River City Tap + Grill Brings Cajun, Creole To The Burg

Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 6:28 AM

By Mike Perleberg

Greg Davis (left) and Darren Harris are the proprietors of the new River City Tap + Grill restaurant in Lawrenceburg. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle 99.3. (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A new restaurant opening its doors to the public Tuesday signals another step forward in making downtown Lawrenceburg a dining destination. River City Tap + Grill serves American southern, Cajun and creole food. The family-style restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant located at the corner of High and Walnut streets is owned and operated by Greg Davis and Darren Harris. “The people of Lawrenceburg are just ready for something different,” says Davis. “We’re proud of our sauces, especially our white barbecue sauce. It’s southern and Cajun food so our chef has really experimented with the sauces.” Davis has been doing business in downtown Lawrenceburg for several years as proprietor of Jackalope Printing. Harris, the operator of the successful Hebron Grille in northern Kentucky, brings the restaurant experience and is joined on the culinary team by Kayla Curlin. The building, which the 40-year-old Davis owns, was originally a cigar factory. It’s housed a number of other restaurants over the past decade. Work to remodel the building began last September. “People have been amazed with how much different the space looks and been amazed with how good the food is,” says Davis. “We want to change the atmosphere and think it’s a very inviting place now. We can’t wait for people to see what it has turned into.” There are more changes in store for the second floor, including an event space for dancing or small concerts. Perhaps even a walk-out balcony over the sidewalk. Davis hopes his new restaurant will add to the city’s efforts to revitalize downtown Lawrenceburg. “We hate the fact that people would always have to leave this area to go out to sit down and eat. We’d love them to see how much downtown has changed. We want to keep it going and keep something that we’re proud of and that the city’s proud of also,” Davis says. The restaurant, Davis emphasizes, is privately funded with no grants from the City of Lawrenceburg. He is hopeful that a city committee’s plans for a downtown cultural and entertainment district – which would open up unlimited, affordable liquor licenses to businesses within a few blocks of the Ohio River – will be successful. River City Tap + Grill is just the latest of a handful of restaurants to open up around the Lawrenceburg Event Center & Hotel. The Levee Bar & Grill located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel began welcoming diners in January. The Levee Breaker – formerly Bob O’s at the Levee which moved from Davis’ building – opened late last year. Beebs & Bubs Ameri-Café has done well among the downtown lunch and coffee crowds since opening last May. RELATED STORIES: Aurora Chipotle Opening Date Set Cheap, Unlimited Liquor Licenses May Be New Tool For Downtown L’burg Revitalization Downtown Action Agenda Highlights Casino, Ohio River Opportunities Quilters Bring Business To Lawrenceburg’s Downtown