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Somerville welcomes a new trendy venue to town, and it goes by the name of River Bar. This Assembly Row eatery and bar will open its doors to eager patrons in October…so get excited!
The space’s outstanding design is credited to Niemitz Design Group. River Bar’s intimate, chic and savvy interior is complemented with both a culinary bar and traditional bar. The tall glass, exposed steel structure and natural woods define the top-notch simplicity feel this restaurant presents to its guests. River Bar’s upbeat outdoor setting spotlights cozy fire pits and trees, with a grand overlook of the Mystic River. The restaurant’s aura truly encompasses its ‘urban-industrial’ origin, along with its superlative location on the Mystic River.
The venue’s menu highlights a mouthwatering variety of chef Patrick Gilmartin’s “elevated street food.” Esteemed veteran in the Boston restaurant world, Gilmartin brings together his food truck and fine dining backgrounds to create River Bar’s incredible menu. The options are designed to be innovative, fun…and sinfully delicious, of course! Each preparation on the whimsical brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night menus is passionately and thoughtfully created.
To give you a delicious snippet of what the lunch and dinner menu will comprise: Chorizo Scotch Quail Eggs ($9), Gratineed Littlenecks (prepared with gruyere and cider – $13), Housemade Chinese Sausage Sub (highlighted with black bean mayo, red cabbage and cucumber slaw – $13), Shrimp Chips(black garlic aioli – $7), Smoked Bluefish and Avocado Salad ($12) and Whole Grilled Fish (red onion, preserved lemon and sautéed greens – $21). As far as brunch is concerned, some of the preparations include Bourbon French Toast (served with maple bacon – $10), Confit Chicken Scrapple & Eggs ($8), Fried Sweet Potato with Pomegranate Mollasses ($6) and Smoked Bluefish Hash (poached egg – $9).
Be prepared to have an enticing spirit experience at River Bar. Head of Operations Jess Willis, along with her management team, intend to establish a unique and upbeat cocktail scene with seasonally influenced drinks, highlighting traditional roots and modern spins. The cocktail menu will feature warm drinks to cozy on up by the fire pits with, in addition to the signature Absinthe Frappe ($10) and Cardamaro Smash (made with Cardamaro, fresh grapefruit, mint and crushed ice – $10). Local craft beer options and limited releases/rarities will be offered, along with an elite wine selection.
Restaurateur Ken Kelly is surely making his mark in Somerville, adding River Bar to his accomplished list of venues including Brass Union, Foundry on Elm, The Independent and Saloon.
Check out River Bar on Facebook and Twitter for scrumptious scoop!
Lexx in the City 
Looks delicious!