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Category: Steakhouses [Edit]
Neighborhood: La MesaMon-Tue. 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Wed-Sat. 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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How could I have not reviewed this yet? I thought I had. I was here back in March for the Yelp Elite Event and really enjoyed it. The steak was excellent, as was the chocolate-bacon cake, the ambiance was pleasant, and I was pleased to find we had such a nice place so near to where I live. There is an off-street parking lot but it's not real big so you may have to park on the street if it's full, as I did that night.
Flash forward to last Wednesday night when a group of the nicest Yelpers you'd ever want to socialize with went here for Happy Hour. We all had a wonderful time, both with each other and at the establishment. I never heard a bad word about any aspect of the placer( except that boy the drinks were stiff!). We spent half an hour or so at the bar waiting for everyone to show up and then got seated in the dining room.
I was going to get the steak but made a last minute decision to get the seafood kebab. What a perfect choice! It came with two skewers, not just one, and had a combination of albacore and swordfish along with some pretty strong onions and nice red peppers (green, too, I think). I had never grilled seafood over an open fire like that but as had with the steak, they turned out just perfect. And so melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful I was ready to go back and get hem again the next day. I also ordered the Mac and Cheese as a side dish to share, which was rich and cheesy and good but not as creamy as I personally like. And I had to opportunity to sample the garlicky mashed potatoes (Mmmm) and three different desserts that others ordered. All three were outstanding--the S'Mores (we thought it would be hot but it was cool and creamy), the Chocolate Creme Brulee (crunchy on top and smooth as silk underneath), and their famous Chocolate Bacon cake (not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it and so did others).
The service was excellent and we stayed till after midnight with animated conversation, diagrams being drawn on napkins, and several pitchers of water being imbibed after we were done with the alcohol.
I can't wait to go back!
People thought this was:
I recently came here with a group of yelpers who hold it down out this way. It's the suburbs, but there are lots of cool spots out here, and my Yelp peeps in La Mesa know how to party.
The concept of cooking your own food at a restaurant never really had made sense to me. I always felt if I was going to pay 30 bucks for a piece of steak, I shouldn't have to do anything but work on a nice ass groove in my seat till it was ready. Well, the Riv completely changed my opinion of this. That shiz is pretty darn fun!
I have always been a pretty crap-tastic cook, but the grills at the Riv allowed me to be Bobby Flay for a day. To say I cooked my filet mignon well would be an understatement. I'm talking excellence--I might have a new career perfect. Seriously, If Emeril Lagasse would have seen how beautiful this baby turned out he would have chunked in his pants! I have to give my man Warren W props for coaching me through it, but damn I guess I'm a master of the grill. (Of course note that they season all the meat for you)
The rest of the food was pretty stellar as well. Other notables include the green beans, which were lightly flavored and served with pine nuts. The mac n cheese was cheesier than my pickup lines at a singles mixer. The mashed potatoes were good, but be warned of the abundance of garlic they have in them. I tasted the flavor in my mouth 2 mornings after the fact.
I'm not sure if this is an everyday thing, but the night we were there, they had a live band in the bar area. They were playing country music so it wasn't really my style but, I always say any live band is better than no live band.
I'll def be back to this place. It's a fun spot to grab dinner, drinks, and discover your inner chef.
People thought this was:
Dear Riviera,
I suck at grilling. I am so, so, very absent-minded, and thus unequipped to eat at your establishment on my own unless I'm prepared to eat charcoal. Therefore, I am sadly limited to dining at your establishment only when I am present with grill-friendly, time-conscious company.
However, your bar makes up for my dire lack of grilling talent with your potent drinks that make my liver want to slap your bartender with a restraining order.
Fuck, after a few drinks at your bar, I don't think I would even notice, care, or remember that I even ordered dinner.
*muah*
People thought this was:
It's rare that I visit the same places in San Diego when I come down, just because there are always new places to try. But I did happen to come by here again with some of the Yelp crew for a nice little hump day happy hour!
Beginning: Happy Hour Specials at the bar,$2 off.
Cocktails at the bar while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. I had an Art Snob, it reminds me of the VO and 7 my dad would drink when I was a kid, yes,I stole some sips. The drink consists of ginger ale, Knob Creek, bitters and twist of citrus.
