Reva was born in Brooklyn, New
York and was the youngest of her five brothers and sisters. Her father was
from Lithuania and her mother a first generation American with family roots
on the Russian-Polish border. Reva‘s family moved to Manhattan when she was
two.
When Reva was 16 she moved to Southern California to live with her eldest
brother, US film, television and Broadway star, Gene Barry and his wife,
Betty. Later she worked as a sportswear buyer for a major department store
chain.
When she was 21, Reva and some Italian friends rented a beach house in
Malibu, where she meet neighbour, Doug Meredith - a diver, surfer, sailor,
boat-builder and set-builder for the film and television industry. They
married and have two sons, David and Casey.
In 1971, when David was seven and Casey three, the Merediths loaded their
possessions aboard a ship in San Pedro, California and headed for New
Zealand. Although they’d hadn’t visited NZ before they emigrated, they
wanted their family to live in a country that had a similar culture,
environment and values to those that were being threatened by Malibu’s
proximity to ever growing Los Angeles.
In a very real way, Reva‘s restaurant started in the kitchen of their rented
farmhouse up a quiet coastal valley in Northland’s Matapouri Bay.
Word of Reva‘s cooking talents quickly spread and it wasn’t unusual for a
Friday or Saturday dinner party for a few friends to turn into dinner for
twenty or more. Reva always took it in her stride and her hospitality became
legendary - especially since she accomplished all this in a house with no
mains power.
According to an old friend, “Reva has always been a supreme hostess. She
welcomed everyone to her home and especially to her kitchen. When a dozen
extra people showed up for a dinner party, most people would panic., but
Reva would say ‘GREAT’ and go on to host a memorable party.”
After repeated requests to share her culinary talents with a wider audience,
Reva and Doug bought the ‘Pizza Parlour' on James Street, Whangarei in 1976.
It had seven tables and a staff of two.
Their new venture was an instant hit. There was nowhere exciting or
outstanding to eat in Whangarei when they started up. And there was nowhere
to eat out for lunch on weekends except, what quickly became known simply
as, Reva’s. But the thing that made Reva‘s stand out was that the food not
only made the taste buds take notice, but it was fun to go there. Up till
then, going out to eat meant dressing up, going to someplace where you
didn’t feel comfortable and paying through the nose for the privilege.
Reva‘s had music, laughter, local art, regular jam sessions and, as time
went on, wonderful new dishes to try.
To make things even more attractive, Reva‘s was able to get Whangarei’s
first BYO license. in 1977.
In 1985 French agents off the yacht, Ouvea, visited Reva‘s and signed her
guest book. Two weeks later, the Rainbow Warrior lay sunk in Auckland
Harbour, victim of the explosives brought into NZ aboard the yacht. The
agents’ moment of carelessness turned out to be a crucial piece of evidence
in the subsequent investigation and charges being laid against them.
In 1988 Reva‘s moved to larger premises in the A&P Building on Dent Street.
Then, in 1995, Reva and Doug were offered the chance to be the first tenants
of a purpose built restaurant in the developing Town Basin marina precinct
and Reva‘s moved to their current location.
Reminiscent of the Lahaina Inn restaurant on Maui in Hawaii, the new
premises had an open fireplace, generous seating inside and outside, and
views to live for. Despite it’s much larger size, Reva‘s has retained the
charm and intimacy of the earlier restaurants, including local art on its
walls, live music, lively conversation and lots of laughter.
Reva‘s menu has been described as, “where Mediterranean meets Californian
meets Kiwi.” And “See you at Reva‘s,” is still the farewell call of yachties
across the Pacific. |
Reva at her first restaurant on James Street, Whangarei (circa 1978)
Reva at her second restaurant in the A&P Building, Whangarei (circa 1990)
Reva and her brother, film, television and Broadway star, Gene Barry.
Reva and Doug Meredith on the veranda of Reva’s on the Waterfront restaurant
and bar.
Reva's on the Waterfront |
