Riviera

Review summary

1. G

   Grace

   London

   49 reviews

   3.0

   49 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Lovely venue and large windows overlooking St James's Street. We had a very nice welcome from the person at the reception desk downstairs. The bread provided was nice and fresh and the escargots were delicious. The rigatoni al ragu was fine if a little plain. However, a few niggles. 1. My starter plate was taken away and I wasn't asked if I had finished. (I hadn't - I wanted to dip my bread in the rather delicious sauce) 2. When my lunch partner left I was effectively ignored and not asked if I wanted anything further, like dessert or coffee 3. Not so much as a "thank you" from the person (looked like a manager) who took my payment. This was the same person who took away my starter plate. This was a bit weird, and not a criticism, but as I left (at 2.30) the same receptionist said "have a nice dinner". Perhaps she didn't mean to say that? In summary, not really a restaurant that makes you feel special, or want to come back.
   

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2. K

   Karen

   VIP

   London

   8 reviews

   2.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   Riviera is a curate’s egg. The dining room lacks any theme. It is meant to be reflective of the Mediterranean but the style of decor and the overloading of the windowsills with pottery items more reminiscent of Central South America and Africa completely miss the mark. At our table the chair seats were stained, the Berger chairs were broken with holes in them and the carpet around the table was stained and dirty. The drinks were good, the wine was excellent but at a price, the food was mediocre. We asked if the Bucatini Parmesan wheel was made in the wheel and we were assured that it was, when it arrived it had clearly all been made in the kitchen and simply put into the wheel for service and theatre. The correct way is to use heat, normally flaming alcohol to melt the cheese to create the sauce, this was not done. The dessert whilst a delicious Tiramisu was simply a shapeless mass just thrown onto a plate with no attempt made to make it look attractive. Access to the toilets is by way of a tiny unlit lift which my wife could not use as she suffers from claustrophobia. The dining room itself was accessible by an escalator which on the basis of other reviews seems to have been broken for very many months, I read an October review that mentions it. Overall it was extremely expensive for what we got. Very poor value in a neglected dining room. I failed to mention that we were the only ones in the entire restaurant and it was a Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The only saving grace was the waitress who was delightful, smiling and could not have been more helpful. I would not recommend this restaurant.
   

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3. A

   Adam

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 16, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The best part of the restaurant was definitely the atmosphere and decor, it was my first time at like a "fancy" sort of place and I'm not gonna lie it was really nice. The staff took our bags and coats, then showed us to our table. Thee pastas from the online menu to the in house menu were up by £10, which was pretty annoying I have to say. My girlfriend and I ordered the parmesean bucatin and the charcoal grilled chicken tahini, both tasted amazing, both £35. I think it was a bit much for what you were getting especially with the chicken Tahini, but the service was amazing, the mood was amazing and for something in Central, it was a decent price, so I'm not gonna complain about that too much. Overall it was a great and memorable experience for both of us, and we'll definitely be coming back!
   

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4. J

   Joseph

   VIP

   London

   17 reviews

   5.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I have t been to Riviera since they changed the menu, and I must say that it got even better, the lobster paste is to die for! Thank you
   

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5. A

   Arian

   VIP

   London

   47 reviews

   5.0

   47 reviews

   Dined on February 11, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved the food and attentive service. Our favourite was the Caesar salad, best we ever had honestly
   

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6. B

   Buddy

   Miami

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 9, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was delicious and excellently prepared. The service was attentive and timely. The ambiance was wonderful. A great dining experience
   

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7. G

   Gideon

   VIP

   Detroit

   3 reviews

   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on February 6, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   A beautiful French restaurant where no one speaks French - and where the service is at best chequered … Steak was good the fish fillet full of bones …
   

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8. G

   George

   VIP

   Hawaii

   13 reviews

   2.0

   13 reviews

   Dined on February 5, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Having booked a table six months before taking a cruise prior to docking in the UK, was shocked to initially be seated between the entrance and the bar, where we would have been at the knees of a couple on barstools immediately next to us. This was an area that separated two larger dining areas, so we would be in the middle of a heavily trafficked area. Saw lovely tables off the the left by the windows. But we’re told they were not available, even though the restaurant was almost empty. Having only two other tables occupied and the couple at the bar. We were seated off to the far right side. Seating was not particularly comfortable. No view from the windows. Ordered a cocktail and a glass of wine. After browsing the menu, we ordered two orders of escargot, as both my friend and I very much enjoy them, and the orders only have six each. The Oysters we ordered were not available. While we waited, decided on a salad and another starter. Ordered those. Our escargot arrived, but our drinks still hadn’t. My friend facing the bar saw other orders taken from the bar, several times thinking it was ours. But no. Finally had to stand in order to get my waitresses attention. Asked about our drink order, which apparently were then placed, as it still took some time for them to be delivered. Unfortunately I waited for my martini before starting the escargot, which at this point had been sitting a while. My friend said she enjoyed hers. But unfortunately mine were rubber. The salad and additional starter were good. We had planned on ordering two entrees. But the waitress never returned to take our order. So ultimately we decided to leave. Had to walk to the front host stand to get our check. It was incredibly disappointing. We proceeded downstairs to retrieve our coats and leave. The Manager did come down and offer us a drink. Which we declined. After leaving, realized I left my hat. Returned to coatcheck were it was underneath a heavy backpack. Such a disappointment.
   

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9. H

   Heidi

   VIP

   London

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 17, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It's one of my favourite restaurants. I love the decor - the artwork, the panels, the statues - and the food is wonderful, especially the gnocchi. The staff are attentive, I like the music, and I like the location.
   

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10. A

    Alan

    London

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1

    The worst meal I’ve had in London in 30 years - an absolute shocker….avoid if you have any sense…
    

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