On probably the windiest day in Ottawa this summer, my friend and I decided to hit up the Riviera patio. This is one of my favourite restaurants and I often post about it on my Instagram, but I haven’t actually posted about it on my blog before. So here we go.
Located on Sparks St, near Elgin, Riviera is a high-end restaurant specializing in creative Canadian cuisine and some of the best cocktails in town. The magnificent interior used to be Ottawa’s main branch of the Imperial Bank of Canada. They kept the loungey art-deco-bank theme, letting your eyes as much as your mouth does.
Riv launched their patio for the first time last year. With cool blue tables and dark wooden bistro chairs reminiscent of France’s Côte d’Azur, the exterior is a comfortable and chic place to be on hot summer evenings. This year, the patio expanded and is now two sections.
We started off our meal with water and expertly crafted cocktails by the legendary Mr Flood. I had my usual half sweet whiskey sour and my friend tried a gimlet (with a healthy sprig of rosemary). This place has THE BEST whiskey sours in the city and I highly recommend getting (at least) one.
We decided to stick with carbs for our appetizers. My friend had the burrata on toast — an entire ball of mozzarella filled with stracciatella and cream, topped with chives, pepper, and olive oil, on a thick slice of toasted brioche. Absolutely decadent!
I was amused to see that hot dogs were on the menu of such an upscale restaurant — so of course I had to order one! However, this isn’t just any old wiener. The sausage is made with wagyu beef and topped with Béchamel sauce, dijon mustard, chives, and shaved black truffles. And egg bun added a tinge of sweetness. I thought this was a fun addition to the menu.
My friend’s main course was the legendary Riv Burger. I honestly think it’s one of the — if not the — best burger in the city. It reminds me of a Big Mac but with real patties. And the best fries, that are mixed with crispy sage and rosemary. I usually go to Riviera specifically for this dish!
But, this time I kept it light. There was a dessert I absolutely needed, so I ordered an iceberg wedge with bagna cauda, a generous portion of nordic shrimp, bacon, and grated egg. This is another one of my favourite dishes and would highly recommend it for hot summer days. Or when you want to eat multiple items from the menu.
You might recall that pavlovas are one of my favourite desserts. Riviera is the only place that I know of in Ottawa that has them on their dessert menu. They change up the fruit filling based on what is in season and it is always delicious. This time, the pav was filled with rhubarb from Rideau Pines Farm, with a dollop of pastry cream, whipped cream, and edible flowers. It was PERFECTION.
With my dessert, I asked for a glass of something bubbly. I was brought over Xarel-lo+, Raventós i Blanc, “Blanc de Blancs”, Spain (2017). Raventós is recognized as the original creator of Cava, but they chose to leave the DO in 2012, as they felt that Cava was becoming known as “cheap, low quality wines”. This “Blanc de Blancs” is their push back, showing the world that Spain can make exquisite sparkling wine. This one in particular is made with the same techniques used for Champagne.
I am not a fan of Cava, so I was pleasantly surprised with this wine. It is dry and fruity and refreshing. It tasted great with the pavlova. I actually want to buy a few bottles of this one!
Overall, I enjoyed my recent visit to Riviera.
I normally sit at the bar area and chat with the bartenders, so sitting at the table was a different experience for me. The food and drinks were as amazing as always and the service was wonderful. When trying to choose my first drink, I mused to my friend that whiskey sours weren’t on the menu. Our server overheard me and confirmed with Mr Flood that he could indeed make me one. Everyone was adhering to safety protocols including facemasks and extensive cleaning, and food was served and picked up at a side table to ensure physical distancing. It’s this consistent level of attentiveness and care that puts Riv on the list of one of Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants year after year. Check them out!