When Toronto-based 'foodie' couple Jeff Kirker & Karrie Galvin make a change - they go all the way. A few years ago, chef/food stylist Galvin & businessman Kirker sold their downtown Toronto home and relocated to Lakefield, Ontario to fulfill their lifelong dream & return to Chef Galvin's roots (she was raised 10 minutes away in Bridgenorth, ON). The couple purchased a rambling, three-storey house from the early 1900's to restore (with their own two hands!) and turn into their home and restaurant.more...See more text
We ordered the Beef tenderloin crostini, pork belly, baby back ribs, and black cod. The pork belly was the crispest and least fatty that I've ever had, it was spectacular. The flavors on the crostini were very good, the cherry chutney and dijon aioli went very well together. And the ribs... much better than any I've had at a Ribfest. My GF said the black cod was the tastiest fish she had ever had. The ambiance is nice cottage country, the dining room intimate with only four tables. A definite repeat!.
Tonight our meals started as wonderfully as our last visit. I had the butternut squash soup (brown butter drizzle and with nutmeg cream) and my husband had the Tenderloin Crostini. He had chosen the crostini because anyone he had spoken to about the restaurant said it was a must. It was super tasty and plentiful for a "small plate".
For the main part of our meal, my husband had the Wild Black Cod with Miso Sake Marinade. He says that he's never had anything like it before, both in flavour and texture. As for me, this time around I went to the restaurant with the intent of trying something different for my main meal… but that reduction (with the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin) reeled me in. It taunted me from the menu and it won. Once again, I was savouring every bite. Delicious. I paired my meal with the Malbec again while my husband chose a Riesling to go with his Cod - suggested by the chef.
To finish off our meal, we had the Blackout Chocolate Cake with Brandy Fudge Sauce. I am usually wary of anything too boozy, so I wasn't too sure. The cake was incredibly rich and the fudge sauce had the perfect brandy hint. Just a light reminder that it was there.
What I like about the Riverhouse is that the food is amazing and the food is cared for. It is wonderful and flavourful food without the pretention. It isn't trying to be something it isn't.
This is our place for a "special night out" and will be for a long time to come.
It was all I could do to stop myself from licking the plate
We first went to the Riverhouse in May 2012 for a special dinner out and I seriously had to stop myself from licking my plate. Had I been at home, I would have.
Back in May, my husband and I both had the cedar plank prosciutto wrapped asparagus with laughing cow cheese (I believe?). Delicate and crispy as fresh asparagus should be and wonderfully flavourful. I then had the Grilled Black Angus Beef Tenderloin … and this is where I almost left my manners at the door. The red wine reduction? Words cannot describe how amazing it is. It is rich. It is flavourful. It is so indescribable. It complemented my perfectly cooked tenderloin beautifully. The Mushroom Oka Cheese Potato Tart was also tasty, as were the veggies, but it really was the reduction that blew my mind. As an aside, my husband had a pork dish which was also very tasty. I had the Malbec and my husband had the Beaujolais.
We finished our meal off with the sunken chocolate souffle with Bailey's ice cream. A perfect way to finish our meals.
Been several times. Food is good, always the same though. Atmosphere is too noisy, very hard to converse. Quality of food requires a more refined wine list. Servers are too casual, jeans, tank tops....
Being from Peterborough, I'm embarassed that I'd never been here before. The atmosphere is great, in a beautifully restored century home. The server was kind and very knowledgeable. The food was out of this world. The seafood is cooked properly and the steak is exceptional. Incredible flavours and beautiful presentation executed to perfection. A terrific wine list and exceptional desserts are the icing on the cake (pun intended).
