To say this restaurant is understated chic is to fall headfirst into the trap of pretension. While it might be true - it does have ochre (or beige) walls after all - this detracts from what Riva is about. There's no aloof service, you couldn't hear a pin drop and you don't feel like you're having to shout across the white expanse of tablecloth because your friends are so far away on the other side of the table. Far from it. This place has a buzzy, intimate atmosphere and, with 50 covers, owner Andrea Riva can get round all the customers and, if you're lucky, offer his recommendations - even luckier if said recommendation includes newly arrived ingredients straight from Italy. The restaurant is a testament to his big, warm personality and his love of Italian food - classics such as buffalo mozzarella, risotto alla primavera and penne all'amatriciana feature highly (as well as fish and meat dishes) and expect them to be fresher and yummier than usual.
The Cinnamon Club
The Old Westminster Library, 30 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU
Open Christmas Day, 25th December 2009 | Closed Boxing Day
Not many of us would think... More
Royal Park
3 Westbourne Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, W2 3UL
You'll be welcomed with a drink and mince pies on arrival at the Royal Park over... More
Natural History Museum Ice Rink
Natural History Museum, SW7 5BD
5th November 2009 - 17th January 2010
The Natural History Museum's annual icing-over of its gardens... More
Anthropologie
Opened 23rd October 2009
Lifestyle Store
The first Anthropologie store in Europe opened on Regent Street on 23rd October 2009. Described by The Telegraph... More
Giuseppe Turi has been feeding the well-heeled people of Putney the authentic fine dining Italian experience since 1993. For the full gourmet gluttony try the ... More
When Franco Manca say they use slow-rising sourdough to make their pizzas they mean slow-rising. The organic flour, yeast and water sourdough mixture is left ...More
It's probably not the Christmas present that Roy Hodgson had in mind but Christmas wouldn't be what it is without a few unwanted gifts. Fulham's ...More
Seasoned stand-up comedian Ed Byrne returns to the Hammersmith Apollo with his hilarious show Different Class this November. Best described as "pedantic and whimsical" (after ...More
A mosaic of created wetland habitats spread over 43 hectares, developed on the site of a disused Victorian reservoir, forms the site of the London ... More
This very traditional little shop is packed with very special, unique toys for younger kids – they squarely target their market at newborns to eight ...More
This deli is next door to and under the same ownership as the popular Sonny's restaurant - incidentally it's also the same ownership behind 11 ... More
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To say this restaurant is understated chic is to fall headfirst into the trap of pretension. While it might be true - it does have ochre (or beige) walls after all - this detracts from what Riva is about. There's no aloof service, you couldn't hear a pin drop and you don't feel like you're having to shout across the white expanse of tablecloth because your friends are so far away on the other side of the table. Far from it. This place has a buzzy, intimate atmosphere and, with 50 covers, owner Andrea Riva can get round all the customers and, if you're lucky, offer his recommendations - even luckier if said recommendation includes newly arrived ingredients straight from Italy. The restaurant is a testament to his big, warm personality and his love of Italian food - classics such as buffalo mozzarella, risotto alla primavera and penne all'amatriciana feature highly (as well as fish and meat dishes) and expect them to be fresher and yummier than usual.
