Excellent Food, Service and atmosphere
I highly recommend this establishment. The food is outstanding as is the service and atmosphere.    [18 Nov 2006 07:25:50]

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     ­Tom Richardell   tom at batnamdoc dot com

Pleasant Atmosphere, Good Food, Excellent Service
We recently went here with another couple. The 4 of us enjoyed our experience. The Fried Oysters and Raw Oyster Sampler Platter were excellent. The wait staff was very pleasant and prompt.

Two of us had the scallop dinner which was very good. The presentation of the entree was excellent along with the apple cider glaze flavor. The clams and linguige was good overall, however a little stingy on the clams. The tuna entree was done rare to perfection.

All 4 of us thought the meals were very good but slightly overpriced for the portion size.

The grand manier panna cotta was dissappointing.    [26 Nov 2006 11:30:21]

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Recommended Dishes: Fried Oysters

     ­Anonymous   

Liv's Oyster Bar
The food was spectacular. The presentation was beautiful. The oyster sampler was delicious. BUT.. The prices were too large for the small portions..4 sea scallops for example, 2 crab cakes, maybe 3 oz. of tuna...I could have easily eaten 2 portions of my entree and I am not a big eater. Most of my party left hungry. Great food, but be sure to eat before you go...    [11 Feb 2007 14:32:25]

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Recommended Dishes: oyster sampler

     ­Anonymous   

Great food, portions have increased
I ate there some time ago, and was reluctant to return because of the minicule portion size. I returned recently for the oyster sampler, which is the best for the entire shoreline area (great presentation, terrific oysters, fantastic choice)and the entrees seemed to be larger in size. Not big, but any increase was a huge improvement.

The scallop dish, and monkfish entree are very small, if you're very hungry, this may not be your best choice.    [10 May 2007 12:07:41]

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Recommended Dishes: Monkfish, Raw Oysters

     ­Anonymous   

Liv's Oyster Bar
We sampled Liv's when we heard that they were going to run Jack's out of town. I can't say that I would go that far being that they are very different in menu and atmosphere. Ambience and staff were pleasant, however I found the hostess to be slightly intrusive the 5th time she came around to see how we were. She was sweet and meant well, but a little over the top.

I began with a nice sized bowl of clam chowder which was good but a bit salty and continued with the monkfish, which was the best I have tasted. Dessert was unique for me being a fan of the plain, chocolatey stuff. I found the portions to be skimpy being that it took me longer to say the title of my dessert than to eat it. Not in agreement that it was worth the price, though.

The food, atmosphere, and staff were extremely nice, but I can't say that I would rush back there unless the portions improved. I felt like they were trying to bring the upscale dining experience of all atmosphere and no food into a place where surrounding restaurants (like Jack's down the block) have been able to capture fine dining without starving and a terrific atmosphere at once. The chef has a great deal of potential, but I felt like he was trying to keep up with trends. You're a talented guy...go with it!

Keep plugging Liv's--but let me pay for good food AND atmosphere rather than the latter.    [31 May 2007 13:37:45]

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Recommended Dishes: MONKFISH

     ­Anonymous   

disappointment on the shoreline
A group of friends and I went to Livs to celebrate a birthday. We ordered two oyster samplers which were quite good however we waited at least an hour for our dinner. the portions were so small we practically scraped our plate clean. We ordered two desserts and shared. The food was good but very pricey for such small portions. Overall we would not return    [27 Aug 2007 23:22:37]

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Recommended Dishes: oyster sampler

     ­Anonymous   

Liv's Oyster Bar Old Saybrook is excellent
I don't know what everyone is talking about with the small portions at Liv's Oyster Bar. I can barely finish my meal no matter which I choose. Usually I begin with one of their deliciously fresh and well dressed salads, such as the ceasar and then I follow with one of the many wonderfully prepared entrees.

The scallops, their signature dish, is perfectly prepared and served over a seasonal vegetable, my favorite being the brussel sprouts in the fall.
Another favorite is an occassional special, the pork Milanese. This is a breaded and crispy pounded out pair of pork loins served over a fresh arugula salad.
Simply delicious!

The chef presents his dishes beautifully and the vegetables are always local and seasonal, which is refreshing to see on a menu.

Overall delicious and great service.
   [24 Apr 2009 17:12:55]

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Recommended Dishes: Ceasar salad, oysters, scallops

     ­Anonymous