Two Rivers Restaurant Celebrates Grand Opening

By Hayley Gable

On September 28, local restaurateur Tony Toskov celebrated the greatly anticipated opening of his newest venture, the Two Rivers Steak and Fish House in Pasadena’s Lake Shore Plaza. The steak and seafood restaurant, Toskov explains, is unlike any other in the area in that its interior décor and menu items are themed after the local neighborhood.

Toskov, who is also the mastermind behind local venues Cancun Cantina, Bamboo Bernie’s and Reckless Ric’s, recalls how the inspiration for the new dining venue came to him nearly two and a half years ago. “I have always had a photographic memory. When I see things I remember them, and they stand out in my mind,” he said.

Having lived on the water in Pasadena for several years, Toskov explains it was the local scenery that has always stood out to him. “I have always wanted to create a restaurant that’s based on the local atmosphere. I’ve seen it done in Vegas and other places throughout the country, so it’s always been my dream to have something similar right here in our community,” he said.

The “Two Rivers” name pays tribute to the two major waterways that feed into the Pasadena area – the Magothy and the Patapsco. To go hand-in-hand with the name of the restaurant, the menu items and interior décor are tied to that theme.

“Everything in here complements our local area,” said Toskov.

Inside the restaurant, patrons will find the space divided into three main areas – the kitchen, the bar, and the dining room. In the immediate entranceway and waiting area is a large glass window where guests can get a glimpse into the kitchen as chefs prepare fish, steak and ribs atop the state-of-the-art grills.

Just ahead of the waiting area is the bar area, which is surrounded by booths, tables and five large flat screen televisions. Toskov explains that the massive wall space overlooking the bar is a replica of the “Shore Drive-In” movie theatre, named and modeled after the popular drive-in theatre that operated off Mountain Road from 1954 until 1978. The bar area will project movies from the 1930s and ‘40s onto the jumbo wall space.

To the right of the bar area is the main dining room, which is separated by a massive wall of authentic grotto stone. “It’s meant to reflect the look and feel of a scenic courtyard,” noted Toskov. There will be an area for four- and six-top booths, as well as an area for tables where larger parties can be accommodated.

The two focal points of the entire restaurant, Toskov says, will be the old-fashioned general store and farm house, which are built and painted into the dining room walls.

“The general store was my idea. I wanted to incorporate a lot of antique, old-fashioned signs and décor,” he said. “The hallway behind the dining area, which leads to the restrooms, is decorated with some old-time Mountain Road signs.”

The mural painted on the opposite wall was inspired by the Gayfield Farms house that overlooks the Magothy. Toskov explains he wanted to imitate the house’s towering porch pillars, French doors and window shutters.

Next, there’s the extensive food and drink menu, which was created by former Windows on the Bay owner and current Two Rivers executive chef Mark Morgan. “We wanted to make sure there really was something for everyone,” he said. “And since we’re not a corporate-owned chain, we have the ability to be creative with our menu and change things up as we see fit.”

Morgan noted he is most excited about the “fresh fish, grilled-to-perfection seasoned steaks, and dynamite ribs.”

Among the extensive list of appetizers are roasted clams, BBQ oysters, seared ahi tuna, marinated jerk chicken, and crab dip. Entrees include several steak options, baby back ribs, many spectacular chicken dishes, Cuban rubbed pork porterhouse to name a few. Some fresh seafood options on the menu will be grilled rockfish, a crab cake platter, grilled salmon, the Two Rivers seafood combo, and the Catch of the Day. New Orleans Creole pasta, Tuscan chicken pasta and shrimp scampi are some of the pasta dishes available.

The children’s menu, which Toskov wanted to make special so it would enhance the restaurant’s family appeal, includes a macaroni and cheese dog, fried shrimp, sirloin tips, chicken tender basket, mozzarella sticks, soft pretzel with cheese, cheeseburger sliders, and a ham and cheese pretzel.

“We are going to be a very family-oriented restaurant, so we wanted the kid’s menu to stand out from all the others,” added Morgan.

The menu also features an extensive wine list, ranging from moderately priced glasses and bottles, to a higher end “captain’s list” of wine selections.

Dessert options include crème brule, dessert shooters, apple pie, brownie sundae and select ice cream flavors.

“The whole idea with this restaurant is to ‘wow’ people,” added Toskov. “This area needs this restaurant, and I’m more excited than I’ve ever been about it.”

Two Rivers, which can accommodate seating for over 200 people, is open Monday through Thursday from 3:00pm until 10:30pm, Friday 3:00pm-12:00am, Saturday 12:00pm until 12:00am, and Sunday 12:00pm until 10:30pm. Their website can be accessed at www.tworiverssteak.com.