Bradenton has waited a long time for a restaurant like the new Riverhouse Reef and Grill, the latest occupant on the end of the Palmetto pier stretching out to the middle of the Manatee River.
Other restaurants have tried to make a go of this wonderful location.
My prediction: the Riverhouse will succeed where others have failed, given the unbeatable combination of great food, affordable prices, tropical ambiance and fabulous sunsets.
Good food like good movies linger in mind long after they are experienced.
Seven days after my first foray to the Riverhouse I am still savoring the Kickin’ Shrimp, listed on the menu as an appetizer for $7.99, but in any other restaurant would be considered a portion large enough for an entree. Picture one half-pound of nice-sized shrimp — sweet and plump, lightly breaded and sauteed to perfect crispness and then tossed with a Thai-style hot sauce.
I can still see them heaped high and nestled on a bed of greens arranged a rectangular plate. I can still taste the first bite. First the crisp crunch, then the sweet shrimp offset by the zing of lime and the sizzle of mild hot sauce that enhanced the flavors, but did not burn the tongue.
My friend and I shared a plate, the perfect portions for a lunch appetizer. I made a mental note to come back and have a full plate for myself.
I would pair the Kickin’ Shrimp with an Island Time salad for $3.99: mixed greens topped with strawberries, mandarin oranges, red onion and feta cheese with a honey-lime dressing and crunchy rice noodles for a perfect lunch.
For her entree, my friend chose a BBQ flat — diced grilled chicken tossed with sweet hot barbecue sauce served on a wheat flour flatbread. Red onions, roasted red peppers and scallions were sprinkled on top then covered with melted provolone cheese. Price: $7.49.
My friend really enjoyed the sweet/spicy flavor of the barbecue sauce and the sharp-tasting provolone cheese. For a side, she ordered a serving of the Riverfront’s fruit ambrosia, $1.99, a heaping bowl of citrus fruit, whipped cream, coconut and marshmallows. She smiled with the first bite.
I found choosing an entree difficult, given the wide variety of fish, chicken and barbecue sandwiches and flats ranging in price from $6.99 to $10.99.
I finally opted for something for the Graham Cracker Crusted Stuffed Chicken, along with a freshly brewed glass of ice tea.
The serving was enormous: five ounces of breaded chicken wrapped around broccoli, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese and topped with a mushroom gravy for $6.99. The graham cracker breading was a sweet surprise, but I must admit I just couldn’t get my mind off of those Kickin’ Shrimp.
We both agreed we needed to come back for dinner. Choices ranged from a full rack of Island ribs for $16.95, Lobster Pot Pie for $12.99, Melt in Your Mouth Butterfish (which is an Alaskan Black Cod) marinated in sweetened rice wine for $16.99, not to forget Hawaiian Chicken served with fire-roasted pineapple salsa for $10.99.
On the pricier side, offerings includes king crab for $25.99 and steamed lobster tails for $25.99.
If you need any other reasons to try the Riverhouse consider the attention to detail from excellent service to attractive tables and chairs perfectly matched for comfort. The height of the table is exactly right for the height of the chair. That may seem a small thing, but that kind of attention in the front room usually means that what goes on in kitchen is just as exacting.
We couldn’t handle dessert, but the offerings were awesome from Key lime pie to Chocolate-Chocolate cake to the Dessert Shooter of the Day — pie filling and whipped cream served in a martini glass.
Now that’s class.
Donna Wright, health and social services reporter, can be reached at 745-7049,
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