RESTAURANT-REVIEWS

Riverpark Terrace promises fine dining in a charming, natural setting

Kellie Abernethy kellie.abernethy@news-jrnl.com
A white picket fence surrounds Riverpark Terrace and the ivy-covered entrance guides guests down the brick path to the hostess stand. [News-Journal/Kellie Abernethy]

Features writer Kellie Abernethy, education reporter Erica Breunlin and Volusia County reporter Dustin Wyatt decided to grab dinner after the New Smyrna Beach Christmas parade to balance out all of the chocolate and candy consumed during the parade from passing floats. Looking for something off the beaten path, the three ventured to Riverpark Terrace in New Smyrna Beach.

What’s the place like?

Two blocks down from Canal Street, Riverpark Terrace is a hidden gem tucked between the Atlantic Center for the Art’s Harris House and the South Causeway Bridge. Surrounded by a white picket fence, this home-turned-restaurant is intimate yet chic. An ivy-covered arch leads guests into a charming yard glowing with string lights, dotted with chairs around fire pits and tables nestled beneath antique chandeliers hanging from trees. Tiki torches guide guests down a brick path to the hostess stand, through an array of lush greenery and palm trees cloaked with lights. Live acoustic music drifted through the air as the hostess led us to a table under a tree with a white antique chandelier hanging above.

What’s on the menu?

The menu features exactly what you would hope any fine dining restaurant would have. From fine dining classics such as Surf and Turf to unique fish dishes such as the Fra Diavolo — a medley of fresh fish and shellfish, linguini, smoked tomatoes, basil, garlic, white wine and roasted tomato sauce. The modest menu opts for quality over quantity, yet provides a broad enough selection to please most diners.

What did you have?

Right away our server brought out fresh, warm bread with an olive oil, balsamic and spices, a seemingly simple concoction yet packed with a punch of flavor that surprised us all. The balsamic was infused with a hint of sweetness yet expertly balanced out with savory spices, making it a perfect complement to the fresh bread.

Erica opted for the Terrace burger, a certified Angus ground sirloin with Applewood smoked bacon, gruyere cheese, a toasted bun, homemade onion jam, lettuce, tomato and hand-cut fries. Erica ordered it medium well, and was impressed when it came out exactly as she had hoped – cooked well, but still juicy. The patty itself was a generous portion, and topped with the smoked bacon and a side of warm fries it was a substantial entree.

Dustin ordered the blackened shrimp which arrived tossed in a bed of aged white cheddar cheese, pasta shells and asparagus. Dustin remarked that the blackened shrimp was seasoned just right and nicely balanced out the rich and buttery shells and cheese, making it a much more decadent version of its distant cousin, mac and cheese.

Kellie ordered the fried flounder, which was served with a Cajun remoulade, herb-roasted potatoes and fresh summer vegetables. The fish came out surprisingly light and flaky without a hint of grease. Nicely paired with a subtly spicy Cajun remoulade, the flounder was surprisingly flavorful. The potatoes and vegetables were lightly spiced without overpowering the flounder and added depth to the entrée.

How much did this feast set you back?

Our check came to $55.39, before tip.