Rivas, which means Rhubarb in Persian, is a Persian-Iranian restaurant franchise with very strong ties to the now-closed Niloo’s. Where Niloo’s targeted top end casual/borderline fine dining, Rivas brings quality Persian-Iranian food to the mass market through food court outlets in al-Barsha Mall, Academic City and this one in Dubai Knowledge Park where their central kitchen is based, and from where we ordered our home delivery.
With the exception of the Koobideh, which would not have surprised me if it started bleating it was so lamby, everything else was really good. Okay, the Khoresh Ghormeh Sabzi, a rich emerald green lamb stew made with a fresh herb base (hence the colour) had a little too much fenugreek (and oil) but that didn’t stop us from polishing it off. The other Khoresh (which is the Persian word for stew), Gheimeh Bâdenjân was superb and didn’t last long either. All the other Kababs which make up Rivas’s exceptional mixed grill (for three) offer were really good; the masti meat exceptionally so.
Rivas sends a complimentary soup along with a bunched handful of fresh herbs with each meal ordered. When ordering the mixed grill, which comes on a sturdy tin foil platter, Rivas sends a similarly sized platter full of three different kinds of rice; Zereshk Polo (made with barberries), Sabzi Polo (made with fresh dill) and plain white rice (if any Persian-Iranian rice can ever be called plain). We also got a complimentary side of that North Iranian classic, Mirza Ghassemi, which was so good I had it all myself.
The ordering taking process was a doddle, the gentleman on the phone polite, helpful and spoke fluent English…be it with a slight Afghani accent. Our food arrived on time and was so well packed all of it was still piping hot (and none had spilt).
So, to all you heartbroken Niloo’s fans, I say this, till such time as Niloo’s reopens, you can still enjoy much of Niloo’s same delicious food through Rivas. And to readers of this blog/review I say, Rivas is a very decent option to consider if you are in the mood for affordable, authentic Persian-Iranian food, dine-in or home delivery.
Hey! Now read this –
Xerxes physically visits (and dines at) each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat and drink. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews. What you have read was not influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on: xerxes@dellara.com