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Categories: Latin American, Wine Bars
Neighborhood: DowntownMon-Wed. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Thu-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Thu-Sat. 10:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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came here for dineLA last month. Ordered off the menu and started with the piquillos rellenos, which were probably the best thing of the night. I don't like goat cheese, but it went really well with the app. Someone else from my party got the mussels con chorizo, which were also fairly good, but I'm glad i got my rellenos. My entree was a chicken dish, which was cooked well. Moist and the fruit paired well with the saltiness of the chicken. Dessert was a trio of flan, which were just okay. Definitely not the best flan I've ever had (the flan at the bazaar is much much better). I also ordered a summer smash for a cocktail, which was really good (they weren't kidding when they said smash because my whole cocktail cam overflowing with crushed ice).
With all the great things I've heard about this place, I was expecting a bit more. Maybe I'll come back one day to give it another go.
So I tried it again cause my friend wanted to go there for her birthday, and once again I was very disappointed. Ordered the fish tacos and just blah, and certainly did not fill me up in any way. There are a lot of other Mexican Restaurants that satisfactorily fill me up with a tasty taco and spare me all the pretension. You know when you see those commercials or shows making fun of fancy restaurants that give you extremely small portions for 5x the price? This seems to be the place for that. Another friend ordered the Veggie Sandwich and she said it had hardly anything in it aside from a thin cut of zucchini and a thin cut of eggplant. Now if I ever had a friend that was close to anorexia it would be her, and even she said she was still hungry when we left. So we stopped at Ralphs on the way home to get something to fill us up.
Lastly we had a party of 10. We weren't sure it was going to be 10, and the host kept asking is it 9 or 10? It's not going to be more than 9 is it? Mind you, there was plenty of room at the table to seat 18. Don't know what his issue with more than 9 was, but it seemed to be a problem for him.
Went to Rivera a couple of months ago. It was all around just barely OK. I like the decor, the… Read more »
So some friends decided to meet here for happy hour but it turned out to be a dinner meet instead. I didn't have much expectations of the restaurant except that it was going to put a ding in my finances.
Located conveniently (if you live there) or inconveniently downstairs of the Met Lofts in downtown, it is mere steps away from the Staples Center.
There was a sign for parking that said $15 and I almost shit a brick but then I saw that validated parking for Rivera was $5 which was acceptable.
So I entered the restaurant and was greeted by a hostess that was beautiful (call me). Sat down and of course, in L.A. fashion, I was late and they had already ordered their drinks and appetizers.
My Beverage-
I ordered an Iced tea that was brought out on a tray with a small bowl of an assortment of sugar cubes and another small container of packet sugar and sweeteners. Nice presentation but completely unnecessary. I've ordered the Ore Cart at Claim Jumpers that came on smaller plates than my iced tea.
Appetizers-
They brought out a medley of different items they had ordered. The notable ones that stood out for me were the duck and the quail dishes. I won't go into the names of them as I would never be able to remember them. Obviously taking Spanish 1, 3 times in high school was of no help for me. Can we name dishes that I can remember the names of or refer to other friends? I don't want to tell my friends "hey order the duck appetizer thingy".
Entree-
I decided to go for this item that said duck something. When it arrived it was basically 2 blue corn tortillas with a light dusting of duck inbetween. I mean how was I going to possibly muscle this down? I looked around and the presentation on the dishes were all amazing. It was as if you had a satellite dish and put a chicken nugget off-centered and drizzled it with some colorful sauce and put a sprig of parsley on it. Have we all gone nuts? Is this what we consider good food? Fine dining? Can we not have quality and a little but of quantity? Just because you put a tiny piece of food on a plate the size of a hood of an Oldsmobile Cutlass does not make it good! All things aside the presentation was nice but the duck dish was "asi-asi" (Spanish 1 kicking in)
A great place to go if you want to impress some clients or if you're going with a model that will get full off of a saltine cracker and an ice cube.
The decor and ambiance of the place is awesome. The waitress did an awesome job as well and was very tentative and had a great attitude. Again the hostess was beautiful (call me)
Oh me oh my... I had such high expections of this place after reading the menu (and also seeing the prices)....
I didn't know it was possible to make mexican food so flavorless!!! I could see that my items were drenched in sauces and such, but yet there was still very little flavor. The food to cost ratio was so not worth it, especially since I was still hungry after I left! And my party shared A LOT of dishes. I got the chance to try almost everything on the menu, and still have to say that Rivera came up short in the eatery department.
The bartender/mixologist really knew what he was doing though. Rivera's saving grace is the bar. So save yourself the trouble of paying for their food, eat some dim sum or pho ahead of time, and just come to Rivera for the booze.
I'm a sucker for service and the service at Rivera last night was just totally unacceptable.
So our 5 person reservation was set for 9 PM. They said that our table wasn't ready so we were told to wait a little at the bar area and have a drink or two.
10 PM went by and a table finally came up. They seated us at our table and gave us all a free glass of rose because we waited so freaking long.
Ordered 3 small dishes and 2 big dishes right away (10 PM dinner? Hello?! We were HELLA starving). 10 mins later 3 dishes came out and of course we immediately ravaged it. Another 10 minutes went by. Then 15. Then the waiter came and apologized saying that there was a mix up in the kitchen and it would take a little longer for them to get the last 2 dishes out. They then gave us a free stuffed pepper dish (just 1 teeny tiny stuffed pepper btw) again because we waited so long. When our last 2 dishes came out it was 11:15 pm.
On top of that, I went to the ladies bathroom and guess what? No toilet paper.
Food and drinks were actually pretty good but sorry- most terrible service I've ever had. I don't even have a desire to write about the things I liked in the menu, and there were actually a couple I'd love to share with yelpers. Rivera is not worth the 1 hour wait and the half hour break between our meals when we've clearly made our reservation 2 days before. They probably did not save us in the system so they made us wait so long. But even when we decided to wait, there was yet another kitchen mix up that made us wait even more. Plus, all the portions were small, even for the main course "big" dishes. After waiting forever and paying over $40 per person for drinks and food, we came home STILL HUNGRY. Never again.
Before you walk in, make sure to jump around on the lighted dancefloor on the sidewalk next door. It lights up red and makes little laser explosion type noises. It's tons of fun!!
Love the decor and the friendly staff. The waitress got me a drink off menu that had muddled raspberries and it was so good and refreshing. I ordered the lamp chops small plate and it came with a paprika stencil of a woman's face. It was the most amazing presentation I have ever seen at a restaurant. It was also really really tasty. I almost wanted to lick the plate!
