"I have the simplest tastes.  I am always satisfied with the best.”
Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900 - writer, playwright, poet

Winter at Rivertown Inn is warm and cozy inside and especially snowy outside. The landscape is all Currier and Ives, with winterberries peeking through mounds of snow. Valentine’s Day is around the corner, our chef is offering innovative cooking classes and in-house dinners, the Inn has been acknowledged in some very big ways, and Stillwater has much to offer right now. 

It’s awards season, and Oscar Wilde would have been more than satisfied with Rivertown Inn. We’ve been awarded the Best Hotel in Minnesota by HotelsCombined. "This is a special award because it is based solely on guest feedback,” says Larry Loyer, innkeeper and manager. Larry and the entire staff go above and beyond to make every stay exquisitely memorable. We’re humbled by this recognition by HotelsCombined, and by you, our guests.

And there is more….

Guests have long given our Chef Maggie Wescott rave reviews for her cooking classes, and now CBS Minnesota  has taken notice. Maggie is honored with creating one of the five Best Italian Cooking Classes in Minnesota. While Italian is on the calendar in April, check out our upcoming classes, including a new spin on a romantic Valentine’s dinner.  A cooking class at the Inn is a wonderful way for a small group of friends, a family or a work group to gather and collaborate … and you’ll learn a few skills from a pro along the way.  

Cast iron cooking is everywhere these days, but just how do you work with it?  Join guest chef Collin Sandoe from The Herbivorous Butcher in Northeast Minneapolis as he walks you through Cast Iron 101,  from care to creating outstanding meals. Bring the relic from your past or use one of ours, and you’ll leave knowing everything about America’s favorite cookware.

The improvements and upgrades at the inn continue: we’ve restored a lovely space to include a state-of-the-art meeting space for 12.  As Oscar Wilde suggests, we consider it to be quite simple: we’re always satisfied with the best. We look forward to sharing the many details of this beautiful home with you. Consider a team building event, family cooking class, small conference or a private dinner party. We’ll see to all the details. Last, check out the special offer below for our newsletter subscribers. we hope to see you soon at the award-winning Rivertown Inn

COOKING CLASSES

All classes feature hands-on instruction, plentiful food and wine samplings and take home recipes of the menus from the day. All dietary restrictions are welcome with advanced notice. Class size is limited to 6 participants; classes fill quickly. Call today to reserve your space. $75 per person plus tax. Advanced reservation required. For more information, and to see all of our classes for 2018, please visit our Cooking Classes page HERE. 

Valentine’s Date • Saturday, February 3 & 10, 4-7pm - Cook an elegant meal to remember with fellow cooking class participants. Then, sit down by the fire with a glass of wine and enjoy your meal together.  

Paleo Desserts • Saturday, March 10 & 24 - Learn to make Paleo-inspired desserts that are gluten-free and made with natural sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup. On the menu: Almond-Orange Cake, Avocado Key Lime Pie, and Angel Food Cake with Berry-Basil Sauce.

Cast Iron 101 • Saturday, March 31 - This is not your grandmother's cast iron cooking class. Or maybe it is! Using vintage pans this class will take you through what makes cast iron such a dynamic, powerful and timeless way to bake, sear and stew. You’ll learn how to restore, clean and maintain your cast iron for generations.  Bring your own pan or use one of ours.  On the menu: a baked bread, an egg dish and a wild card you've never thought of preparing in cast iron. *Please note a small selection of vintage cast-iron cookware will be available for purchase.

Handmade Pasta • Saturday, April 7 & 21 - Roll up your sleeves and learn how easy it is to make pasta from scratch! Create three dishes using fresh pasta dough: Classic Fettuccine Alfredo, Sweet Potato Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce, and Stuffed Manicotti. As a bonus, you'll learn to make ricotta from scratch.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN STILLWATER

Ice Castles of Stillwater • Winter, 2018 - Twinkling lights, magnificent archways and towers, ice-carved tunnels, fountains and slides ready to be explored. By day this frozen castle glimmers with glacial blues and after dark the ice formations create a magical glow.  Buy your tickets HERE.

Free carriage rides on Valentines Day! • February 10 & 14 - Main Street shops, restaurants, and attractions welcome you to Stillwater to celebrate with your Valentine all day long with specials. Meet by the pedestrian plaza on Water Street for free carriage rides along the river on February 14th from 4-7pm.  Also, free rides on Saturday, February 10th on the horse drawn Victorian wagonette. More information HERE.

Literature Lovers’ Night Out™ • Tuesday, February 13,  7pm - A monthly event sponsored by Valley Bookseller and hosted by Pamela Klinger-Horn, featuring national and local authors, light refreshments. Attendees must reserve a spot by stopping in or calling 651-430-3385 to purchase a ticket. Doors open at 6:30pm so come early to mingle and have a glass of wine.  More information HERE. Featured authors for February are Cynthia Swanson – "The Glass Forest," Mira T. Lee – "Everything Here is Beautiful," David Housewright – "Darkness Sing Me a Song,"  and Gregory Blake Smith – "The Maze at Windermere."

Victorian Tea at the Historic Stillwater Courthouse • Saturday, April 28,  12-2pm - $40.00 per person, reservations required; all proceeds benefit the Historic Courthouse Restoration Fund. Reserve online or call 651-275-7075.  More information HERE.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS

To thank you for subscribing to our newsletter please reserve any room Sunday through Wednesday and enjoy the following night in the same suite or bedchamber for the 1982 rate of only $75. Please use code 35YEARS when booking on-line, or call the Inn at 651.439.2955 to make your reservation. 

Offer valid for stays February 1 - April 30, 2018 (excluding February 11-14, 2018). Offer valid Sundays through Thursdays, may not include Fridays or Saturdays, and may not be combined with other offers. Reservations placed through third-party reservation systems are not eligible for this promotion. Discount may not be applied to other packages or classes at Rivertown Inn.

RIVERTOWN INN GIFT CERTIFICATES

Give the gift of elegance and luxury.  Our gift certificates are available in any denomination. Use the link below, or call us at (651) 430-2955 for personal service.