With inspiration from the South of France, Riviera London has opened on St James’s Street in Mayfair. Set to be one of the capital’s most noteworthy openings of 2023, this high-end restaurant is the fourth opening from the Emerald Hospitality Group. Riviera offers a relaxed yet luxurious landscape, combining artistic designs with authentic Mediterranean flavours.
The Design
Bringing South of France glamour and elegance straight to the heart of London, Riviera takes inspiration from French Rivera hotspots Cannes, Nice, Saint-Tropez and Antibes. The restaurant is split into three areas- the main dining room, ground floor bar & lounge, and vast outdoor terrace. Painters such as Pablo Picasso and Le Corbusier inspire the vivid colour codes alongside the artisan craftsmanship of the South of France. The restaurant embodies the elegance and glamour of this region.
The Food
Riviera’s menu is based on sharing-style dishes, divided up into a selection of starters, meat, seafood, pasta, sides, bread, and dessert. Highlights include Lemongrass Scallops, Endive Salad with Brillat-Savarin & Smoked Duck Breast, and Grapefruit King Crab salad. The brioches are a great way to enjoy small bites. They are stuffed with gorgeous ingredients like foie gras and lobster and are a must try.
For some meat, a succulent Veal Chop marinated in Dijon mustard, a Black Truffle Slow-cooked Baby Chicken and a classic fillet steak in black pepper sauce are stunning choices. Sourced from the shores of Cote d’Azur, Riviera will serve the finest seafood including Lobster with Yuzu Butter, Grilled Octopus & Mediterranean Chimichurri with Cauliflower Puree, and Loup de Mer Papillote.
A selection of fresh pasta is served including Native Lobster Spaghetti with Seafood Sauce, Veal Ragu Rigatoni, and Truffle and Cheese Gnocchi. The pastas are great as an intermediate course to share before main courses. For dessert, end the night with a quintessential Tarte Tatin done to the highest standards or a sublime Pistache Millefeuille that will transport you straight to a local Southern French bakery.
Exquisite Sips
The bar is the centre piece and what a bar. It showcases a show stopping backdrop to the extensive, carefully curated drinks list, including a variety of Champagnes and wines from France. For wine lovers visiting the restaurant, the restaurant has an intimate wine cellar where they can try exceptional serves paired with some delicious French-style tapas from the kitchen. Riviera also has a bespoke French-inspired cocktail list. The Riviera Elixir is a balance of bold flavours with ingredients including Port, Spicy Rum and Cinnamon.
Delicate Details
Every detail in the restaurant has been meticulously placed to create a fully immersive atmosphere by Group Executive Manager Cyril Blaret and the team. From arrival, you will be transported to St Tropez with the golden hues from the impressive lampshades in the entrance hall, to the huge windows, emulating the famous sunsets in the South of France.
When entering the main restaurant, the open plan kitchen is really eye-catching with fresh seafood on display. From the tiles to the counters, the kitchen is reminiscent of a traditional French villa. The journey continues up the escalators with the walls lined with artwork, all brought from the personal French collection of the Zandi brothers. Taking the lift downstairs, you enter the sea level of the French Riviera. The oceanic environment is particularly conveyed through the blue tones of the hand painted murals.
To Discover More, Visit Riviera-London.Co.UK
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All Imagery Courtesy of Riviera.