Some of the portions for small plates and appetizers are REALLY tiny but tasty. Don't bother with the chips and salsa, it's like 3 chips and one dunk of salsa.
Ask for the drink that comes with Beef Jerky. It tastes like a burrito!
Overall an amazing dining experience! It was a nice change of pace to go out a little fancy!
BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIC ::in my tummy::
Wow and wow. I dined here last night with a girlfriend of mine who is always on the up and up with new places for great cocktails and new food. Next up was Rivera. First plus? $5 valet parking. We all know what a pain it is to park anywhere anymore, and it's within walking distance of the Staples Center so it fits for a pre game happy hour just perfectly.
Service? Outstanding. We had a witty young guy serving us and we were quite pleased that they sat us in the back room, (more of the romantic side) next to Jason Biggs and his date who we overheard raving about everything they tried. First up was cocktail number one, with Patron and cucumber. Downside? I asked them to make it spicy and was told they "don't alter the drinks". Bleh, because there was another on the menu that sounded perfect minus the ginger but I was told no on that too. I ended up with Blood Sugar Sex Magic and it was just that, and will go back for more. Apparently on Thursdays there are $5 cocktails, much better than $11-$14.
Appetizers? GET THE TORTILLAS WITH INDIAN BUTTER! You will thank me later. They had gorgeous little flowers pressed into the corn, and the butter had hints of avocado and jalapeno. For $2 you can also try soup in a shot glass, lol. It is half cold soup, half of another warm soup, and last night's was pumpkin squash something. Good at best, not necessarily a must have.
For entrees we had the seared halibut with tomatillos and the chicken with spinach that came with the words "courtesy is not a sign of weakness" and yes, we took a photo. We chose a side of calabacitas (corn, bell pepper, etc.) that was presented in a tamale husk and made it taste so much better.
Almost through it all, we couldn't resist the chocolate torte with pineapple and the hazelnut with orange gelato. I would have tried one of everything if I could have.
For two, it ran us about $150 not including gratuity so it is on the more expensive side but perfect for a special occasion. The room was decorated with tequila bottles that had key holes above them. Apparently you can purchase membership, they inscribe your name on a bottle, and you unlock it and take it out of the wall when dining? Not so sure about that but go see it all for yourself and enjoy!
Yelp tells me that 2 stars means "Meh. I've experienced better." The meaning of "meh" aside, I can tell you that I've experienced better at a taco truck. But yet I can't give one star.
There are two very nice things about Rivera: They have good and very imaginative cocktails, like the one I had made with Chipotle and red pepper with Tequila. Also, the wine was good, if a bit overpriced (read on).
The service was warm, friendly and attentive with care for dietary restrictions and special requests.
Now for the bad news: Not only can't I imagine serving food this mediocre for the price (very pricey), I can't imagine serving food this mediocre at any price. I mean, how is it possible to make Mexican food taste - well, tasteless? Without getting into what I had and why it was bad, let me just add that there were many shared dishes at the table, so I feel as if I gave the place a chance. It isn't like they had one dish that was off.
To say that Ciudad is better for a similar cuisine (Ciudad is pan-Latin, Rivera more Mexican) is the understatement of the century.
If you want a cool cocktail, it's worth a stop. But don't even get the salsa and chips. Seriously.
Never tardy for the party? Well...you don't want to be a complete loser and be the first one there either. There was more than enough time to spare before the secret shindig that Minty had so graciously invited me too.
After circling the block a few, we scored Rockstar parking inches away from the front doors of Rivera.
Looking over the drink menu, I announced that I basically wanted the entire right side of the page. Girl Scout's Honor.
Lots and lots of considerable analysis later, my first choice was the Palma Fizz. It was Vodka, House Made Ginger Syrup and Rosewater. Sounds beautiful doesn't it? It actually was. The drink was really smooth. The Ginger Syrup did bully Rosewater when I took my first sip. I didn't recognize the Rosewater until midway through.
I enjoyed it but It did remind me a little of spa water.
Watching Ju (DROOL)lian, our newly befriended mixologist put my drink together was like watching a chemist put together a secret formula in his laboratory. Several Beakers lined the top of the bar containing, what I imagine to be, secret concoctions of elixirs and blends that elevate all the tasty treats highlighted on the Rivera Cocktail Menu.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that, a stir here, a drop of this, a drop of that. I thought the cocktail shaker was going to poof at one point. Very cool.
For my second drink I went with a Saint Tito. It was Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Herbal Tea and Lemon. This is my new favorite drink. It was subtle in sweetness with a slight floral quality. The herbal tea and lemon also made it really satisfying and thirst quenching without being overly tart or citrusy. It was an easy drinkin' cocktail.
The best cocktails are the kind that surprise you. When the descriptions are confusing at first but spark up enough curiosity to order. When that cocktail is rainbows and ribbons upon first sip, consider yourself a winner.
Lucky for me, that Saint Tito had me doing cartwheels with every sip.
As a new cocktalian, I love doing recon. I've heard of Rivera as the place to go for "the best drinks." I meant to come in for dineLA last week but I had to cancel my plans so I was very excited to stop by last night for drinks.
It was crowded at the bar just before 8 p.m. so we were going to sit in the rather strange row of chairs in between the dining area and the bar but a couple of bar stools opened up.
Looking over the menu, my liver groaned. Oh, what to get? Whiskey? Vodka? Rum? No tequila for me though (only on those special nights when Vodka and Whiskey aren't looking).
I ordered the Vieux Carre ($12) after consulting with the Beverage Director, Julian. I was trying to choose between it or the Blood Sugar Sex Magic ($14). Both sounded like my sort of drink. The Vieux Carre tasted almost like an Old Fashioned but with an extra zing from Benedictine.
I asked Julian what would be a good follow-up to the Vieux Carre. He suggested Brooklyn ($12) which I have seen as a variation of the classic Manhattan before but have never tried. I was game to try it made with bourbon-- the other option would have been with rye. I loved the beautiful cocktail class it was served in but wasn't really digging it. Julian was kind enough to make me a different cocktail. I'm so glad I changed it out to the Blood Sugar Sex Magic.
Blood
Sugar
Sex
Magic
Awesome.
I loved the red bell pepper in it and the large basil leaf was so aromatic every time I stuck my nose in my drink. I would have been happy to drink these all night but we had to do some more bar recon.
Also tasted: Palma Fizz and Saint Tito, both $10. I liked the Saint Tito best. It was very light and refreshing with the tea. The Palma Fizz would be a good summer drink.
I definitely am coming back to try the food. I love that Rivera has a late night happy hour on Thursdays-Saturdays with the kitchen closing at 12 midnight. They remain open until 1 a.m. those nights. Happy hour cocktails are $7 which is quite a deal considering their regular cocktail prices.
