The River House at Odette’s in New Hope has transformed into an upscale steakhouse
More than half a century ago, the block that now houses hotel, restaurant and wedding venue the River House at Odette’s welcomed pretty much everyone. In the true spirit of New Hope inclusivity, acceptance and neighborly love, the Chez Odette cabaret was where anyone could go for a boisterous burlesque show, a stiff drink and a lively atmosphere.
These days, the circa-1794 building that was the site of Chez Odette is at 40 New St., after being moved and preserved following extensive flood damage.
But since it opened three years ago on River Road, the River House at Odette’s has continued the legacy of former local legend and French-American actress Odette Myrtil.
Onsite restaurant Odette's rebranded in mid-August to an upscale, classic chophouse.
“We realize now as our business has settled that we didn’t allow our restaurant to have a true identity,” said general manager Dave Myers. “When we opened during COVID, we blended a lot of concepts and tried to be a wide variety of options and flavors. But as things have normalized, we’re taking a different vision of what we are.”
Prior to the rebrand, Odette’s offered some steaks and high-end fare, but its menu also included more casual comfort foods like meatloaf, burgers and club sandwiches. Before that, it served French cuisine.
Now, USDA prime steaks headline the menu, such as the 18-ounce dry-aged prime ribeye and the 12-ounce filet mignon. Other dishes include bourbon glazed bacon, yellowfin tuna wontons and oysters Rockefeller.
“We wanted to make it worthy of the time, drive and investment to come and see us. Since we are at the end of New Hope, you don’t stumble upon us — you have to come here on purpose,” said Myers.
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Besides changing the menu, Odette’s invested in new cooking equipment, such as a broiler that cooks steaks at 700 degrees, new coolers and a seafood station. It also has a new wine list and a new wine cooler display in the dining room.
Upstairs at Roof, the members- and hotel guests-only open-air rooftop bar, the menu has also changed. It includes several of the main restaurant’s steak and chop options, as well as a raw bar, scallop crudo, clams casino and shishito peppers.
“The lightbulb went off in mid-July when we changed the Roof menu first and everybody loved it,” said Myers. “We all looked at ourselves and said, ‘We think we got something. Now we know who we are.’ “
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Despite Odette’s concept change, it continues to embody Myrtil, who was also a singer, violinist, costume designer and vaudeville star.
Photos of her fill the 36-room hotel; her song lyrics are written on the wallpaper; and the venue often hosts live music, tequila and bourbon dinners, murder mystery dinners and a jazz brunch.
“I think her goal was to have a space where everyone would be welcome and be able to have a good conversation and a good meal,” said Myers. “I think Odette would approve of us.”
Go: 274 River Road, New Hope; 215-682-2022, riverhousenewhope.com.
Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: The River House at Odette’s in New Hope is now a steakhouse
