Riva's Trattoria has been operating downtown for a few years. When the restaurant opened, it was announced that the emphasis was to use fresh, local ingredients; and to prepare meals in a manner that is faithful to the Italian tradition.
I finally had a full meal at Riva's last weekend for the first time, and it was superb. My family spent a couple of weeks in Italy four years ago; and had the opportunity to experience what real Italian food is like. This is to be distinguished from Italian-American food, which is what we have for the most part in the United States.
One local Italian restaurant operator once told me that their biggest challenge in this area is to obtain high quality ingredients. They apparently cannot get the same quality of ingredients here that are readily available in Italy.
Riva's overcomes this disadvantage with the approach it has taken. The result is a delectable delight that is the closest I have seen to the type of experience one enjoys in the better restaurants in Italy.
This is a restaurant that merits support. It is located in a part of downtown that has less foot traffic-- not far from the ballpark. So one has to make a conscious plan to go there; but if you do, the decision is amply rewarded.
This reminded me of the little-known story of one of the events in the life of Paul Revere. Revere was searching in Boston without success for a British sympathizer. Someone told him that the girl friend of the British sympathizer was at an Italian restaurant so Revere staked out the place expecting his quarry to show up there. When the girlfriend eventually left, walking alone, Revere was heard to remark: "I'm going to follow this chick and catch a Tory".
Posted by: Ken Hill | July 01, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Thanks,Joe. My wife has the hots for Italian.
Posted by: polifrog | July 01, 2011 at 07:54 PM
"I'm going to follow this chick and catch a Tory".
(groan!)
Funny you should tell that story. Boston's North End (Old North Church, the "one if by land, two if by sea" place) is a long time Italian neighborhood, with lotsataliano places to eat. Some of them are authentic Italian, light on the sauce and not so sweet as American Italian places sometimes are, especially with pasta.
Posted by: Bubba | July 01, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Yes, we agree, Joe.
Need to get back to Riva.
Happy 4th
Posted by: Jim Lewis | July 02, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Joe, have you tried Positano's over on (I think) Lawndale Drive? I love the food, I just don't know if it's authentic.
I'll have to check our Riva's.
Posted by: Steve Harrison | July 02, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Northern or Southern style, Joe?
Posted by: Reggie Greene / The Logistician | July 03, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Joe, I need to go on the record and say that I agree with so little of what you say. This however has the potential to make me forget all of that and start taking you more seriously. I live within walking distance of Riva's and frequent the place. I love taking guests who are visiting Greensboro in for the food. The staff is nice and the food is incredible. I stopped visiting two local Italian-American chains when I discovered Riva's.
Posted by: Lamar | July 03, 2011 at 09:53 PM
Sorry about my delay in responding... have been away for the weekend. I appreciate the comments.
Steve, yes, I have been to Positano's on Lawndale. As you likely know, it is part of the Elizabeth's family. I remember that it was good. It has been a while since I have been there, so I would hesitate to comment on authenticity. I can state without equivocation, however, that Riva's is on a different level.
Reggie, the proprietor of Riva's comes from a northern Italian family; and she uses many family recipes. Some of the dishes will be familiar. But I can say that the overall experience is fairly comparable to that associated with the better restaurants I visited in southern Italy.
Lamar, thanks, and I am glad you enjoy Riva's.
Happy 4th to you also, Jim.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | July 04, 2011 at 08:38 PM