Riviere Oaks Cafe

In my extensive travels in the US and overseas I have had occasion to find some exceptional restaurants. Imagine my surprise when I came across a new restaurant right at home that certainly is exceptional. Chef Olivier, who owned Olivier’s restaurant and closed it for personal reasons has now opened the Riviera Oaks Cafė in the same location on New Orleans Road in Hilton Head Island. On a recent visit I was dazzled by the décor. As you enter there is a friendly bar on the right. Proceed further and you will see a wall lined with wine casks and several oak trees with branches extending overhead. The ceiling is a night sky with twinkling stars and one wall is made of stone and has water coursing down its face. The room is intimately dark, but each table is illuminated so you can read the menu. Olivier himself entertains with classical guitar music. You cannot find a more romantic place on Hilton Head Island. The wine list is extensive and very reasonably priced, and the menu, whi ... more

In my extensive travels in the US and overseas I have had occasion to find some exceptional restaurants. Imagine my surprise when I came across a new restaurant right at home that certainly is exceptional. Chef Olivier, who owned Olivier’s restaurant and closed it for personal reasons has now opened the Riviera Oaks Cafė in the same location on New Orleans Road in Hilton Head Island. On a recent visit I was dazzled by the décor. As you enter there is a friendly bar on the right. Proceed further and you will see a wall lined with wine casks and several oak trees with branches extending overhead. The ceiling is a night sky with twinkling stars and one wall is made of stone and has water coursing down its face. The room is intimately dark, but each table is illuminated so you can read the menu. Olivier himself entertains with classical guitar music. You cannot find a more romantic place on Hilton Head Island. The wine list is extensive and very reasonably priced, and the menu, which changes according to what is available in the market, is varied and sophisticated. The menu is set up so you can dine Tapas style or enjoy a full entrée. The offerings range from scallops to oysters to quail – a wide range to accommodate all tastes and moods. The service was almost impeccable and will improve as staff gains experience. We dined one with a normal entrée, the other Tapas style with two appetizers. We ordered one cocktail and a $42 bottle of wine and finished with coffee. The bill was $101 and change. I have only one negative comment and it is perhaps a personal dislike, but when Olivier is not playing, the typical bad canned jazz you hear in most restaurants emanates from the speakers. I found this took away from an otherwise incredibly romantic setting. less