RIGA - Normally, when I go to visit the places I write about, I know beforehand that I am going to devote a story to the experience. I enter with my notepad ready and look around for the telltale signs of whether a new restaurant, cafe or bar could be a success or is doomed to failure.
That wasn't the case with 16. Korpuss (The 16th Corps) 's Riga's hottest new spot for dining, drinking and dancing the night away. I went to spend some time with my friend and grab a nice dinner before the weekend.
But I was so impressed with the place, and so happy with my experience there, that I felt I had to write something about it.
When I first walked in the door it seemed like a pretty standard bistro or cafeteria, a good spot for locals to grab some lunch.
As we moved a little bit deeper into the building, however, I noticed what looked like a giant wall of water running along one wall of a comfortable, high-class room. It was then I realized there was more to 16. Korpuss than a simple eatery.
Venturing on, I found the venue doubled as a nice restaurant, ideal for a date or pleasant dinner. That's when it really started to pique my interest. I began to open my eyes to the details of the atmosphere, and noticed all of those little things which make a place truly remarkable.
16. Korpuss opened only about two months ago, but it is already doing a strong business. The venue has so many features 's including a cafeteria, restaurant, VIP lounge, dance club and pub 's it would be hard not to draw people in.
My friend and I caught sight of some couches and tables set up above the bar, and decided to go try and grab a spot. We got lucky, the entire upper area was empty and it seemed we had the place to ourselves.
We sat down, and a professional young waiter soon popped up the stairs to help us. The menu in the restaurant area of 16. Korpuss is pretty strong, offering a nice variety of food at reasonable prices. It didn't fully explain what all of the dishes were, but that omission only added a bit of excitement to the ordering process.
I ended up with some Italian style pasta and sliced turkey. The food was tasty 's not outstanding in its own right, but the presentation was good and the dish was definitely worth the price. My friend's sizzling chicken dish turned out to be a winner as well.
After looking through the extensive wine list, an impressive tome with long descriptions of each of the varieties, we grabbed a bottle of (relatively cheap) champagne to top off the meal.
With a bird's eye view of the restaurant, we clearly saw how easily the staff could roll the tables away, pull out some speakers and voila 's a top notch night club with live music.
The real appeal of 16. Korpuss, a converted appliance factory, is in the atmosphere. It somehow manages to pull off five different themes in a single establishment, and does them all well. The seating is comfortable and everything is somehow in just the right place.
I can almost guarantee that this tasteful venue will provide an outstanding experience for anyone, no matter what sort of experience they may be looking for.
16. Korpuss
Brivibas Gatve 214m
Bistro open 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Restaurant open Mon.- Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Bar open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Club: 8 p.m. - late
www.16korpuss.lv
