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Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar
201 St. Lucie Avenue, Stuart, FL • 772-221-1511 |
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The Riverwalk Cafe: Alluring
The Riverwalk Cafe is one of our most talked about restaurants in the Dining Guide for good reason. What makes it so? Allure. I have enjoyed my share of lunches and dinners and have been impressed with the consistency and creativity. Chef/ Owner Steve Feder has a passion for food that you can taste in every bite. First on this evening's tasting was the Roasted Pear & Four Cheese Fiocchi. Fiocchi is often referred to as a 'beggar's purse' because of the way the pasta is filled and folded. The Fiocchi is blanketed with a garlic brown butter sauce, accompanied with pine nuts and sage. The first bite has a hint of sweetness from the pear, with the cheeses and garlic finishing it off. This could easily be a main course, with the only begging being that you want more! We have complimented the Ahi Nacho's in the past, a signature appetizer to The Riverwalk Cafe, and testament to Steve's passion for creation. Heartily seasoned with ponzu, chipotle and wasabi aioli, this dish truly redefines the nacho. I regret not tasting the Bronzed Wahoo that evening, but I most certainly will on my next endeavor; finished with a tomato bacon and cilantro beurre blanc - the description alone makes my mouth water. In a world of few constants, one constant we can guarantee: Steve does not believe in anything frozen, and lends new meaning to the word fresh. When many restaurants extend their 'seasonal' dishes with previously frozen seafood, Steve just takes it off the menu until it can return to the restaurant, unfrozen. I even thought I heard a moo from the back of the restaurant, but it turned out to be a satisfied customer finishing their dinner.
Part of the allure of The Riverwalk Cafe can be also be found in the old world construction of the building itself. Located in one of Stuart's most historic buildings, the 'old school' hardwood floors, tall windows, and brick walls convey a feeling that extends beyond warm and inviting. This combined with the established wood bar, hundreds of wine bottles resting on their sides and the riverside location, may cause you separation anxiety when it is time to leave. The third and final element of The Riverwalk's allure is the staff itself; Steve has not had a new employee in almost two years. In an industry known for its turnover, this is an accomplishment the customers can really benefit from. The staff will get to know you, take care of any culinary details you may request, and welcome you upon your return.
By the end of my evening, it was hard to choose what I liked most about my recent Riverwalk dining experience, which is why I have concluded that it is, its' allure!
Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar
Have you been to The Riverwalk Cafe and Oyster Bar lately? If not, the time to go is now! Located in downtown Stuart with a splendid view of the St. Lucie River, you quickly feel at home in the cozy atmosphere and with the friendly staff. What makes The Riverwalk Cafe and Oyster Bar stand out from the rest?
For starters, search no more for your Oyster Bar! Serving only the freshest available, you may find oysters from Cape Cod to Puget Sound. On any given day, Blue Points, Pemaquid Apalachicola or Duxbury Oysters may top the list. They can be enjoyed on the half shell, as Oyster's Romanoff, an Oyster Stew or treat yourself to the Oyster's Rock a 'Feder' a tasty combination of spinach, tarragon, pernod and gruyre. Whether you favor a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio with your oysters, you will have over 60 wines by the glass to choose from and 140 by the bottle.
If Oysters are not your main course than have no fear, there is much more to The Riverwalk Cafe! Steve, the chef/owner, keeps a fresh menu on hand with lunch & dinner specials and a one of a kind soup of the day! The specials are where he likes to shake it up, with select offerings and flavor combinations that will excite your pallet and have you returning again and again! Only the freshest fish will be served and your steak will always be USDA Certified Prime Beef. Steve's philosophy is only the best will do and it shows! I enjoyed the Triple Tail special one evening which was delicious - pan seared and topped with potato frits, scallions, gorgonzola crumbs with a spicy pineapple vinaigrette. The fish was succulent and the combination of flavors was perfect.
Open for Lunch and Dinner, The Riverwalk Cafe has something for everyone and has a special place in the heart of Stuart's lucky diners!
Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar
If you haven't heard of The Riverwalk Cafe in downtown Stuart you are either new in town or suffer from agoraphobia. The Riverwalk Cafe is simply one of the best restaurants in town. It's centrally located, has a view of the wide St. Lucie river and is positively quaint. How's the food you ask? Fresh and delightful, I would say.
Last year I wrote about The Riverwalk and was impressed with the owner and his hands on approach. I also wrote that a restaurant was only as good as its owner. So it has been a year since Steve acquired the restaurant. Do I really need to expound on the virtues of a Chef owned restaurant?
One night at Steve's place and you will realize - Steve LIKES food. And you will love his. He's creative and obviously enjoys what he does and the following he has created. Take, for instance, his tuna nachos; tuna is served in most restaurants now in the traditional style, sesame seeded and seared, right? Steve has placed tuna on some type of chip, added just the right sauce and presto!, a new way to eat tuna. Oh yeah, it's good. No, it's not just nachos, Steve keeps a relatively small, fresh menu on hand as well as his nightly specials. The specials always warrant serious consideration because Steve believes in shaking it up, and each night brings him a new opportunity to tease our palates.
Steve has worked his way up to ownership the hard way, through good hard work; No franchise purchase with instructions attached. He knows what it's like in all aspects of the business because he has experienced it himself. Maybe this is why he seems to care so much for his staff (on the cover) and also seems to be well liked. The result is your service will likely be as good as your food.
The Riverwalk Cafe now offers 140 selections of quality wine, 60 available by the glass. Congratulations, Steve! You have earned your place in the hearts of Stuart's lucky diners.
The World According to Steve
Recently, after a hard day of food tasting and photo shoots, I ducked into The Riverwalk Café for a beer and some apps. The Riverwalk Café is the kind of restaurant that becomes more familiar to you with each visit, and when you return, you wonder why you were not back sooner. The staff, for starters, will know your name and your favorite beverage. If you are an Oyster fanatic, they will even remember your favorite Oysters and make sure to list the day's specials. Though the Riverwalk takes their food and wine very seriously, they do not take themselves too seriously, creating a contagious atmosphere of fun and great food. In the middle of this oasis is Steve Feder, the owner and brainchild of this operation. When Steve is in the house, it can seem more like a reunion of old friends or just a good place to open some wine and kick back. I asked Steve how he does it and he shrugged, as if to say "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am baby!" Steve, and his wife Pam, are the kind of owners who take good care of their employees and in return, they will take good care of you! But let's get serious here for a minute. In addition to the atmosphere, the food will exceed your expectations.
As luck would have it on this day, appetizers turned into dinner and before I knew it, I felt like I had either been there all day and or experienced 'missing time'. For starters, I dove into some steamed mussels and garlic bread. It is such a pleasure to eat foods prepared by dedicated and talented chefs. I have had the displeasure of eating over-cooked and flavorless mussels, but for these that was certainly not the case. The mussels we're plump and juicy and the sauce was amazing, pairing well with the garlic bread. I thought I was full until the short ribs arrived. I am sure that some of your mouths are already watering, as well they should be. Fall off the bone perfection is the only way I can describe them. Tender and flavorful, served with a classic espagnole sauce, this entrée should not be overlooked.
On a subsequent trip, I brought my professional food taster with me to give some additional perspective on the Oysters & ambiance. He said "A friendly and knowledgeable staff, a warm and inviting atmosphere, a tantalizing menu... what more could you possibly ask for?" Oysters are one of the most controversial food offerings both loved and hated by many people. If you are one of those lucky ones that do enjoy their delicate and subtle flavors, then you should spend a little time at The Riverwalk Café and Oyster Bar. Steve doesn't even offer those standard bar oysters Bon Secours, which are some of the best known in Florida, but certainly not one of the best tasting. No, he certainly takes the time to carefully select the oysters he offers. It changes daily based on regional availability, but never disappoints. I have seen Blue Points which have a sweet and mildly briny flavor, Chicoteagues which have a richer seafood taste and slightly more brine, and many other different and tasty variations. If you are an oyster lover and have not made it to The Riverwalk I strongly suggest you go there soon.
I think that about sums it up. The world according to Steve can be found at The Riverwalk Café, which can be a happy place to duck into, a quick lunch, or a fancy dinner.
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