Those who regularly travel Soi Khao Talo will know of the restaurant called Livv. A couple of kilometers from the railway line crossing and up near the top of the hill, it is on your left and before Wat Bun Sampan School.
Livv calls itself a Bakery, Grill, Restaurant, and Wine Bar which is a rather large boast, and backs this up with glowing reviews from Trip Advisor. Personally, I don’t go much on the Trip Advisor ratings as these can be influenced, in more ways than one. So with that caveat the Dining Out Team approached Livv.
The beef carpaccio came as a large plate of supremely finely cut beef slices.
In its very colorful website, Livv states, “The price is not bad and the food is good! In other words we offer our customers the best quality in products and in the preparation of them, against a fair price. All in a cozy and informal environment.”
The first impression is the European ambience, and since it has a European owner, he has done well to recreate this feeling in tropical Pattaya. There is an eclectic art deco feel to the place, with different styles of tables and chairs, much glass and a small bar along one side. Staff are outfitted in black and the color scheme is carried over to the napkins with an embroidered Livv logo.
The chicken satay arrived on a large wood platter with the satays, some Indonesian sauce, mashed potatoes topped with cheese and some fresh vegetables.
The staff are young, but well trained. Our engaging young man was able to rattle off all the details of the menu and returned our orders word perfect. However, he was unable to say where the name “Livv” came from, but we forgave him!
Madame selected the rib eye with grilling instruction for it to be ‘blue’. The waiter took the order without batting an eyelid.
We ordered a glass of house wine (B. 200) and eminently quaffable, while perusing the menu. Local beers are B. 90 and both white and red wine choices are in the B. 1250-1850 range with the Hugo Casanova obviously a favorite of the management.
So to the menu where soups are B. 220 including French Onion and a cream of broccoli and cauliflower. Salads are up next (B. 260-300) followed by oysters on ice (half a dozen Fine de Claire at B. 595) and then several pasta dishes (B. 240-300).
Crepes and waffles are next with most around B. 220. At least one dozen pizzas are on offer, generally B. 250-300.
All-day breakfasts are based on ciabatta with extras such as salmon or omelet (B. 220-280).
There are many items from the grill including the enormous Tomahawk steak (bring a friend). For a full menu go to the website.
There are also special promotions such as Tuesdays and Fridays with unlimited spare ribs B. 495 and on Wednesday pizza or pasta at B. 199 and Saturday steak with a free glass of wine B. 699.
I decided to treat myself to the oysters natural and was very pleased to see the traditional six, and not the metric five which is creeping in. Madame selected the beef carpaccio and was rewarded with a large plate of supremely finely cut beef slices (B. 300).
For mains, Madame selected the rib eye (B. 899) with grilling instruction for it to be ‘blue’. The waiter took the order without batting an eyelid. I was fairly full after the oysters and asked for a chicken satay (B. 420), imagining a skewer with some bite-sized chicken pieces. I was taken aback to receive a large wood platter with the satays, some Indonesian sauce, mashed potatoes topped with cheese and some fresh vegetables.
Our mains were excellent and we had no complaints at all. Despite saying that we were replete, the chef insisted we try his deep-fried banana spring rolls which were delightful.
Livv is certainly a ‘different’ restaurant and is theoretically in the ‘wrong’ location for an up-market establishment. However, we were very impressed with the concept and its execution. It is not a cheap venue, and does not aspire to be one. It does live up to its boast that “the price is not bad and the food is good!” It is a restaurant to take friends who appreciate some of the finer things in life. Definitely worth a visit.
Livv, Soi Khao Talo 33/88, corner soi 14/1, open 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., closed Mondays, on-street parking, telephone 095 984 4208, web www.livvpattaya.com.
