Retail Roundup: Rivercrest Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Although Rivercrest residents may feel as if they live in a far-off private paradise, there are plenty of convenient, highly regarded shopping and dining establishments in the vicinity. The upscale Davenport Village shopping center is only 5 minutes away, and provides an impressive array of boutiques and fine dining restaurants.

Also nearby, Rivercrest is just over 15 minutes from the most luxurious and upscale shopping center in the city. The Domain is a posh 1,300,000-square-foot upscale outdoor shopping mall featuring 100 stores, including exclusive high-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co and Barneys. Many shoppers enjoy taking a break from shopping to enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants at the center including Maggiano’s Little Italy, McCormick & Schmicks, NoRTH and the Daily Grill, to name a few.

There are five more shopping centers that are all 15 minutes or less from home, including the Village at Westlake, Arboretum at Great Hills, Gateway, Barton Creek Square Mall, and the Shops at Arbor Walk. Together, these retail centers host more than 300 additional department stores, national and local retailers, boutiques, restaurants, and movie theaters.

Chicken Piccata, Brisket Ravioli and a Glass of Fine Wine

Davenport Village is home to 360 Uno Trattoria, where guests enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a lively, casual environment. With tender chicken, capers and artichokes in a delicate lemon and white wine sauce, the chicken piccata is an authentic taste of the Mediterranean guaranteed to please.

Trento, also only about five minutes away, takes a classy but casual fresh approach to Italian favorites. Dinner favorites include brisket ravioli and delicious pizzas. And Maudie’s Milagro holds down the spot for most comforting Tex-Mex in the neighborhood with enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and its famous margaritas.

Another local foodie favorite, the elegant Grove Wine Bar and Kitchen, will delight residents with its extensive, thoughtfully chosen selection of delicious wines, great for sipping beneath the soaring oak trees on the beautifully lit patio. Many diners at the Grove enjoy a flight of wine accompanied by the Grove’s artisanal cheese plate, served with delectable, tangy fruit chutney, gourmet olives and golden honey.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, Truffle Fries and Grilled Lamb Chops

For date night or a special occasion, Eleven Plates and Wine, just over five minutes from home, is a popular spot with the neighbors. Serving inventive, up-to-the-minute contemporary food that is always plated with elegance and panache, frequent diners highly recommend starting with the appetizers. The Brussels sprouts, deep-fried to a sweet caramelized brown and dressed in a lemon aioli, and the crispy tiger shrimp with Old Bay, lemon, and chipotle aioli are both excellent.

For dinner entrees, fans recommend the diver scallops with grilled corn, Spanish chorizo, and lemon aioli or grilled lamb chops with grilled asparagus, fingerling potatoes, and piquillo puree. The most popular side dish is probably the Gouda mac & cheese with pork belly. People go crazy for this upscale twist on a classic comfort food. The crème brûlée draws a lot of praise, as does almost every other dessert that comes out of the kitchen such as peanut butter chocolate cake (with rich, moist chocolate and light, whipped peanut butter), the sticky toffee cake, or the sweet corn panna cotta with brown butter sorbet.