Warning! All the drinks are packed with a punch and sure to get you messed up. My second one was too strong to drink but I'd rather have that than the opposite. Don't be afraid to tell them, the waitress was really understanding.
Middle:
I ordered the baked potato for my dinner. Wasn't in the mood to grill but have tried it before and it's really a fun way to go out and eat with friends. The baked potato was very good, the best part was some kind of seasoning on the outer skin? I didn't share the potato though it's large enough for two and comes with all the toppings.
End:
Saving up for the S'mores Casserole. I should of realized by the name that I would not be roasting these mellows, but that's what I was picturing. Inside the dish it's layered with the graham crust, a thick chocolate filling and melted marshmallow cream on top with some coco powder sprinkled on top. Ooohhh my, this is heaven in a dish. Large enough to pass around to a few people as well.
The place has a nice, close intimate feeling and good for large groups also.
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Holy shit! Some foresight into what may or may not work for a business relocation! I can't believe it!
I'm looking at you, Liar's Club. Sure your old location was a bit tough to visit. Parking at the beach sucks. But then you uproot and move to Alpine? My imaginary brother could have pointed out how stupid of a move that was.
But The Riviera... You guys got it right. And thank god for that. Not only is your establishment fucking awesome but your chances of folding up like the Liars Club who decided to set up camp in the middle of nowhere are nearly 0%.
The Riviera is just what La Mesa needed. A cool bar. Finally.
Unfortunately it came well after I moved the hell out of there. Now, living in La Mesa as a person between the ages of 21-30 doesn't mean you're restricted to Shenanigan's Pub or the godforsaken Hearth House. What it means is that you have a stellar place to go cook yourself some food (You know, Turf Club roots) and to get an extremely well poured drink in a glass that's honestly bigger than it probably should be. Also, this bar might have the coolest bartenders in all of the metro area. Some of which worked at the Casbah and in other places around town that were all equally awesome establishments. Now that they're all under one roof, it's like some bartender Captain Planet shit.
Reading through all the "OMG IT'S IN LA MESAAA UGHHHHH...." reviews just proves to me that the rest of SD is just bummed that The Riviera isn't in their area.
The Riviera will thrive in its new environment and to know that, is awesome.
People thought this was:
What an awesome change from Habana.
Prompt service, good meat selection, and superb sides.
My son and I ordered the Porterhouse and Ribeye. Nice cuts of meat, grilled it to perfection. The sides - Mac 'N Cheese and Sauteed Green Beans (with pine nuts) - equally divine...the total package to a great meal.
For dessert, ordered the Bacon Chocolate cake to go...since everyone woots about it. I have to say I really like it...something about the sweet and salty mixture...very unique and scrumptuous.
I was very taken with the atmosphere, little changes here and there from the previous estab made a heck of a difference.
I will go back...especially for the meat and the Mac 'N Cheese. I truly enjoyed myself.
People thought this was:
I haven't had the chance to eat here yet so there will surely be a follow up review to come.
Stumbled in here with some friends after the amazingly disappointing Octoberfest in La Mesa. (Seriously shits weak!)
The Riviera has probably the trendiest bar in the area. Most of the bars seem to cater to college kids or bums. They pretty much all suck...
Not this place. Our drinks were stoat and came out quick. My Vodka Tonic came in a tall glass (thank you) and tasted like a triple (thank you for taking my mind off Octobersuck). The Guinness actually tasted good. Maybe enough people in here actually drink the holy water to keep the keg rotating.
The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was warm and dark. A little reminiscent of James Dean with the dark red and comfortable booths. Noticed a lot of greaser ink filling the bar stools.
Ill be back, I hear the food is great.
People thought this was:
Having been semi-regular patron of their previous incarnation (there was a marmalade cat that would sit on the bouncer stool, scary bouncer!), I was somewhat skeptical about their move to La Mesa.
Riviera Supper Club is even more awesome! Gone are 2-hour waits for a table and Budweiser lamp with little horses (the lamp lent the place character). New are side dishes and desserts! Nicer decor! Also 90% less Al Green, boo!!
