41.47″W / 40.7036889°N 73.9948528°W / 40.7036889; -73.9948528
Websitewww.rivercafe.com

The River Café is a restaurant located in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn, in New York City. The building was founded in 1977 by Michael O’Keefe, who also owns The Water Club in Manhattan.[1] Past chefs include David Burke, Larry Forgione, and Charlie Palmer. As of 2017, chef Brad Steelman had been there for 17 years.[2] The restaurant has been reviewed twice by the New York Times and received two stars both times.[3][4]

Hurricane Sandy[]

River Café on Water Street

The restaurant is located on an underwater pier in the East River[5] and was damaged by flooding during Hurricane Sandy.[1] The damage included corroded wire, lost food and wine, and the destruction of antiques and a piano. Walls also needed replacement after the storm due to mold.[6] The restaurant was closed for over a year while being repaired, despite hopes that it would open either on the anniversary of the storm or around Thanksgiving in 2013.[7]

Criticism[]

In 2012, the restaurant was accused of discriminating against Jewish patrons.[8] Workers alleged that reservationists were instructed to alert the maître d'hôtel if Hasidic clients requested a seat at the restaurant's main bar using the phrase "Is there space for two at the water bar?". An employee denied these claims. However, the New York Post sent a Hasidic couple and two reporters to the restaurant to see if the minimum would be enforced for both pairs. The Hasidic couple was charged a minimum, while the reporters were not.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Satran, Joe (30 October 2012). "River Cafe, Flooded By Storm Surge, One Of Many NYC Restaurants Hit Hard By Hurricane Sandy". Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  2. ^ Miller, Bryan (31 July 2017). "View From the River Café: 40 Years of Feasts and Firsts". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  3. ^ Wells, Pete (20 May 2014). "An Old Flame Reignited". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  4. ^ Grimes, William (13 February 2002). "RESTAURANTS; A Magnet for Lovers, And Chefs, Too". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  5. ^ Miller, Bryan (31 July 2017). "View From the River Café: 40 Years of Feasts and Firsts". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  6. ^ Bellafante, Gina (9 November 2012). "At River Café, a Loss of the Finer Things". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  7. ^ Fabricant, Florence (17 December 2013). "River Café Opens Again After Hurricane Sandy". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  8. ^ a b Karni, Annie (21 October 2012). "DUMBO restaurant The River Cafe discriminates against Jews: workers". The New York Post. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
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