Riva (ex Rose Cottage)

An absolute gem found on one of our out of town jaunts and on high recommendation, Riva in Matlock Bath is possibly the most complete restaurant in the world! The food is without a doubt the best ever and it is strongly recommended that you do NOT try substituting different sauces or side orders from those suggested on the menu, as they really do have everything fully under control as regards complementing flavours. First impressions were that it looked a little pricey, but after the astonishing main course, a dessert was deemed essential. This establishment is a must for anyone who thought that food was simply there to be eaten!

On a return visit, we found that the establishment had changed hands - and what a difference from the previous experience!
It should have been apparent from the minimal amount of customers that all was not now running well, but the starter actually turned out to be excellent. However then came the main course - the most rubbery un-eatable drivel that we have encountered, on an even lower scale than Bulwell bus station cafe. The lamb was undercooked, the venison was totally un-eatable (even with the steak knives that were only available on request) and the 'homemade chunky chips' were suspiciously similar to McCains oven chips. We were offered a free desert by way of compensation, but obviously this was refused. Then - the 'manager' tried to divide and conquer by offering us each seperately the aforementioned free desert once more, when one of them was accepted. But there was more to come - the custard for the desert was of frogspawn consistency and this too was sent straight back to the rubbish bin.
The bill came, which we immediately queried. The un-cooked lamb was still being charged for (presumably because of the free desert) and we duly paid but demanded to speak to the owner. The 'manager' at first refused this, but under protest, he phoned his supervisor, who admittedly was much more professional in his customer service and authorised a full refund for the un-eaten main courses. After the refund was THROWN at us, we said 'thank you, bye bye' and departed this shambles of an operation which we will not be returning to until they learn how to cook and acquire a modicum of professionalism in their public relations and service.
A thoroughly horrible experience which ruined our whole night.