A Classy Restaurant That Defines San Angelo

Are you seeking a fine dining experience that exhibits much of what San Angelo is? This is a chance to get dressed up for an evening without having to drive hours to a large city.

The Riverview Restaurant at 800 West Avenue D, inside the River Terrace, offers San Angelo a new atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else. It has an ambiance that is tailor-made to be uniquely San Angelo.

Snuggled in the edge of the Santa Rita neighborhood with expansive views of the redeveloped Concho River, the atmosphere in the dining room is fabulous, and tell the story of why San Angelo was built here to begin with: water, trees, and life.

In November 2014, Chef Carols Estrada took over ownership of the Riverview Restaurant and has developed it into a unique experience.

“I’d like to make this into a nice, elegant restaurant where people can come and enjoy," Estrada explained. "I wanted it to be different than going to Chili’s--more like a fine dining experience, classy or even a business lunch. A high-end kind of place. A Country club without having to be a member.” 

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Mr. Estrada comes from a background in the culinary arts and brings forth creative culinary experience from several high-end restaurants.

“I’ve never worked at a chain," he said. "I’ve always worked at a country club or fine dining establishments. I’ve always been an employee, never an employer.”

Even as an employer, Estrada has had to discover the challenges of balancing chef and owner. He works hard to ensure the guests and his staff are happy.

“Being an owner is like a whole other world than I was used to," he described. "I was just used to running the kitchen, but now I’m doing everything from payroll to meetings to bookings.” 

Balancing those duties has come in the form of a blessing, Estrada stated. “Being blessed with a good staff. My sous chef, James Stewart, is my go-to guy. I can’t be in the kitchen all the time now, so when it's crunch time, we finish out together. We put out the whole meal together,” he said.

The chef now owner takes pride in the developments that have been made to offer San Angelo a more spectacular experience that includes not only an expansive view of the Concho River, but also fresh selections on the menus.

“We are just wanting to start the New Year fresh," Estrada noted. "I’m always trying to keep the stuff seasonal. Lunch buffets change every day, which includes the salad and soup bar. The dinner menu changes quarterly.”

As for Mr. Estrada’s biggest pride, he said is the quality of food as everything is made from scratch.

"We believe in presentation,” he added.

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Christmas party and holiday schedules are complete now. The Riverview will resume regular hours Jan. 5  where Estrada plans to introduce brand new lunch and dinner menus. In addition to lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Estrada and his staff offer many opportunities for patrons to experience The RiverView. Those opportunities include:

• Weddings
• Business lunches
• Fine dining dinners (preferably by reservation)
• Dances
• Private parties and meetings

The Riverview Restaurant also hosts the San Angelo Symphony board meetings once a month during its lunch buffets, along with various other company meetings. Every Sunday, patrons can enjoy brunch with live music, a roast beef carving station, omelets cooked to order, fresh waffles and much more.

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From executive business lunches to an intimate date over a candlelight dinner, the Riverview Restaurant can provide San Angelo and west Texans with more than just an excellent meal. It also provides patrons with an unforgettable experience.

For more information on menus, hours and contact information, please visit the RiverView Restaurant of San Angelo's website..

Or, people can like the RiverView Restaurant's Facebook Page for upcoming specials and events.