River Café (Brooklyn)

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]

Not to be confused with The River Café (London).
River Café
Restaurant information
Established1977
Head chefBrad Steelman
CityNew York City
StateNew York
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°42′13.28″N 73°59′41.47″W
Websitewww.rivercafe.com

Hurricane Sandy
River Cafe 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 maitre d’ 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. 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. 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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