This Edgewater restaurant’s reputation for fine dining and top-of-the-line service is well deserved. Hudson Reporter art director Jennifer Martiak and I visited early on a Wednesday evening. It was an easy drive up River Road just a mile south of the George Washington Bridge. The minute we turned into the parking lot a valet appeared to park the car.
The maitre d’ gave us the choice of the main dining room or the bar area. The booths are large, and we immediately chose one near the bar. Soft lights, large decorative champagne bottles, and green tableclothes make for a quiet, peaceful dining environment. A glass partition separating the bar from the tables was etched with New York scenes, emphasizing the restaurant’s “edge-water” locale.
River Palm prides itself on its new sushi menu. Chef Andy, the sushi chef, came out from the kitchen to greet us and then produced an exquisite lobster and tuna work of art. You’re given a choice of regular or low-salt soy sauce. We took the low salt, and you couldn’t tell the difference.
Chris, our waiter, was not only attentive but extremely helpful when we found ourselves unable to decide among the many enticing entrees. He explained that if I wanted well-done steak, T-bone was the way to go. It was cooked all the way through though still tender and flavorful. Jennifer had her eye on fish, and Chris steered her toward a delectable grilled king salmon with champagne mustard sauce. She ordered a sinful mound of mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy. We accompanied the meal with a Pinot grigio and cold Stella.
A family-style green salad with crumbled bleu cheese was brought to the table. Chris tossed and served it. And though there was plenty of fresh warm bread, we really didn’t have room for it. In fact, both of us requested that our unfinished entrees be packed up, so that we could take them home. Chris thoughtfully included salad without dressing so that it would not be soggy when we returned to it.
We finished with a chocolate layer cake. Chris asked if we wanted anything with it. We chose a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and again, he did the honors, splitting the cake and serving it to us on separate plates. With fresh, hot coffee, it was a perfect finale to a perfect dining experience.
Whether you want to stop by River Palm’s friendly bar after work or celebrate a romantic occasion, The River Palm Terrace will never disappoint.—Kate Rounds
River Palm Terrace
1416 River Road
Edgewater
(201) 224-2013