River House Inn

We keep returning to the River House because it's peaceful and the people there feel like friends now. My husband George, my Service Dog, and I first discovered it late last year, and we've been three times. The staff are kind, Jean and Sheila made us feel at home right away, and the chef is amazing. Gayle Winston owned the River House Country Inn and Restaurant from 1988-2016; Julie and Matt became co-owners after that. Breakfast is included and is gourmet, and the dinners are hard to put into words. On our first visit, Mother's Day weekend, we had a four-course dinner and wine at the bar. It was one of my best Mother's Days in 45 years of being a mom. We chose to spend Christmas there this year since our son lives far away and couldn't be with us. Christmas is still a little sad for me because my sweet mother died on that day 11 years ago. We knew there'd be a big crowd for dinner on Christmas Eve, and no dinner service Christmas Day, so we brought food for our room. We also knew the people running the house would be around, and by then they were friends. We had a lovely stay and went shopping in West Jefferson. When we returned on Christmas Eve, Gayle told us she was going to make Christmas dinner just for us. We said she didn't need to, but she insisted, and we met her in the dining room at 5 pm on Christmas Day. She served a delicious, impressive multi-course meal, then joined us for wine afterward. We felt amazed and blessed. Gayle is 96 and fascinated us with interesting stories about her life. We're so grateful for that evening, and we'll never forget that Christmas.

My wife and I run a small guest house bed and breakfast, so every so often we need a couple of days to recharge. The River House was just right for that, with great food, service, and lodging. A lovely spot to get away and isolate for a bit.

For our first anniversary, my husband and I wanted a quiet escape, and this quaint country inn fit the bill. It's cozy and sweet, like a little storybook setting, and a nice break from the noise and technology of the wider world. Simple beats frilly every time. Our four-course Sunday dinner was impeccable, and the diners and staff all seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves. The pet-friendly policy was a bonus, and our GSP loved the riverfront property. I'm sure we'll be back.

We booked a table at the restaurant and enjoyed the drinks, the daily specials, and most of the food. The pork shank was the one miss: it wasn't seasoned well and had almost a freezer-burn taste, so I can't recommend it. The live music on the porch was lovely, though it was crowded. We'll definitely give it another try.