With dineLA coming to an end today, we decided to make one last visit. For lunch (at $22 per person), we checked out John Sedlar's Rivera in downtown Los Angeles. Just east of L.A. Live but south of the downtown business district (and the main action on weekdays), Rivera had a small crowd for lunch today.
The decor of the restaurant was quite nice. Very modern and contemporary. The main dining room had several nice tables and a long brown leather booth that ran alongside the wall. The seating was comfortable. There was also an interesting chandelier made of tiny, reflecting squares that stood above one of the larger tables. I bet it (and the whole restaurant) looks quite nice at night. There was also a smaller dining room with huge brown leather booths.
They started us off with warm sopapillas (warm bread) that was served with butter and orange peel. They were good. We also ordered the sevillanas olives (stuffed olives) and the mini chips with habanero salsa to start. At $4 each, the portions were quite small. The olives needed more stuffing. One was stuffed with a small sliver of ham. Another was stuffed with (what seemed like) a tiny candied fruit. They really just tasted like olives. I liked the mini chips (several served in a small glass cup), but the brown salsa was just kind of ordinary.
In terms of the dineLA menu, I started with the serrano ham and idiazabal cheese quesadilla. This was probably my favorite part of the meal. Good tasting cheese. Very flavorful ham. A nicely toasted tortilla. It was served with a nice, light mixed green salad. My friend had the two market soups of pear and celery soup. She said they were very good. They looked good--very nice color. Presentations throughout the film were impressive.
I had the chicken breast salad as my entree. The salad was kind of bland. It could have used more seasoning or a more flavorful vinaigrette. It was a lot of spinach tossed with jicama and blood oranges (the blood oranges were nice and vibrant). They left the skin on the chicken breast, which I liked (nice and crispy). The chicken was sliced, which (unfortunately) dried out the chicken. The first few pieces were somewhat moist and flavorful.
I also tried the fish tacos (grilled cod, corn salsa and salsa verde). They were kind of bland. They really needed something to bring it all together. My friend also felt the tortillas kind of overpowered the dish (she said you couldn't really identify the individual flavors).
I had the Mexico City caramel sundae. Served in a mason jar, the sundae consisted of two scoops of vanilla ice cream (okay but kind of crumbly), a light caramel (they could have used more of it), a nice whipped cream, toasted pine nuts and some latin spices. The sundae also had a tart fruit essence (maybe grapefruit) that was a little too strong for the other ingredients, which were very mild.
I liked my friend's chocolate torte more (a rich chocolate ganache--kind of like a chocolate truffle). It was served with drunken pineapple--very tasty (finely diced pineapple soaked in tequila). "Xocolata" was spelled out via stencil in cocoa powder (check out the picture on Yelp). I actually used some of it for my sundae.
The waitress was very good--knowledgeable, friendly and very attentive. The value was good for dineLA. On their regular lunch menu, entrees run $12-$17 while desserts run $6 (which isn't bad). The food was kind of a mixed bag--very arty presentations though several of the dishes were not as good as they looked. I'm sure they have some good things on the menu. I would come back and give it another shot (maybe for dinner).
They have valet parking available at $5; you can also park by meter ($3 per hour) or at a lot just north of Rivera at a flat fee of $5.
This is based on a Dine LA lunch and cocktails several weeks later:
Service - check
atmosphere - check (though the bar set up is a little weird with strange lounge chairs seated right next to, rather than across from eachother, with weird little airplane tables coming out of the arms)
food - check
cocktails - check, check, check
The Dine LA menu had the best fish tacos I've ever had. Though I was disappointed b/c I didn't seem them on the regular menu later.
The cocktails are to DIE for. Artistic, unique, delicious. The Barbacoa is a must get, but you have to be veggie since it comes with red peppers (ok) and a big slab o' beef jerky. sounds weird, but so good, with the smoky mezcal. There's an apple drink that's akin to apple pie and eggnog, but not quite as rich and oh so delightful. There's a lemon drink with crushed ice and basil. These drinks are worth every penny. And be prepared to drop a few - they are mixed strong, so you're getting what you pay for.
They don't have happy hour prices (fine) but they also don't have a happy hour menu, which they really really need b/c otherwise you are ordering apps off of the regular menu. Which are ok, but nothing to write home about and expensive. Go for the drinks. Stay for more drinks. And maybe a little food. LOVE this place.
I came here for their happy hour. I had the "dog snout" salsa and chips which were suppose to be so hot your nose would run but it was a bit bland for my taste.
I ordered the ahi ceviche which was good. It was more like ahi sashimi with lime juice drizzled on it while sitting on cubed jicama and some thinly sliced avocado on the side.
My SO had the quail appetizer. He said it was good.
I tried the strawberry gimlet which was made by muddling fresh strawberries then straining them. It was amazingly tasty.
I also had the Mexican Firing Squad which was tequila, lime juice and bitters...IIRC it was good.
All of the juices are fresh squeezed so everything tastes so much better. The bartender told me they did appletinis made with real apples instead of that HFCS pucker junk...but I am not sure that they do that all the time.
With the restaurant boom happening in downtown Los Angeles, I wanted the dust to settle a bit before checking out all the various eateries. First on the list was Rivera, the brain child of Chef John Rivera Sedler with his take on Modern Latin Cuisine. I bet you can tell how he came up with the restaurant name. Anyway, 5 of us shared 16 different dishes from snacks all the way to desserts and even partook in a couple of cocktails. We did try a whole heck of a lot of food and below are my favorites of the evening.
Our meal started off with a trio of items from the snacks section of their menu. One was the Xnipek which was described on the menu as a Yucatan-style charred-habenero "Dog's Snout" Salsa and Mini Chips. The "Dog's Snout" refers to how the salsa is suposed to be so spicy that once you sample it, your nose will be equivalent to a dog's runny nose. I actually didn't think the salsa was as spicy as it proclaimed to be although it did have a kick, but it didn't matter, I loved it. If I could, I would have gone in the kitchen, spooned some into a jar or two and taken it home.
Second was the Tortillas Florales, housemade Nixtimal tortillas and 'Indian Butter". This is actually my second time experiencing these Tortillas with my first time being at Altamed's Fourth Annual East LA Meets Napa Event which I attended last July. Second time around was just as delicious. I loved the presentation of the pressed edible flowers inside the tortilla plus the tortilla itself which was thick, crispy and hearty.
