Amber
Amber is a luxurious restaurant offering both a journey into history and a 21st century culinary adventure.
Before the war Riga's poshest hotel was here, then in the 1950's the communist regime rebuilt the place in lavish Stalinist baroque to impress (rare) foreign tourists.
Recently the Kempinski chain gave the hotel another facelift, preserving the fit-for-a-commissar, marble columned, mega-chandeliered dining room, where today European and Latvian cuisine is whipped up at live cooking stations and a big show kitchen.
Savour classic dishes from the hotel's heritage menu, then chill in the Grand Bar next door or enjoy a "seasonal massage" in the basement spa. If you're on a budget, have coffee in the Lobby Lounge - the friendly staff make you feel at home.
Entree:Latvian river trout roe with buckwheat beer pancakes, quail eggs, Crème fraiche and onions
Main: Kurzeme stroganoff with sour cream, marinated cucumbers and fried baby potatoes
Dessert: "Milk and Honey" - chicory Crème Brulée with Latvian honey cake crumble, apricot and chamomile-honey sorbet, warm white chocolate donut filled with cherries
Drink: Cocktail "A Latvian girl's beautiful eyes" (Allažu kimmel, Riga Black Balsam, Riga sparkling wine)
Address: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, Aspazijas bulvāris 22 (Old Riga)
Price: €€€
Open: Mon-Sun 12:00-23:00