The Local Dish: Salmon Running at the Riv; Catch a Benedict
By Charles Childs/ CCCNews Foodie
“Frasier” had Cafe Nervosa, “Friends” had Central Perk, Seinfeld had “Monk’s Cafe” and “Gilmore Girls" had Luke's Diner. All of these fictional television shows had one thing in common- a central location featuring coffee.
In The Dalles, this location may very well be The Riv Cafe at 401 E 10th Street. Once a church, the cafe is now a bustling business serving breakfast, lunch and coffee. There are regulars who are greeted by name as well as first timers.
Local Mocha
I have personally visited The Riv multiple times over the years and have always enjoyed their food, drinks and atmosphere.
In the warmer months, the outdoor patio is filled with flowers and patrons. It is absolutely stunning and holds a resemblance to sidewalk cafes in Europe and Australia.
This time around, it was raining cats and dogs, so I ventured inside. The atmosphere is just as stunning. There are several green plants, brightly lit chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and a multitude of seating options. To top off the atmosphere, there is a bookcase dedicated to book exchanges and a couple of toy options for the littlest members of your family.
As I waited in line to order, I noticed more than 30 patrons ranging from newborn to elderly. There were small groups, couples, families and individuals all enjoying their food and beverages. Even with the hustle and bustle, you could easily hear your own conversation and the light music playing in the background. Everyone appeared to be enjoying their outing.
Salmon Benedict
I chose to order a mocha and a Salmon Benedict for brunch and I was not disappointed! As a lover of Eggs Benedict, I was very curious how smoked salmon would taste with hollandaise sauce, capers and poached eggs. Turns out the smoked salmon perfectly complemented the other flavors! While the Salmon Benedict was rich in flavor, the mocha was a perfect mixture of sweet and bitter. The two purchases complemented one another and made for a flavorful brunch.
I ordered my mocha and meal at 11:00 and was told it would likely take 30 minutes to receive my food. I happily settled in for the wait. My mocha arrived in under five minutes and my food arrived 15 minutes later. The turnaround felt very reasonable given how many patrons were waiting for their food and coffee orders.
The Riv is a community minded cafe. They gave out free 12 oz. coffees on National Coffee Day in September and participated in Halloween by providing candy for children and coffee for adults.
If you are interested in being a repeat customer, they offer a mug club! Mug club membership can be purchased for $125. Membership gets you 15% off purchases (excluding gift cards) during 2024. Additionally, you will get your own Riv Cafe mug and access to members-only deals throughout the year.
This fall, The Riv is offering a new opportunity for community members. They will be offering pre-order Thanksgiving boxes. Each box costs $20 and includes four pastries. For more information about this opportunity, and other updates, follow The Riv Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.
The Riv is open daily from 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. They serve breakfast, lunch and coffee. Additionally, they are an event venue and you can reserve their gorgeous location for your next function! They boast an indoor seating area, outdoor patio, sound system and a kitchen that can be used for prep.
I highly recommend visiting The Riv Cafe. They have excellent coffee, unique food options and a stunning atmosphere whether you are seated inside or out.
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