SEE’s Foodie Finds The Grille at Riverview

At the bottom of Flagler St., just minutes from some of New Smyrna Beach’s most eclectic shops, sits “The Grille at Riverview”. Combine a picturesque water-front background, an inviting dining room, delicious eats and add beautiful weather to create the perfect afternoon getaway!

My foodie-in-crime, Dan, and I recently took off on an afternoon adventure to wonderful New Smyrna Beach to find a delectable lunch and explore the always-entertaining Flagler Street. We elected lunch at “The Grille at Riverview,” after deciding the riverfront view and their outside seating would be ideal on the cool autumn day. After taking our seats and basking in the ambiance, we let the view of boats sailing past and the drawbridge work its magic.

We began our meal with the Calamari Parmesan— deep-fried calamari dusted with fresh grated Parmesan and served with spicy marinara, orange coconut and sweet Thai chili dipping sauces. Not only beautifully presented, but this dish was delicious to boot! The calamari pieces were perfectly fried, crispy and not too chewy. The dipping sauces were all fun to try, but my personal favorite was the kind of spicy, kind of sweet Thai chili sauce. The marinara with its bit of spice had a nice kick and although the orange coconut was a little sweet for me, I still enjoyed it.

I decided to go with something a little different, their Open Faced Club. Turkey and shaved honey baked ham are layered on a single piece of Texas toast piled with crisp bacon, Swiss cheese, tomato and mayonnaise, while fresh basil and chipotle aioli paint the top. It was an absolute explosion of flavor in my mouth with the basil and chipotle aioli sauces mingling with tons of delicious meat and cheese. Although scrumptious, it’s what I like to refer to as a “knife and fork” sandwich; otherwise you’ll have quite a mess on yourself.

Dan chose the Chicken and Smoked Gouda Panini. Thin sliced chicken topped with smoked Gouda, bacon and roasted pepper and garlic spread is served on focaccia bread. Like an extreme gourmet grilled cheese, every bite of this sandwich melts in your mouth. Dan enjoyed it thoroughly and had no problem cleaning his plate.

To finish it all off, we satisfied our sweet tooth with one of the many desserts offered, Nicole’s Turtle Pie. A chocolate graham cracker crust is filled with a mix of caramel, walnuts and light chocolate mousse, while luscious whip cream tops off the delectable dessert. Although the whip cream appeared bountiful, it was in perfect balance with the chocolate of the turtle pie. We took each bite, savoring the sweet flavors and before we knew it the plate held nothing but crumbs.

Dan and I had a great time at the Grille at Riverview. Whether you are looking for a romantic evening dinner or a relaxing lunch on a beautiful day, the Grille is where you want to be. Great food, excellent service and a breathtaking view create a dining experience that I can’t wait to repeat.

~Amanda Tew

The Grille at Riverview

101 Flagler Ave.

New Smyrna Beach, FL

(386) 428-1865

Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon – Sat

Early Bird 4:30 p.m. – 6 Mon – Fri

Dinner 4:30 p.m. – 10 Sun – Thursday

Dinner 4:30 p.m. – 11 Fri & Sat