Riviera Bistro

Riviera Bistro is the sort of place that I could become positively evangelical about. I could go on about supporting local trade and foregoing franchise restaurants. But if you want that fart-sniffing Guardianista crap then go and read the Telegraph or whatever. I’m here for hard truth, excoriating wit and helpful directions.

But Riviera Bistro (http://www.rivierabistro.co.uk/) was so adorable! A nice simple menu with enticing sounding dishes and an extremely friendly owner who talked us through it all. Prepare to be fed like that husky fellow from Se7en. Like all cuisines based in this neck of the woods (Croatia, not Acton) you’re going to get a full-on blow-out. And though I had my head turned by the Arambašići Sarme (stuffed cabbage leaves, always worth a pop) it was always going to be the mixed grill. And what a mixed grill, Svega Po Malo (literally: a little of everything) which included sausage, liver, burger, ćevapčići (described as minced meat finger), pork skewers and gammon. Plus potatoes, salad, garnish and relish. That’s right, garnish AND relish.

Mrs Del Monte opted for Pašticada, a marinated, stewed beef dish accompanied by excellent gnocchi. All washed down with Croatian wine and finished off with ice cold Sljivovica (plum brandy). We couldn’t finish. Why not? Because the portions were MASSIVE. I’m not the sort who gets excited by large portions. Thankfully neither is Mrs Del Monte. I do not equate size with quality. Thankfully neither does Mrs Del Monte. But in this instance, there was excellently prepared meat and a lot of it. And for £45 including booze and service charge it was good value.

I went to Zagreb once. It was at the end of a roadtrip around South Central Europe, which is nothing like South Central LA. The roads are better for one. I was hungover and didn’t really appreciate it, but I did eat a lot of meat.

HRVATSKA!

Unnecessarily elongated garlic bread shot.

See what I mean? Under all that meat there’s more meat.

That’s a lot of food in one place. The gnocchi alone would have been enough.

There’s only one way to drink plum brandy. Step 1: Look like a plum. Step 2: Drink.

The menu – it’s big, but relatively simple. It would be intriguing to pre-order the baby lamb I think. Or the wabbit.

Nice no? The interior not the receding hairline.

In keeping with the South Central LA theme, this picture was taken “drive-by” style.

Riviera Bistro & Bar
265 High Street
Acton
W3 9BY
Tel: 0208 993 5802
http://www.rivierabistro.co.uk/