Leeds is full of delicious Italian restaurants to eat at but one situated in the heart of the city centre has especially caught my eye.
Riva Blu in Park Row, Leeds city centre, is surrounded by desirable bars and restaurants, you've got Greek Street directly opposite which is home to some of the city's most elegant venues - and Riva Blu fits perfectly into this aura.
The restaurant itself boasts a sexy, boujee vibe, which serves some of the best Italian food outside of Italy. Everything is fresh, tasty and authentic.
Read more: Leeds Festival headliner Lewis Capaldi announces special intimate gig in the city
Riva Blu have launched their new revived summer menu, which combines the glamour of the Amalfi Coast with the edgy back streets of Naples - serving classic dishes with a modern Mediterranean twist. The new summer menu boasts 20 new dishes, including exclusive ‘Biga’ dough pizzas, Salsetta a Limone and Salsetta N’Duja dips.
First impressions had me sold on this restaurant, you're welcomed - by the friendliest of staff - to a laid-back, sexy atmosphere, with fresh citrus scents that transport you to Southern Italy.
The bright yet calming Mediterranean colours, lemon trees, and trendy aesthetics make you feel like you're sat on an Italian terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast - something like off an Instagram reel. I'd been wanting to visit the Amalfi Coast for a long time, and this visit to Riva Blu made me feel like I had.
We were offered a full list of cocktails but went with our waitress Laura's recommendation of an Limoncello Spritz - for those who know me know my love for anything lemon so I knew I was about to be wowed. The Limoncello Spritz is made exclusively and their very own limoncello, making it extra refreshing and sweet - I could have sank 10.
To start we had Pane Della Casa (£5.95) which was Sundried tomato & black olive focaccia, ciabatta, cheese grissini, served with basil pesto; Gaeta & Nocellara Olives (£5.25), in chilli, garlic & oregano and Frittatina Napoletana (£8.50) which is pasta & béchamel fritters, Italian roast ham, peas, basil pesto & rocket - a chefs favourites which is cleverly marked with a lemon symbol on the menu. Not a scrap was left, utterly delicious.
The bread was so fresh, full of flavour and the olives weren't bitter or sour. And as for the pasta & béchamel fritter, well that was just a taste sensation. According to our waitress Laura it is a special dish from Napoli - no wonder Italians are famous for their food.
For mains we tried more of the chefs recommendations, we had Linguine Alle Vongole (£18.00), which is fresh palourde clams, white wine, vine ripened cherry tomatoes, chilli, garlic & flat leaf parsley and Polpette Picannti (£16.50) which is beef & pork meatballs in a tomato, chilli & basil sauce, served with toasted sourdough. Both main courses were delicious and we would go as far to say as two of the best Italian meals we've had outside of Italy. In fact, the food and experience made you feel like you were in Southern Italy.
The linguine came with so many clams, usually in restaurants you would get a couple chucked on top but not at Riva Blu, the more I ate the more I found and the meatballs were equally as satisfying - not fatty or chewy like they sometimes can be. We shared a side of Zucchini Scapece, which is fried courgette, with garlic, chilli & mint, topped with toasted almonds - tastes so much nicer than it sounds, trust me.
To finish we of course had to try the famous Riva Blu limoncello tiramisu, made fresh in front of you by your lovely waiter with lemons from the Amalfi Coast, meaning you can really soak in the atmosphere. It even comes with a complimentary shot of limoncello. Honestly it's a haven for people who love lemon everything as much as me.
The dessert was delightful and light, it comes as a sharer for two people but left alone I could have easily finished - not because it was small but because it was that mouth-watering. Our service throughout the whole evening was faultless, Laura and the many other staff were so fast, friendly and helpful.
But, the experience didn't end here. To finish the night we headed downstairs into the bar underneath the restaurant, which again was a sexy and elegant space for people to enjoy cocktails and a nibble. We had the Amalfi Me, and Don't Call Me French which were both refreshing, fruity and perfect for a summer evening.
Riva Blu’s terrace is also the perfect place to experience the summer season on a warm night if you decide not to go down to the bar. Light nibbles will be served until 7.20pm with all aperitivo drinks, including a selection of Italian wines, Campari cocktails and beer, surrounded by lemon trees - what better way to spend the night.
Overall I would highly recommend Riva Blu and will be returning, perhaps for my birthday in mid summer so I can pretend I'm on the Italian coast sipping and eating all things lemon - bliss.
Riva Blu can be found at 11-12 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5HD, book online and see menus here.
Read next:
