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).
The Riverhouse Company is an incredible change of pace for both Lakefield and Peterborough diners who are looking for quality food at a more than reasonable price.
I have a very busy work schedule but I manage to find time to go for dinner every month. I have tried every dish on the menu, My favourite plates would have to include the Mussels Appetizer, The Asian ginger sauce, is incomparable, I spent time living in PEI, where Mussels are fresh in an unimaginable abundance but Chef Karrie's attention to detail and high standards blew away anything I had on the east coast. every mussel is hand scrubbed to ensure the patrons never see any trace of barnacles. The Mussels are a great plate to sit with on the patio with a nice cold beer
The Gnocchi with Roast Chicken became an instant favourite of mine. The gnocchi is rolled out by hand. The precision and intricacy with which they are made is impressive to say the least. The chicken breast is is cooked perfectly; it is crispy and juicy with a slight hint of lemon, not to mention the size of the breast. considering the above, it isn't a surprise to learn that the chicken itself is of the highest quality.
The dessert menu is no less desirable either, with a fresh pie or tart nearly every day in the summer. And a range of ice creams made in house.
The service is always amazing. The staff is very knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list Jeff, the general Manager and co-owner is almost always there to ensure an enjoyable night.
The house is beautifully restored, and showcases local talent, both paintings and photographs by local artists can be found hanging in the lobby and dining rooms.
I haven't got a single bad thing to say about The Riverhouse Company, you can imagine my excitement in learning that they will be opening for Lunch and a Sunday Brunch.
Every special occasion we make our way to this wonderful place for some of the most amazing food the kawartha's have to offer. Local, fresh, and true quality inspired. Consistently this place goes above and beyond to ensure that we are spoiled in a fashion that most local restaurants cannot. We have tried everything on the menu and all items have a distinct originality and quality. The sunday brunch is beautiful, A must try is the eggs benny.
If you want to impress your guests, date, or yourself and be spoiled for a nite, go here.
I took one of my friends visiting from out of town here for a nice dinner on a Saturday night. We had a reservation at 8:30 but didn't get seated until well after 9pm. Luckily we were having a nice evening out and were happy to sit at the bar with a drink. Our server was great and the food was AMAZING. My only complaint was they did not seem to be very apologetic for making us wait 45minutes for our reserved table. Perhaps they could have given us dessert for free? Instead of charging us $6 for a small bowl of ice cream!
