River City Public House, located in Historic Havre de Grace, is one of my favorite dining spots. Located on North Washington Street, it is hard to miss the restaurant that is painted yellow and accented with a colorful mural and native plants.
When you walk through the doors of River City Public House, you immediately notice the gorgeous bar and murals that fill the walls. Ezra Berger, a well known artist in Havre de Grace is a longtime friend of the owner, Bruce Clarke whom he calls “Uncle Bruce.” Fourteen years ago, he painted the inside of the restaurant. Most of his work depicts architecture found in Havre de Grace and of course, the Susquehanna River.
There is a lot to love about River City Public House – their food is fun, fresh, and consistently good. Whenever my friends visit and ask for recommendations – River City always makes the list. I love their crab cakes, soups, salmon, and crab dip! While there isn’t a dedicated kid’s menu – my kids rave about their burgers, macaroni and cheese and sweet potato fries. My nine-year-old foodie loves the seared tuna.
Like the majority of restaurants across the country – River City Public House has shifted their business model many times throughout the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic when restaurants were shut-down completely, they popped up their food trailer on North Washington Street and ran daily specials. Those were dismal days and it was so nice to be greeted by a friendly face – even if it was just to order a quick lunch.
Over the past year, they built a beautiful outdoor temporary seating area with fresh flowers, launched family meals and cocktails to go, steamed crabs on a riverboat docked in town and expanded to offer local delivery.
Recently, they collaborated with Coakley’s Pub and MacGregors to offer a NYE Dinner Box for two – complete with champagne flutes and party favors. The boxes were a big hit with close to 400 being sold! They are now gearing up for a Valentine’s Dinner for Two collaboration.
Laurrapin Caterers, also owned by Bruce Clarke, has been quite busy despite the pandemic with micro weddings and intimate family gatherings. While there are many catering companies out there – Laurrapin can easily compete with the best of the best. They are one of the most sought-after caterers in Harford and Cecil County and I was thrilled when they told me they are currently booking into 2022 and 2023! They catered my daughter’s 1st birthday and my son’s 2nd birthday (they were born on the same day a year apart). My guests were wowed by the mini crab cakes, crab dip, Ploughman’s platter, sausage stuffed mushrooms, chicken skewers, sliders, macaroni and cheese and dessert cups.
One of their newest events is a Valentine’s Day themed Cocktail Class for two. Ashely Meyer, River City’s Assistant Bar Manager, moved to Maryland from LA last January right before the pandemic hit, which made the job hunt even more challenging. Ashely worked for Instacart over the summer and was excited to be offered a position at River City Public House in October. Bartending is a passion and she has enjoyed creating craft cocktails for the past twelve years. Her favorite signature cocktails are the Frankly Organic Mule, Chocolate Manhattan and New York Whiskey Sour. Recently, a few friends came up from Baltimore to visit and they raved about the mule – and trust me, these ladies know their cocktails.
Ashely came up with the Valentine’s Day Cocktail Class and teamed up with the kitchen manager to create a fun menu to compliment the cocktail. Each $69 ticket includes a NY Whiskey Sour cocktail kit to make two cocktails onsite and two at home. Laurrapin caterers will serve some of their favorites – Crab Gratin, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, and Lollipop Lambchops. Keeping with Covid-19 restrictions, classes will be held on Sunday, 14 at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm – with seating limited to provide for adequate social distancing. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.
