YOUR AD HERE »

Famous prime rib returns to Glenwood

Heidi Rice
Western Garfield County Staff

For 25 years, Glenwood Springs native Mabel Trembley was responsible for the serving up the infamous prime rib at the Riviera Supper Club on Grand Avenue.

The restaurant closed this summer after owner Shirley Beres retired and moved to Grand Junction, but has reopened as the Riviera Restaurant with a new look and a new menu.

The new owner, Colleen Stuart, has transformed the restaurant from a dark and rather dated interior, to a light, airy and contemporary ambiance.



“It’s always been my dream to own my own restaurant,” Stuart said. “I took over the lease and have changed the whole thing. It’s totally different from any other restaurant in Glenwood Springs.”

Stuart, of Missouri Heights, and executive chef Kyle Sharp, who has worked in the Aspen area for 11 years, both previously worked at the Aspen Institute in the food and beverage department. Sharp has prepared meals for the likes of President and Mrs. Clinton, Colin Powell, Ted Turner, Queen Noor and Mary Peterson, the former president of Ireland.



“I make things for people that I would make if they were coming to my home for dinner,” Sharp said.

Fresh food is the key ingredient to the new eclectic menu, which features a variety of salads, along with appetizers such as crab gorgonzola, Atlantic crab cakes and corn jalapeno fritters. Entrees include bacon-wrapped filet, Parmesan encrusted halibut, filet bearnaise and prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, Boursin chicken, blackened trout and sesame pork tenderloin.

And then, of course, there’s the famous prime rib, listed on the menu as “Mabel’s prime rib with rosemary au jus.”

Although retired for two years from the restaurant business, Trembley insisted on coaching Stuart and Sharp on the tradition of making the succulent beef.

“It was an interesting rib session,” Sharp said with a laugh.

And what’s the secret? Trembley just pursed her lips and smiled.

“I can’t tell,” she said. “It’s a secret.”

She did admit that the recipe originated when she and another chef worked at the Riviera when it first opened and they came up with the ingredients. “We worked together on it,” Trembley said.

She also hinted that it had something to do with the special cooker the meat is roasted in. That, and the secret spices.

While there have been drastic changes on the interior of the restaurant, the exterior, including the large landmark Riviera Supper Club sign, remain the same.

“The restaurant is very contemporary ” the furniture, the art work and the light with the big windows,” Stuart said. “It’s a dream come true for me.”

Prices for entrees run from $16-$27 and a full bar is offered. Reservations are recommended on the weekend. Hours are 5-10 p.m., seven days per week.

To make reservations, call 945-7692.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.