PUB: Riviera Hotel.

WHERE? 30 Nepean Hwy, Seaford.

PHONE: 9786 5666

SCORE: 13/20

WHEN? September 9, 2016.

WEB: www.rivierahotel.net.au

VENUE

Second review (first circa 2003).

The Riviera, located on the Nepean Hwy, runs contrary to a belief that once you get beyond St. Kilda it’s all big barns and pokies.

Indeed it is more a series of co-joined rooms (front bar connected to the pokies, pokies connected to bistro, bistro connected to the beer garden, dah dah de dah dah dah).

Neat exterior, charcoal finish, drive through from the highway, there is a great communal atmosphere and the pub does a sure and steady line in food and drink.

Great seniors offer of a main for $15.90, which represents a saving of up to $14. The food has some nice touches, but falls broadly in the good pub grub category.

Bistro is smallish, brown standard bentwood chairs, with red durable pub carpet.  You have seen this before. Order at exposed bistro, meals brought to the table. Solid pub citizen is the Riviera.

MENU

Nothing outrageous and goes to formula. Starters weigh in at $9.9, chicken wings, spring rolls, honey and pepper prawns.

Mains have wok dishes, pastas, meat (the steak is good) and fish offering such as pan roasted salmon fillet, coriander lime dressing chips/salad at $29, or flathead tails, similarly plated (tartare the dipper) at $28.

It is good pub grub and (if you are not a senior) is priced to the mark (but not over). The house burger, with egg/cheese/bacon/ garlic aioli and salad/chips is $21.90

Entrees $10, Mains $27, Dessert (varies daily).

TRIED

Spring rolls (4) with sweet chilli dipper. $9.9.

Wherever the pub is getting them from (told by staff they are supplied) then don’t change.

Good sized, jam packed with meat/veg, these were a superior taste.

Similarly the honey and soy chicken drumsticks (9.9/6), had the right flavor combination, maybe a tad dry on arrival.

Porterhouse 300g chips/salad $15.90. (eniors, normally $29). Good meat, MR as ordered, good pepper sauce and salad was tasty and fresh. Pub grub as it should be.

DRINK

Mainly commercial CUB portfolio, with CD and VB being easily the beer of choice from my observation. $5/pot. Cider on tap also.

Sensible approach to wine list meaning bottles under $30 and a glass under $7 is available.

Tried was a bottle of St. Halletts Gamekeeper Red at $33.90/bottle.

Good easy drinking, right price.

Also there’s a small list of premiums for a special occasion, similarly fairly priced, on display near the open kitchen in the bistro.

SERVICE AND STYLE

Just a good team, interacting with customers and each other. Happy pub, delivering an easy going, friendly service.

SUMMARY

This was an enjoyable revisit after so many years. In spite of preconceived notion that this is a big bayside barn, there is a great local  spirit here evidenced by the amount of people at various tables acknowledging each other and the staff – Tammie the commander in chief – happy to engage.

It is suburban PubLife 101 but delivered with a bit of soul.

If you are looking for a tradie to cover whatever skill you may need, suggest you lob in the front bar around 12.30 Thursday/Fridays.

No risk of getting an obligation free quote and maybe a shave if you grab him/her a pot.