454697 Sat Oct 27 15:14:14 -0700 2007 12 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 3072871 Have anyone know about Harry & David's Royal Riviera Pears?? Is it really that good?? Sat Oct 27 15:14:14 -0700 2007 138051 B.B 1 3075027 I've had them. They were pretty darn good! Sun Oct 28 18:27:12 -0700 2007 3072871 26353 Elizzie 1 3075170 I've ordered them several holidays in a row for an aunt who adores them. They are wonderful. The only issue we've ever had is that they are soooooo ripe when they arrive that one must eat, say, three or four a day to get through them all before they spoil. But that ripeness and abundance combination would be perfect if one were having a party or something. It just doesn't work when the box is for one or two people. Sun Oct 28 19:22:08 -0700 2007 3072871 104084 LNG212 1 3075960 Does anyone know if these are any different from Comice pears (aside from specific growing area and the H&D trademarked name)? It's my impression that the H&D "Royal Rivieras" are a brand of Comice. Mon Oct 29 07:44:31 -0700 2007 3072871 12622 Striver 2 3076770 Yes, H&D's Royal Riviera pears are Comice pears. Comice are superb pears, juicy and flavorful. Their skin is a touch thick for my taste, so they need to be peeled. I am happy to do that for these great pears. Mon Oct 29 11:26:57 -0700 2007 3075960 10586 jmnewel 3 3076942 Comice are my favorites; when they're in season, they're the only pears I eat (skin and all). A marketing rep dropped off a package of H&D Royal Rivieras last year, and it seemed to me that they were basically comice pears. They were good sized (comice can be pretty big) and had good flavor, but they were not markedly superior to the ones I buy at significantly lower prices than H&D's. Mon Oct 29 12:00:44 -0700 2007 3076770 12622 Striver 1 3076443 They are fabulous. On some occasions, they have been perfect right out of the box, on others, I have had to let them sit for a few days. Storage in the refrigerator after ripening seems to help them keep longer. If not ordering as a gift, they have the "Maverick" Royal Rivieras, which are basically the less than perfect-looking ones and are somewhat less costly. The taste is the same. Thanks for mentioning them--I have to order a box for Mom and me to split. Yum. Mon Oct 29 10:07:32 -0700 2007 3072871 117292 Shayna Madel 2 3085675 Thank you for all the replies. But when is the best season to order it??? I am thinking to have them as the holiday gifts to all closer friends!!! Thu Nov 01 07:58:19 -0700 2007 3076443 138051 B.B 3 3085782 BB, the pear harvest is just finishing. Thu Nov 01 08:27:45 -0700 2007 3085675 10651 bbqboy 2 3085803 One caution about the "Maverick" pears -- their blemishes can be more than just cosmetic. I had to return a box that was about half brown all the way through the pears. They were inedible. I've never had anything but perfect pears with the regular Royal Riveras. Yum. Thu Nov 01 08:33:38 -0700 2007 3076443 15743 Sherri 3 3085913 I'm surprised to hear that, as I've ordered the Mavericks several times and never had that problem. I hope you did not have to pay for the return shipping. Thu Nov 01 09:03:43 -0700 2007 3085803 117292 Shayna Madel 4 3086490 No, the company was a joy to deal with. There was no return fee involved, they simply shipped another box. BTW, they sent the gorgeous Royal Riveras instead of the Mavericks. Hard to beat combination - beautiful AND delicious! Thu Nov 01 11:52:30 -0700 2007 3085913 15743 Sherri 5 3086525 H&D provides excellent customer service. Like Shanya Madel, I also order the Mavericks (what a clever name for 'seconds') for personal consumption. They have always been really terrific. If you follow the instructions provided with your order, you should enjoy a delicious experience. Enjoy! Thu Nov 01 12:00:25 -0700 2007 3086490 20921 Tay