Situated along the viaduct on 12th Avenue comes the first of the restaurants that will line the avenue in the coming years, as part of the Columbia expansion. With Dinosaur right down the block, diners now have a choice of restaurants to choose from in the once abandoned area.
Photo credit: Melissa Hom
The highlight of the Hudson River Cafe is the outdoor seating area. A two level patio with a bar that serves cocktails and sangrias is situated next to gated garden walls. The patio will eventually host live music in the the evenings.
Indoors, the decor is open and airy dressed in an elegant red, black and white color scheme. The indoor bar serves up signature cocktails that pay tribute to the area such as the Sweet Cotton Club Mojito that is spiked with Strawberry infused gin, Grant’s Tomb that blends Stoli and coconut and the Sugar Hill martini with an exotic blend of Grand Marnier, cinnamon and pineapple. The bar is open Sunday through Wednesday 5 PM to 1 AM and Thursday through Saturday 5 PM to 2 AM.
While the main focus of the menu is seafood, chef Ricardo Cardona will be showcasing his unique blend of Latin fusion cuisine. Chef Ricardo learned his craft in the kitchens of such establishments as the Ritz Carlton, Sofrito, Mama Juana, 809 Sangria Bar and Grill, and Lua.
Appetizers on the menu include dishes like Hudson Valley foie gras and Guava BBQ ribs. Once your palate has been whet you’ll be ready for dishes that include duck breast, lamb loin, brook trout and Maine oysters. The menu has so many wonderful offerings that you will want go back and try something new each time.
Hudson River Cafe opens this Thursday and will be serving lunch, brunch and dinner 7 days a week. Lunch is served from 11 AM to 3 PM and dinner Sunday through Wednesday 5 PM- 11PM and Thursday through Saturday from 5 PM to 1 AM. Brunch service will being after Memorial Day and will be served from 11 AM to 4 PM
The area will soon be accessible by ferry once New York Waterway completes a forthcoming marina, slated to start construction in July.
Hudson River Cafe
697 West 133rd Street on 12th Avenue
212-491-9111
www.hudsonrivercafe.com (coming soon)
Related: Grub Street
Deb
July 17, 2007
I was meeting my sister and her husband one gorgeous Friday evening at about 6pm. She said, if we’re not at Dinosaur, we’ll be at the new spot (HRC). I got to Dinosaur and it was like being at a frat house. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Dinosaur, but I wasn’t in the mood for that atmosphere just then. I was just inside looking around for my party when my sister called and said, “We’re up the street”. I said “Thank God” and moved on. I was so pleasantly surprised. The people, the place, the cocktails, the music, the appetizers. We stayed at the bar. It was just such a great mood flowing there. (In fact, my brother-in-law KENNEDY had an inpromtu performance there with a little latin jazz band a couple of weeks prior, and is soon to return.) All in all, it was fabulous, and I can’t wait to go back.
beatriz
July 3, 2007
ricky the welder and his famly sends you
a million thanks for the unforgetable dinning
experience ever !!!!!!!!!!
Hugo
July 2, 2007
I was curious to check this spot out on Saturday night as I was morbidly bored (my lil bro and I). We headed to HRC with my a friend. First,let me say the place is JUMPIN’ with hipness vibe. You walk into a little passage separating the indoor part and the patio section. Live band was on point with some salsa. The crowd was all over the place which is what I appreciated most. You had the dominican papi’s with their eyecandy companions, the fairway regulars, and even some cats who looked like they came off of a diddy video…lol. i truly loved the melting pot vibe that was there. our hostess was really eager to help and pleasant. i think my bro was smitten by her (possible crush going on).i agree the entrees are a bit pricey for the area, but I will concede it is well worth it. and given the vast number of people that wasn’t much of a deterrent. i personally kept to the appetizer section and ordered some kobe mini burgers which were on point. my bro went with the baby back ribs which were scrumptulicious. decor and service get 9/10.thumbs up!i know HRC is one of many spots coming down to the “valley”.anyone else know what else is slated for this strip?
john
June 27, 2007
Hey Max,
Congratulations! hope you do very well…We must represent as Latinos. Look forward to coming over for dinner…save me a nice seat outside.