Surf & Turf - Sirloin steak was good, but the Seafood kabob blew my mind. The server said the seafood kabob was swordfish or mahi mahi, what it was was squirting buttery juice. What kind of fish does that?!? It was amazing.
Horseradish garlic mashed potatoes - not very garlicky, horseradish on the side. It was perfect and didn't need anything else.
Sauteed green beans - Very fresh green beans topped with pine nuts. We really cleaned the plate.
Bacon chocolate cake - IT WORKS. I've had a couple of other bacon chocolate things, but this was made with great chocolate cake and generous amounts of thin crispy bacon as a garnish instead of part of the icing or cake. I think this is how bacon chocolate anything should taste.
Cocktails - I usually get the Esquire with Ketel One vodka, but this time I wanted to test the bartender's mettle with a Sazerac. It was served in a regular glass on ice...what the heck.
Service - We sat in the bar area and pretty much got ignored. Lose one star for service or the lack thereof.
All in all, I highly recommend Riviera Supper Club. It's got a kitchy feel and they have a Tiki night on Wednesdays. But I still wish they would play more Al Green.
People thought this was:
Food was good, service good. No paper products in ladies room. Very noisy, although that was part of the ambience. I did send back a side item for being undercooked, and it returned in the same condition.
People thought this was:
First time guest, and the last time. I'm not a fan of cooking my own steak at a price I can have a chef cook for me. My ribeye looked like I could have bought it at VONS. Side dishes were FANTASTIC however, huge portions. Only complaint , they came out 10 minutes before are steaks were done.
Place was packed. Waitstaff were very friendly and very good. The atmosphere is great and the place is clean and roomy.
Would have given 4 stars, just tooooooooo pricey.
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Dayam. Some people are real serious whiners. If you have such an upscale palette, why the hell are you at Riviera? Self-criticism on the food would be too much since you have to cook it yourself, so you have to shred on any other detail? Yelp yourself about it.
My kabob/mac n cheese/garlic bread was perfect, waitress/cake was sweet and drinks/time were great, my friends and I are fun. My friends and I are fun, so the place we are at is fun. Riviera was a great time. Fin.
People thought this was:
The Riviera is the best La Mesegas has to offer.
It combines a Vegas vibe with a corner/hole in the wall bar feel.
I had the "KANSAS CITY" NEW YORK STRIP and was thoroughly impressed. The meat --which was brilliantly seasoned with garlilc and kosher goodness-- came out with a nice sized piece of garlic bread on the side.
It cooked to perfection on the grill and had me thinking of John Candy... and his scenes from "The Great Outdoors." This cut of beef was beyond delicious.
Oh, did I forget to mention that we also had a massive serving of mac & cheese? I apologize... this was (perhaps) the best version I have ever devoured. The cheese was crumbled, melted and packed into the small gravyboat-looking dish.
We were so full that we didn't even get to try the bacon chocolate cake... yes, I said bacon.
I give this place a solid 5 stars and definitely look forward to my next visit.
People thought this was:
Of course anyone that used to go to the Turf is gonna compare that experience with the Riviera. I suppose that is fair. And if I lived closer to Turf, I would probably never come out this way. But as it were, the Riviera and the Turf are probably about the same drive for me and I see a lot of upsides at the Riviera, starting with the roomier location and the abundance of parking. And then there are the sides and the desserts. I was never quite content with a crappy iceberg lettuce salad and splitting a veggie kabob if i wanted vegetables. Now I can get super rich and cheesy mac and cheese and green beans sauteed with pinenuts. Hello upgrade. Not to mention the desserts - bacon chocolate cake and creme brulee make my sugar tooth happy.
So given a choice, I am coming here when I want to have a cook-my-own-steak dinner. And I am also comforted in the fact that I have taken a few people here that never went to the Turf for comparison and they just dig on the classic/retro vibe and love the food.
P.S. If you dig on tater tots, they have 'em, they just aren't on the menu. We'll keep it our secret, okay?
People thought this was:
No complaints here.
Great service and nice cuts of steak. I'm not a big fan of cooking my own food at a restaurant, but my porterhouse cut (28 oz.) was real good. The vibe of this place is real cool and definitely a nice place for groups.
