La Riviera keeps a fairly low profile down this side of Dumbarton Road, keeping its service experience a bit calmer than the trendy wine bar/cafe/restaurant etc places in this area. The neutral colours on its exterior and its petite size mean that people often walk on by, but by doing that you are potentially missing out on a great dining experience.
My mum uncovered this wee gem for me when she decided she wanted to dine here for a birthday occasion. It was a calm environment - a bit cluttered with tacky decor, but I love that in places so I am definitely not complaining. I love and appreciate the fact they are trying to recreate the Riviera in the middle of grey Glasgow with all their beach paintings, but anyway.
The staff are friendly, the booze was flowing, it was cosy and the food was good. Portions were great - nicely made, and the menu was peppered with the usual suspects like bolognese, which are your reason for loving Italian in the first place.
There's something comforting about Italian food - perhaps it's the fact that waiters in authentic Italian restuarants want to fatten me up, or the fact that you can predict what's going to be on the menu. I see these as good points however, and in La Riviera I felt very much at home. It is a serene, warm and intimate restaurant where you can hear yourselves speak and emerge a few hours later with the healthy glow of those who have just had a good feed. A lovely wee secret in Glasgow that most haven't thought of, but those who have been before most certainly go back for seconds! read more