had lunch at the Riviera last week...what a treat! I dined with two young professionals from Chicago, USA and a local business person. I own a property company in Australia and eat out at fine restaurants quite often. The service we received at the Riviera was excellent only surpassed by the food. Yum. The ambience of the place reminds me of something you'd fine at an 'A' listed Sydney restaurant. I'm in Dalian for a year and will definitely go back. I found the staff to be friendly and competent. I'm happy that Dalian has such a top notch place to dine. Cheers!
My girlfriend and I recently went to the Riviera for dinner.
The temperature inside the restaurant was between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. The food was good, but was cooling fast.
I don’t know if they usually have a heating system; the owner talked to almost all customers. We have not had the chance to hear her explanation, not because it was busy, only 6 tables were occupied. Maybe she did not come and see us because we look too young, maybe because I ate with my North Face. Unfortunately I will never know because I am not going back there.
The prices are a little expensive; 1475RMB (wine included) for 2 people.
The chinese waiter did a very good job.
Ciao.
Dominic.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Riviera, Call ahead for great dining, Thursday, 10 January 2008
I have had the pleasure of dining at the Riviera twice before. The first time I had the paste and the second the steak tips. Both meals were great. The kitchen is incredible. The restaurant is beautiful place to dine. I would rate the service as one of the best I have had in China. I would happily recommend this place to anyone not on a budget as it can be expensive.
The only down side was when I tried a 3rd trip to this restaurant and discovered they are closed on Sundays. So if you are planning a night out with that special person this is a good place to go, just not on Sundays.
With my feedback and thanks to Jim it now says they are closed above their banner on Dalian ex-pats
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Top Western Restaurant in Dalian, No Comparison!, Wednesday, 26 September 2007
The Riviera is hands down the finest Western Restaurant in Dalian. The food is absolutely amazing and they import a lot of things that you cannot find in stores such as avocados and limes. The presentation of the various dishes is quite spectacular and very enjoyable. It is almost a shame to eat given how nice the dish looks when served.
FOOD:
They have a wide selection of cocktails, a wide ranging menu of various soups, salads, starters, entrees and desserts.
I will agree that the portions are smaller than other typical restaurants, but the european attitude toward food is to eat less, but have a much higher quality which Riviera easily delivers. If you're looking to load up you gullet and stuff yourself, then I'd recommend going somewhere else, but if you're looking for a lite to medium sized meal that will satisfy you and not leave you sluggish afterwards, then Riviera delivers!
The AMBIENCE was fine. I couldn't really complain, but my back was to the room and I didn't get a very good look around. From what I saw walking through the restaurant to our table, I wasn't put off by anything. The noise level was low, but not silent either.
The SERVICE was fine. The owner explained every item on the menu to us and gave us tips on how to order certain things which I've noticed is similar to other fine restaurants from the States. The only complaint I could make regarding service was they kept taking my sparkling water bottle and moving it to the far end of the table, when that was my "cocktail" selection. I had to ask 3 or 4 times for people to pass it back down so I could refill my glass. It was pretty obvious I was the only one drinking it as everyone else had a cocktail. Slightly annoying, but otherwise not a major inconveinence.
COST $$$ You can probably get by spending under 500 RMB if you stick to a soup/salad, non-steak entree, one or two cocktails and a dessert. I highly enjoyed the salmon salad which ran around 75RMB, and to be honest was satiated after just that. The dessert menu looks sinful, but since most everything on the menu has normal sized portions, you cannot feel too guilty for indulging a bit.
The think about really good steaks is you must expect to pay $$$$ if you want quality. Nearly every high end steak house in the US starts around $50-60US for a normal 8oz filet. This is because they treat the meat and marinate it and it is kept at certain temperatures and is generally well prepared. You can always go to a hotel restaurant and pay 150-200RMB for a steak, but I guarantee they just stack them in a freezer and thaw them quickly when ordered which destroys a lot of the tendernous of the meat. You get what you pay for when you go to Riviera.
This is not an everyday sort of place to eat though, as it'll loose its charm quickly, but for special occasions, work functions, anniversaries, special dates or for a good meal to treat yourself, this is the place to go, no question about it. You won't be disappointed and you'll be eagerly awaiting your next visit to try something new.
Bon Apetite!
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
For corporate spenders....., Thursday, 12 April 2007
Went there last night for the first time and I couldn't find the ambience neither stylish nor Mediterranean. This big room with its naked white walls gave me a bit the impression being in a canteen. The illumination was not perfect either. I couldn't read the menu without holding the tea-light candle from the table in my hand. At least they got WMF cutlery and ok wine glasses.
Although there where a lot of waiters the service was not really attentive and somewhat disorganized. Seems they where rather busy with themselves then with their guests. The owner was busy with some friends as well and didn't show up at our table nor did she find the time for a welcome or a goodbye.
The steaks where quite good (we had Riviera Tails and Tournedos de Boeuf) but over-priced in my opinion. Steaks start at not less than 200 RMB! and you still stay hungry after this little piece of as they say imported beef and some creamy potato and spaghetti garnish.
Same does apply to the wine. Nothing really drinkable at less than 300.- RMB/btl. and only French and Italian. We expected some honest Red from Down-Under, since we heard the owner is Australian.
I paid almost 1200.- for two Tsingtao, one Soup, one Salad two Steak and one Bottle of Bourgogne (358.-) and found it too much for what we got.
I would call The Riviera a place for corporate spenders but not a place for you and me.
Of course its a choice if you forgot to reserve your table at Tapas and if you didn't get a seat there....
aileen
jim
