River Watch Marina - Essex

Was not in years and thought we would check it since it was a nice night. Unfortunately, the restaurant felt as if it was badly managed. we felt this from the moment we came in. we had a reservation at 7:15 and got no table until at least 7:45 (although the place definitiw was not packed). As soon as we have set ourselves, we quickly realized the necessity to order as it was understated and we saw that our neighbours who sit in front of us did not even receive silverware. fortunately, we have inserted and received our drink and food order in a decent amount of time, but there were numerous mistakes how to get chips instead of frits and not dress with an salate. our waitress was in order as the food was, but it was obvious that the restaurant fights and it is hard not to believe that it is due to the bad administration. next time we go into crazy thunfisch or sundown bay.

They are new to open table and we had to wait 35 minutes for a reservation that was made a week in advance. The food was ok but they had a live band playing on Mother's Day and it was loud. So loud that you could not hold a conversation with anyone until they were in between songs or on break. Had the band been advertised we would not have gone to eat there. Service was very slow, kitchen we were told was behind and understaffed. Great if you want a party scene but not for a waterfront Mother's Day dinner

The view was nice and the staff was nice. However, the food was only average. Even being outside, the music was too loud. We couldn't hear that we were sitting on top of each other so it wasn't ideal for a family party. However, the children had a good time to dance the music. If you like the bar scene, you will probably enjoy it.

When you step inside, the ambiance conveys a sense of fine dining, yet the dress code is casual, allowing patrons to relax and enjoy the outdoor deck during the spring and summer months. I believe the menu could benefit from a bit more variety, and it would be nice to have bread or rolls available upon request when dining in the restaurant. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The atmosphere in the evening is lovely, featuring beautiful lighting and a wonderful view of the water.

They seem to have abandoned OpenTable, as our reservation was not recorded. We had tried to book via OpenTable but faced issues finding available times. However, when we arrived, the restaurant wasn't too busy, and we were able to get a table; there were several available at the time. The food was good, though it was a bit salty and spicy for my taste, and the portions were reasonable. Our waitress was friendly, and the dishes were prepared exactly as we requested without any issues. The music was a nice, not-too-loud mix of guitar and singing, which allowed for easy conversation on a Friday night. Parking was convenient, and it seemed to be a popular spot for local families. Next time, we’ll be sure to ask for less seasoning!