After the snacks, we went into the starters and what better way to start than with the Chile Pasilla Relleno which was a chilled pickled mile chile filled with burrata cheese. Of the 6 starter items we ordered, this was my favorite. I enjoyed the slight vinegary aspect of the chile plus with it being served cold, it was refreshing to the palate. By the way, on some of the dishes, there were different kinds of what I'm going to call "spice art".
Soon after the Chile Pasilla Relleno, the other 5 dishes arrived in full force like the the Piquillos Rellenos which were Spanish peppers stuffed with chorizo, golden raisins and gruyere cheese was actually one of the favorites of the table. I appreciated the tenderness of the pepper and how the sweetness of the golden raisins complemented the milder gruyere cheese. The chorizo wasn't as present as it could have been, but I didn't really miss it.
With a recommendation from our server, we also ordered the Bacalao Negro Fresco which was seared black cod and serrano ham crisp. I liked how the fish was delicate and moist, but had a crisped surface. The saltiness of the ham also went well with the mild flavor of the cod.
Last but not least of our starters was the Tamal which had braised pork short rib, seasonal mushrooms and guajillo sauce. The tamal itself was delicate and moist and maybe, I'm being just a bit greedy, but I would have loved more pork and mushrooms. I especially liked the mushrooms which added a nice earthiness to the overall dish.
After we finished off the last bit of the tamal, our 3 main entrees arrived along with a side of calabacitas. By the way, the calabacitas were prettily presented in a corn husk and I loved the color and the crunch of the squash, the bell peppers and the corn that made up that mixture.
Of the three, everyone went gaga over the our last entree which was the Duck Enfrijolada with goat cheese, stacked blue-corn tortillas, black bean puree and chile rioja sauce. It wasn't the prettiest dish of the night, but all the flavors melded well together, from the pungency of the cheese to the earthiness of the black beans and so on.
We still had room for dessert and we ordered three of them. The first one to arrive was the Torta Xocolata, a chocolate torte and drunken pineapple. I forgot to ask what the pineapple was drunk from, but the tartness of the pineapple paired well with that dark chocolate torte. We also checked out their the Crema Catalana and ordered Spanish cheeses.
Overall, a great meal and a restaurant, I'd definitely visit again.
To see review complete with photos, go to:
http://pleasurepalate....
"Mixology" is a fad i hope goes away sooner than later.
Stupidly overly complicated drinks.
Average food.
Average service.
what's up with fine dining establishments and spotty service? the food here was excellent, but our service left much to be desired. it's not the end all be all, but when you pay a certain amount of money, you expect a certain level of service.
first, we were seated at a table that was way too close to where the bar was. the layout is kind of odd, and it looks like they tried to squish in a lot of seating. i tried not to let it bother me, but throughout the evening there were patrons seated in the chairs in the small bar space within a foot of me. i felt like i was having dinner with them. i don't mind close seating, but the bar mood was much louder and i really didn't enjoy listening to middle age guys hitting on the hostess. then we had this weird vibe from our waiter the whole time.
i really wanted a cocktail, so i started with their RIVERA'S CUP, a refreshing cocktail consisting of blanco tequila, lime, cucumber. my main complaint with this was that it was mostly ice. i felt like i took several sips, and that was the end of it. (photo of mostly ice drink: http://www.flickr.com/... )
we ordered from their dineLA menu and started with the ENSALADA ESPANOLA - Frisse, Idiazabal Cheese, Marcona Almonds, Xerez Vinegar (photo: http://www.flickr.com/... ) and the PIQUILLOS RELLENOS - Stuffed Spanish Peppers, Chorizo, Golden Rasins, Gruyere (photo: http://www.flickr.com/... ) both were prepared well. the salad was light, fresh, with some variety in texture and flavor and a hint of dressing. i preferred the more flavorful stuffed peppers. the combination of sweet roasted peppers with rich chorizo and cheese was so good.
we split two entrees. the TRUCHA - Tasmanian Sea Trout, Saffron Quinoa, Yellow Gazpacho Sauce (photo: http://www.flickr.com/... ) was a perfectly prepared piece of fish with a crispy, flavorful skin. the side of chopped veggies was a little uninspired. i found the DUCK ENFRIJOLADA (phtoo: http://www.flickr.com/..., which consisted of goat cheese and black bean puree sandwiched between stacks of blue corn tortillas in a smokey chile rioja sauce to be more characteristically latin in flavor. the tortillas had pressed flowers in them. i didn't think the dish was that pretty to look at, but it was really tasty.
the waiter really goofed and brought out one of the desserts we ordered first, so i got to set around staring at my dessert while waiting for my bf's dessert to come out. i don't remember when that has happened at a nice restaurant before. when he described what it was, he did it very quickly and took off abruptly before i had a chance to ask him to repeat what he said. luckily, the desserts were good.
the TORTA DE ACEITE DE OLIVA (http://www.flickr.com/... ) which is an Olive Oil Cake with Strawberry and Creme Fraiche Sorbets, Xerez Vinegar Sauce is as it sounds. though the olive oil was subtle, the cake was moist and had an added richness to it which was offset by the sorbets and tangy sauce. my preference was for the ESTUDIO EN FLAN (photo: http://www.flickr.com/... ), which consisted of three different styles of flan with three complimentary sauces. the flans varied in creaminess and sweetness. i liked the more creamy, less sweet flan. the sauces included blackberry anise, caramel, strawberry curry, and lime chile (i think).
i'd like to go back, but i was really turned off by our first experience.
OK, so two things have happened since my review.
1. I told my friend Sue about our experience and she let me know that she has been twice to Rivera and had phenomenal experiences both times. I trust Sue when it comes to restaurants. She knows good food and drink.
2. The GM of the restaurant replied to my review and honestly handled it perfectly and worked to make things right. This attention to detail is HUGE in my mind. So a big thanks to him.
With both of those I have raised my star to 3 and hopefully next trip will bring me up to a 4. The night still wasn't right, but given the above two comments I will absolutely put them back on the consideration list.
Went with high hopes of trying something new.
As we walked up it looked very promising with…
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Alright, so first I would like to state that I am a classically trained chef and a newly certified sommelier, so maybe my opinion might be worth something here.
So I went here with my girlfriend (also a chef) and a friend of ours after their 3.5 rating in the L.A. times came out. I guess I'll begin with the restaurant itself...
We first go in, and MAN is it dark in there. I don't mind a little romance in the atmosphere, but it was almost as dark as Opaque (pitch black dining experience). We got sat in a completely different side of the restaurant, and unlike the first dining room, it was wayyyyy too bright. We were right in front of a huge window, and were sat at the extremely large square table, where other parties sat. Now I'm sorry, but I don't really feel like sitting next to a stranger while I eat, thank you very much.
