A First Look at Patrick Gilmartin’s River Bar

Shrimp chips at River Bar. Photo provided

Restaurateur Ken Kelly (The Independent, Foundry on Elm, Saloon, and Brass Union) will open his fifth Somerville restaurant with Assembly Row’s River Bar, later this month. The new eatery, tentatively set to open its door in mid-October, becomes the latest high profile restaurant to join an enticing Assembly Row lineup that already includes Earls Kitchen + Bar and Legal on the Mystic.

What makes River Bar particularly intriguing is the man behind the menu. Boston restaurant veteran Patrick Gilmartin, formerly of Rialto and the departed Staff Meal truck, is behind River Bar’s “elevated street food” concept. Melding his fine dining and food truck backgrounds, Gilmartin has created an eclectic series of menus that blend European haute cuisine and casual take-out. Gilmartin’s selection of small plates include bites like his shrimp chips with a black garlic aioli dipping sauce; chorizo Scotch quail eggs; and a house-made Chinese sausage sub. Larger entrees include roasted Vadouvan half-chicken served with baby eggplant and that new industry favorite, whole grilled fish, which Gilmartin dresses with preserved lemon and sauteed greens.

Kelly is taking full advantage of River Bar’s waterfront real estate overlooking the Mystic River, with a covered 2,600-square-foot patio which will be heated during cold months. Seating over 100 guests, the outdoor area encompasses a bar, couches, fire pits, and trees. In contrast, the relatively cozy 1,300-square-foot interior will seat 36 and feature  a cocktail bar and counter seating with views into the open kitchen.

On the spirits side, Jess Willis, a 12-year veteran of Kelly’s restaurant group, will head up a seasonal cocktail menu that will utilize fresh juices, syrups, infusions, shrubs, and house-made bitters. Highlights from the cocktail menu include warm drinks such as River Bar’s signature Absinthe Frappe and the Cardamaro Smash (Cardamaro, fresh grapefruit, mint). Beer offerings will spotlight local craft options, as well as limited releases, and rarities. The wine list focuses on grower, organic, biodynamic wines.

River Bar will open for weekday lunch from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., weekend brunch from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and daily dinner from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. River Bar’s late-night menu will be served until 12:45 p.m. nightly. Below is the full menu:

Dinner

Small Plates
Togarashi Almonds $7
Shrimp Chips with Black Garlic Aioli $7
Grilled Corn, Mexican Cheese and Togarashi $8
Smoked Bluefish and Avocado Salad $12
Gratineed Littlenecks with gruyere and cider $13
Chorizo Scotch Quail Eggs $9
Fried Sweet Potato with Pomegranate Molasses and Scallion $6
Pan Fried Corned Beef and Cabbage Dumplings with Rye Dipping Sauce $9
Chicken and Brie Terrine $10

Main
Whole Grilled Fish with Preserved Lemon, Red Onion, and Sauteed Greens $21
Roasted Vadouvan Half Chicken with Baby Eggplant, Yogurt $22
Grilled 10oz Sirloin, Grilled Baby Romaine, Pickled Plums, Roasted Shallot Jam $32
Housemade Chinese Sausage Sub, Black Bean Mayo, Red Cabbage and Cucumber Slaw $13
Veg Plate $18

Lunch

Togarasi Almonds $7
Smoked Bluefish and Avocado Salad $12
Chorizo Scotch Quail Eggs $9
Grilled Corn, Mexican Cheese and Togarashi $8
Housemade Chinese Sausage Sub, Black Bean Mayo, Red Cabbage and Cucumber Slaw $13
Fried Eggplant Sandwich with Tonkatsu Sauce and Bok Choy, Red Cabbage and Cucumber Slaw $10
Cider Marinated Pork and Camembert Sub with house-made Sauerkraut, Red Cabbage and Cucumber Slaw $13

Brunch

Confit Chicken Scrapple and Eggs $8
Smoked Bluefish Hash with poached egg $9
The River Bar Breakfast Sando: Egg, Taylor Ham Roll, Brillat Savarin Cheese, Leeks, Stone and Skillet English Muffin $14
Bourbon French Toast with Maple Bacon $10
Housemade Chinese Sausage Sub, Black Bean Mayo, Red Cabbage and Cucumber Slaw $13
Chorizo Scotch Quail Eggs $9
Fried Sweet Potato with Pomegranate Mollasses $6

Mid-Day & Late Night

Smoked Paprika Almonds $7
Shrimp Chips with Black Garlic Aioli $7
Chicken and Brie Terrine $10
Rotating Nightly Specials

661 Assembly Row, Somerville; 617-616-5561 or river-bar.com.