People thought this was:
I walked in late on a Friday night and was a bit confused by what I found. Is this a restaurant??? Is it a bar??? Is it both??? There were more people in the Turquoise room (aka: the bar) than in the actual restaurant part of the establishment. In fact, there was a sign saying,"Please see bartender to be seated." Initially, I was a bit turned off by that. I mean, they couldn't have someone available to seat us at a place that was supposed to be a restaurant? But the bartender was very nice and told us to sit anywhere we liked and that our server would be with us shortly. I expected to wait quite a while and was pleasantly surprised when our server was at our table not too long after. She was great! And despite the fact that we were literally the only people not hanging out at the bar, she made sure to check on us regularly. We were well taken care of.
Now for the food....
......
......
Oh...slurp....sorry, I was drooling and daydreaming of the meal I had. I opted to fork out the big bucks and get the porterhouse because I was SUPER hungry. Good LORD that steak was huge! And apparently, I cooked it perfectly because that was honestly one of the best steaks I've had in a long time. It totally hit the spot. They made it easy though as they seasoned it perfectly.
Our server also was kind enough to tell us that the sides were hugemongous and that one would be more than enough for the 2 of us. And she was right. We got the mac and cheese and it was great!
I also liked the feel of the restaurant. We went kinda late and the crowd there was definitely more of a 20's - 30's kinda crowd. Very chill, relaxed vibe. Not a place to take grammy if she wants a steak. But maybe in the daytime it's a bit different. I definitely wouldn't mind hanging out and having a few drinks here as well.
People thought this was:
2 things i know for sure:
#1 best bartenders in east county, dare i say, all of san diego. Josh and Melody deserve badges of honor: both pour heavy AND remember your name!
#2 the food never disappoints. never has green beans and mac'n'cheese satisfied so greatly! the tater-tots (not on the menu) might even make you cry...
People thought this was:
I almost don't want to write a review about this place because I don't want it to get popular... but that wouldn't be right.
The place is very retro 1960's ,but fully restored and really cool. The steaks are cooked by you and your friends on a huge indoor dining room grill. All of the seasonings and utensils are provided.
The happy hour steak is a killer deal at $7. But the sides will hit you hard in the wallet ($6 each). BUT, they're all big enough to share. The baked potato was enormous and came with all the fixings including real bacon bits. It is a meal, itself.
Topped off with a 25-ounce happy hour beer and you're set.
At the time I was there, it felt like I was in a Quentin Tarantino movie. It was really cool - and most importantly, delicious and fun.
People thought this was:
3.5 stars
Now I usually don't believe in second-chances sometimes, but let me give the owner props for taking my negative past experience to heart more than many business owners do. I appreciate your act of kindness towards my return to the restaurant and the concern for your customers does not go unnoticed. Upon returning, I am thankful to see the Riviera in a new light, not just its quality, but the staff.
The menu in this place is mouth-watering and delicious! It threw me off when ordering a hamburger when they came uncooked and I realized that I was in charge of my own hamburger destiny. My boyfriend took to the man-grill and fixed them up with how we think they should be tasting. There are a large assortment of condiments to use for any taste buds.
Be sure to really work the burned food off of the grill from careless people before! We had a bit of trouble with the grill because we are newbies to that kind of thing, but our burgers were the most delicious!
Food portions are very large!
Pay attention and take the advice on the menu when it says the sides are big enough to share, because they are! One order of salad was the perfect amount for two people while leaving room for meaty deliciousness.
As far as the atmosphere is concerned, for large groups this seems to be the spot! The grill is enormous so there is plenty of room for everyone in the party to cook their food at once and mingle with others; however, if you're a party of two, this may not be your first choice of restaurants unless you are both grill-side. Not knocking it, just recommending.
Our server, Michael (if I remember correctly) was very wonderful to us and checked back enough with us without being overwhelming!
For two people to have large fresh hamburgers, salad, and drinks it was a hair over 25 bucks. Not bad, not bad.
People thought this was:
I haven't had their food but they did do an awesome job of hosting the El Camino Car Show in their… Read more »
We went here for my brothers birthdays, be prepared with a large group the seating is kind-of iffy.
The wait staff was attentive and friendly I liked it leaving there, I thought I would really enjoy coming back. It is different from the norm.
