Revived along the riverside: Riverhouse Nestucca reopens

The Riverhouse Nestucca
The Riverhouse Nestucca once sat closed for years, in the past year it was reopened by Jeremy Davidson.

Set on the Nestucca River, The Riverhouse Nestucca was a local favorite for three decades, but sat closed for several years.

Then, Jeremy Davidson came along. He delighted locals by reopening the space with a new menu specializing in locally sourced seafood, as well as local art.

As the owner and chef at the popular Portland Soup Company food cart for nearly 10 years, Davidson was known for his tasty soups, sandwiches and salads.

“It’s super quaint, family-friendly with a really inviting atmosphere,” Davidson said.

As a professional soup chef for a decade, it’s no surprise he’ll put his clam chowder up against most anyone’s, but it’s Seafood Paella that Davidson considers his signature dish.

“We do a pretty good job of that,” he said. “If you like seafood, we do it right.”

He also offers a steak he calls “beautiful,” and chicken is always on the menu.

The Riverhouse Nestucca
Draper Farms chicken & buttermilk dumplings.

But, it’s what you won’t find on the menu that helps make this a dining experience to remember: and that’s provided by Mother Nature.

“Our view of the Nestucca River is really cool,” Davidson said. “We’re kind of right in the middle of estuary. There is a huge diversity of wildlife — we see lots of Blue Heron. The other day I saw a deer swimming across the river and there are always fish jumping.”

The Riverhouse Nestucca is located at 34450 Brooten Road in Pacific City. Open Wednesday-Saturday for dinner 5-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday for lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Sunday for lunch noon-5 p.m. and dinner 5-9 p.m.