Okay so on to the cocktails. The WONDERFUL concoctions influenced by mixologist Julian Cox. I don't really remember the names of these cocktails, to be honest, but my first one was quite spicy, yet delicious, and my second even better. The drinks are the only reason I even gave this place 2 stars.
Alright now on to the god-awful food. We ordered a few things to share. The lamb chops, were okay but really overcooked, the burrata stuffed poblano w/ a chipotle mole. UGH! First of all, it was cold. Secondly, they hadn't even peeled the pepper, so all I got was a charred poblano with bland stiff mozz in it. We also got a few other small dishes that we were very disappointed in. Oh, and by the way, THEY NEED TO STOP GARNISHING ALL OF THEIR GIGANTIC PLATES WITH STENCILED PAPRIKA! NOONE WANTS TO EAT IT AND IT LOOKS DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!
Lastly, we decided to order the Iberico ham ($44). We were in plain view of the open kitchen and watched a girl carving away at this beautiful ham. We also decided to order a glass of wine to enjoy with our ham. So we finally received our plate, wait 10,15, 20 minutes, and no wine. Flagged down the server, in which we were told it would be ready in a minute. 10 more minutes go by and I decided to just eat the damn ham. Now Iberico needs to be sliced PAPER thin, in order for it to be enjoyed. What we got was about 2 MM thick and we couldnt even chew it. When I tried to tell the waiter(still no wine), that I wasn't paying $44 dollars for this because I couldn't enjoy it, I was told "Well that's how the chef serves it". So our bill came. I was charged for the wine that I never even got. But I was so tired of arguing and complaining, that I just paid and left a nice 10% tip :).
I came here on a Thursday night and it was doing not bad for a Thursday night in terms of patronage. The service really is not bad because there are always waiters around to help you with what you need. We sat at the huge communal table in the back which was an interesting experience because we sat with a bunch of other small groups.
The food was mediocre. The black cod was pretty tasty because it was soft and not overdone. The mussels were okay. We had the duck which was on the salty side. The chips and salsa is not good because the sauce is just.....odd. The floral tortilla came with an excellent dip that we kept after finish the tortillas since it seemed to match with everything else too. We had the ceviche which is not your traditional ceviche. It's like, sashimi on top of serranos with chopped avocados on the side.
None of the food was outstanding but it is a great place to have a couple of cocktails to chat over. The noise level was good because you can hear the others in your party talk and the ambiance was great.
As LA's antidote to the "Melted Cheese Mex" epidemic -- spread one sizzling fajita platter and straight-from-the-plastic-bottle margarita at a time -- there's a lot riding on Rivera's shoulders.
In his long-overdue return to the city's culinary vanguard, chef Sedlar embraces the gastro-renaissance that's been taking shape in Mexico City: innovative interpretations of traditional dishes are as influenced by European techniques as they are by Mesoamerican flavors. Exciting stuff.
But after bringing a group of out-of-town guests to Rivera on Saturday night to showcase LA's newest chef d'oeuvre, I have to admit that the experience fell short of my lofty expectations.
The snacks, starters, and cocktails are almost perfect. The tortillas florales are so good that they'll change the way you think about this humble food. Get an order or two for the table to snack on with olives and chips while you sample the brilliant elixirs from the bar. Then move onto the pequillos rellenos, seared black cod, and lamb chops.
The meal didn't hit a glitch until the entrees arrived. I ordered the steak, a six-ounce rib-eye, medium-rare. But one half of it was medium, the other medium-well. It had clearly sat under a heat lamp for too long. At that size and price, the kitchen should have fired a new one while waiting for the other dishes. Likewise, the halibut was overdone. Our server may have sensed a problem, as he pulled a Keyser Soze for the rest of dinner.
On a positive note, both of the pork dishes -- the chop with mole and the pibil -- are knockouts, as is the duck enfrijolada. They all paired surprisingly well with a Pinot from Patagonia. We wrapped things up with flan, olive oil cake, and a flight of tequilas; a nice ending, but not quite enough to compensate for the overcooked entrees and phantom server.
I came here last night for my friends birthday dinner with an open mind because I had heard mixed reviews, and an empty stomach... because dinner was at 8pm.
First up was the valet. $5 for valet RIGHT beside the other $20 lots for Staples Center?? Basically, you can valet your car, go watch a game, come back and have a drink with the $15 you saved on parking. BONUS POINTS - 0.5 STARS
The decor was a mix of modern and rustic. I'm no interior design expert, but I have to say I really liked the inside of this place, especially the open kitchen concept. The washrooms were clean and nice as well.
1.0/1.0 STARS
The food... we started off with two appetizers, Tortillas Florales and Olivos Sevillanos. The first dish was four tortillas with a flower infused in them with a cup of "Indian Butter" (extremely sub-par guacamole). Maybe I need to stop going to all the ridiculously amazing Mexican restaurants here in LA that made this dish sub-par. The second dish were Spanish olives with an assortment of stuffings. The fact that I LOVE olives made this dish better than it probably was. My friends were not impressed with this dish. For the main course, I ordered the Duck Enfrijolada, which came highly recommended by our waitress. The breakdown... two blue-corn tortillas with some duck meat between them, a slab of goat-cheese, with black beans. The sauce was a chili rioja sauce which wasn't bad. But for $19, which also happened to be the cheapest entree, I was left feeling like I paid $20 for ONE duck taco, that had I gotten it from a taco truck, would get a reaction of "meh, it's alright" from me.
0.5/3.0 STARS
Their cocktails looked interesting on the menu and were interesting when they arrived. Our table ordered Blood Sugar Sex Magic, and Barbacoa. I have to give them a thumbs up on the innovation. However, the wine we got left very... very little to be desired. I can't give a full review of their wine-list, because it IS very extensive. But the $45 bottle we ordered was comparable to the $5.99 bottles I buy at Ralphs to make Sangria... maybe not even.
0.5/1.0 STARS
Overall, the portions were very small but food is extremely overpriced. The ambiance was nice for a Wednesday night and the decor was very nice. The roots of Latin food didn't shine through in the food... the whole idea behind Latin food is using inexpensive ingredients and creating dishes that blow your mind. I would have had no problem with the amount we paid if the food BLEW my mind. Unfortunately, the food was average at best... and I didn't even eat enough to generate gas in my body so I can blow a fart. -0.5 STARS
Disclaimer: this review is for the cocktail bar only.