I mean i'm not a restaurant junkie .. ( ok maybe a little bit) but how many places do you go to where you cook your OWN meat?
Come here if your sick of the norm and want a chill/vegas like feel =]
People thought this was:
The old Turf Club: stiff drinks, Marlboro smokers blocking the entrance, long waits to get a table.
The Riviera: stiff drinks without the waits and smokers, but add $15 to each tab
Pros:
1. This DIY grill restaurant is great if your guests aren't really familiar with each other -- gives people something to do.
2. Large tables are perfect for large groups.
3. Interesting concoctions reminiscent of hipsters going old school.
4. Not as grimy or crowded as the old Turf Club (see below)
Cons:
1. Not enough ventilation -- extremely hot on a La Mesa day! Be prepared to stink after leaving this place.
2. A bit pricey for DIY for a piece of meat and garlic bread. Sides are extra. I think the best deal is the surf and turf for $13.50 - sirloin and seafood kabob with salmon and veggies and the $6.50 horse radish mashed potatoes.
3. Not as grimy or crowded as the old Turf Club (see above)
People thought this was:
Literally the best cooked steak I ever get, anytime I go here... my compliments to the chef ;) But honestly this place has a great atmosphere, the cuts of steak are high quality. My service and side dishes are always incredible. Drinks are really strong so it makes them worth the price. I REALLY WISH THEY WOULD BRING BACK THE CREAMED CORN.
People thought this was:
love love & more love.
People thought this was:
i'm so, so, so happy something like this exists in la mesa now, because you know what? i live in la… Read more »
Best new hang out in the EC...thank you thank you!! The Musts of the Riviera Experience:
-Potato wedges
-Esquire
-[Entre of Choice, make sure you add the Riviera Steak Sauce]
-Bacon Chocolate Cake
Cleaner, nicer and all around better than Turf. Please bring back the yummy apple crisp!
People thought this was:
We went here to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. I like the concept of ordering your food and grilling it yourself. You can make it the way you like it! You can add however much sauce, salt, and pepper as you like. The sides are large enough to share. I like the mac & cheese.
**Oh they have a daily happy hour. Very good drinks!**
People thought this was:
The Riviera is my dinner location now nearly three times a month. The prices are fair. The drinks are stiff. The bartenders (Doug, Stephen, Chino) are fucking rad! And the side dishes are the fucking best. Some days I go to the Riviera just to orders a table of side dishes and deserts if I don't feel like grilling.
But PLEASE DEAR GOD BRING BACK THE CREAMED CORN!!!
The Riviera is the epitome of a 5 star all around great venue!
People thought this was:
Best desserts in all of san diego. Why go to some over priced frou-frou place with no parking, when you can come here and eat Bacon Chocolate Cake, SMORES CASSEROLE, Whoppers--yep chocolate malt balled--creme brulee, and cheddar apple pie. I love the open grill atmosphere too which allows you to mingle and enjoy the crowd.
People thought this was:
I really wish I liked this place more, and I really really wanted to like this place more. Maybe it was the fact that we were a party of 30 for a 30th birthday party....Maybe it was the fact that like an early reviewer said, it feels like im attending a north park high school reunion (so true!), or.....Maybe I was expecting too much greatness. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out that way.
Sadness:
1. I got the rib eye and truthfully, it was a fatty piece of meat without any real seasoning that I would have marinated with at home. My boyfriend got the big man's porterhouse and shared a similar sentiment though he ate the whole thing because he's a fatty. Also, a weird piece of bread that does not taste good when grilled..one thought, why?
2. Seasoning, seasoning, seasoning. All they had was steak sauce, Worcestershire and teriyaki.....no no and what, where are we an asian steak house?!
3. Cooking time. Luckily, the love of my life is a meat master (thats what she said, haha!!), but there were alot of people who had no idea how long to cook anything and the wait staff never told us, maybe because it was a party of 30 but regardless, my friend Jenn asked how many people get sick from undercooked meat, and i'm curious too! Also, i'm in nursing school and an obsessive hand washer and after starting to grill, and touching my steak with my hands, ew.
