A beautiful place with amazing food and a fantastic view of the river. The owner is incredibly hospitable and personally checked on us, and was very involved with the restaurant, helping to clear plates, and refilling drinks. The chef Richard even came by to check on us and made sure we were enjoying the food. As someone who is born and raised New Orleans it's great to finally eat at a place that actually does good New Orleans style seafood. Our server Katie was amazing and Amanda took a picture of us to have memories! It was a phenomenal experience!
I waited until the next day to post this review, hesitating because this is a family owned and operated restaurant, and my review is less than positive. I chose this restaurant for dinner this past Saturday evening as a Father’s Day celebration with my wife. I had read numerous reviews that were extremely positive, commenting on the outstanding food, romantic atmosphere, and describing it as a fine dining experience. I quickly learned that I was overdressed with other patrons in shorts, baseball caps, and generally attired for a trip to Cracker Barrel. I ordered the recommended shrimp and crawfish etoufee topped with fried red fish and it was good, but not great-I felt the sauce was underseasoned. My wife ordered the Creole blackened chicken. It was extremely dry, overcooked (I’m guessing it wasn’t brined), and very difficult to even cut. There was very little if any sauce on the plate, and it desperately needed it. She ate maybe three bites. We didn’t see our waiter until it was time for him to ask about dessert, but there was nothing that could be done at that time other than give us a to go box and a container of sauce. Overall, we were extremely disappointed with the entire experience. I would suggest that the servers always check back with the diners shortly after they’ve had a chance to sample their food so that concerns can be addressed at the time, not at the end of a meal. I don’t think I’ll make the 45 minute drive from Nashville again.
If your looking for a good steak or romantic meal....pick somewhere else . The 8oz filet my wife had and the 14oz Ribeye that was mine was over cooked and BLAND. The waiter Jon E who made our Hurricane drinks is the ONLY thing positive that this place has to offer.
I hesitated leaving a less than positive review, especially with family owner/operators, but I’m doing it for the benefit of others. Having read many positive comments, I chose this as my place to go for a Father’s Day celebration with my wife. I was expecting a casual fine dining experience, in a romantic atmosphere. It was better suited to the patrons in their shorts and baseball caps, dressed for the next trip to Cracker Barrel. My entree was shrimp and crawfish étouffée topped with fried redfish. Good, but not great, could have used additional spices. My wife ordered the creole blackened chicken. It was overcooked, and extremely dry and was served with little to any sauce. It may have been brined, but you would never guess it-she had two or three bites, as it was too tough to cut and close to inedible. And we would have said something, but no one checked after a couple of minutes to ask if we were enjoying our food. As it is, it was mentioned when our waiter came back at the end of the meal, and he was kind enough to bring us some sauce and a to go container. Very disappointing, and regret suggesting to my wife.
I really do not understand the hype of this restaurant. We were very excited to try this place but our waitress was rude from the start, and all of the food had absolutely no seasoning or favor. Everything was bland and terrible. The spinach artichoke dip came out with Tostitos scoops. The steak was the most unseasoned steak I’ve ever tried. The veal was hard and tasted more like overcooked beef. The beranase sauce tasted like Alfredo or something from a powder packet where you just add water. My “loaded” baked potato had all the stuff on the side and I had to make it myself. Very disappointed.
The restaurant has very good quality of food. This is where you go for special occasions in Columbia TN. The price is in line for fine dining, we love this place, when people come into town, and we want to take them somewhere special this place is where we go. The severs are very friendly, they work hard to make your dining experience special.
money’s too tight to waste on anything less than something special and this treasure is most definitely special. We don’t get to go often but i ALWAYS bring out of town guests to river terrace and so far they have fans in Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, Dallas, Philly, Detroit, Jacksonville, Shreveport, Washington state and Southern California. lukewarm salt out of a #10 can is a joke. Shrimp Elizabeth and a kickass whiskey sour (or 3) has convinced me to incur a late fee on my electric bill more than once with zero regrets! If you’ve ever wondered where to find the perfect steak, this is the place. The atmosphere is classy and intimate without feeling stuffy or snooty and everyone who walks through the door is treated like an old friend.
Found this place on Trip Advisor and it was amazing. Food was perfect. I highly recommend this place. It is tucked away from the main roads and overlooks the Duck River with great views. I had the shrimp crawfish etoufee and I loved it. Do not pass this place up. The owner I believe stopped by table and checked on us. Amanda was our server and she was the best. Service is spot on, table stayed clean with no dirty dishes which I really liked. I will definitely be returning.
Was a comfortable in Charming Place. The Waitress, Melinda was very accommodating and friendly. Food was a little spendie but wonderful. A great little place, I look forward to coming back soon. Bob and Gail Riggs
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a delicious dinner/drinks at the River Terrace with a great window view of the Duck River. Katie, our waitress, was friendly and efficient and got every special request just right. We are seafood lovers, so the redfish served over (awesome!) etoufee & rice and the seafood platter (I chose shrimp/catfish) were fresh and piping hot. The tossed salad was generous and fresh, as well. We enjoyed talking with Elizabeth, the owner, who moved to Columbia after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Worth a stop on your travels!