Restaurant Review: Riverside Manor in Paterson

Down the block from Hacienda Bar and Restaurant in Paterson along the Passaic River comes a new entry in the North Jersey restaurant scene. Riverside Manor opened a few weeks ago and got high marks for the decor and premise, but I think it falls short on the service and execution.

Riverside Manor opened on the site of a former silk factory, and plans on providing both restaurant and catering business that when fully opened is expected to be able to seat up to 5,000 (yes, you read that correctly).

Behind its rust-orange façade is the elegant, 555-seat Riverside Manor, with a 170-seat restaurant and bar, a banquet room that seats 225 and another with room for 160. That's not counting the two additional rooms that should be finished by spring. Or the 4,000-seat banquet room that's the centerpiece of the master plan, for a day the entire complex can come beneath one roof.

With room for 5,000, "there will be nothing like it in New Jersey," said director of facilities Scotty Davis. "But that's the pipe dream."

The interior of the restaurant is richly appointed in dark woods and recessed lighting along with murals along the windows.

The wine list is appealing, with choices ranging from affordable to the extravagant.

The menu is Italian-centric, with some crossover items, including an Ahi-tuna served rare with a wasabi sauce.

Service was very slow, and we didn't receive our bread and butter until our main course was served. Mrs. Lawhawk had a French cut chicken, while I had veal milanese.

At the time of ordering the meal, I had asked the waiter whether my meal came with pasta, at which time the waiter responded that it did. So, when the meals were set before us, I questioned the server where the pasta dish was, at which time he said that it didn't come with pasta. I explained to him that based on the waiter's representations that it did and I should receive as much.

The waiter did appear several minutes later and after explaining, the waiter did bring out a bowl of spagetti in a tomato sauce.

Both were quite tasty and well flavored. The portions were also quite sufficient. I wouldn't have had an issue with the pasta side if the waiter hadn't expressly stated that my meal came with pasta; my veal dish was sufficiently filling without it. It was the principle of getting what was promised.

That goes to the training and/or familiarity with the menu and what the various items come with. I would expect that the service staff will become more familiar with the menu.

The dessert menu is rather limited, with only four items at present.

Riverside Manor shows promise, but it must work on its execution. It still has a ways to go before it can compete with the likes of Arturo's of Midland Park, which has superior service and a similarly expansive menu.