Chef and Owner John Varanese is finally about to see his ultimate dream of opening a riverfront dining option in Louisville fulfilled. River House Restaurant and Raw Bar, located at 3015 River Road next to the Louisville Water Tower, will open to the public with a Grand Opening celebration on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 4pm. The special event will include a ceremonial champagne christening and toast at 4:00pm, along with complimentary passed hors d’oeuvres and remarks from Chef Varanese and Mayor Fischer.

Varanese drew inspiration from studying culinary arts in Charleston, S.C. when creating the menu for River House, which will feature regional cuisine with Southern flair and an emphasis on seafood with a raw bar. Menu items will include grilled oysters, a grilled romaine salad, and a Maker’s Mark bourbon barrel plank smoked salmon. Prices range from $8-$22 for lunch and $8-$35 for dinner. The restaurant will be open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and cater to both upscale casual diners and the boating community.

The interior design of River House is also heavily influenced by the landscape and ambiance of the city of Charleston. The décor features mysterious nature-inspired elements that are prevalent in Charleston, such as the live oak trees and Spanish moss. Bourbon is also a focal point of the décor, with barrel staves used as structural accents at the hostess stand and bar, as well as for plating and along the bar.

River House will give guests the sense of a charming “house like” feel when they first arrive at the front entryway. An intimate garden area is located to the right of the hostess stand, which features moon-like lighting and a stunning 20 ft. tall by 40 ft. wide indoor stone waterwall (a signature element at Varanese restaurant as well). Guests will enjoy dramatic views as they enter the main dining area and gaze with clear sightlines upon the floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking the back courtyard and riverfront. Seating will extend onto the 200 ft. long back patio which faces the river from the elevated site.

The public opening of River House will be closely followed by the opening of Levee at the River House, Varanese’s second new concept located in the same building. Levee will offer a completely different menu than that of River House, one that includes small plates and an elaborate bar program featuring innovative frozen cocktails. There will also be a focus on live entertainment at the indoor/outdoor bar to create a unique riverside atmosphere.