John Colón
http://www.latiknow.com
The Latin Food Network
ellen
June 20, 2007
Was there tonight, it was amazing, a total mini vacation. The food was above average and the presentation and service was a 10. The music was great and they are bringing in live music too with themes. I can’t get enough of this place. We will be regulars. I write for http://www.NewNewYorker.com and I can’t wait to review this place. its a complete delight. I hope Harlem keeps improving…
LA NENA
June 17, 2007
HUDSON RIVER CAFE IS THE SPOT FOR THIS SUMMER, THE AMBIANCE & LOCATION IS GREAT. YOU REALLY HAVE TO TRY THE MOJITO WITH STRAWBERRY’S.
THE FOOD IS VERY TASTY.
THE PLACE HAS ALREADY BEEN RECOMENDED TO ALL MY FREINDS AND FAMILY.
MGMT & STAFF ARE VERY PLEASANT AND HELPFUL WITH RECOMMENDING THE FOOD & DRINKS. WISHING YOU GUYS THE BEST OF LUCK.
I ENJOYED MYSELF ON FRIDAY EVENING THAT WE ARE GOING BACK THIS FRIDAY NIGHT TO CELEBRATE A FREINDS BIRTHDAY.
yenny
June 9, 2007
estoy muy feliz que ya abrio este negocio, se esta lleno de clase buen gusto y gente joven,
espero siempre mantenga el estilo y las atenciones especialisimas de sus duenos.
suerte y que la calidad se inponga,
Robert Rand
June 5, 2007
great food!
very impresive outdoor space with live music.
it is great to have a place like this in our neighborhood.
I really will recommend it.
136Boy
May 30, 2007
There is still no legible menu available anywhere online. I really think restaurants should have their website live the day they open. I believe it can add to the hype.
Admin
May 27, 2007
Dag, your comment was not deleted…you posted it under this thread:
http://uptownflavor.wordpress.com/2007/03/16/hudson-river-cafe/#comments
Dag Nabbitz
May 27, 2007
MSG to ADMIN: keep forum alive and undeleted, Thanx.
Ate at HudRivCafe on 2cnd day the place was open and this restaurant has alot to offer. Pro’s are-
Stylish and impressive inteior from the decor and design aspect of the place down to proper quality table and glass wear. out doors look perfect for coctail parties and warm weather dining. The waitstaff and Mgmnt are pleasant, accomedating and fairly attentive.
Con’s are-
Price points.
you should not come here if you are looking for a great steak at a neighborhood place unless you dont mind spending $38 for it and also spending $20 for an appetizer of ’smoked fish trio’ for one person presumably. we tried a few dishes (mussles were ok. house Pate seemed prepared from another store, maybe Fairway) and the other menu selections we sampled were
ho-hum if not forgetable. I feel this place will become satisfying but I also feel that regardless of atmosphere, service, and quality of the product offered here, the prices will ostracize quite a number of people who will never consider being ‘regulars’. And this is not yet a “destination spot” location in any way, shape or form. one major NYC city water/sewage treatment plant is the nearby view on the water in addition to NJ and the GWBridge.
Tracey
May 25, 2007
I am so happy it finally opened. We went there for dinner last Friday on opening night. We were hoping to eat outside, but was a bit cool. The service was good, the food was very good. We cant wait to go when the weather is warm so we can sit outside. Hope for it to be a fun place.
Anonymous
May 23, 2007
Menu is posted here:
http://www.thrillist.com//send-image.html?entry_id=1192&img=hrc.jpg
Admin
May 19, 2007
#2, email me at info@uptownflavor.com and I can send it to you. It appears the website isn’t live yet.
Anonymous
May 19, 2007
Any idea if a menu is available online?
Anonymous
May 16, 2007
This is really exciting. I’m particularly happy that they’ll be doing brunch, which is hard to find in the area.
Anyone know what happened to Alma Thai Latin Cuisine? Supposed to open on 135th and 12th?