The Riv in Arlington Hts. sold again

The Riviera Restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights has been sold — again.

The Riv, as it is affectionately known, was started in 1980 by Bob and Andrea Tsambarlis. It was a tiny place on Vail Avenue until 1991 when they moved to the current location that seats 85 at 5 W. Campbell St.

Exactly five years ago the couple sold the restaurant, but things didn’t work out for the new owners, and a year later the Mount Prospect couple was back.

Now, another buyer, Keith Kottke of Arlington Heights, has come along. He has restaurant experience, and the Tsambarlises have decided once again it is an opportunity they cannot turn down.

“They bought the building, too,” Andrea Tsambarlis said. “This time it’s more permanent.”

The Riv is not fancy. “Riv classics” involve a variety of hot dogs, a Polish, cod fillets and chicken tenders. But office workers in suits and parents with kids all feel equally welcome there.

Mary Ellen Hogan of Urban Harvest, another downtown business, sent around an e-mail that reads like a eulogy.

“Like many parents, Riviera was always the special restaurant where I could take my small children for lunch after dance class, a snack for a good report card or a good quick meal when I didn’t time to cook,” she wrote.

“Riviera was the first place my daughters were able to go “alone”... with a pack of friends from school. I was always comforted by the fact that I knew they would be safe there, and equally important, that they would behave appropriately.”

Andrea and Bob plan to be around Friday to help Kottke settle in. He is expected to keep the staff, Andrea said, although she thinks he’ll add a few new people.

Even though they’ve already had one short go at it, the Tsambarlises are not sure what they will do in retirement.

“After so many hours of working the first priority is getting caught up with ourselves,” said Andrea.

“There’s emotion, but this time we’re more ready than before,” she said.