River Bleu looks to impress at RiverGate

He’s barely unlocked the doors to customers for a Thursday lunch, and Bost Roberts looks over the back-house service area with a warning.

“After the first couple of plates,” he says, “we’re going to be slammed.”

Roberts, general manager at River Bleu Steak & Fish, isn’t worried. He and the staff are pleased the restaurant, opened July 19, is attracting a crowd.

“Everything was fresh,” said Margaret Herbold of her spinach salad with homemade soy sauce vinaigrette. “I am so grateful we finally have a great restaurant in the area.”

RiverGate’s new restaurant aims for upscale quality in a comfortable setting. River Bleu is the latest venture for chef and owner Freddy Lee, who opened Bernardin’s at Ratcliffe in 2011. River Bleu is Lee’s fifth restaurant, located in the former City Tavern space in RiverGate.

The new restaurant features an American Southern menu, with steak and seafood. The restaurant has an extensive wine selection housed in a private dining room, local beers and more than a dozen specialty martinis.

The restaurant seats 140, including 20 in the wine room. Another 30 seats are in an outdoor patio and upper deck.

Lunch ranges from a $4.50 cup of soup to a $15 steak; dinners range from $15 to $35.

River Bleu’s atmosphere is upscale casual when compared to the fine dining at Bernardin’s. The food, however, will be on par with the Charlotte restaurant, which is recognized as among the city’s best.

“We’re very proud of the food and excellent service in all our restaurants,” said Lee, a Culinary Institute of America graduate.

Travis Garrett, a Johnson & Wales University graduate, is the executive chef at River Bleu. Garrett has taught at the school, and began working in restaurants at age 13.

“My goal is to ensure that River Bleu becomes known for its delicious food, impeccable service and restful atmosphere,” Garrett said.

Lake Wylie Lunch Bunch, a group that shares meals and donates to local charities, met at the restaurant Thursday. Even with more than a dozen people, the group received good overall service, said Dona Van Leer.

“We were very pleased,” said Van Leer said, who had the Angus burger. “There was a wide variety of luncheon selections on the menu with moderate prices.”

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 2:44 PM with the headline "River Bleu looks to impress at RiverGate."