The Riverside

Sad sad sad! Used to a wonderful place… now you get half baked service with smaller portions higher prices skip it you want GREAT steaks and GREAT service just go to Lafayette’s Long star worth it

no kidding, they didn’t cook one side of my rib-​eye. Then they laughed about it. i ordered the rib-​eye (medium rare) because they said the steaks are hand cut there. it arrived with grill marks on one side, but nothing – not one bit of grill evidence – on the other side. they comped me one beer. what a sleaze-​hole.

We used to go here weekly but as of late seems the portions are smaller and we have stopped going as the prices for the amount you get is a little disappointing. The food usually tastes good and is prepared to your request. Too bad they don’t offer some type of rolls or homemade bread with the dinners. The salads could be bigger IMO as well.

Great service and better food! Waitress was super nice was greeted with a smile and everyone was friendly. First time here and will definitely be back. Got to set by window and watch the river was neat getting to watch it up so high. Awesome time to eat and great scenery.

Worst steak I’ve ever had– and I ordered filet! 28.00 for filet and scallops were cold when I got them. Steak had no char flavor. They were generous with alcohol, but service was very slow. They were out of Saturday night appetizer special (Mushroom caps) at 5:30pm. Everyone at table said Meals were average at best.

Went to this resturant for dinner while visiting a friend. It was a large party of 12 and we were in there by 8:00pm. Plenty of time before closing, they get some tables together and we sit down. The waitress starts with the specials says «I’m forgetting something» a man comes from the doorway and she turns around and kisses him and tells him have a good night and then just picks back up with what the soups are. NOT COOL. We place orders and when the appetizers come out they are missing a few and there are no condiments for them. The lady next to me had a soup and got no crackers, the guy across from me had to ask for new silverware about two times. While they were removing plates there was never a «Are you done with that?» Just grab and go, while doing this they bumped several members of our party and did not say excuse me. Finally we get our orders after about 35 mins of waiting and the waitress gets sauce on a serving plate, WIPES IT WITH HER FINGER and places the plate down. So the lady next to me ask for a new one and says «Oh Honey, there is nothing wrong with a little ranch sauce, SEE!» as she carelessly spills some on herself and the guest. This is rude and how does she know if she is allergic or not? She doesn’t. This service was all around poor. There were three people that brought out plates and then just walked away leaving the one waitress to pass out everyone’s meal. I don’t know if that is common service they give but coming from Chicago when there is a large party there are two servers or more passing out plates. This place is just not up to date on customer service. Let a chili’s or a Fridays come to that town and this establishment can close up shop. I feel sorry for the locals that have to deal with that. Please know you deserve better!

This place is supposed to be known for steaks but my prime rib was tasteless expressive and nothing special except along river

First time I went had to have been 20 years ago… Have been there a few times since but this year, we practically lived down in Monticello and just had to make a stop. Not easy to go, since we have a youngster, but we made it! Man was I not disappointed! Love, love, love the mushrooms!!! Steak was excellent, drinks were great!

I took my daughter and girl friend in on a Friday night, We walked in and it was so loud, we sat in the bar area, the waitress came to our table around 5 minute after we sat down, took our drink order, the table next to us came in after we did, they received there drinks and appetizer before we got our drinks. I order a hamburger my daughter and girl friend order the shrimp, they cook all the flavor out of the burger. That will be the last time I will every go into Riverside restaurant

Came here on leave a bit ago. It is a good environment. Waitresses are funny with good personalities. The food is great and the bar is great. Prime rib is on point and I don’t know if they serve it still, but the cheeseburger soup was like nothing I’ve had before.

I’ve stayed in Monticello quite extensively the past 8 months. The Riverside is usually my go-​to. Good beer prices, great food (I haven’t been disappointed yet) great staff (Tianna is a star!) and an all-​around lovely watering hole. I can’t wait until they actually open up the deck though.

LOTS OF POTENTIAL, ASK LOCALS FIRST
Casual place with a lot of potential.
Ask a group of locals about The Riverside and you’ll get mixed reactions. Some people like it, some people turn up their noses. It’s all about their experiences and reactions, so the place must have good days and bad days.
My personal opinion is that it’s okay for a casual meal (sandwiches and comfort food) or a relaxing beer. I’ve never had a bad meal or a bad experience.
Of all of Monticello’s places, Riverside has about as much potential as any. But I guess what that means «wait and see» what the current owners do with it.

They say «he who smelt it, dealt it,» and this place dealt me some smelt. I’ve never had smelt before. I liked it. Nummers.

It’s just ok. The food cost too much for the amount and quality.

This is my second time eating at The Riverside in the three years I’ve lived here, but I heard from the owners of The Cottage Shops that The Riverside had changed owners, and that the owner was wealthy, knew what good food should taste like and had brought this experience to The Riverside. Upon walking into the restaurant, I noticed nothing had changed in the interior. It was still tired tables and chairs. The décor was still fishing whimsy. The staff though was much friendlier and more attentive. We got to chose our own table which made a huge difference since our food didn’t even fit on the table they seated us at the last time.
The menu did not look like it had changed at all, but I noticed they had some specials that actually and surprisingly looked impressive, like a varied and plentiful variety of surf and turf, for higher than average prices for a diner in Monticello but good for seafood and what you would expect for a fancy restaurant. I don’t think The Riverside is a fancy restaurant and not even close to being on par with The Sportsman, but it might be a smidge above Harvest Time, USA and Anglers. It’s the only real seafood restaurant in town. I got the fried shrimp and rib-​eye steak with rice pilaf. I loved the fried shrimp, but the rib-​eye was still sub par. I think it has more to do with the cut of meat (too thin) than the chef though. It’s hard to cook something that thin medium rare.
Other than being able to look out at the running river (that portion of Lake Freeman), I wouldn’t consider this a romantic date place. Also, everyone in here is 55 years old and up and/​or having dinner with their adult children. Still not my idea of a regular place.

Went on a vacation to Monticello with the gf, and the Riverside was, based on everything I researched, the only date worthy restaurant in town. It’s on the river (obviously) and the view is very pretty. There was an angry swan. Most people don’t know that swans are angry animals but they are.
Anyway, the King Crab was good and so was the steak. Portions big enough to share.
Oh, and there were ducks there too. Ducks.