Rivington Grill is a simple, elegant space that offers the comfort of a corner British pub with the sophistication of a fine dining environment.

The Venue
Situated on Greenwich High Road amongst lots of restaurants and cafes, Rivington Bar offers a fine dining atmosphere with basic and hearty British food. Housed in the Greenwich Picturehouse building, it is a popular spot for pre- or post-cinema eating and drinking.

The front bar area houses a large seating area with soft leather sofas. Behind the bar the coffee machine produces freshly ground coffee that fills the space with a warm aroma. The interior is simple and relaxed with white washed walls and contrasting dark timber floor and furniture. The space is well lit, and the main dining room features a mezzanine level which provides a lofty and spacious dining space.

The Atmosphere
The service is attentive and friendly, however the young bar staff may come across as a little inexperienced. With the eclectic wine list and the hundreds of bottles neatly on display on the back wall across the bar, you would be likely to expect a sommelier on board. The crowd is mature and unpretentious, with a calm and chilled vibe. Each table is laid out with white table cloth, wine glasses, tea lights and its own mini wooden pepper grinder. The setting adds a little extra romance in the air.

The Food
The meal begins with a warm loaf of complimentary bread served on a wooden board with butter, which kicks off the appetite while you read the menu that delivers a good variety of simple British dishes. There are more than half a dozen of starters, including several dishes on toast, great for brunch or for those who prefer a lighter meal.

The main courses read well with a good range of seafood and meat dishes and one vegetarian dish. The grilled sea bream (£12.50) is served as a whole fish, steamed and stuffed with slices of lemon and lots of parsley with a drizzle of herb and olive oil. The fish is tender and juicy but unfortunately lacks flavour. Another disappointment is there is nothing else on the plate to compliment this dish as the sides (£3 each) must be ordered separately. The bangers and mash from the bar menu looks a lot more exciting - three big meat sausages are served in onion gravy with creamy mash. For £7.50 this is a large and hearty dish.

For desserts, the chocolate mousse (£4.75) or small chocolate truffles (£2.50) are ideal for a little sweet indulgence without feeling too guilty. The food is overall good but rather domestic, with no real challenge to your taste buds.

The Drink
The extensive wine list offers red and white wines ranging from £15 to £60 for whites and £80 for reds. The Argentinean Cabernet Sauvignon is well balanced and full bodied at £5.50 a glass. There are five red wines and six white wines by the glass, starting from £3.80. Soft drinks come in glass bottles. Ask the bar staff for juice selections as non-alcoholic drinks are not listed on the menu.

The Last Word
The Rivington Grill offers an elegant environment but the food falls short of a true fine dining experience.

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