Rivas Italian Restaurant

Riva’s Italian Restaurant
1117 Missouri Street
Houston, Texas 77006
713-529-3450
No Website Available

Date:  Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Guests:  10
Meal:  Dinner

Price:  Average $10-$15 per entree

Ratings:

Overall:  3 stars
Food:  3 stars
Service:  4 stars
Ambiance:  3 Stars

I attended a dinner at Riva’s Italian Restaurant in Houston, Texas for my roommate’s birthday party.  We parked in the available lot and walked in.  The restaurant itself is small but nicely decorated with a quaint, romantic atmosphere.  This is a place suited for a casual evening or for romantic dining for two.  This is not an upscale restaurant but the quiet ambiance is still suited for a nice evening out in Houston. 

As additional guests arrived they were promptly seated at our table which was available to us on arrival.  We did call ahead to give them a heads up that we would have a large party and they had accommodations ready for us.  We were immediately served water and our drink orders were taken as people came in.  When everyone was seated, our menu orders were taken and we waited for the food.  Immediately we had soup and garlic bread brought to the table.  After the soup, salads were brought to the table, bread and drinks were refilled. 

The soup was delicious and the menu states that it is made fresh.  The salads were substantial with a choice of traditional or creamy Italian dressing which was served family style at the table.  The garlic bread was a bit on the buttery and soggy side but it was still flavorful.  Many people like their bread like that anyway but I could have done with a little less grease.

There were several entrees ordered that evening:  Pasta, chicken, fish and veal.  There was not a long wait for the entrees to come but there was plenty of time between courses.  You did not feel rushed when eating.  Everyone at the table seemed pleased with their food.  I ordered the veal San Pietro which is a veal dish prepared with capers, artichoke hearts and mushrooms in a white wine cream sauce.  It came with a choice of fettuccini or spaghetti and I chose the fettuccini.   When it came out it was presented as rustic Italian fare with no fancy garnishes or presentations.  This is to be expected and was appropriate for the type of restaurant. 

The sauce was rich and the veal was cooked well but was slightly on the tough side.  This was not enough to greatly mar the experience but I did notice.  The meal portions are quite large and you get an exceptional value for your money.  They have a selection of freshly prepared desserts but I did not partake of any and nobody else did either. 

We had several separate checks and they were handled perfectly by the wait staff.  Overall, this is a Houston dining experience that was above average.  The ambiance is quaint and quite pleasant.  The food was above average but nothing I would drive out of my way for.  The service, however, was impeccable and of particular note.  If you are in the area and looking for a great Italian meal that is friendly on the budget in a nice setting, Riva’s is the place to go.