Riva — Restaurant in Sidney

We visited Riva on August 11, 2022 and based on how we were treated by staff, we wouldn’t ever return nor would we recommend this restaurant. There are many places to eat in Sidney that are half the price and much more friendly.

We were a party of 9 and arrived around 5:30pm on a Tuesday without a reservation. The place was dead and we asked for a seat on the patio, the majority of which overlooks the ocean.

The hostess actually rolled her eyes at us when we arrived and then a group of servers huddled nearby, loudly discussing who would take our table. All the while a strange elderly man who appeared to be an employee glared at us.

We were seated at the very back of the patio near the server door with next to no view of the water. They made us feel like a burden from the moment we arrived.

My 11 year old daughter said “Dad I don’t think they like kids here.”

Our server was friendly and efficient. When he arrived at our table smiling widely I thanked him for the first smiling face of the evening and then explained we weren’t made to feel very welcome.

Service was slow and without much thought. The kids menu had no fish and chips so we ordered the adult 2 piece version and asked for an extra plate. Twice. Then that plate came but no cutlery. So we asked for some. Twice. Then there was no ketchup, etc etc. While we waited we weren’t offered more drinks.

The food was good, but nothing special.

To top it off, after waiting an inordinate amount of time for our bill, our server apologized for the delay stating he’d met a former friend inside and was catching up.

3 adult meals, 3 drinks and 5 kid...

Thank you Riva for welcoming all 14 of us to your wonderful restaurant! Service was impeccable - all the way from making the reservation up to the end of the night. We were taken care of.

Appetizers and drinks came very quickly, and dinner orders were taken and prepared very very quickly for a large group. Kudos to the kitchen! When we requested a few substitution or replacement the staff obliged gracefully and professionally. Just how it should be!

Food is a tad overpriced but ingredients and cost of running business is high nowadays. So I get it. Although I have to say the portions of food were very generous. So don't over order.

The chowder was phenomenal. Very very good. Mushroom risotto a tad too lumpy and needed more flavor, the beef ragu pasta was slightly overcooked. The creme brulee was just how it should be. Some improvement needed in flavors but not fundamental. All appetizers, calamari, prawn limoncello, charcuterie, were excellent. Especially the prawn was a stand out.

Love the live music. Not too many places do this anymore. Bring more musicians please! It's fantastic. Really brings up the ambiance.

Riva herself came and said hello to us. This is a gesture not often seen anymore in the industry and one that is so appreciated. Classy lady for a classy joint.

Consider going to Riva when...

So it has been a few years. This is my update. Lamb Osso Bocco is not a lamb shank. That said it was good and fairly priced? $35. My wife had the Trio plate this was way over priced at $40.and just ok. Over all I am not sure I would return. A bit expensive $28. Hamburger is a bit much. And they have just one menu that runs all day. It just seems there are better choices out there for my dollars. Still not real Italian. Used to get bread and oil in the old days too. Ok it has been a few weeks since we were there. I dislike leaving bad reviews. I am a Retired Chef and been to Italy more then a dozen times. First off the kitchen needs training let me explain. Carbonara should never be served with a tubed pasta. The sauce should not resemble scrambled eggs. Then put in a pasta bowl with naked pasta on top of it to hide the sauce. Then you sprinkled a tsp of grd.pepper on top. And oh yes the cheese needs to be incorporated in the sauce it is not garnish. We gave them two tries as the wife cannot tolerate that much Pepper nor would I as it over powered the dish. Scrambled eggs twice. Good focaccia bread! I had seafood pasta. Sauce way too thick and to much of it. Pasta water is a wonderful thing. Takes a over reduced sauce that over powers a dish to...