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The location of The River Room, a swanky Southern/Soul and Creole spot in Harlem, is its biggest asset and greatest challenge. Ensconced in Riverbank State Park, which juts out into the Hudson River, the restaurant commands a panoramic vista of the waterway, the majestic Palisades, and the George Washington Bridge through its 140-foot wall of windows. That said, its out-of-the-way site is certainly something of a trek. The dining room oozes drama, with a vaulted ceiling bathed in shades of purple light, white terrazzo and wood floors, sleek tables, and green upholstered chairs. Executive Chef Marvin Mayfield deftly mixes down home and New Orleans-inspired dishes. The seafood gumbo, over red beans and rice, is a dainty amalgam of shrimp, mussels, baby scallops, squid, and crabmeat in a tomato base highlighted with thyme. Lacking the usual okra, it’s thickened instead with a roux and gumbo filé. Pan roasted duck falls a bit short on succulence, but its sides of smoked turkey collard greens and a mash of plantains and yams are first-rate. — Michael Anstendig

Live Jazz
Jazz aficionados can groove to live music sets on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30pm and 10pm; there’s a supplemental $5 cover charge per person.

Weddings
With its sleek interior and panoramic views of the Hudson River (thanks to a floor-to-ceiling glass wall), the River Room is known for its upscale Southern comfort fare (macaroni-and-cheese croquettes, shrimp ’n’ grits with red gravy). The restaurant can accommodate up to 250 guests and offers valet parking. From $75 per person.

Macaroni & cheese croquettes, $7; seafood gumbo, $10