I confess, I make a weekly pilgrimage to Rivera. On good days, I find street parking on Flower or 11th; on bad days, I fork over the $5 and valet my car. Walking up to Rivera's entrance is always a delight. An expansive horizontal window runs along the side of the restaurant's facade, allowing passerby a peek of the kitchen below. One man was delicately slicing jamon. Another was prepping seafood. Yet another was frying up something tasty. At the southern end of the restaurant stood its enormous door, which appeared to be hewn from a single unadulterated slab of space-age metal. It opened with ease and shut with a resolute thud.
Ironically, while I witness the kitchen concoct what seems to be elaborately prepared dishes week after week, I wish I could tell you more about the food. I've heard mixed reviews. A trusted foodie friend scoffed at Sedlar's latin-inspired cuisine calling it uninspired, overpriced, and pretentious. Conversely, S. Irene Virbila of the LA Times awarded Rivera an astonishing 3.5 stars.
The only problem is, I haven't made it to the dining room quite yet.
Upon entering Chef John Sedlar's restaurant, directly to the left just past the maitre d' station is Rivera's piece de resistance: the cocktail bar. Helmed by the graceful Julian Cox of Comme Ca fame, Rivera's cocktail bar is up there with the very best. The cocktail list reads like a guide to Latin America, with liquors from Mexico (mezcal and tequila) to Brazil (cachaca).
Go ahead and try a drink- I guarantee you'll stay for another two or three. Perhaps you'll try the Blood Sugar Sex Magic; an obvious reference to the hit song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, this drink is a wonderfully innovative mix of rye whiskey, red pepper, basil, and agave nectar that pays homage to Rivera's Latin American influences.
I'd also make a point to order the Greepoint- a mix of chartreuse and rye whiskey give it a deep herbal flavor that plays very well with the sweetness of vermouth. While it's a drink easily botched up at other establishments, Julian makes a incredibly well-balanced one here.
Lastly, you can't leave Rivera without trying my favorite cocktail: Barbacoa (with mezcal, please!). With its recipe of chipotle paste, jalapenos, agave nectar, ginger, mezcal, and topped off with a chunk of beef jerky, its every bit as smokey and meaty as the name promises.
Perhaps on my next visit I'll finally graduate from ogling at the food to tasting it, but for now I'm perfectly content with sipping on Cox's innovative, pitch-perfect libations.
Not a huge fan of the decor or layout, but for this place, it works.
The best part about this place is just watching the bartender work. He's a mad scientist in a chemist lab pouring infused honeys from Erlenmeyer flasks into his wicked concoctions that will leave you crawling home after just one or two. GO. Admire his arm strength as he shakes those drinks one after the next... for HOURS.
Perhaps the most exciting drinks are the Barbacoa (Mezcal with red bell pepper and garnished with beef jerky), or the Donaji (Mezcal with pomegranate seeds.... and that salt around the edge? That ground up crickets. yes. it is).
I prefer the Sabertooth - which I imagine is called that because it has ONE huge chunk of ice. Ice-age style.
Dear Jonathan Gold: The food was just Ok for me. The Chile Relleno I had was unique and interesting, but not actually that tasty. I think the drinks are ESSENTIAL, while the food (even though it's quite creative) could be forgotten.
We dropped in for cocktails and a few bites to eat late in the afternoon, on a hot summer day. It was a pleasant surprise.
The bar has these comfy leather seats with little side tables made for tequila tasting. We immediately felt relaxed when we sat down.
The cocktails are quite special. Each one has layers of flavor, but are not overbearing. We enjoyed the following: Bramble, Rivera's Cup, Palma Fizz, Barbacoa w/ Mezcal. All are delicious, well-balanced, and have an element of surprise.
We then sampled the tortillas and el pato al vino. We've never seen such beautiful tortillas with flowers pressed on them before. The duck was fall off the bone tender and we enjoyed the wine sauce.
Service was great. My boyfriend dropped his fork and was too lazy to call for the waitress. We didn't think anyone noticed. About 30 seconds later, a new one magically appeared. Our waitress steered us in the right direction each time she suggested something. It was her idea to order the duck with tortillas so we could make little wraps.
This place had my two favorite things, great cocktails and tapas. I loved it!
3.5 stars
Came here for lunch. I had read Evan Kleinman talk about the "perfect" tortilla being the tortillas florales at Rivera. I was pretty disappointed to hear they only serve these during dinner, not lunch.
We ordered a selection of dishes, including the mussels negro, poblano chile relleno salad, open-faced fish tacos with black cod, duck enfrijolada, halibut, and kurobuta short ribs.
The mussels were pretty good - a little on the spicy side. The fish tacos were excellent - clean, fresh flavors, and the fish was moist. The poblano chile relleno was just kinda eh.
For the entrees, the duck enfrijolada was interesting. Frankly, it looked like a big clump of mud, but the flavors were good. Probably wouldn't order it again. The halibut was a little underdone, and there was nothing special about it. The kurobuta short rib was actually pretty good, and a great deal. For $16, you got two huge bone-in short ribs and cilantro mashed potatoes. Highly recommended.
Service was good, nothing noteworthy but nothing bad to say.
The service here is fantastic. The food is amazing. Love the Ancient and Current Mesoamerican fusion.
Start, we enjoyed some tapas (yes, smaller than your typical TGIF heaps of cheese) style appetizers: the housemade tortillas with the pressed herbs & flowers served with Indian butter aka avocado = phenomenal! Olives were good, there are about 6 different sliced open green olives. They are good, some of the "fillings" were not my cup of tea, but others were really good. Tuna was a hit too.
My Wife and I shared an entree, the pork dish. It was REALLY good. Now, the lady next to us ordered the same and because it did not come out microwave hot she sent it back. Her concern was that it was underdone? Anyway, it was served at the optimum temp for flavor. The dish had been cooked for like 24 hours in a banana leaf, there was no concern about under cooking. It was melt in your mouth amazing!
It was a risky venture, esp since this was my BDay dinner and the fact that there was a P!NK concert, the reservation book was filling up. With that said, they made it work for us and got us in. Thankfully, it all worked out and BTW P!NK was AWESOME! :)
Great date night. The key for us was moving from a table to the tapas bar where you sit side by side and can watch the sous chefs do their thing and the kitchen crank out delicious food.
We had a great time, ate some totally exotic food and drank really interesting tequila cocktails. And, amazingly, the bill was only $120. The key here is to sit at the bar and eat more tapas style than 3 course meal style! We loved it and hope to go back.
I came here because of reviews in LA Weekly and the LA Times, expecting Mexican fine dining. What I got was a low-budget Latino version of Geisha House--club food at haute cuisine prices. On the plus side, the cocktails are excellent, and the decor is slick, if somewhat cheesy. However, the service and food were weak.
