Dining Out:
River House Restaurant
by Nadine Van De Walker

Tucked in the center of Pulaski, next to the Salmon River, there is a beautiful restaurant. You can’t miss the red exterior, showcased by lighting all the way around the building. Even though the landscaping was snow-covered, its careful tending shone through. As you enter the front door there is a wooden sign that is over the entrance that expresses the mood of the eatery: “Enter as strangers, but leave as friends.”

You step into “Winch’s Tavern Room” to find a few pub style tables and a few booths to the side of the bar. The bar is very large and, on the night we visited, brimming with a busy crowd. Some were just enjoying cocktails, while others were eating. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the three large flat screen televisions.
A blackboard proclaimed the evening’s specials, making your mouth water before you even see a menu. Walking through the two main dinning rooms you’re welcomed by the warm and natural tones of the decor.
We were seated in the Randall Room, featuring a pass-through fireplace, emitting its warm glow on both dining rooms.

We were greeted by Andrea, our server, who asked for our drink orders.

She thoughtfully let us know that a couple of menu items had been popular that night, and were no longer available.
Still, there were more than enough choices on a full and fascinating menu. I was intrigued by the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms ($7.25) – and I will be ordering them the next time I visit.
Other appetizers include Pork Potstickers with a Thai Chili Dipping Sauce at $6.50, or the Calamari Fritte with a marinara dipping sauce at $7.50.

We both started with a salad of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, red onion chickpeas and croutons. All of the salad dressings are made on premises. Salads are served in a bowl, which I prefer to being served on a plate. If I need to cut the salad in a bowl it doesn’t end all over the table.

I asked Andrea about the restaurant’s specialties and she told us diners come for the beef and seafood.

The selections covered all the bases: Pastas, Chicken, Beef, Pork, Veal and Seafood, with prices ranging from $12.50 to 19.99.

My guest decided to order the Steak Peperanato ($17.99), while I ordered the Char-grilled Chicken with honey Dijon mustard and horseradish sauce ($ 13.50).

While we waited for our entrees, we were served homemade rolls, delivered nice and warm. These are also made fresh daily at the restaurant. I slathered the fresh roll with some creamy butter and I had to force myself not to eat the whole basket! They were some of the best rolls I have ever had.

I didn’t know this location has been historically linked to many prosperous restaurants/hotels throughout the history of Pulaski.  

In 1890, the building was destroyed by fire, and was then reopened in 1895 as the historic Randall Hotel.  The renewed structure was a beautiful multiple story building with an expansive two story porch.  It included a hat boutique, and an eating area, as well as a hotel. 

By 1937, a new one-story porch was added, along with a grill room and dance hall. 

The hotel changed hands many times until 1957, when fire again destroyed the building and furnishings.  And again the hotel was rebuilt. Against all odds, in 1962 fire again destroyed the hotel!  The burned building was purchased and remodeled to become the Log Cabin Restaurant. 

In the ensuing year, the Log Cabin Restaurant was a popular eating establishment for locals as well as fishermen visiting the area - Pulaski is known as the Salmon capital of the northeast.  

Hard as it is to believe, in 2000, the restaurant was destroyed by fire yet again. 

Finally, in June 2007, the present River House Restaurant was opened by Frank Catanzarite.

History is on display throughout the new restaurant with photos dating from the Randall Hotel years to the present.  Each of the three main dining rooms is named for one of the past establishments - Winch’s Tavern Room, The Log Cabin Room and The Randall Room.  Patrons are encouraged to stroll through the restaurant, and view the historic pictures of Pulaski past.

When our entrees arrived they were hot and the aroma was mouthwatering. Andrea’s service was professional and polite, the pace was very relaxed, allowing ample time for good conversation around the table. All in all, this was a night of “dining out,” not just “eating out.”

My grilled chicken was covered in a honey Dijon mustard and horseradish sauce. Each of the sauces here is made to order - never ladled. My baked potato was oversized with a crispy outer layer and a moist steaming center. My plate was overflowing!

My guest enjoyed a perfectly cooked twelve-ounce Delmonico steak, smothered with slow roasted peppers and onions, with a side of creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes and mixed steamed vegetables.

We had noticed when we entered that everyone that was leaving had a “to go box”. Now we understood why!

Desserts – like everything else in the house – are homemade. All are made on premises along with the amazing sauces they are covered in. That includes the chocolate, caramel and raspberry toppings for the chocolate seduction pie, cheesecake, chocolate bomber pie, pecan pie, or chocolate chip walnut pie. If that isn’t tempting enough, how about a Crème Brule or carrot cake?

Instead of mints with your check you get two Hershey kisses to complete your dining experience. You will leave having enjoyed the entire experience and, just as promised, you enter as strangers, but leave as friends!

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