4. Their beers on tap selection at the bar. A San Diego bar without a local brew. Nuh uh.
5. Some of the side dishes. Macaroni and Cheese= bleh. Beans= meh. And running out of mashed potatoes in the middle of dinner service= what?
Awesomeness:
1. The decor and the bar area. Retro chic is fun and adorable.
2. Creamed corn and tater tots! Yum! Like, orgasmically good creamed corn that tastes like liquid butter. mmmmm
3. Good times with friends while feeling like you're grilling out and camping in nice clothes is always fun.
4. Three words: Bacon chocolate cake. Sooooo good. I thought it would be great and it totally lived up to that.
All in all, maybe I will come back with like 26 less people and have a totally different experience, but I am really glad I didnt have to pay for it!
People thought this was:
This place has the potential to be awesome, but they just don't follow through enough. So i went here on saturday night with a birthday party of around 30 people. I'm not counting points off for the slow service, that can only be expected with a group of that size. My review is only for the food.
I ordered the ribeye and it comes out on a piece of wax paper with a piece of bread. I know the set up I gotta cook it myself, and i'm okay with that, but it didn't have anything on it... I go up to the grill and it has worcestershire sauce, steak sauce and teriyaki sauce to use as seasonings... NO GARLIC or anything. We have to get the salt and pepper off our table to even get that. So that was a bit lame, not to mention the meat was pretty fatty. Also even on the menu there is no guide to tell you how long to cook a certain cut of meat for rare, or medium or well done... no waiter tells you that either which really makes me wonder how often people get sick from under cooked food. It's so dark in there you can't really tell.
Onto the sides.... i'll start with what was really good, the tater tots (OMG amazing seasoning) the cream corn (it was like butter) and the baked beans were pretty good but just everyday good. The mac & cheese was just bland and the fries were too potatoey for me. They were out of the garlic mashed potatoes? WTF!!! so i didn't get to try them.
Onto dessert, the bacon chocolate cake was outta this world good! what a combo, bacon and cake mmmmmm so good. The s'mores casserole was really gross!!!! i know surprising... i would have thought it the other way around but that's how it was.
I would have given this place 2 stars for the lacking in spices and overall blandness of some dishes BUT i didn't pay for it, so i gave it an extra star.
People thought this was:
Since I did all the heavy lifting, I can't give Riviera more credit other than providing delectable prime grade fatty beef! What can I say, I cook a mean steak so of COURSE I enjoyed my meal!
Still. I don't have the heart to give it a 2.
The concept is novel enough; a big smoking grill centered in the middle of the dining room to ensure we all walk away smelling like cheap Korean BBQ (I should NOT have worn a dress that was DRY CLEAN ONLY) and plenty of squirt bottle sauces for a mix/match marinade to complete the beef.
It's surprising that the steaks are just dumped on a plate, naked without the benefit of even minimal seasoning. I wish I had known that before I started to cook it. Also, it would've been nice if the server had provided some critical details, such as the temperature of the grill and general cooking time for us first time newbies.
After cutting into a raw center ribeye, I reluctantly returned to the grill only to overcook it to a rosy pink. I was disappointed that all the blood had been burned off.
This is why you pay other people to cook food especially in their kitchen.
People thought this was:
i am super sad. Why? Because I had been here for a special gathering once and had Excellente food and fun. AND...Chocolate cake with BACON.
So, I promised my wife I'd take her here for our anniversary. And like a good Capricorn, I keep my promises. EXCEPT....
It wasn't that great. My cut of meat was Very fatty. Our sides didn't come til we were half done with our meat. There was a "family" ( a guy, two women, and four kids from HELL) who absolutely ruined the atmosphere (the kids were climbing on furniture, running around, hiding under tables), and there was a group of folks who thought they were barbecuing in the apartments common area. WTF?
The worst part? The cake was DRY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had been Raving about this cake and my wife tasted it and said No. Crap. I almost did not get anniversary sex. Fortunately I am very suave and saved the evening.
If I had not had such goodness there previously I wouldn't go back. The server was really cool and did a great job, but it wasn't worth it. However...I know there is the potential for greatness. Maybe it was an off night. (It was during the week.) I will give it another shot sometime. but dude, my cake better be Moist!
