Riviera - San Clemente

We absolutely adore this restaurant! It's easy to find parking at the SC Inn. The food and drinks are outstanding, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The chef frequently stops by to check on the tables, which adds a nice personal touch. We might have just had the best poutine ever here!

The service was outstanding. We ordered Brussels sprouts, chicken bites, truffle fries, and a salad. The salad was enjoyable, while the fries were just okay. I found the chicken bites to taste like frozen nuggets, and the Brussels sprouts were overly sweet. Unfortunately, the main courses—steak and fried chicken—were quite disappointing. The mashed potatoes were lackluster, the steak was bland, and the broccolini was burnt.

This restaurant is a true hidden gem. While the atmosphere isn't overly fancy, the food and presentation are outstanding. Our group of four tried different dishes, and everything was delicious and beautifully arranged. We will definitely be returning!

We ate at Riviera about a year ago and had a fantastic experience with food, drinks, and service all excellent. Our second time going this past week was very different. The food was ok, but unexceptional. The drinks were the same. Service was excellent, but perhaps that was because we were one of only three occupied tables in the entire restaurant. For the cost of the meal it was just not worth it. I'm not sure what has happened to this establishment but my wife and I both agreed we're not going back.

Nice choices on the menu. Service was good. Hotel guests and looks like a local's hangout.