Viva
- Food served: Mon–Thu 9.30am–10pm; Fri 9.30am–11pm; Sat 11am–11pm; Sun 4–10pm
- Pre-theatre times: Mon–Sun 4–7pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 5
- Private dining: Up to 80 covers
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables
- Music on stereo: Acoustic guitar
- Capacity: 120
- Largest group: 80
- Open since: 2005
- House wine: £11.95 per bottle
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Clearly profiting from its positioning – slap bang in the centre of Glasgow’s financial district – Viva draws in a healthy crowd of diners even on a drizzly Monday night. Yet there’s more to the restaurant’s success than simple location – while it doesn’t exactly push the envelope so far as contemporary Italian dining goes, it does the basic stuff with speed, care and a touch of class. Big dark-wooden booths line the window side of the long main dining room, which is grand and spacious yet still atmospheric. At the back, there’s a separate area that can seat private parties of up to 80 people. The menu is a familiar line-up of the usual Italian suspects – chicken, veal, steak, pasta and pizza dishes (the latter two can both be ordered as takeaway). The stuffed mushrooms starter comes with a generous pot of light garlic mayonnaise and a crispy side salad. The lasagne al forno is well cooked, which might sound like damningly faint praise, but such a simple dish can all too often be served over or underdone. Viva’s desserts are their stand-outs, or at least their creamy and zesty Sicilian lemon cheesecake is (the cheesecake selection changes daily). Service is slick, professional and always close to hand without ever feeling intrusive.
- High point: Learn Italian tape playing in the bathrooms
- Low point: Little imagination to the menu
Reviews of Viva (77 Bothwell Street, Glasgow)
- 6. alan gallacher, port glasgow – 1 February 2012, 9:18am
VivaReport -
the food was late not hot waiting two hours for the meals which i could have prepaired better my 4 year daughter could have done better ........paid £8.40 for two drinks which i might expect in a classy cafe but this place wasnt classy could have got better up the street a t weatherspoons cheaper drink better food will not be returning ti viva neither will anyone i know ........
- 5. alan gallacher, port glasgow – 1 February 2012, 9:11amVivaReport
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Food wasn't good service wasn't good meal was two hours. Late cost £8.40 for two drinks wont be returning and neither will any1 i know. ....Microwave. Food on order could do better myself
- 4. Wee Jimmy S, Glasgow – 18 November 2011, 3:32pmVivaReport
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A very friendly welcome, polite, professional and friendly service, fantastic food and great company made for a very enjoyable lunch. Well recommended, especially if you want to go somewhere that makes you feel mighty real!!! I never can say goodbye and it saddened me to leave, a number one hit for me!! ;o)
- 3. Cazza4, Glasgow – 29 May 2011, 10:32am
VivaReport -
Nice decor, pleasant staff, edible food but not authentic italian IMO. I prefer rustic italian food. If you are a regular traveller to italy then Rustic is what its all about.
The focaccia bread starter looked like it had come out of a packet. I had the Fettucine Aglio olio e Peperoncino which I felt lack some power - sort of thing I would make at home! The Penne salsiccia also lacked in bold flavour, although I did think the salsiccia itself had a nice and crumbly texture.
There was Hawaiian Pizza on the menu which IMO is a dead give away that this is not an authentic italian restaurant because a real italian pizza would not have pineapple on it.
I also found the quirky idea of playing 'How to Speak Italian' in the bathrooms to be quite bizarre! It reminded me of being back at school in a language class. I can't imagine anyone would want to be lectured while going to the toilet.
On this occasion, Sarti restaurant wins hands down for authenticity!!
- 2. Vicki, Glasgow – 15 January 2009, 12:59pmVivaReport
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I would completely disagree with the previous comment - the food prices are extremely competitive for a city centre restaurant of this standard, and the wine is also competitively priced. On no occasion have the staff ever pestered us to buy more drinks...I have always found them to be very friendly, polite and attentive - but not 'too' attentive, as can be the case in many other restaurants. Also, the lasagne most definitely is not microwaved!!!
All I would agree with is that the decor is lovely - this restaurant is very atmospheric, and it's great to learn a bit of Italian when visiting the toilet!
I cannot recommend Viva highly enough.
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