People thought this was:
I love coming here on double dates. The boys do the cooking and the ladies do the gossiping! If you've ever been to the Turf Club, this is similar but with more class and more menu options. There is also tons more room so you don't have to cram in which is a huge plus!
My suggestions....
WEDGE Salad - Super traditional with gobs of Blue Cheese Dressing, bacon, tomatoes, and chopped red onions. They do throw in tons of onions though so beware.
MAC and cheese - Oh my goodness. I love this! So creamy and delicious. If you are going off your diet - go for this!
MASHED potatoes with horseradish - They are lacking a key ingredient but I can't quite figure it out. Great with added salt, pepper, and tabasco sauce.
Their drinks are super strong. Keep this in mind when ordering multiple cocktails.
People thought this was:
At first impression, I was excited. As the evening went on, however, I became less and less optimistic about the potential of this place.
We walk into a decent-sized establishment with a decent-sized bar. Clean and well-kept. The happy hour specials are pretty good, too! $7.50 for a sirloin and $2 off all drinks. I was excited at that point.
Then came our food. The steak was thinner that what we're used to (yes, it's not fair that I'm comparing it to Turf Club. Or is it?) and the garlic bread! What happened to the garlic bread?! More like garlic breadcrumb! What they call garlic bread, that little sliver of crust dabbed with butter, was maybe 3x2... yes, the size of an index card. So sad. And so we begin to grill our food. If we can even get beyond searing! The grill was way too hot. But at least it was clean.
The quality of the meat was still good; can't really credit them for the food since I was the one cooking it! We didn't get to try any of the much-anticipated sides since we were having an early dinner, but we'll save the mystery for next time. Yes, we'll be back.
The service was excellent thanks to B. And can't complain about the ambiance. Glad to see a lot of our favorite staffers from the Turf Club.
Gimme a bigger piece of garlic bread and I'll give 'em that 5th star!! Yes, I love garlic bread that much!
People thought this was:
I was underwhelmed by my experience; if I'm in the mood for a retro steakhouse I have many options in San Diego: Albie's Beef Inn, Cafe La Maze, the Butcher Shop to name a few - I don't really need to trek to La Mesa for a newer/bigger version of the Turf. Besides, I have fond memories of the Turf from yore and this place can't quite compete.
On the plus side, I get to watch my husband grill my steak while sipping a delicious Sidecar by myself in peace and quiet.
People thought this was:
Some friends and I decided to check this place out. So we did on a random weekday night. (I think it was a Monday) and seating was no problemo. With a bunch of us there, we were able to order almost all of the sides and two of the desserts.
I ordered the top sirloin and it came in a good size portion plus garlic bread. It was time to grill and the grill had all of the standard favorites. Worcestershire and teriyaki if my memory serves correct. I went with the standard: salt, pepper, Worcestershire. Some of my friends ordered the Fillet Mignon. But the guy next to me was grilling up the cowboy ribeye and it looked so good. I'm going to have to try it next time.
When most of us were done, out came our sides. The burbon baked beans were tangy sweet and delicious. I also enjoyed the decadent mac and cheese. The flavors of the four cheeses came together nicely and although it was rich, it was worth the calories. I wasn't too fond of the horseradish garlic mashed potatoes. They were a good complement to some of the other sides but a little overpowering by itself. Onion rings were big, crisp and crunchy.
The sides and steak made for a great meal. Although with all of the great choices and the amount of food that you are given, I don't know if I would be able to narrow down my choices to just a couple of sides.
I tried the bacon chocolate cake and the malted creme brulee. Both were delicious. The layer of bacon crumbles in the chocolate cake was an interesting and delicious flavor combination. I am coming back for more of this. And the deserts are huge. The slice of bacon chocolate cake was enough for seven people to each have few bites before throwing in the towel.
Thank you Riviera for an amazing dining experience. You need to stop being so popular on the weekends.
p.s.
Drinks are nice and stiff. And The turquoise room looked like a cool spot to have a drink and hang out.
People thought this was:
I wish this place was closer, but it's worth the trek. I had the baked potato and vegetable kebabs. The baked potato was rubbed with spice and roughly the size of my head. I took half of it home and it was just as good the next day!
