Riva

Oh dear, this place is not good. The decor is from yesteryear and the service far from warm. The prices are quite high and the food is poor.

I ordered what they call Fritella for starter and it turned out to be tempura with thick soggy batter and no flavour. My wife had fried courgette flowers which was just about ok.

I hardly touched my starter but the waitress said nothing when collecting it and I have to say that this makes me hate a restaurant.

My wife had risotto for main and it was a huge plate of rice, again with no flavour. She sent it back and declined an alternative. I had ravioli which was just about ok but the pasta was way too thick.

My wife's main was crossed off the bill but my starter was there and there was a service charge. I hate doing it but I took the service charge off. I would not eat here again if it was the only restaurant on earth.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Sunday, June 22, 2008

riva used to be a fantastic restaurant with a fantastic chef francesco.it deservedly had a reputation for excellent food that although expensive it was consistent in its quality and authentic in its regional dishes.

SADLY riva is living on past reputations alone.Francesco left many years ago now and does it tell .The food is overcooked and like school dinners quite frankly.

It is and has become an example of e restauranteur Mr riva who has forgone the usual hospitality that one would expect of an owner of a small suburban restaurant that being to be welcoming to all yours customers whether they be Hugh grant or hugh the shoesalesmen.

By clearly ignoring anyone not famous or not a regular he makes himself appear foolish in the eyes of not just his regular customers but obviously new ones.

My advice' having been recently to great disappointment the meal doesnt need to be discussed would be if you want good italian pasta that tastes as authentic as it gets go to de marios in gloucester road at a third of the price but three times superior its where diana would take the young princes too;and if you want celeb haunt where the owners treat all customers equal go to the Wolseley in green park perhaps Mr Riva might learn some new tips on customer service. Dont waste your money!
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Riva is one of the best restaurants in London and the food and service are always good. Neither is over fussy nor shows any sign of pretence. The Polish waiting staff have been there for years and are very knowledgeable about the food and wine. The food is honest, using the best ingredients and reasonably priced, certainly compared with trendy central London eateries. The wines listed on the menu are OK and if you want something special, ask for a recommendation when you book and it will be opened well in advance of you arriving.

The atmosphere is always good even if you’re there on your own. We are local and have been going to Riva frequently for over 10 years. Despite this the owner, Andrea Riva, does not lavish us with phoney greetings and stand and chat. He is respectful to regulars and celebs alike (A list, not D list here – Jeremy Clarkson aside). Occasionally, our service grinds to a halt if a large party of well known faces arrives, but a gentle ribbing of the waitresses usually does the trick.
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, March 20, 2008

sadly not as one would expect for such a highly rated restaurant, unlike previous comments we did enjoy the off hand take it or leave it attitude of the staff, but the food , well not much to critise also not exceptional enough to praise, first rate ingredients, fresh, but uninspired, the signature dishes are the ones to aim for ,i.e charcoal grilled steak is the best i've ever tasted as is the baccala with polenta, cold cuts no matter how delicious come highly priced at about £9,00 a starter. Should you like a glass of wine to wash this down with BEWARE wine is only average and to get a decent glass you will pay seriously over the odds, love the "Italianness" of the decor but over all felt stitched up.
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M Alexander
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, November 20, 2007

I went to Riva yesterday with three friends for Sunday lunch and my experience could not have been more different to that of the people below. It was my first visit there and I will definately be going back.

Our waitress friendly, she was highly knowledgeable about the food and the wine, and gave good advice on both. A second waitress who took our sweets and coffee order wasn't as friendly, but I wouldn't call her rude at all, just practical.

The atmosphere was perfect for a Sunday lunch time, a real mix of ages and some small children who were so well behaved we didn't notice them until they left.

The food was delicious. I had a seafood medley to start with some delicious deep fried sage and basil leaves. My suckling pig was tender and full of flavour - my only comment here would be that it came with no green veg. The sweet of zabaglione was gorgeous. The wines and coffees were well chosen and tasty.

