Mitchell's on the River Opens For Season

Owner Roy Merluzzo hears the question every year, ”When are you going to open Mitchell’s on the River?”

This year, he pulled a fast one on his customers and opened the riverside restaurant early. With very little snow this winter and minimal chances of flooding expected for this month, he opened Mitchell’s on the River on April 6 for lunch hours only, which are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Not knowing how the chill will be at night, we decided to only open for lunch," Merluzzo said. On April 30, the restaurant will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until dark and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until dark, weather permitting.

“I think people are excited,” said Merluzzo, who also owns in Rocky Hill, Vernon and Cromwell.

Since Saturday, the restaurant has been steadily busy during the lunch hours. By opening early in the season, Merluzzo said it helped “to get the word out” and will lead to the restaurant “hitting its full swing” in May, which will lead to “more business.”

Boaters, pedestrians and Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry riders have come to expect “consistently well-prepared” food at “reasonable prices” from Mitchell’s on the River. Customers for over seven years have come to enjoy the fresh fried seafood, lobster rolls and sweet potato french fries.

Merluzzo said he wants to keep his prices low and the quality of the food high, so customers want to keep continuing back and hopefully multiple times a week.

“They know what they are going to get when they come down,” he said. And anyone in the mood for ice cream can enjoy brand down by the Connecticut River.

“I sell his product down here,” Merluzzo said.

Customers will notice a few new menu items including tuna and chicken salad, personal pizzas and wraps. He is also offering a fish melt, which is “grilled cheese with fish in there," he said.

Merluzzo does not know what the future holds for Mitchell's on the River, but he plans on enjoying this season.

“I can’t say what is going to happen,” he said. “I am looking forward to this new season.”