By Dave Matlow
The River House Restaurant, 299 Riverside Ave., has closed and Rive Bistro will open in its place by March 1.
The River House closed after a 10-year run. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The closure came “10 years and one day since I bought it,” said owner Kevin Burns, who took over from the predecessor Mooring Restaurant on Jan. 8, 2003.
He said that when he took over the Mooring, it had been closed for about six months and then reopened as River House on June 9, 2003.
“It was a nice run,” said Burns. “We had a nice time. However, my life in the restaurant business is over. It’s time for a new brand.”
He said the last two years have been the best years for River House. “We showed a profit,” he said. “Our food and service were just right.”
Burns said that the new owners, led by its manager/chef Eric Sierra, will open a French restaurant called Rive Bistro, by March 1.
Took over from Mooring Restaurant in 2003. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
He said renovations are now underway and it will be “warmer, cozier place and even the upstairs will open up at some point.”
“The new owners will give most of the River House’s 26 employees the opportunity to stay,” Burns said.
He said that he has just released 70 percent of his stress.
“I’m going to put half of that into my LLBH wealth management business and the other half into my golf and guitar hobbies,” said Burns, who added he looks forward to being a customer in the new restaurant.
