"For our one-year anniversary, my partner and I decided to dine at The River Café in Brooklyn, a renowned spot with an impressive view of the Manhattan skyline. Unfortunately, while the setting was as picturesque as anticipated, the experience left much to be desired. We opted for the three-course meal, which was decent but far from remarkable. The dishes were well-prepared, but nothing truly stood out. It wasn’t bad by any means, but for a restaurant of The River Café’s reputation, we expected a bit more excitement or creativity from the kitchen. Everything felt safe and standard, without any particular dish being memorable. Where the evening really faltered was in the service. Our waiter, who barely made eye contact with us throughout the meal, greeted us with a sarcastic “happy anniversary” that felt more dismissive than celebratory. It was uncomfortable and set a negative tone for the rest of the meal. The sommelier, while knowledgeable, seemed more focused on pushing the most expensive wines by the glass rather than offering genuine recommendations that suited our preferences. The only bright spots in terms of service were the staff who brought our food to the table. They were friendly, polite, and professional, creating a contrast to the otherwise pretentious and snobby attitudes we encountered from the other members of the team. It’s unfortunate that the only genuine hospitality we experienced came from those who weren’t even directly responsible for our table. Given the price point and reputation of The River Café, we left feeling disappointed. For an occasion as special as our anniversary, we expected far more in terms of service and overall experience. Sadly, we won’t be returning."
