Lookin' good: River House getting ready for June 21.
Since we’ve been running this blog, a few bars have actually figured out what we’re all about — letting the real beer drinkers know what’s going on in downtown Portsmouth.
The Gaslight, the Blue Mermaid, and of course the Press Room and the Dolphin Striker all recognize that if they give us some information, we’ll make sure the word gets out. It’s that simple.
Well, if their win at last weekend’s Chowder Fest wasn’t enough to put you on notice, let it be known that the owners of the River House (do we even need to say that it’s the old Stockpot anymore?) definitely get it.
Last week, we asked them to give us some info. on their new establishment. Within days, they responded, offering us all kinds of details on their new place.
The following is a transcript of our e-mail interview with Mike Labrie, co-owner of the soon-to-be-opened River House:
Mr. X: When are you planning to open River House Restaurant? Will the deck also be open at that time, or will that open later?
Mike Labrie: We are planning to open June 21, Tight, but do-able. The 2 decks will be open at the same time.
X: What beers will you have on tap?
ML: Guiness, Smithwicks, Kona Longboard Lager, Smutty IPA, Sam Seasonal, Bud Light, Harpoon UFO, Stella Artois
X: Are there any beers you will be serving (even if not on tap) that
people in Portsmouth might not be able to find anywhere else in town?
ML: I would say yes, definitely. We will have a large bottled beer
selection (50+) including not only best sellers, but also some hard to
find and fringe beers. That’s why we put in 10 doors of Perlick, back
bar display doors so beer guys (and gals) can scope out and try
something new and different. We’re still making this selection if
readers have any requests.
X: Are there any elements/dishes/etc. from the Stockpot that you will be
carrying over? In other words, what will be staying the same and what
will change? I’m assuming from the Chowder Fest win that soups will be
a staple, but can you let me know if that will be the case?
ML: We are not releasing our menu until we open, however, I will say that
it is fresh and inventive but certainly not precocious. Our chef, Gerry Walsh, opened Molly Malone’s and Paddie’s. His mind is brimming
with delicious, comfortable food, all of it high quality, fresh,
portioned and priced right. Salads are an important section, some
never seen in Portsmouth. Soups, chowder, steak, an awesome burger,
sure. We count at least 20 items not found anywhere else in town.
X: We’ve heard that there will be no bar on the outside deck, which was
one of the best features of the old Stockpot. Is it true that there
will be no outside deck, and if so, why? We had heard it might be a
code enforcement issue.
ML: The code officer made us remove the outside bar which bothered us at first, but we are glad about it now because of how we resolved it. We
ended up putting in a beautiful new mahogany bar in the lower level
which doubles as a deck service bar. All drinks go out a service
window to either the cocktail waitresses on the cocktail deck or to the
waitresses on the food deck. The cocktail deck was refitted with 5
stand up bars. It now has twice the capacity it had before. We have a
total of 80 feet of waterfront decks.
X: What’s the configuration going to be like inside? Will the bar setup
be the same, or different? How so?
ML: The upstairs bar has been totally renovated and modernized. The
refrigerated bar back I’ve already described. The entire room is
cleaner, brighter and more open. Funky old buildouts harkening back to the Poco Diablo days were removed. The upper platform was expanded, new ash floors installed, new lighting, paint, and high tops toward the street. The lower level is completely different with a beautiful new bar and back bar. New tile floors, and a totally new look. Large flat panel TVs on both levels.
X: Are you bringing back any of the old Stockpot employees? If so, can
you provide us with some names who people who frequented The Stockpot
might recognize?
ML: Just to name a few: Adrian, Dennis, Bill, Linda, Ellie, The Barrett
Sisters, Mike from the kitchen. Many more.
X: Are you planning to feature any live music? If so, do you have any
idea yet what acts you are planning to book?
ML: We did not pursue that in phase one. We would like to bring in some
blues in the near future.
We’ll bring you more info. as we know it. Needless to say, you’ll want to be at the RH on June 21.
– Mr. X
(Read our review of River House here at The Beer Drinking Report.)
