Anaviv's Table — Restaurant in Richmond

Alice Waters, George Chen, and Thomas Keller have nothing on this place. In an unassuming warehouseish setting in Richmond right off 580 awaits gastronomic excellence. At a third of what you would pay at any establishment of the above named, I hesitate outing this hidden gem lest getting reservations becomes impossible!

The dining room is small and has one communal table which accommodates up to 12 people. On the night we dined, we shared a table with 4 other pairs; 2 couples, a woman and her niece, and a pair of coworkers. The hostess, Yvette, goes right to work welcoming you like an old friend and introducing you to your dinner companions. I don't know if the conversation was easy due to the individuals in attendance or to her skill, but Yvette is adept at introducing topics and keeping things moving happily forward. Drink in hand, be it the signature cocktail for the evening, bubbly, wine, beer-name your poison, we were escorted into the kitchen to be introduced to chef Kadie, and enjoy "Delicious Bites" which in our case included a Cheese Board consisting of local cheeses w/Crudite, Tarte Soleil w/Olive Tapenade-OMG as beautiful as it was delicious and Kadie shared with us how to make it ourselves, and Duck Rillettes. I could have spent the rest of the evening sitting on a stool at the prep table nibbling aforementioned and sipping wines, but we were just getting started.

After a quick tour of the remainder of the facility, we returned to the dining room and started the first of the next four courses, each expertly paired with excellent California wines. So many flavors I have never thought to pair dance on the tongue, each enhancing the other and never overpowering. While everything is so amazingly delicious you would love to have another bite, portions are ample and you are sure to be sated. But wait! The final course is about to be presented. On our visit we enjoyed a delectable Rosemary Creme Brulee, a perfect end to an awesome experience.

While I don't know that we will make reservations every month, we have already made reservations for our next outing, and this time we are bringing friends as our guests. Whether you are looking for an extraordinary place for a special occasion, or you're a foodie looking for an incomparable outing, do yourself a favor and book a seat at...

Unfortunately, Anaviv's Table has closed at the former location of 600 Hoffman Blvd. in Richmond. This is expected to be temporary, but possible timing and location plans are being held close to the vest. I was fortunate to have been there for the closing weekend special menu on Saturday 12/10/2022 and had one of the most delicious meals I have had in many years. Appearing to be a "simple" bowl of rice, some thin but ample squares of beef and some precisely cut little parallelograms of vegetable, it was a perfectly prepared and seasoned dish with the most tender cut of meat I think I've ever had. The chef and kitchen clearly put in such attention to skill and detail that I was strongly reminded of places I've been where they have recruited top chefs from the big city across the bay in the days well before the lockdowns. It was incredibly delicious! I had black coffee with my meal, a smooth and flavorful cup of what might have been some of the finest Columbian, maybe with some Kona (I'm no expert), also exceptionally delicious. There was live entertainment that night, a fairly regular thing, with exciting Spanish style guitar, song, and dance, really wonderful. The audience was very tuned in, clapping along with the intricate rhythms, and one fellow diner even had castanets to enliven a few moments in between numbers. They seem to have clearly and deservedly outgrown their space and I eagerly look forward to the...

Last November I celebrated my birthday at Anaviv's. We were a party of eight and we had an absolutely delightful dinner experience that I will recall as one of my finest ever (since 1970) .

The room itself is comfortable and intimate and we were attended to by Nick who served a refreshing aperitif along with hot, tasty vegetables cooked tempura style in a delicate batter that we gleefully consumed while touring the kitchen.

We sat down and Arnon, our host, introduced us to the chef who promptly served our 1st course; Chicory Salad with Shaved persimmons and walnuts in a tangy Sherry vinaigrette. This was paired with a wonderful 2016 Alsace Gentil "Hugel".

Our second course consisted of Grilled Beets, with a gentle dusting of Cumin (very neat), bathed in Pesto Rosso Sauce. This dish was paired with 2020 Red Car "Rose of Pinot Noir". Wow!!!

Our main course was perfectly seared duck Breast topped with a "Juniper Berry Jus" and complimented with Brussels Sprouts, Mashed potatoes and black truffle caviar. Our wine: 2018 'Savigny-Les Beaune'

'Flourless Coconut Chocolate Cake' with Vanilla Whipped cream (with a candle...of course) capped a perfect meal.

This was a great dinner event and it represents a fresh new way to share an experience with close friends and family without the usual restaurant roar. I recommend Anaviv's Table without...