Just one block east of the Nokia Theater and the Staples Center sits Rivera, the latest Latin creation from legendary chef/owner John Rivera Sedlar. The father of modern Southwest cuisine is back on the culinary scene after a fifteen year sabbatical spent representing Patrón tequila, and while no one would purport that cooking is like riding a bicycle, he certainly re-approaches his craft with the ease and grace of a seasoned veteran. Sedlar merges classical French technique with the memory of the earthy and spicy foods of his New Mexico childhood to produce sumptuous chile-packed masterpieces in a sleek and contemporary setting.
I recently hosted a dinner for 19 physician and was asked to provide a contract. They lost the contract. I called and asked to Dd three people to the party. They told me they had NO EXTRA chairs in the restaurant. We cMe to an agreement to add some chairs, but when we arrived, they reneged. They forced the host and two others to sit separately and offered no accommodations at all. The food was good and the waiter was attentive. It is unfortunate the management has no understanding of customer service and that became the most memorable aspect of our visit. . We will not return.
My wife and I were very excited to enjoy a meal at Rivera before a show at Nokia. The server was nice but inattentive during our slow service. Rivera drinks were taste but not worth the money because there was no alcohol and they pour a 5 oz. wine per glass. Food was not worth their price and extremely slow coming out of the kitchen. Our bill for two was over 160.00 w/o tip. I should have gone to the Palms across the street! Sincerely, Lost on the Mexican Rivera
