Kudos

John & Violeta Sheely

Congratulations! Houston's best culinary talents competed for the title of Best Caesar Salad at the 22nd Annual Caesar Salad Competition. Our own John Sheely took the prize for Best Classic Caesar Salad.

Press Release

Chef de Cuisine Jose Luis Vela ~ Up-and-Coming Chef of the Year, Houston Culinary Awards 2009

Mockingbird ~ “One of the Best New Restaurants in America,”

Esquire, December 2002

Mockingbird ~ “Best New Restaurant of the Year,”

Houston Culinary Awards, 2002

Mockingbird ~ “Neighborhood Gem,”

Gourmet, October 2002

“Swank as all get out…breakfast, lunch and dinner feature Sheely's signature warm weather fare. I left positively gushing.”

Laurann Claridge, Papercity

“…inspired French and Italian cuisine. I'd drop by anytime for a salad or appetizer and a chance to spend an hour in the smartly understated dining room.”

Patricia Sharpe, Texas Monthly

“At Riviera Grill, John Sheely offers the kind of food that will lead Houston into the next century.”

Ann Criswell, Houston Chronicle

Riviera Grill named “Best Sleeper” in Gourmet's guide to America's Best Restaurants

Gourmet, October 2000

Named a “Modern Master,” one of the nation's 10 finest chefs, by John Mariani

Southwest Spirit Magazine, May 1998

Sheely's Signature Dish, Pepper-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass, named a best dish of 1998

Houston Chronicle “Dining Guide,” January 1, 1999

Named one of 13 “Chefs to Keep Your Eye On” by John Mariani

Esquire, November 1996

“The last time I had eaten a meal as good as the one presented me by Sheely was when Paul Bocuse was behind the stove.”

Michael Berryhill, Houston Press

“This is a hidden surprise ... where chef John Sheely's careful hands blend well-chosen, fresh ingredients. Don't miss the fried calamari - honestly, the best I've eaten.”

Southern Living

“… an incredible find thanks to John Sheely's wonderful, innovative Mediterranean food ... Houston's most outstanding new restaurant.”

Ranked as one of Houston's Top 5 Grills ~ Zagat Survey 1998

Congratulations to Chef/Owner John Sheely!  My Table magazine awards Sheely with Restaurateur and and Chef of the Year honors.

Press Release

“Riviera Grill has hauntingly good food to return for often, excellent value and a comfortable dining room. Sheely's food is fresh, full of flavor and pushes the standards into new forms. If you're thinking I'm enthralled with Riviera Grill, you would be right.”

Teresa Byrne-Dodge, My Table: Houston's Dining Magazine

“As complex as Riviera Grill's dishes tend to be, the consistency of execution is impressive.”

Alan Truex, Houston Chronicle restaurant reviewer