For a room with a view and captivating cuisine, Riverview is the borough’s best. Overlooking the breathtaking Manhattan skyline, the upscale Long Island City restaurant provides top-notch eats against a stunning backdrop. The space boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing diners to take in the gorgeous cityscape while indulging in its perfect plates.
We began with a goat cheese salad — warm, lightly fried goat cheese rounds over delicate mesclun and garnished with ripe cherry tomatoes and crispy apple skin, tossed in a honey balsamic dressing. The salad was fresh, light and perfect for summer — definitely a dish we would go back for again and again.
The scallops, a signature Riverview appetizer, were absolutely delicious. Sautéed and dressed with a cauliflower puree and tangerine syrup, they were gobbled up as soon as they hit the table.
We sampled one of the restaurant’s pizzettas, topped with prosciutto, spinach, mushrooms, mozzarella and ricotta. The flavors balanced each other spectacularly and the fresh ingredients made for an incredible pie.
The lobster ravioli was a favorite. Hearty pasta pillows stuffed with lobster meat and served in a saffron cream sauce were so tasty, we couldn’t resist diving in with a spoon.
For our entrees, we tasted the duck and the salmon. The duck was incredibly savory, cooked in a honey lavender sauce and accompanied by sweet potato mash and sautéed spinach. The flavors worked wonderfully together, providing an excitingly new dish unlike anything we had seen before. The salmon was tender and flaky, joined by tasty roasted beets and asparagus.
For dessert, we sampled both the house-made crème brulee and tiramisu. The crème brulee was rich and hinted with notes of orange while the tiramisu was light with just the right amount of coffee essence.
The meal was spectacular and the view was incredible. We can’t wait to head back to Riverview for one of their famous weekend brunches, enjoyed on their gorgeous outdoor patio while watching boats on the East River sail by.
