2010-02-04
Tuscan Grille – fine Northern Italian dining in Kerrville
By Judith Pannebaker
Since some of the most enjoyable times of my life were spent exploring Tuscany, I’m predisposed to be receptive to anything that references that region of Italy. With that editorial comment in mind, Kerrville’s Rivers Edge: A Tuscan Grille gets a rave review.
Owned by former Bandera residents Don and Sharon Jones and their son, Chef Michael Jones, the delightful restaurant is perched on the banks above the Guadalupe River at 1011 Guadalupe Street.
There’s been a restaurant on the site since 1983. According to server Adam Flores, building construction began in 1979.
“Since the restaurant is built directly into the river, the officers with Army Corps of Engineers assisted with its construction,” he noted. Thanks to the help of Army engineers, not only does the restaurant afford a breathtaking view of the Guadalupe River, it actually offers diners a sense of floating over the water. The three-sided panoramic view showcases the Hill Country’s incredible sunsets.
As the Guadalupe River Club, the building originally served as a clubhouse for nearby vacation condominiums. In 1992, the site morphed into the River’s Edge, a fine dining French restaurant – which Flores coincidentally managed.
“After that, the owner attempted to turn it into a private residence, but abandoned the idea due to privacy concerns,” he said. Vacationers at the condos and Inn of the Hills routinely utilize the wonderfully refreshing pool adjacent to the restaurant, Flores explained.
The Italian reincarnation of River’s Edge debuted four years ago with the Jones family arriving on the scene about eight months ago.
“This was my husband’s and my favorite restaurant and when the chance came to purchase the business we couldn’t resist,” offered an effervescent Sharon Jones. “We loved the food and the special atmosphere.”
The deal, she said, was finalized on a golf course. “After speaking with then owner Blake Pickett, I called my husband while he was golfing – a real ‘no-no,’ as everyone knows.” Without breaking his stride – or his swing – Don Jones said, “Tell him we’ll take it.”
The deal was happily done and Pickett still drops by occasionally to help out, Sharon added.
With 20 years culinary experience, Michael wasted no time putting his special stamp on the restaurant by creating an outdoor dining area. Appetizers and salads, as well as a selection of 30 wines by the glass and gourmet beer from around the world, are available for light dining on the Tuscan Terrace, located on the restaurant rooftop.
“We also serve the best handmade pizzas in town on the terrace. They’re to die for,” Sharon Jones said proudly.
After attending Schreiner University, Michael became general manager of TGI Friday’s in the horse country of Leesburg, Virginia. During his watch, the restaurant was voted the best on the eastern seaboard for two consecutive years. “Friday’s has quite a training program,” Sharon noted.
Additionally, prior to relocating to Kerrville and the Tuscan Grille, Michael served as a chef at Landry’s in Houston.
His current focus remains on serving the best food possible and taking advantage of the restaurant’s amazing location. “This is just an extension of what Blake began,” Michael Jones said. “Right now all we’re doing is tweaking the menu slightly, but later I want to hire another chef which will allow us to drive the menu seasonally.”
He continued, “Everything we serve is freshly prepared. Nothing is ever pre-purchased or frozen.” Jones added, “And our wait staff is the best in town,” praising the expertise of Flores, restaurant manager Debbie Peles and wine steward Flora Applegate.
To the delight of his regular clients, Michael will institute a brunch the first Sunday of every month with the first one set for Sunday, Feb. 7.
A new menu will be offered every month, but a la carte brunch samplings include “The Southern BLT,” featuring in-house apple-smoked bacon, fried green tomato and fresh greens on Foccacia bread with pesto aioli; “Classic Muffuletta,” sourdough bread stuffed with in-house olive salad, cappicola and sopressata hams and smoked Provolone cheese and served with a fresh fruit salad; “Eggs Florentino,” house-made Foccacia bread topped with soft-poached egg, cappicola ham, Cipolino onion, sun-dried tomato, spinach and chive Hollandaise; and “Steak & Egg,” grilled New York steak with garlic, tomato and basil scrambled eggs and oven-roasted potatoes, among a host of other items.
Brunch is served from 10:30 am to 3 pm and prices range from $8 to $15 per dish. Reservations are recommended.
Additionally, Chef Michael is planning a special Valentine’s Day celebration on Sunday, Feb. 14. Reservations are required. Call 830-895-1169 to reserve a table. Seating times for this romantic dinner are 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:30 pm and 8 pm.
For an unforgettable dining experience in the finest Northern Italian tradition, visit Rivers Edge: A Tuscan Grille. You won’t believe you’re in the Hill Country. And don’t forget the Tuscan Terrace. Dining there under an arbor against the panoramic backdrop of the river and hills beyond, recalls a luncheon served under grape arbors outside of Perugia – just in case you wondered.
Closed Sunday – except for brunch – and Monday, Rivers Edge: A Tuscan Grille is open 11 am to 9 pm, Tuesday through Friday; and 5 pm until 9 pm, Saturday. Telephone is 830-895-1169. For menus, wine list and other information, visit www.riversedgetuscangrille.com.