Yes, it's not cheap and yes, the location is private and discrete, but we didn't feel as if we didn't belong there!

I would give it a try - especially if you are local!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, November 05, 2007

I will start by being fair because it seems unfair to give a dreadful review without considering the good elements, but don't worry, it won't take long. The dessert was very nice indeed. Ok thats it, I am flirting with the main review...the rest. When I eat out, and spend good money, I expect at least a good level of service, who wouldn't? The owner, realising I wasn't famous was rude and had no time for me or my partner. It became apparent that unless he knows you, or you are famous (I speak from having witnessed a shameful display of brown nosing), your money and opinions are worthless and sub-human. In fact the whole waiting staff was unhelpful and disengaged. In a small restaurant you don't expect this. The rest of the meal was poor, especially compared to competing restaurant San Remo, a short walk up Castelnau. By the end of the meal, the two of us felt hugely disappointed and not-worthy of being in the restaurant. I would like to warn anyone who is not a celebrity to stay away from this place because the food goes nowhere near making up for how rude the Riva team is. And to add insult to injury, I paid over the odds for this 'experience'. Well, at least by going and offering a review I may be able to save other people from extreme disappointment.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Thursday, July 19, 2007

Four of us went to riva last night and were extremely disappointed. we had all been there before and remembered it as a hugely reliable, terrific quality italian restaurant - how things have changed. i don't know what is now going on in the kitchen, but the food was worse than ordinary. tough, rubbery squid, bland tasteless (and expensive) lobster pasta, and even a pudding that we left uneaten because it tasted so awful. very sad to see such an institution slide in this way. apart from one very professional and helpful waitress, service was brusque and unsmiling. shame.
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sue quinn
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Friday, May 11, 2007

I've been a couple of times - was pleased the first time and completely put off the second time.

The food is good - the antipasti particularly excellent - and fresh ingredients add to the appeal of the dishes. It's overpriced, even for Barnes, but I guess the celebs will pay.

They're so rude though. You're made to feel about as welcome as a rodent, and the owner will talk to you at length, as long as you're part of his club. If he doesn't know you, he doesn't want to know.

It's cramped too, so much so that the poor waiting staff have to lean right over to get your dish to you - which led to balsamic vinegar dripping off a salad plate, all over an expensive jacket. No apology.

It's a great shame, because I had two delicious meals here - but the atmos ain't what everyone else says it is, you're packed in like sardines and the welcome is non-existent.

Here's a tip - go to San Remo nearer Hammersmith Bridge - easily the best food and service I've had in the area, and we keep going back.

Give Riva a miss.
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James
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, April 02, 2007

We went to Riva again after a period of about 5 years. Unfortunately we were left unimpressed again. Whilst the atmosphere was excellent (especially for a Monday night), we did not feel that the food lived up to the reputation. Our starters were uninspiring and my main course of ravioli was possibly one of the worst I have ever eaten. The one positive part of the meal, was my

husband's fish, which was excellent. However, we will not be returning.
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A Baker
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Been there off and on in 2006 and previously. Always busy and their formula is incredibly consistent and hasn't changed over the years... sort of timeless. Personally I find the place excellent in both food, atmosphere and service. It is deceptively informal - especially the locals seem to be happy without jackets etc and the staff are in aprons over jeans. But just watch the unrelenting discipline with which they monitor everyone's progress. Everything just tastes delicious to me and if you don't like the wine list just ask for a suggestion not listed. Yes there are plenty of celebs here who unlike some reviewers dont seem to mind the paper tablecloths. They come because they can have a normal meal, no paparazzzi etc The one thing that will legitimately cause doubts is the bill. So reliable are the clientele that it is difficult to end up with a bill for two people under £100 and more typcially £150. Before you criticise, remember that most people here pay that without blinking and leave happy - it is easy to pay more at a swanky but pretentious place and be let down.
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Foodieman
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, November 30, 2006