The Riva Restaurant - ROTTNEST ISLAND

Funny I ordered the steak, mash, vege shown, and it did not look like that, asked for medium got very well done and the mash potato had the consistency of milk could not be picked up with a fork!

Food was okay but description on the menu was inaccurate. Lamb dish stated that it had vegetables but it didn't. Asked the young waitress who (fairly rudely pointed to the microscopic leaf (leaves? of onion underneath the chickpeas. Ordered a side of vegetables which turned out to be a few strands of broccolini and lots of soggy cucumber but cost $12. Wait staff were prancing around with hands folded behind their backs like they were at Alain Ducasse but unfortunately pretty much ignored us to fawn on a couple of tables of surfers from the World Surf Competition. Same waitress took 10 minutes to process our payment while the 6 of us waited (sigh .

We dined mid week and ordered the crab linguine and barramundi. Both were delicious and the service was impeccable. The wine list was also very good. The restaurant itself is a more traditional building with lots of Rottnest charm and a lovely vibe. We loved it and will definitely be returning.

We ate at Riva one evening during our stay, and have to say that the service was great very helpful staff. There was a choice of inside or outside dining, and we chose outside. We even had a visit from a couple of quokkas. My partner chose fillet steak and I went with the beetroot risotto. Both were very good. We tried the Purple Rain wine, recommended by the waitress, and it really was purple! Not a bad drop at all. We had a very pleasant meal, and would recommend Riva.

Having tried every restaurant on the island Riva is by far the best! We luckily stumbled across this gem one evening, from the warm welcome from the blonde Maître D to the excellent waitresses, we felt this was going to be something special. There is a wonderful ambiance when sitting outside, trees, twinkling fairy lights and full table linen, you are transported to France/Italy. The menu is small but all dishes are delicious, the risotto and fillet steak are knock out. We returned for our last night and were not disappointed, a warm welcome, excellent service, food and a team that go above and beyond to ensure you have a wonderful evening. We will be back Riva!!!