Riva Restaurant Introduces A New Twist To Happy Hour In Downtown Santa Monica

Dec. 6, 2008 - PRLog -- (SANTA MONICA, CA) — For foodies who are always on the lookout for something innovative yet affordable,  the team behind Riva Restaurant has created a scrumptious Happy Hour menu, using only the freshest ingredients and offering noteworthy cocktails and wines, all at prices unheard of anywhere else in town.

“In times like these, we are all looking for a bargain, but we still want to have great food and hang out at a nice place to relax after a hard day at work,” explains frontman Thierry Perez.  “But what we are offering to our clients is fresh (nothing ever frozen) specialties and great cocktails all at great prices, like we always have done in the past.”  Maintaining their mantra of using only fresh, organic, non-frozen, in-season ingredients and concocting impressive dishes at reasonable prices is of utmost importance to the reputation of the restaurant and team, Perez says.

Riva’s Happy Hour menu encompasses favorites such as the Margherita Pizza, Eggplant Parmesan Pizza and San Daniele Proscuitto served with freshly-baked herbed pizza bread, all of which can also be found on the regular menus, at only $8 each.  For those who want a lighter fare, the Trio of Crudo, comprised of Chef Jason Travi’s selection of Italian-style raw fish, is at $10.  Other stand-out features of the Happy Hour menu include Stromboli made with mozzarella, fontina, spinach and crushed pine nuts at $7; House Made Meatballs for sharing at only $6; and delectible Crispy Squash Blossoms stuffed with local bufala mozzarella, mint and sundried tomatoes, at only $6, as well.

Complementing the Happy Hour menu is an Aperitivi list of draft beers, cocktails and Italian wines by the glass, all at less than $5 per drink.  Beers to choose from include Ommegang Abbey, Moretti, Black Orchard and Paulaner, priced at $3 per glass.  Aromatic cocktails such as the Sulla Riva made with Campari, Elderflower, Prosecco and lemon juice; the Sois Sage made with Sagatiba Cachaça, lime juice and sage leaves; and the Grand Prix prepared with Prosecco, lemon juice and Grand Marnier aim to please at a mere $4 each.  Riva’s selection of fine, boutique Italian wines by the glass for Happy Hour come at $4 each, as well.  

Riva is located three blocks from the Pacific Ocean and just steps away from Third Street Promenade in downtown Santa Monica. Happy Hour at Riva is between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., every day of the week.  The restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Dinner is served Monday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.  Late Night Dining is served between 10:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., and the bar and lounge remain open until 1:00 a.m.  Reservations can be made by calling 310.451.RIVA or going online at www.rivarestaurantla.com.  Private parties of all sizes are graciously accommodated.  Valet parking is provided.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THIERRY PEREZ AT 310.451.RIVA

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Honored chef Jason Travi, Thierry Perez and their partners in Culver City’s acclaimed Fraîche have opened RIVA just blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Riva means “shoreline” in Italian and the new restaurant—destined to capture as much buzz as the ultra-popular Fraîche—specializes in rustic, boldly flavored dishes from the Italian coast.