Riva Blu review: This Leeds restaurant transported me to Italy - it's the next best thing
It was a strange feeling when I walked into Leeds restaurant Riva Blu on a winter’s day.
The grey skies and cold winds were suddenly replaced by colour, warmth, and lots of conversation. It’s a space that makes you feel like you are somewhere else, somewhere like Sicily.
Riva Blu is an Italian restaurant franchise which first arrived in our city in 2022, replacing Gino D’Acampo’s My Restaurant. Located on Park Row right in the city centre, it’s now a buzzing space with plenty of restaurant goers ready for a hearty Italian meal.
When you take a step inside, what stands out first is the bright atmosphere. A turquoise and grey colour scheme runs through the restaurant, adding a brightness which makes even a February visit feel summery.
The walls are lined with retro Italian photographs and make you feel like you’ve been transported to a different time as well as place.
The waiters walk through the restaurant wearing jeans and blazers, a combination which perfectly encapsulates how Riva Blu is both relaxed and sophisticated. They were on hand from the moment we walked in, offering both advice and general cheer, and made us more than comfortable throughout our visit.
If you’re a cocktail fan, Riva Blu is the place for you - as there is an extensive selection of signature drinks with fun and fruity flavours. Personally, I decided to try the ‘Meraviglioso’ which means marvellous. Featuring Sazerac straight rye whiskey, Jack Daniel’s, pink grapefruit liqueur, and Aperol, you may guess from the ingredients that it’s certainly a drink that packs a punch but is ideal if you have a strong taste.
Slightly tamer, my plus one went for an orange gin and tonic for a zesty twist on a classic drink. They found it vibrant and refreshing and a great light accompaniment to our main meals.
Choosing a main dish was difficult as there were so many options which all sounded delicious. From pizzas to pastas to risottos, if you love Italian food, you’ll love the Riva Blu menu. Looking around, I could see many tables with the Frittatina Carbonara and, unable to resist temptation, I decided to follow suit.
Accessorised with guanciale, parmesan, and pepper, this £17.50 dish was a rich savoury main that tasted fantastic. Cooked authentic to the Italian way, the egg was added last and this created a smoothness in the dish which made it feel all the more indulgent. It’s a meal I'd order again and again and again.
My plus one, meanwhile, decided to try the calzone, a folded pizza stuffed with ricotta, San Marzano tomato, mozzarella and salami Napoli. What they enjoyed most about this was the contrast between the crispy outside and rich saucy interior. The portion was on the larger side but they liked this as it meant there was more food to eat. The calzone costs £18, which makes it a more expensive pizza option at Riva Blu, but for the amount of ingredients in the dish - they felt it was well worth the price.
Inside Riva Blu, you’ll hear the sounds of a restaurant rush: the roar of a pizza oven, the clink of cutlery, the splash of a drink poured. The dining space is bustling with constant action, which makes it all the more exciting.
Yet, there’s also an intimacy in the restaurant, too. Lantern lighting above each table creates an intimate dining experience, while the attentiveness of staff can make it seem like you are the only people in the room.
Of course, you’ll never find better Italian food than when in Italy. However, if you can’t catch a flight, try Riva Blu, it’s the next best thing.
Address: 11-12 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5HD
Telephone: 0113 244 3220
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 12pm-10pm, Friday - Saturday: 12pm - 10:45pm, Sunday: 12pm-9pm.
Scores
Food: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Service: 10/10