Riviera — Restaurant in London

Wow… Probably the most disappointing borderline health risk “supposed to be” fancy dining experience in London. From flooded bathrooms and unhinged bathroom cabinet doors to clueless careless service and extra loud music.

Where do I even start? Yesterday Friday 6th of December, my friends one of them visiting town her partner, my boyfriend and I went to dine there. We booked almost two weeks in advance, it was supposed to be a birthday celebration. My boyfriend and I arrived at 20.37 pm we had the booking at 20.30 Pm, we are told the table is not ready YET and is going to take 15 MINUTES to be ready( first one) we are invited to head to the bar, no drinks offered but instead we randomly got asked if we were coming to the engagement party (?) We take pictures and enjoy the decor. The decor and the food were very good but you can find that in many other places with much better service and in places where things make sense, like who has escalators that are apparently historic and don’t work, a lift that takes hours to go from one floor to another and the bathrooms in the basement? This was provoking at times crowds trying to go downstairs and people accumulating in the entrance to access the restaurant or the bathroom.

We finally got seated in the restaurant, very beautiful, but because there a saxophonist and a DJ, great for a Friday but maybe not at dinner time when people are trying to eat and speak no? We had to scream to the top of our lungs.

We ordered quite many dishes and the food was very good ( portions are not big so you have to order several dishes unless you just order a main) So I have just learned that this restaurant is run by two twins who are Spanish, my friend and I are Spanish and we wanted to order an Albariño, apparently there wasn’t any, and instead they suggested us a wine that was French and almost like a sweet wine, nothing to do with what we had order in any similarity.

They took ages to serve us of course, some stuff was just not there or not at the level you’d expect from a restaurant of that quality, like serving water there were no glasses for the males so they served them women only first and then they realized there were 2 glasses missing… the same waiter passing behind my friend he hit her unintentionally with the daycare machine on the head, between waiters and management there was apparently discrepancies as I spotted two of them by the cash machine next to the elevator arguing…. It is not there. This is probably what happens when you set up a restaurant focusing on the atmosphere and food but you neglect the third leg of the equation, service, but well trained professional service. Of course I was expecting a little treat for my boyfriend’s birthday like they would bring a little cake but no I should’ve have reminded it to everyone. Aaannndd the cherry the cake! THE BATHROOMS! Oh lala! I don’t recommend going in a rush cause you have to take the lift two floors and takes ages, you’d say oh I take the escalators, well no cause they only take you to the lobby you still need to go one floor down Females: this is a fancy restaurant right? Well in the three cubicles NO PAPER on sight, the paper rolls had been put inside the WC the wash stands cabinets underneath the washstands had been completely UNHINGED had to open the other cabinet hoping I could find some toilet paper. I wish I had taken pictures but I unfortunately I wasn’t carrying my phone in that moment as I left the bag upstairs. The males bathroom: completely flooded around the floors. A lady from the staff who happened to speak Spanish by the kitchen was passing with another colleague and a tray and because those were the only ones from the staff around those neglected bathrooms I said to her in Spanish excuse me but the males bathrooms are completely flooded if you could send anyone. By the way also when we ordered the bill the little book in which it came (if you’re asking it was around £400) didn’t even open and the waiter had to try it with a knife, had never had that...

What an underwhelming experience

Party of three came for dinner to Riviera for a birthday celebration and we were very disappointed.

We had been really excited after reading all the amazing reviews, but it didn’t not deliver as expected. The first thing we noticed was the restaurants atmosphere. While the inside is stunning and harmonious, with very fun decoration, we quickly noticed how cold it was inside; especially the tables by the window. We were sat next to the bar and noticed that everyone in the table next to us had their jackets on and were even using the decorative candle to warm their hands.

When ordering food, one of the guests is Vegetarian and the other doesn’t eat cheese so we were mindful of making this clear. The two non vegetarian guests ordered the Veal Ragú Rigatoni (£20,5) and the Octopus Chimichurri with Cauliflower puree as mains to share, and a Fillet Steak Tartare to share. We made sure to ask if the Parmesan cheese for the pasta could be served on the side as one of the guests didn’t eat cheese. Similarly, the third guest who ordered the Parmesan Bucatini asked to make sure the pasta contained no meat or fish of any sort.

Imagine our surprise when we were served a Steak Tartar covered up to the brim in parmesan cheese. Our waitress, despite the fact that we took quite a bit of time to ensure all dietary restrictions were considered had failed to mention that Riviera is unique in the sense that they include Cheese in its Tartar, which meant we had to send it back for a new one. Midway through this whole debacle, we also had to go to the cloakroom to pick our jackets because the cold was becoming unbearable.

The only redeeming aspect was the food. The pastas were incredibly generous portions and they make the Bucatini in the cheese wheel in front of you which is a fan experience. The tartar post-parmesan fiasco was incredibly, with great quality olive oil, and the octopus was simply perfect, with the chimichurri and puree adding a unique flavour.

As the waitress cleared our table, we let her know that the food was delicious and really enjoyable but that the freezing temperature meant that our dishes were completely cold before we were even halfway done. The waitress just reacted by laughing in our faces. Needless to say, the whole table was perplexed, especially given the restaurant’s price point, reputation and its high service charge of 14.5% that we paid despite being undeserved.

After that remark, we chose to skip desserts and bolt out. It marked a bittersweet ending to an otherwise perfect birthday...

Situated in the heart of St. James, Rivera is a captivating new restaurant that exudes an air of sophistication and charm. From the moment you step inside, you are transported to a world where French Rivera inspiration intertwines with modern allure. The ambiance is undeniably alluring, with dimly lit lighting deco casting a soft glow over the plush velvet furnishings and intricate geometric patterns adorning the pillows and chairs along with the straw like wall covering. Rivera effortlessly combines classic and contemporary elements, creating an atmosphere that is both timeless and enticing.

One of the standout features of Rivera is its impeccable service. From the moment you are warmly greeted at the entrance, the attentive and knowledgeable staff are there to cater to your every need. They possess a genuine passion for the culinary arts and are more than willing to guide you through the menu and suggest the perfect cocktail for your meal. Their professionalism and warm demeanor further enhance the dining experience, ensuring you feel pampered and valued throughout your visit.

Now, let's talk about the food. Rivera takes pride in offering a menu that tantalizes the taste buds with a fusion of flavors and innovative techniques. Each dish is a work of art, carefully crafted using the finest seasonal ingredients. From the succulent seafood creations to the perfectly cooked steaks, every plate showcases the culinary prowess of the talented chefs. Be prepared to embark on a gastronomic journey that surprises and delights with every bite. No review of Rivera would be complete without mentioning their exquisite cocktails. The skilled mixologists behind the bar concoct an array of libations that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Whether you prefer a classic cocktail or an inventive signature creation, the cocktail menu at Rivera is a testament to their dedication to the art of mixology. Sip on your drink and savor the flavors while you take in the captivating atmosphere of the bar area.

In terms of pricing, Rivera falls into the higher end of the spectrum, reflecting the quality and attention to detail that is evident in every aspect of the experience. While it may not be an everyday dining spot for everyone, the splurge is more than worth it for those seeking a memorable and indulgent evening. Rivera offers an exceptional value for the exceptional experience it provides. You’ll see me....