Review:
The Vivolo family of La Riserva in Larchmont have completed a major renovation of the premises and it is stunning! ‘La famiglia’ Vivolo have been serving the Italian classics here for over 38 years and the refreshing atmosphere and friendly ambiance keep it a treat.
Taking more of a hand in the operation with Michael and Margaret Vivolo are their son and daughter-in-law Dean and Odelya Vivolo. Dean has been Chef/Proprietor of bustling Trattoria Vivolo on Halstead Ave. in Harrison for the past 14 years serving contemporary Italian cuisine out of a vintage diner. While Odelya was part of the design team at La Riserva.
The dining rooms at La Riserva have been beautifully refurbished: resplendent with new white tiled bar, brick walls, plush new dark wood floors, seating, chairs and tabletops. The ceiling is now a lush red with new lighting fixtures, and the dramatic new photo gallery scattered in three dining areas includes vintage black and white blow-ups depicting scenes from Vivolo’s hometown of Accadia-Foggia in the Apulia region of southeast Italy during the early 20th Century. They are lovely, a must see! The staff now don smart contemporary grey uniforms.
There is a brand new contemporized menu, too.
Signature pastas now include: Paglia e Fieno Cacio e Pepe, house made ‘straw & hay’ with cracked pepper, parmigiana and pecorino cheese; Gnocchi Dolomiti, with brandy cream sauce, sausage, radicchio; House made Lasagna, meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, béchamel sauce; Linguini alle Vongole, New Zealand cockles with shell, marinara, garlic & oil; Orrechietti di Accadia, pancetta, oven dried tomatoes, arugula, bread crumbs, garlic & oil; and Rigatoni di Canosa, spicy sausage, cherry peppers, ricotta & pecorino cheese. New this season is a luscious Wild Boar Ragu.
La Riserva Ristorante 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont 914-834-5584
Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food & dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonlonline.net
Wonderful food, beautiful, new surroundings, great service, reasonably quiet, owners who really care. An area favorite for decades, and worthy of it.
Thanks, Michael, This place has the Best Food and a Great Staff In all of Westchester !