That marvelous sailfish on the wall at the new Riviera Bar certainly looks familiar, but it’s not as familiar as you think. Sure, it came from the old Paradise Café, as is the case for many of the people behind this cozy establishment on West Figueroa that opened July 29. But it’s not the fish you stared at over your margarita above the bar — it’s one from an office.
“Paradise was more a general attitude toward customers and building a community,” explains the new bar’s owner, Kevin Boss. “This is Riviera, a new thing.”
While many involved with Riviera are Paradise veterans — along with Boss, there’s manager Oliver Davis, operating partner Jim Mishler, and even office manager Karen Collyer — the boss asserted, “Paradise was a child of the ’80s.” Riviera is after more of a midcentury feel; think Tadich Grill and the Buena Vista in San Francisco or Musso & Frank in Hollywood as comparisons. Said Boss, “We want that same old-school feel, but updated.”