Riverpark, a Tom Colicchio (Craft, wichcraft, Colicchio & Sons) restaurant, serves produce from the restaurant’s own on-premises urban farm just feet away from the kitchen. Executive chef Bryan Hunt’s modern American menus change frequently, highlighting seasonal ingredients.

We sat outside on the patio enjoying al fresco dining with a warm summer breeze from and amazing views of the East River.  The traffic from the FDR was an imperceptible hum. It’s a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion — I know as I was still celebrating mine, noticing “Happy Birthday Bonnie” printed on the menu. The folks to either side of us were celebrating their anniversary and got their own personalized versions, handed to each of us tied with a colored ribbon, after ordering.

I started with chilled (and slightly overcooked) whole baby octopus ($21) with green chickpeas, pickled ramps, niçoise olives over a fresh salsa verde with fresh from their garden Delfino fern-like cilantro. Wonderful flavors. My friend marveled at the crispy sweetbreads ($20) over ramps and asparagus that came topped with a poached Araucana hen egg.

We shared a large order of al dente cavatelli, with large chunks of smoky lamb, some fava beans and tomatoes topped with green garlic and seasoned with the Chilean spice Merken ($29). I’d recommend.

Pastry chef Geoffrey Koo offered an unusually delicious dessert on a plate with chocolate celebratory wishes. We shared the “Cereal & Milk” ( $14), a chocolate ganache cake that oozes vanilla malted milk to moisten the caramelized rice puff. Yummy.

I recommend Riverpark for adult dining where you can easily have a conversation with attentive service and good food.

 

– bonnie

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Riverpark
Gramercy/Flatiron
450 E 29th St.
New York, NY 10016
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