Dallas’ Hottest New Seafood Restaurant Goes Beyond the Sea With a Powerhouse Chef

By Linden Wilson Jobe // Nov 3, 2016

Photography Imani Chet Lytle

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Dolce Riviera is open in the Harwood district.

Inside, vintage Italian photos hang on the walls.

Engulfed in palm trees, the patio is an urban oasis.

Next to the women's bathroom, a glam sketch by Danica Butler of Butler’s Pantry Calligraphy

Another sketch of Butler's hangs next to the men's bathroom

Tonno al sesamo at Dolce Riviera (Photo by Kevin Marple)

Harwood district’s newest restaurant, Dolce Riviera, calls to mind a Portofino life: Blonde bombshells and bronzed gents fresh from an afternoon cruise, tables covered with Negronis, and platters of fresh sea fare.

At Dolce, white and-blue-checkered tablecloths drape the indoor tables, and glamorous Italian vignettes dot the walls (i.e., Audrey Hepburn holding tight to Gregory Peck as they zip through the city in Roman Holiday). On the patio, palm trees surround wooden tables and chairs with plush white cushions in an urban oasis, while ocean-blue shutters above the marbled bar slide open to bring the outdoors in.

The authentic Italian menu features flavor-packed fish, meat, and house- and handmade pasta from executive chef Christian Sbordi, who has commanded the kitchens at Harry’s Bar in London and New York City’s Rainbow Room.

The restaurant is an escape to old-world Italy.

Standouts include sesame-crusted tuna loin atop caponata, drizzled with Saba wine and basil oil; strangozzi di mare (spaghetti with shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams); and pan-seared wild salmon fillet with Pantelleria capers, red-grape tomatoes, Gaeta olives, sautéed spinach, and potato purée in white-wine sauce. Take your entourage.

Dolce Riviera, 2950 N. Harwood St., 469.458.6623.