When we arrived, the hostess told us to get a drink while our (reserved) table was being prepared. However, just as the bartender was in the process of making our drinks, she came over and said our table was ready. When we said we'd like to wait for our drinks, she told us, "You can stay at the bar if you want; I'll give your table to someone else," then cancelled our drink orders. When we were on deserts, our server gave us our check, which seemed gauche, especially since there were plenty of empty tables and it wasn't too late.
On to the food: the snacks and desert were fine. However, my boyfriend's cochinita pibil was over-salted and flavourless; he commented that a hot-dog would have been better. I got the duck quesadilla dish. Again, it was over-salted, and the duck was kinda dried out. Neither of us could make ourselves finish our entrees. Our meal cost 170$ for two (two drinks, an appetizer and entree each, and a shared desert, including tax and tip); given the price I was very disappointed.
The cocktails at Rivera are so delicious, balanced, and creative that it makes me want to write this whole review in Spanish! But I will try to grab the controls and stick to my native tongue. Speaking of tongue, if you go to Rivera, be prepared to have cocktails that will not only tickle your tongue, but also challenge it.
Every cocktail I've had here has been spot on. If The Varnish were the straight-A chemistry student of drink-making, Rivera would be the straight-A art student. The drinks at Rivera are just as precise and infused with technique, but adds that creative punch in each drink.
That said, I could go through and explain every drink I've had, but that would be pointless. With thirteen original drinks on the main cocktail menu and many more off the menu, the best way to understand how great these drinks are is to try them yourself.
If you need some recommendations though, have a Melrose Smash to refresh, an Eat a Peach to sweeten, a Luchador's Lady to challenge, and a Barbacoa to blow your mind. Every cocktail I've had here has changed the way I see mixology as an art.
You can also order off the menu, and if you get to know Julian and the other bartenders, they'll make drinks that are partly or completely improvised for you to test. Call it an experiment, if you must, but it'll be the most delicious experiment you've ever taken part in.
Rivera es una revelación en la creación de cócteles!
GET: Everything (especially one of the originals)
Went there for a birthday dinner and it was hands down the worst experience we've had at a restaurant. The staff is outrageously rude,unaccommodating and arrogant. The drinks are weak, and for a place that touts "exceptional drinks"- they should re-train their bartenders. Overall, we couldnt escape the feeling that we were stuck in the 90's- (I mean who dusts slogans with spices on plates anymore!?!?) Sedler better get his staff and restaurant into the 21st century or they'll die like his failed ventures in Santa Monica. By the way...the food is only fine.
I can't WAIT to get back to this place. Everything I had was dancing across my tastebuds. And, I love those little "bite-sized," small plate portions so that you can SHARE lots and lots of stuff. YUM!!!
The housemade tortillas with the pressed herbs and flowers were phenomenal (the bite on the back end of that avocado / Indian butter was a very welcome surprise). The mole with the pork chop was melt-in-your-mouth delicious ... Tasmanian sea trout was out-of-this-world ... and PLEASE DON'T MISS the Spanish olives with assorted stuffings. In fact, you might as well just go ahead and order two of those bitches. YUM!!! :)
Honestly, I didn't have one thing that I wouldn't order again. But, I'm anxious to get back SOON to try everything on the menu.
Rivera is a Latin American restaurant that has Spanish and Portuguese elements to it, as well. The inside of the place is modern-ish and has that typical Downtown LA cool lounge feel.
Here is the information on the food:
STARTERS (ranked in order of taste)
1. Bacalao Negro Fresco - Great dish. The fish is really cooked to perfection.
2. Cordero Vasco - Another very good dish, although not as good as the bacalao. The lamb is super tender, but a little gamy if that bothers you. I gnawed at the bone.
3. Chile Pasilla Relleno - A very delicate dish that only contained small cubes of chorizo (I was hoping for more). The peppers are very good and soft.
4. Pato al Vino - This is a very rich dish, as any confit dish is. However, it is very tender and still good.
LARGER PLATES (ranked in order of taste)
1. Mole - Very tender pork chop with an amazingly delicate mole sauce. The mole really makes the dish.
2. Maya Puerco Pibil Sous Verde - Even more tender pork than the mole. The drawback is that it is a little rich, but if that doesn't bother you it's great.
3. Duck Enfrilojada - A very unique dish that contains duck inside of a blue tortilla with a cheese and sauce similar to mole. This dish is very good, but rich, as well.
4. Halibut - This was my least favorite dish and something I wouldn't order again. To me, there was nothing that stood out about it.
DESSERTS (ranked in order of taste)
1. Crema Catalana - Amazing creme burlee type dish! The best I've ever had.
2. Flan - Three different flans which are all so delicate and creamy. Especially the darkest one which is out of this world.
3. Torta Xocolata - Amazingly dense chocolate cake. Very good and creamy. Almost like a fudge.
4. Olive oil cake - I didn't care for this dish too much because it has a hint of citrus. To me, there wasn't anything too special about it.
COST = $200 for all of the above items (which was split amongst 4 people).
Overall, the food at Rivera is very good, although not amazing. The ambiance is nice, but the service, while not horrible, is lacking a little. The wait staff is a little slow and not good at communicating at times.
Easily one of my new favorites. I went on a weeknight and scored street parking (free after 8pm).
What to try:
COCKTAILS
blood sugar sex magic
strawberry fields
STARTERS
tortillas florales HOUSEMADE NIXTAMAL TORTILLAS, "INDIAN BUTTER" 6 ***Not bad but was hoping for better. The flowers were cute***
chile pasilla relleno PICKLED MILD CHILE, BURRATA CHEESE, SERVED CHILLED 10 **LOVE this***
bacalao negro fresco SEARED BLACK COD, SERRANO HAM CRISP 14
tamale BRAISED PORK SHORT RIB, HEDGEHOG MUSHROOMS, GUAJILLO SAUCE 12 **This was tasty**
playa bar seviche AHI TUNA, SERRANOS, LIME, AVOCADO 12
**Underwhelming**
I can't wait to come back and try the Barbacoa and also some entrees. Definitely a good first visit. Love the space and the stenciled plate designs
This is one of my favorite LA restaurants at the moment 7+ visits and the consistency on Quality of Food and Service is top notch. The Best I've consistently seen in Los Angeles.
Favorite dishes:
The 2 soups in a shot glass is a must. Last night it was warm turnip soup sitting on top of a cold beet soup with a Cheddar cheese crisp. The potato chips with a chipolte- spread sprinkled with caviar is very tasty and spicy. The tortillas florales with Indian butter (tortillas with guacamole) are also delicious. The presentation on all three of these alone will make you feel special.
