I’ve reached a stage in life where experiences mean far more to me than presents, and I like to think my family feels the same. At Christmas time, I genuinely believe London puts on the best show in the world and nowhere does it quite like Mayfair.
Bond Street always feels impossibly glamorous at this time of year, its designer stores lit up to perfection, while Burlington Arcade offers something altogether more nostalgic, transporting you back in time with its heritage feel and wonderfully niche boutiques. With all of that in mind, I decided to treat my mum to a special day out in London, with a surprise tucked in along the way. And for me, there was only ever one way to do that, a visit to one of my favourite restaurants, Riviera.
After a leisurely mooch around Fortnum and Mason, we finished our festive wander through the lights and luxury with lunch at Riviera. Sitting on the second floor, the restaurant is blessed with dramatic floor to ceiling windows, and it’s impossible not to feel impressed the moment you step inside. Mirrors bounce the light around the room, while the dusky pink and turquoise colour palette creates a space that feels both elegant and relaxed, the perfect setting for a special occasion.
This particular occasion was a proper ‘ladies who lunch’ moment, with dishes I knew would gently nudge my mum out of her comfort zone. While the menu stays rooted in classic French cooking, in keeping with Riviera’s Cote d’Azur inspiration, there are little twists throughout that keep things interesting, and they really work.
Mum’s drink of choice these days is a gin and ginger ale, so spotting Double Dutch mixers on the menu was a small but pleasing detail. We started with the must order Josper Caesar Salad. If you don’t know it, you really should. This is a gloriously indulgent take on the classic, with thick, creamy dressing, lightly torched leaves and generous wedges of roast chicken.
The dish I was most excited and slightly nervous for my raw fish averse mum to try was the Sea Bass Carpaccio with truffle and ponzu. The fish is impossibly fresh, melting in the mouth, while the truffle and ponzu play beautifully together. It’s one of the best starters I’ve ever eaten, and even better, it converted my mum on the spot. By the end of the dish, she was already talking about recreating it for Christmas Day.
The mains didn’t disappoint either. The pasta chef deserves real praise. The al dente bite of the Pesto Pasta was spot on, and the sauce was so rich we had to ask for a takeaway box. The Fillet Steak, drenched in Café de Paris Butter, was equally indulgent and cooked perfectly. We finished with a light Pumpkin Dessert that wasn’t overly sweet, followed by a Chocolate Mousse that instantly transported me back to Paris.
Riviera never misses for me, and it’s a restaurant I always recommend when someone is looking for genuine wow factor paired with calm, confident service. I also loved that they haven’t overdone it with Christmas decorations upstairs. The space really doesn’t need it. It’s perfect just as it is.
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebthere
