Rikasa Pittston

Rikasa is a fine dining restaurant on South Main Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania. It offers many Italian dishes, along with beef and seafood selections as well. We arrived on time for our 7 p.m. rooftop reservation and were escorted to an elevator that took us there. Once the doors opened, we were greeted by our hostess who then guided us to our table. The rooftop overlooks the cityscape and a portion of the Susquehanna River. We ordered several small plates and a soup for our meal. The first two that reached our table were a rich Tomato Herb Bisque with a dollop of Creme Fraiche, and a bowl of Shrimp Scampi. The scampi included garlic, wine, butter, lemon, tomato, and spaghetti. The meal was supposed to come with pepperoncini, although I didn’t see any. The shrimp was fresh and firm, the wine sauce incredibly savory, and the pasta served al dente. Both dishes were delicious and left us anticipating our other arrivals. The Wild Mushroom Arancini consisted of five fried risotto balls, wild mushrooms, parmesan, herbs, and a delicious roasted red pepper Creme Fraiche. The plate was very tasty, filling, and enjoyable. The Palmero Ravioli was also delightful, with large ravioli stuffed with beef and topped with blistered tomatoes and bread crumbs. Both meals were magnificent. For dessert, we ordered the Tiramisu and a triple-layer chocolate cake, both served with a bit of whipped cream. The former was very creamy with a light taste of coffee. The cake was moist and decadent. Both choices proved to be a most fitting conclusion to our incredibly satisfying meal. My only recommendation is this: the rooftop dining area was truly a romantic setting, with couples (and groups of couples) enjoying the pleasant outdoor temperatures. There was no need for the very large television screen placed against the wall to be broadcasting a college football game, especially since there was an adjoining bar ten feet away televising the same game. This was truly tacky, and took away from the fine dining experience. The television could have been put to better use displaying idyllic Italian scenery or better yet, not turned on at all. Patrons should also be aware that the Rikasa adds 3% to the bill when using a credit card. For those wishing to avoid the surcharge, bring cash. Rikasa also has a main dining room on the first floor. Joint 53, on the second floor is a 1920s-style speakeasy which features live music. Although we didn’t visit, this would be perfect for pre- or post-dinner cocktails. Overall, Rikasa is definitely worth one’s time and money. Ensure that a reservation is made. Once you arrive, lose yourself in the atmosphere and enjoy yourself.