Riviera Ottawa

We had a wonderful dining experience at Riviera. The Grilled Sea Bass was a standout, tender, perfectly cooked, and subtly flavored to let the freshness of the fish shine. It was served with Provencal-style tomatoes and a medley of summer vegetables, lightly dressed to bring brightness and balance to the dish. The Late Summer Pea Anolini was another highlight, delicate pasta parcels filled with a sweet, earthy pea purée, finished with grated pecorino, lemon zest, and mint. The combination was refreshing, nuanced, and beautifully seasonal. The Mushrooms on Toast, served without the egg per request, featured a generous heap of sautéed wild mushrooms layered over thick, crusty bread, finished with aromatic shaved truffle. It was rich, umami-forward, and deeply satisfying, a dish that truly showcased the flavor of the mushrooms. Instead of bread, I was kindly offered a gluten-free option of their house-made chips, crisp, flavorful, and a thoughtful touch for those with dietary restrictions. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals, and as we were celebrating a birthday, the staff surprised us with a delicate mint chocolate macaron with a candle to blow out , a lovely and personal gesture that added to the experience. The service was attentive, the music epic, (80s, yacht rock, 90s) and the atmosphere warm yet elevated. Riviera clearly takes pride in both its ingredients and presentation, making it a spot I’d gladly return to.

My wife and I were lucky enough to be strolling by Riviera last night when we noticed the patio was unusually quiet. This place is typically packed. On a whim we stopped and had dinner. The service was very good. We started with a plate of fresh oysters and the best steak tartare I have ever had. It was served with homemade potato chips which suited my gluten intolerance perfectly. We each had a cocktail - mine a whiskey sour (impeccable) and my wife had 'La Dolce Vita' - an upscale nod to the Venetian spritz. For mains my wife had the lobster spaghetti, which she very much enjoyed. A very generous portion of lobster. I had the halibut with morels, fava beans in a wonderful sauce. We each had a glass of wine. The Steak Frites seemed to be a popular dish on the tables around us - though neither of us regretted our selection we both commented that this would have been a great option. A beautiful dinner, with spectacular service. I only give the atmosphere 3 stars due to us being on the patio. Thank you, Riviera. We will definitely be back!