Riviera – the new high-end restaurant inspired by the South of France – has officially opened its doors on St James’s Street in Mayfair.
The exclusive new restaurant is the fourth opening from Emerald Hospitality Group, taking over the iconic old Sake no Hana site on St James’s Street, set to be one of the capital’s most notable openings of 2023.
Made up of three areas – the main dining room, vast outdoor terrace, and ground floor bar & lounge – Riviera is set to bring the South of France elegance and glamour straight to the heart of London, taking inspiration from the French Rivera hotspots Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, and Antibes.
Riviera’s menu is based on sharing-style dishes, divided up into an exquisite selection of starters, which include Grapefruit King Crab salad, and Lemongrass Scallops. In the meat section expect a succulent Veal Chop marinated in Dijon mustard, or a supreme Chateau Briand. Sourced from the shores of Cote d’Azur, Riviera will serve the finest seafood including Lobster with Yuzu Butter, and Loup de Mer Papillote.
For dessert, expect a quintessential Tarte Tatin done to the highest standards, or indulge in a delicate Pistache Millefeuille.
The bar is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the restaurant. Whether bathed in sunlight or accentuated by lighting at dusk, it provides an impressive backdrop to the extensive, carefully curated drinks list, including an array of high-end wines and Champagnes from France and beyond. For wine connoisseurs visiting the restaurant, the sommelier will invite them into the intimate wine cellar where they can try exceptional serves alongside some delicious tapas from the kitchen.
Riviera also offers a unique array of cocktails. The Riviera Elixir is the perfect balance of bold flavours with ingredients including Port Wine, Spicy Rum and Cinnamon. Or if a fruity cocktail is more to your palette, then choose the Coconut Breeze or Peach Caviar which are sure to tantalise your tastebuds. The mocktails are equally delicious, Sexy French Popcorn and Paradis de Mangue are both available as non-alcoholic options.
Every detail in the restaurant has been thoroughly considered to incite a fully immersive experience. From the moment guests arrive, they will be transported to St Tropez with the golden hues from the impressive lampshades in the entrance hall, emulating the iconic sunsets in the South of France.
The journey continues up the escalators as artwork lines the walls, all brought from the personal French collection of the Zandi brothers.
When entering the main restaurant, guests are greeted by the open plan kitchen with fresh seafood on display. From the tiles to the counters, the kitchen is reminiscent of a typical French villa.
As you take the lift downstairs to the bathrooms, you enter the sea level of the French Riviera. The oceanic atmosphere is particularly conveyed through the blue tones of the hand painted murals. Each toilet cubicle has a unique mural depicting a different iconic location in the South of France.
Address: 23 St James’s Street, St James’s, London, SW1A 1HA
Reservation email: [email protected]