The trout is divine. The Halibut is good. The Ahi Tuna Ceviche is the best- I've had. The cocktails look amazing and taste just as good but are light in alcohol content (which keeps me well behaved...). The Olive Oil Cake is an absolute not to be missed dessert.
I've walked in without a reservation and within 10 minutes was seated in the communal table. If I have a reservation - they are always quick to seat and never snotty if I'm 10-15 minutes late. I've read complaints about reservation times not being honored- which sucks but the people here always go out of there way to be friendly and get you to eat and imbibe. It's the most handsome restaurant in LA- a 15-20 minute is worth the experience, once seated.
The Sangre Room is perfect if you are looking for a more elegant- romantic experience (check out the chandelier). The communal table or banquet if your frisky and friendly- OR the Bar if you can snag a seat.
I dine out frequently (3-5 meals a week) and every time I come here- I appreciate the enthusiasm and commitment to the aesthetics that Mr Sedlar delivers along with exceptional quality and taste!
"The meeting of the Minds" Tequila Tasting and Open Forum at Rivera Restaurant was a great treat not only for our palate but for our mind and soul. The eloquence in the tequila vernacular demonstrated by Mr. Estes, Mr. Bezuidenhout, and Mr. Gama was impressive. Tequila Ocho and Partida Tequilas were exquisite in their various representations, and the whole atmosphere at the Rivera Restaurant was something to behold. After savoring such an enriching experience I could very well sense the Agave Gods smiling down upon us as they too were celebrating with us the Art of Tequila Tasting
The Los Angeles Tequila Tasting Ckub
http://losangelestequi...
The chef was just named "Best Comeback Chef of the Year" by LA's number one restaurant reviewer - Brad Johnson.
If this restaurant was traded on the stock market - it would be trading at record highs... and they have really refined there efforts.
Keep up the good work here gang!
If you read the reviews from only people with 10 or more reviews - this place would have a higher rating.
If you pay attention to the people that have rated taco bell 4 stars and give this place "1" - then your wasting time.
Its actually humorous to see what the "1" star reviewer like ...
I am not even subtle here - this place is expensive for those that can't appreciate quality, hand made, small farm, organic, artisan foods.... and no one is recommending you eat here daily... but the world needs a few great special occasion places and this is one worth fighting for... keep it different, keep it real... and keep it real different...
Tried again - Fantastic!
The menu had some of the same popular items, but a number of fresh…
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Haven't posted on Yelp in a while, and what else would bring me back other then to pan some restaurant that provided horrible service. Yeah, that's right... I'm here to complain about stuff... I wouldn't be a yelper if I didn't.
Had tickets to an event at the Grammy Museum for 8 o'clock, so I figured it'd be perfect to check out this new place down the street for a nice pre-show tequila. Show up at 7:10 and the bar's full, so the host offers us seats in the Tequila Club chairs (kinda cool). Unfortunately for my buddy and me, none of the waiters cover this area, and we are ignored for the better part of the next 20 minutes.
After it's become clear that none of the workers had the intention of serving us, I flag down a waitress and ask for the menu. She comes back to take our orders around 7:35 and I order 2 tequilas. She comes back with our order around 7:45, and I ask for the check thinking that she probably wouldn't be back for another hour.
I enjoy sipping the tequila, but 5 minutes later, I have to down the thing because I'm pretty much out of time.
The tequila itself was great. Very smooth.
So yeah, the service was awful, but I guess I'll have to go back to see what the food is like someday.
It isn't often that I can give a restaurant five stars because often the food never lives up to the price or fanfare that precedes it. However, today is the day when I can firmly say that Rivera is an epicurean experience that you should try if you're in Downtown LA.
Everything was pitch perfect to make my evening enjoyable. There were three dining areas to choose from: one very formal and quiet, one close and more energized, and one very informal (although I'd hate to call it that) where you share a counter space with others. I chose the middle option.
I had the infused tequila sample tray to start. There are usually six flavors to try from which you choose three. The vanilla is the best in my opinion. Later in the evening, I had the Bramble cocktail (gin, lime juice, and blackberries). It was good; however, it was heavy on the crushed ice (similar to how some places (see: Seven Grand) prepare a mint julep). I did notice they had the very exquisite cubed ice at the bar... I'll get something with that in the future.
There is too much detail to go into on the appetizers and the meal, but I will say WITHOUT A DOUBT that their rib eye is the best prepared steak I've had in years. The pork shoulder was also prepared with a special 18 hour steam cooking process that leaves the meat tender and juicy. The black beans side are spicy and delicious.
If you're inclined (and financially able) to order wine, they do have a sommelier in house to assist with choosing your wine selection for your meal.
Between the ambiance, the service, the food and the presentation, Rivera is a top class restaurant. You absolutely must give it a try if you can.
Really bland and average food. Terrible service.
So you know im a foodie, you can see from my previous reviews. So my friend organized his 30th birthday at Rivera last night, and i jumped on to yelp straight away to get recommendations from my fellow yelpers on the best dishes. When a place gets 3.5 stars 50% liked the dishes and 50% dont, you sorta know its going to be average....but Rivera was even worse than that.
The portions are really small and you will want to go to in and out burger after you dine here.
I had the pork chop on recommendations. It was bland and had no taste whatsoever, even the mole sauce was eh. My friend had the pork shoulder that was cooked for 18 hours apparently, and it was mostly fat and inedible. The only dishes we enjoyed are the stuffed peppers and the bread flower tortillas with the indian butter (which is basically guacamole) but how can you get that wrong? I mean come on.
So my fellow yelpers, trust me and avoid this place. Its too expensive, the food is below average, and the service is spotty at best.
What we ordered:
caballito de sopas dobles - simple in flavor - comes in two temperatures and two layers in a thin glass.
tortillas florales - great little starter to whet the appetite. The Indian butter ends up reminding you of guacamole, though.
cordero vasco - perfectly cooked lamb.
tamal - they spelled it 'tamal' on the menu, but little did I know they were bringing out a tamale!
piquillos rellenos - delicious, warm gruyere cheese inside of red peppers.
maya puerco pibil sous vide
blood sugar sex magic - a minty little refreshing summer cocktail. All of their drinks looked really good, actually.
Great litle downtown spot - casual to dressy attire, relaxing ambience, and knowledgable wait staff. But go only if you plan on doing some damage. I probably won't frequent it since I'm trying to be fiscally responsible, here.
We sat at the bar - fun since we ended up catching some of the culinary process in action.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Bars
La Mirada, CA
Category: Pizza
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Lounges
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