The Living Room

Having read the other 'rave' reviews I was quite confused. Either this restaurant has had a huge change in kitchen staff/management or the reviews are posted by 'interested parties'.

I'm not given to writing reviews so it takes a lot to annoy me into action. Getting ripped-off will do it, however.

We went to the Living Room on 19th June as part of my son's birthday celebration. Although never having been there before, he had chosen the venue, so his choice.

The appetiser of bread + oil and vinegar was incompetently prepared. The bread was fine, warm and fresh, but the oil & balsamic vinegar were together in one bowl. Oil and vinegar do not mix. The 'olive' oil was of an inferioir quality and sat thickly on top of the miniscule amount of balsamic vinegar. This was not a good start. I did point this out to our waiter who offered to bring a replacement but I waived this in the hope that further courses would be 'up to scratch'.

This wasn't the case. The 3 steaks (2 fillet, 1 rib-eye) were of very poor quality. Not the cooking, the quality of the meat itself. My wife had red snapper which WAS poorly cooked. Some parts over cooked, some almost raw. The accompanying vegetables, priced separately, were overcooked.

The mashed potato was somehow distasteful. How do you manage this with mash?

Since this was my son's choice of restaurant and his birthday, we didn't want to make too much of a fuss and spoil his day. He had chosen the restaurant...

The puddings were fine, although suspiciously like M&S fare and the wine was OK - although for what I paid for one glass I could have bought a bottle in the supermarket....

The total cost of the meal, £170. This was one of the worst meals I've had in quite some time and overpriced to boot.

I would have shared this review with the restaurant first but their web site is inaccessible, right now. Maybe it's 'out to lunch'?

There is nothing to differentiate this restaurant from all the other mediocre restaurants/chains in the area and the prices they are charging for substandard qulaity will sooner, or later, see customers voting with their feet.

So, if you're up to spending a few hard earned pounds on a good meal for a special occasion, take my advice and avoid the Living Room on St. Vincent Street. Until they sort out their quality of produce & cooking served up you'll leave very dissatisfied & feel ripped-off.

I have no axe to grind with this organisation. I have no previous knowledge or relationship with them, so this is a honest and unbiased reflection of our meal.
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Charlie McCabe
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Sunday, June 20, 2010

My husband & I went to the Living Room glasgow for a meal on Sat 20th Feb.

All the staff were both friendly & helpful.

We thoroughly enjoyed both the food & wine.

A most enjoyable evening & we would not hesitate to return.
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Rosemary parker
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 22, 2010

This was my second time at The Living Room Glasgow and again I was not dissapointed. For my friends it was a first visit but like myself they are now converts and will return. Food was excellent, Service very good without being in your face. I would say if you have not been yet go soon you will not be sorry.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, September 19, 2008

The service, ambience and quality of food at the Living Room was first class. Would definitely return.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Dined at The Living Room, St Vincent Street, Glasgow on Friday 29th August 2008 with a party of 6. Great ambience and lovel setting. We were seated in a private annexe area of the restaurant and the staff were very efficient. Now for the bad bit - the food was shocking! Starters were ok although my husband's Chicken Satay Skewers were cold in areas and warm in others. Main courses were very disappointing. The three Rib Eye Steaks we ordered as well done, came medium rare and had to be returned. As a former chef myself, I know that if you are to put rested steaks back into the frying pan again, then they are going to be tough and that is exactly what happened. Instead of giving us new steak, they just cooked the original ones further which resulted in them being tough. The fillet steak was cooked ok but was tiny and the mash was dry. The grilled chicken plate was small aswell and the sauce was like water. My party paid £70.00 per couple for this meal and I am disgusted by it's poor value for money and disappointing food. To top it off, a gratuity is added to your bill which we paid but the staff never returned with our change! Avoid this place like the plague!!!
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K McCrea
Tuesday, September 02, 2008

We were a party of 6 on a Friday night and after reading glowing reviews on this restaurant, we were looking forward to a great meal. How disappointed we were! Would not recommend and will not be back. One of our starters were cold, 3 of the steaks were medium rare when ordered well done. They were taken away and 20 mins later, the same steaks arrived back at the table. They were very dry and like rubber. We arrived at 8pm and the steaks were re-served at 9.50pm. Everyone was very hungry so we did not complain as we just wanted to finish the food and go! I had the chicken breast which was served in a shallot, panchetta, pea, garlic and white wine sauce. The sauce was the consistency of soup and the only flavour I could taste was garlic. It completely overpowered the dish and to top it off, it even had raw garlic grated over the top. It was terrible. Will never return.
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S McKenzie
Tuesday, September 02, 2008

The Living Room was excellent! We were very impressed with our waitress, she was professional, friendly and her product knowledge was fantastic. The food was delicious - we went for the Chefs specials. I would especially recommend the 'Bannofie' in a bag, absolute heaven. I would have no hesitation recommending this Restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 09, 2008

This is simply a fantastic place to eat, good honest food cooked really well I have been there five or six times now and reccomend it to everyone.
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Thursday, June 05, 2008

I dined in The Living Room for the first time last week, and it will definatley not be my last. The service was great, our waiter showed a great knowledge of the menu and was also very entertaining!

The food was faultless, and both my wife and I found it hard to choose as everything on the menu looked great.

The Living Room is a hidden gem!
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David Lavery
Wednesday, March 05, 2008