Arriving as Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya’s first stand-alone restaurant at The Avenues’ flourishing The Gardens area, Riviera by Four Seasons is an elegant, Mediterranean-inspired journey simply waiting to be explored.
As the hotel is renowned for epitomizing sophistication, intuitive service, and internationally recognized culinary experiences, it comes to us as no surprise to learn that it is the discerning eye of Sicilian Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya Sebastiano Spriveri which oversees the dining experiences at Riviera by Four Seasons.
Along with the talents of Chef Osama Alakhras, and Restaurant Manager Rahul Tulsiani, Riviera brings together fine hospitality and culinary creativity at quite the trend-setting destination.
The Gardens may be accessed directly from Grand Avenue, or by walking toward the end of the Prestige area at The Avenues. As soon as you’ve spotted Riviera, your eyes will instantly gravitate toward the curved, walnut bar, reminiscent of the sleek hulls of the motorboats that cruise along the shores of the south of France. You’re welcome to choose between indoor or outdoor seating areas that are bathed in an atmosphere that evokes the glamorous heydays days of Beirut, Cannes and Capri.
Filippo Gabbiani, owner of the Shanghai-based Kokai Studios which had already worked with Four Seasons on highly-successful projects in Kuwait and Japan, tells us that the design for Riviera has partly been driven by Dai Forni restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya, echoing the restaurant’s sophisticated vibes. It’s no wonder that we were immediately enamored upon coming across this beautiful space.
At Riviera, we found ourselves starting our morning at a gorgeous sanctuary, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds, and we sampled incredible breakfast delicacies that were worth every dutiful step on our Fitbits as we made our way across the Avenues to arrive at our destination.
The Eggs & More offering on the menu had us wanting to order every single dish, from the North-African inspired Egg Shakshuka on sourdough bread, the Spanish Egg Tortilla with Red Pepper Salsa, and the deeply seductive Egg Benedictine Spinach with Hollandaise sauce.
We let whimsy take over, and ordered the Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs with a side of beef sausages, and then injected more Mediterranean elements into our breakfast spread.
The local breakfast options at Riviera are widely varied, but we knew we had to order the selection of Manakish from the wood-fired oven, along with a traditional Foul Medames and Crispy Falafel. If you’re feeling just a little peckish, then pair your morning coffee with a heaping basket of freshly baked croissants, pain au chocolat and muffins.
Sometimes, you simply fancy yourself something sweet to kickstart your day, and the Sweet Specialties at Riviera redefine the very meaning of indulgence. From Chocolate Pancakes with chocolate chips, banana and caramel sauce, Apple Cinnamon Toast with sweet ricotta, honey drizzle and toasted almonds to classics perfected like French Toast and Waffles. Breakfast at Riviera is served until 12 pm, so your early morning excursion could easily be planned as a late morning Brunch!
For those of you at the Avenues for lunch, you can still rest assured that Riviera delivers on the same discerning promise of a personalized service and distinguished flavors, emulating the very prestigious experience of dining at Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya.
We began our lunch foray in true Mediterranean fashion, with a small selection of Hummus, smoky Moutabal, and spinach Fatayer. From the salads on offer, we immediately went for the Burrata, and Riviera’s authentic Puglian rendition is beautifully presented with Roma tomatoes, tomato coulis, and basil, pesto oil.
If your idea of a perfect lunch means a hearty sandwich, then come hungry, as Riviera’s selection of sandwiches will leave you feeling full. We absolutely loved the Wild Mushroom Bruschetta with smoked cheese and crunchy green onion, and we savored the Mediterranean flavors of the Greek Shawarma with Tzatziki, and plan on coming back to try the Mushroom and Melted Cheddar Wagyu Beef Burger. We think its description alone should elicit many repeated visits.
Tickle your culinary palate with a beguiling selection of expertly handcrafted pasta dishes at Riviera. Experience the rich, deep flavors of the Risotto with Saffron, satiate your need for comfort food with a classic Mac & Cheese, or do it the bazaar way, and let the freshness of the Oven Baked Potato Gnocchi, served Sorrentina style, satisfy every pasta craving. We couldn’t get enough of the bright, tangy tomato sauce, the aromatic basil, and the way the tender Bufallo Mozzarella brilliantly brought this entire dish together.
If you’re a mushroom lover, then the Torteli, Fettucine Alfredo and Risotto with a parsley drizzle will hit the mark perfectly. If, like us, you power-walked across the entire Avenues, then you’ve earned yourself the majestic flavors of Riviera’s signature Spaghetti Bolognese, and the richest Penne Carbonara with beef bacon.
When dining in a group, or if you’re at The Avenues for a grand family lunch, there’s no better way to share the love than with Pizza! La Pizzieria at Riviera will transport your taste buds to Italy for the most authentic pizza experience, and you instantly taste this in the perfect pizza dough. From a classic Margherita, to the indulgent Tartufo with truffle cream and fresh thyme, and the most satisfying Pepperoni with spicy beef salami and fresh chili, you’ll be completely spoiled for choice.
We wanted to try something a little different for our experience, and opted for the Calzone, with tomato sauce, mozzarella, rocket salad, pepperoni and the crunchiest, freshest Broccolini.
Mediterranean notes are masterfully echoed throughout the main course selections at Riviera. Prepare to embark on a gastronomic journey that will take you to Valencia for a traditional seafood Paella, to the show-stopping, spit-roasted corn-fed Chicken served with fragrant, saffron rice, a rich and complex citrus Jus, along with crispy shallots and roasted garlic.
For meat lovers we highly recommend the char-grilled Arabic mix grill, which can be prepared according to your cooking preference, and the melt-in-your-mouth, Josper Grilled Lamb chops with saffron rice and yoghurt sauce will equally tantalize the senses.
Riviera by Four Seasons is the destination to visit at The Avenues’ glorious gardens. A quiet sanctuary where you can while away the hours, lavishly indulge your inner gourmand, while still taking in the beauty and serenity of the surrounding environment.
After such a sumptuous feast, dessert seemed like a faraway thought, but one glance at the gorgeous Dark Chocolate Mousse that was elegantly displayed at the dessert counter had us ordering an espresso, and cancelling the rest of our afternoon meetings back at the office with absolutely no regrets in mind.
Riviera by Four Seasons is located at The Gardens – The Avenues. For more information, please follow @Rivierabyfs on Instagram and visit www.rivierarestaurant.com. Featured image courtesy of Riviera.
