Otto's on the River

Otto's sits right on the river in Augusta and swings for seafood, pasta, and cocktails. You'll find couples and families at the tables, especially on nights when the owner's working the room himself. The place has real charm when it's clicking, though consistency seems to be the ongoing puzzle.

• Crab dip starter wins over most guests.
• Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp earns repeats.
• Owner personally seats and serves on quieter nights.
• River views and elegant room feel.

Start with the crab dip if you're coming for seafood. The fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp shows up regularly in positive notes, as do the frog legs when available. One guest raved about the biscuits and the Amish lemon pie for dessert. The Otto Old Fashioned needs work, ask your server about their cocktail strengths before ordering.

Comfortable, moderately elegant room with river views. Quiet enough to talk, and tables feel spacious.

It's a restaurant trying to be nicer than it sometimes executes. The owner shows up on slower nights and can make things feel personal. But a $100+ dinner should come without mistakes like ignored substitution requests or inconsistent seasoning.

Guests describe hit-or-miss meals. One recent visitor called an evening "wonderful," praising biscuits and the owner's kindness. But others report overlooked pasta substitutions, underseasoned dishes, and appetizers that miss the mark. Service swings between attentive and absent.