Everyone is right about the grill being much hotter than Turf Club. Good thing I like burnt bread! Our friends clued us in to an off the menu item- tater tots!! We shared a basket of half onion rings, half tots and they were scrumptious. Dessert was the 'smores thing which had a layer of chocolate mousse that was waaaay to sweet for me, but my husband loved it.
We went on a Friday night and it was very crowded. I recommend reservations.
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As a fan of the original Turf Club, I decided to come here and give the Riviera Supper Club a go. The actual restaurant is much bigger, the grill is newer, and there's just a lot more space over all.
The food was highly exceptional! The sides are huge! (MORE than enough to share between two people)
We got a sirloin and the chicken kabobs which were pretty tasty. The mac n cheese was just alright. I don't know about everyone else, but I prefer good ol/classic Mac N Cheese. Their variation deviated a bit too much from the original. Guess it wasn't just my cup of tea!
Got their Esquire Martini (which btw is entirely ALL vodka). HOWEVER, as it was made with their top shelf Vodka, it was incredibly smooth and pretty damn good.
I gotta say, maybe the Riviera Club has yet to make a name for themselves. But the vibe and the ambiance had nothin on the Turf Club!
But overall, I had a fairly positive experience! Def. plan on coming back!
This is my new favorite hang out. Better than the Turf Club in Golden Hill and more "neighborhood" than Starlite Lounge. In the middle of La Mesa, this is a great place to bring kids and enjoy the lounge-esque comforts among the local hipsters. Great selection of music on the jukebox (from T-Rex, Style Council to Michael Jackson and Nina Simone) and the drinks from the Turquoise Room are super strong. Happy hours are great and the meats are great cuts. If you don't mind grilling your own meat, then this is the place for you. Try the bacon chocolate cake for a sweet and savory combination.
People thought this was:
Menu with more variety than the turf club. Bigger space lends itself to a nice place for groups or parties. the pricing on the beef is a little high - this isn't the strip club downtown. the side of bread needs to be bigger.
otherwise, whats up with kids being allowed inside?
Forgive me, Turf Club, for I have strayed.
Hotter, much larger grill. Mouth-watering side dishes. Enormous, potent drinks. I have converted. Sure, it's funny to see a guy in a silver tuxedo jacket and skinny tie flipping a steak one too many times, but when the grill is big (without the dreaded "cold spots") and there's enough room in the place to actually move around...it's worth the extra entertainment.
People thought this was:
Grilling your own meat. What a concept. Grilling your own meat at a communal grill. Even better. Its social, its fun and its also comical watching other patrons cooking. I do think that the grill was nowhere near as hot as it should be though. I witnessed..
The guy thats cooking for his entire table.Slapping all of his meat on to the grill and arbitrarily grabbing squeeze bottles of random sauces and squirting them unto said meat, creating large clouds of smoke and hissing sounds from the smoldering coals underneath. He must have done that at least 4 times.
The woman thats perpetually flipping her swordfish over and over again and asking people around her if its done yet. Lady, leave it alone and walk away for a few minutes. It'll be ok. The grill isnt that hot.
The dude pushing down on his burger and using the spatula as if he was compacting the ground before laying concrete. They should have gave him a spackler and not a spatula.I really wanted to tell him to NOT do that but who am I to come between a man and his meat. Yes it makes a cool hissing sound but you will have a very dry burger by the time that you're done.
There was an older gentleman that obviously had some skills. He knew not to mess with the 3 steaks that he was cooking. Turning the meat over once and only once, and only after it had been on the grill for the appropriate amount of time. He probably also knew to let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing into them. Skillz yo.
Now I dont claim to be a grill master by any means. Im no professional when it comes to the art of bbq'ing but I do understand basic techniques and there are some fundamentals that you should adhere to.
I had a late lunch and I wasnt feeling too ravenous so I ordered modestly. Whiskey and a sirloin burger. Followed by more whiskey.For my man date, the surf and turf.
We ended up having a few drinks with a couple of attractive cougars at the bar and a fun night was had by all.We even exchanged #'s. My manhood was slowly coming back for the evening but not entirely.
I will be back. The End, for now.
People thought this was:
Neighborhood: Golden Hill
Category: Steakhouses
San Diego, CA
Category: Mexican
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