‘The Dining Divas’ restaurant review
EDITOR’S NOTE: Each month, the Boerne Star will send its team of restaurant reviewers, The Dining Divas, out into Boerne. These three ladies — who have assumed names of characters popularized on the hit TV show “The Office,” Pam, Erin, Kelly and Nellie — select a restaurant, show up unannounced and take in all the establishment has to offer.
First up — Rivulet Kitchen and Bar.
Watch out, Boerne. There are some new gals in town.
Pam, Erin, Kelly and Nellie (the ladies from television’s “The Office”) — aka, the “Dining Divas” — are tasked with checking out all the local eateries and stops in and around Boerne. Our first foray was to the newly opened Rivulet Kitchen and Bar on River Road.
Rivulet’s website claims, “We are a casual eatery where comfort meets culinary creativity, offering the freshest ingredients and unique recipes.” According to our server, Zoe, everything is scratch-cooked and has a Mediterranean flair.
The evening temperature was balmy, and we started the night sitting on the patio. But rain drove us inside, where we enjoyed the simple, clean lines, the quiet music, and the tables that were appropriately spaced. The small bar was stunning, with all the glass bottles perfectly lined up and beautifully lit. Wine bottles showcased on the walls was a nice touch, too.
Zoe was fantastic. She was knowledgeable about the menu and confident in her recommendations. She struck an outstanding balance between being attentive and allowing us time to catch up and talk.
Our girl Kelly, who is a great cook in her own right, ordered the salmon crostini.
“That’s something I would never make at home. The toast was nice and crispy. The salmon, arugula and cream cheese were tender, flavorful, sweet, creamy, and salty,” Kelly said. But she saved her greatest compliment for the sweet potato fries.
“It’s something I can never get right at home. I can get the perfect seasoning but then burn them. Or the texture is off. Rivulet’s sweet potato fries were perfection. Soft and tender on the inside, crispy on the outside. They had great flavor.”
Kelly also appreciated she could browse the menu, place an online order and reserve a table from their site.
Erin ordered the mushroom and goat cheese wrap with a side of Mediterranean rice. The portion was so generous that she took half of it home with her.
“The wrap itself was wonderfully flaky, and the feta cheese was nicely spread inside.”
However, she thought the mushrooms were slightly overly sweet, which was a little jarring given the salty texture of the wrap and feta cheese. She liked the Mediterranean rice, which was tasty with a lemon zest, but thought the onions needed to be cooked down a bit more.
Pam opted for the eight-ounce sirloin (cooked rare) paired with chimichurri sauce and a side of French fries. When it arrived (the meals came together, and in an appropriate amount of time), she went into raptures about the chimichurri sauce. “It was a match made in heaven. The chimichurri added a vibrant, garlicky kick that complemented the meat beautifully. The steak, perfectly rare, was tender and juicy; the fries were golden and crispy, which was ideal for soaking up any extra sauce. The arugula and tomato salad brought a fresh, peppery contrast that balances the richness of the dish.”
Lastly, Nellie ordered the lamb medallions, eight ounces of ground lamb served on Mediterranean rice, with house-made tahini and pickled red onions.
Based on Zoe’s recommendation, she ordered the crunchy green beans, and they did not disappoint. They were grilled, which provided a great sear and cooked them sufficiently but did not make them soggy. The lamb was both tender and flavorful, and the Mediterranean rice was done to a turn.
All in all, the Dining Divas had a wonderful evening, and all of us want to return with our families. The atmosphere was perfect, and our experience was exceptional.
Rivulet Kitchen and Bar Open every day (check website for hours) (830) 331-7455 518 River Road, Boerne, TX 78006
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