Livio — Restaurant in Arrondissement of Nanterre

Example of how to spoil pleasant lunch moments with a very bad last mile service experience.

The waiter (young gentleman with a short pony tail) we had for our table service was great, helpful, accommodating us with food explanations in English ( my 3 guests were Korean ), infant chair, quick and professional service, lots of soft humour, Italian expressions. The Livio we love. He should be rewarded.

On the contrary, the first waiter ( senior gentleman in his 60s) from the reception, who drove me to my first table, happened to be a true example of what should not be done with guests in hospitality industry. This is the reason my Service score is 1 star instead of 5. I have booked a table for 2 at 12:15 in the main room. My guest came in on time and asked me and the senior waiter if his wife, his brother in law and his 2 years old daughter could join, even at different table. The waiter showed obviously that he was not pleased by this request and told us it was only possible to accommodate the five of us at a single table, at the entrance, which we immediately agreed upon. We were happy.

At the end of the lunch, after we paid the bill ( and I tipped the young waiter an extra bill of 5 Euros) and on my way out, the senior waiter came back to see me and told me he was hoping next time it will not happen again because he won't be able to accommodate our needs. I was so surprised to hear this comment from him. What kind of service was this, to challenge the guests so abruptly, and to blame them for having dared to ask if a table was available. When I replied to the waiter it was astonishing to treat the guests that way in a restaurant, because they should be able to, at least receive, reply, and maybe decline "walk in" requests like ours, the senior waiter became furious, told me Livio does only manage reservations, that I did not understand, and then he left.

This was the last memory I will keep from my visit to Livio that day, and I think this is not the one the restaurant Customer policy would...

We came by twice, on both occasions I tried the gluten-free pasta. The portion size is correct and I was satisfied both times, I tried the 4 cheese sauce on the first occasion (the choice of gluten free pasta is always penne) and it wasn't to my taste, but the cheese was good even if the pasta was slightly undercooked, though this tends to happen with gluten free pasta often. On the second occasion I tried a basilic cream with dried tomatoes and this time the pasta was perfectly cooked but the sauce lacked flavor and was slightly dry in my opinion. I usually like to step out of my comfort zone and order somewhat special sauces when they are offered with gluten free pasta, but here I might recommend sticking to bolognese or pomodoro just incase. Overall the quality and quantity of both were still quite good and the place is gorgeous even if usually cramped. I recommend always getting a reservation. I'm glad such a nice restaurant with quality products has options for coeliacs, that is always a plus. Thank you...

What a horrible restaurant.. I have nothing good to say about anything there. You wait even if you have a reservation, the food is horrible, I took a truffle pizza and asked for it without rocca as I have an allergy, they made it with rocca not once, BUT TWICE, after I returned it.. and I noticed it was COVERED in cheese the second time. The fault wasn’t of the waiters, as he put it on his iPad the first time , and went into the kitchen to the chef the second time.. still wrong. My husband took 2 other plates which he also hated… one question… why are you fully booked ?! And why are people waiting in line ? Disgusting.

After seeing your reply, I am editing my review so I can answer you because I’m not sure how I can reply.. I told the waiter it came wrong twice… imagine I was on a lunch date with my husband and he finished eating and I still didn’t even receive my food.. who was I supposed to tell.. 3 of the waiters knew what was going on and...