River Cafe

Myself and a friend were trying to find some place to grab a drink and just kick back on a Tuesday night. It was around 9:45pm and in Detroit on a Tuesday that’s like 3am in any other city. So we hear what sound like sports enthusiasts coming from around a corner. We head toward to noise only to discover there is a bar/​restaurant. We decided to just stop here since we stumbled across it.
We sat down and it was about 5 minutes before we saw a server. At that point we decided to just find another place. Besides, this place was far too noisy for what we were looking to enjoy. Again, the idea was to kick back. I’ll give this place the benefit of the doubt and stop back in sometime in the near future and rewrite if necessary. But for now 2 stars.

I agree with Nikki, the service was not impressive. It was a Sunday evening for us, and a convention just ended so we were able to get a table for a late lunch. We heard their turkey burgers were good so my cousin and I ordered it while our other halfs wanted salads and a regular burger. When you are starving, time and patience are not amenities.
Our waitress returns after 30 MINUTES informing us there are no more turkey burgers! WHAT! It took you that long to freakin’ find out!!! Uuuuugh! Not wanting to leave due to the downpour, I settled for a cheesburger and my cousin with a chicken sandwhich. Our food came about 25 – 30 minutes later. The waitress only checked on us twice — first to let us know there were no turkey burgers and two, to give us our food. She forgot to give me my hot tea and reminded her after we’ve finished — my husband had to chase her down.
There was nothing special about the food. The service was horrible. Enough said —

Finding a non-​smoking bar in Detroit that will also be showing sports on their screen was problematic for me. Eventually, we made it to the River Café, which is located inside of the Detroit Marriott. The Detroit Marriott itself is no joke. It is an all-​hotel skyscraper right next to the GM headquarters. The atmosphere was a little uninviting, like fancy meets frumpy.
When we got to the River Café, it was crowded. There was a convention for people with disabilities — so there was barely any room. Desperate to watch the Pistons game, we wandered around the restaurant, until a waiter created a space for us near the TV. He actually took a random table and unused chairs, and set them up by the bar so that we would be in a safe place with the stroller. This was incredibly nice of him, and the reason for all the stars for this place.
However, we were not given a menu and nobody asked if we needed anything. I’m not quite sure if it’s because nobody knew we wanted food, or if they thought all we wanted to do was watch the game and didn’t mind if we just sat there. Either way, I didn’t eat, and I get cranky when I don’t eat.
Other than that, it’s your usual hotel lobby restaurant. Nothing outstanding — but I’d probably go here again if we need to watch a game without smoking, there just aren’t any options around RiverWalk, it’s something to think about!

Nine o’clock on a Sunday evening is not the best time to grab a bite in Detroit. Apparently, most restaurants close early, or are closed on Sunday. So, when my friend came to meet me for dinner, we found the restaurant we wanted to go to closed for the evening. In the Renaissance Hotel center, the security guard told us that the Rivercafe was still open and serving dinner. And there was a bar. Oh joy!
We entered, and found your typical hotel bar/​lounge, and discussed whether or not we wanted to stay, or venture out of the city for a more extensive menu. As we went over our options, a server came over and told us that the main restaurant was further back, if we wanted ‘actual food’. Great! We eyed the menu and saw there were healthy options, ‘fit’ choices I think they were called. Right up my alley.
My party of three was ravenous, with one desperately craving libations. Our waiter came for our drink orders, carded us, and debated the validity of our CA driver’s licenses. My friend ordered a Margarita, which she swears was a virgin. I have to wonder after the fuss our server made. This did not begin our dinner well.
I asked if a fish entrée on the menu could be broiled or grilled rather than sauteed. This request was met with a very powerful ‘no’. I opted for the crudite plate rather than bread, which was noted as something you could do ON THE MENU. Our server looked at me quizzically. Never mind. I ordered the shrimp cocktail and an asparagus salad with oil and vinegar on the side.
Our order comes. My shrimp cocktail was actually lovely, and tasted quite fresh. The salad was decent, but when the server brought my dressing, he only brought oil. I told him that I wanted vinegar too, and twenty minutes later, another server brings out malt vinegar. Really? Malt vinegar? With asparagus? I ask her for regular vinegar or balsamic, and she tells me that they don’t have any. What? This is a restaurant that offers healthy options, supposedly, and has a menu with several salad choices. She tells me that she will double check and is gone with the wind. Meanwhile, my salad is growing limper by the moment.
Another twenty minutes go by, and by then I’ve already accepted that I will not be having any vinegar on my salad nor a crudite platter in place of the bread that was set in front of me, taunting me with its breadness. I had a piece. The bread was super yummy, dammit.
Our disappearing waiter reappears out of nowhere, wielding a cruet of something yellowish, and a platter of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. «Apple cider vinegar» he bellows, and places that with the um, crudite platter (at least I’m assuming that’s what that was) in front of me. I think his inner monologue was chiding, «That’s what you get for trying to eat healthy, b*tch!»
Ok, well the view of the river was beautiful, and so were my companions, so the night wasn’t a total bust. Not to mention going somewhere else to get liquored up.