Liverpool’s Riva Blu is leaning into its Italian roots and scrapping the 90 minute table rule

Castle Street favourite Riva Blu is pushing back against one of modern dining’s biggest frustrations by promising guests they will never be asked to give up their table at any of their restaurants.

The restaurant group has launched La Dolce Tavola, Italian for “enjoy the moment”, a new summer booking option that allows diners to stay at their table for as long as they like, without additional charges or time restrictions.

Available from the 8^th June Sunday to Friday between 12pm and 5pm across all Riva Blu restaurants including Liverpool, Leeds and Hull, the initiative has been designed to encourage guests to embrace a more authentic long Italian lunch, where meals are social occasions to be savoured rather than squeezed into a set timeslot.

The move comes as many restaurant reservations across the UK are routinely capped at 90 minutes, leaving diners watching the clock rather than enjoying the moment.

Instead, guests selecting ‘La Dolce Tavola’ when booking can settle in for an extended lunch, enjoy multiple courses, linger over a bottle of wine or simply spend uninterrupted time with friends and family without worrying about being rushed out of the door.

Toni Dennan, Group Marketing & Sales Director at Individual Restaurant said:

“In Italy, meals are about much more than food. They’re about connection, conversation and spending quality time with the people around you.

“We’ve become very good at fitting everything into a schedule in the UK, including our restaurant bookings. La Dolce Tavola is our way of bringing back the joy of the long lunch and encouraging people to slow down for a few hours.

“We don’t believe guests should be watching the clock. If you’re having a great time, enjoying another glass of wine and making memories with friends and family, that’s exactly what hospitality should be about.

“This is a small change to how we take bookings, but we think it makes a big statement about the kind of experience we want to create.”

The launch reflects a growing desire among consumers for experience-led hospitality and meaningful social occasions, with diners increasingly seeking opportunities to disconnect from busy schedules and spend uninterrupted time together.

In true Italian style, Riva Blu’s menu keeps things classic. Focusing on quality Italian ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, Riva Blu delivers on elevating the nation’s favourite Italian classics.

For starters, guests can savour Calamari with a Southern Italian twist, accompanied by courgette, red pepper, and confit garlic aioli, or Bruschetta Pomodoro, crafted with sun-ripened tomatoes and aromatic herbs. 

For secondi, traditional Italian favourites take centre stage. Indulge in a classic lasagne made with slow-cooked beef ragu, the spicy kick of Penne Arrabbiata with a rich tomato and chilli sauce, or authentic Spaghetti Carbonaraprepared with free-range eggs, guanciale, Pecorino Romano, and finished with flat-leaf parsley. 

Showstoppers include Tonno Grigliato, grilled yellow fin tuna served with Neapolitan peperonata, olives, capers and pine nuts. Catches from the sea also include whole filleted sea bass served with an indulgent pistachio butter, lemon and chives. Meaty mains include a variety of succulent steaks including a 350G grain-fed ribeye served with fries and peppercorn sauce. 

Desserts include Italian classics such as tiramisu, panna cotta and affogato. 

With large al fresco terraces at each location, Riva Blu’s new La Dolce Tavola bookings are perfect for slow sunny days enjoyed with family and friends. 

La Dolce Tavola is available on pre-booked tables only from 12pm – 5pm Sunday – Friday, excluding bank holidays and Father’s Day.

Book your table via the Riva Blu website.

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