liv2eat
1444 Light St, Baltimore, MD, 21230
liv2eat Menu
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Address :
1444 Light St
Baltimore, MD, 21230 - Phone (443) 449-7129
- Website https://liv2eat.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mike F.
Great place to eat. I really liked the outdoor seating area. My French toast was delicious.
(5)Renee B.
I was so excited when liv2eat took the place of Centro on Light Street. I wasn't a huge Centro fan and liv2eat sounded like a cool concept. I think that they weren't ready for large crowds because we waited for a really long time even though the hostess kept saying she'd be right with us. We were finally seated and were so close to the couple next to us and we had to flag down our waitress a few time. Overall, I thought that the food was pretty good but they need more staff and a little more breathing room.
(3)Andy W.
We went to Liv2Eat on a Friday night. We always walked past this place and it always looked great. We eventually decided to try it. We made a reservation, and it's a good thing because it was pretty crowded and people were waiting for tables. We ordered the butternut squash soup and the stuffies as appetizers. The stuffies were great, with lots of flavor, and delicious. The squash soup was amazing, very creamy and rich. The appetizers alone would have been a great meal. For entrees, we ordered the swordfish and the fisherman's stew, both were great. The service was a little slow, but not terrible. I will definitely go back!
(4)Jazmin B.
I hosted an event (A Supper Club) here 3/15, and everything was perfect! The service, food, and ambience were all perfect! One of the best Shrimp and Grits in the city for sure, and the Tomato Soup is to die for! I've never been dissatisfied dining here and I can't wait to get back!
(5)Chanel S.
Great food. Home cooked feel. Cozy place not for large parties. Great staff. Only bad thing was don't have a full bar.
(4)Connie L.
I went here for brunch with a friend this morning and it was a very pleasant experience. The restaurant is really charming and cute, and the seating near the windows provided a nice view onto the street. It took a bit of time for the food to come out, but my friend and I both thought it was worth the wait--we both got the eggs benedict, which was really good, although the English muffin was a bit hard to cut. Our server was attentive and pretty quick to refill drinks. I wish the menu offered more variety, but I was very happy with what I ordered. Recommended.
(4)Danielle D.
We changed our plans at the last minute for my Birthday dinner. I was concerned because I was having a hard time finding a dinner reservation for 5 people fairly last minute. Thankfully a friend had mentioned Live2eat and they had a reservation available. We began the night with various beers. They have a limited selection and did not have some of the staples that many may look for but overall the beer drinkers all found something that suited their palate. As for the wine drinkers, we did not find the usual boring labels we were familiar with but found all the wines listed on the menu to be of reasonable price. We chose a Malbec which was around $30 a bottle and were not disappointed. Not the most complex wine but certainly enjoyable. (It would appear on the way out that they was a reserved wine list that had many more notable wines available but we were not given this list.) For Appetizers we ordered the risotto balls, the mussels, and the french fries with an aioli. All three were a hit. The fries were simple not duck fat fried, no truffle oil but delicious with the light citrus aioli. The muscles were also not fancy but very well done. small tender muscles with delicious flavor. The risotto balls were just simply delicious. A nice serving to share with at least 8 balls or so they were quickly devoured. For our second course we chose to share a couple of the salads amongst the group. They were plenty large enough to share and were different. A poached pear salad and a shaved Brussels sprouts salad. I will say, this was a least favorite course. I don't think any of us would order them again, although they were almost completely eaten. Third course was entrees. We had two swordfish with broccolini fingerling potatoes and olives (which weren't mentioned in the description) After the initial discussion about the olives being a mixed review surprise, the only reviews to follow were raves. Everyone agreed the swordfish was a hit. The pork tenderloin was served with spinach and apple puree. Also was enjoyed by all that sampled. The steak frites came a little bit overcooked but the flavor profile made of for this. Last but not least was the Spaghetti and meatballs. While not spaghetti more like a fettuccine noodle. It was clearly fresh homemade pasta with a delicious fresh marinara sauce and three large meatballs that had pine nuts. They were moist and delicious. It was not an overwhelming portion size and the meatballs seamed at first glance to be a large portion compared to the noodles, but turned out to be portioned just right. We ended our meal with one of each of the five desserts. The homemade cookies made fresh to order at first glance appeared to be a little over done, they didn't last long enough to complain clearly not a problem. The panna cotta was not the best we have ever had but still very tasty. the bread pudding was different as well, it was good but we were a little disappointed in the caramelized banana. The vanilla ice cream was exactly as expected with a heavy portion. The salted caramel ice cream with almonds was perhaps a bit too salty and a large portion, but the women at the table didn't seam to mind the salt level as much as the men. The Server was very pleasant, fairly attentive and very knowledgeable. She did a great job dealing with our crazy group. We left pleasantly full not overly stuffed a plus in my opinion. The bill before tip was just over $200 which included 5 apps, 5 entrees and 5 desserts. A bottle of wine. and at least 5 beers, as well as 2 coffees. I thought this seemed to be very fair price. Safe to say will be back. In fact I am looking forward to our next opportunity. With $5 valet parking it makes it an easy Federal Hill option for those of us who do not live in the neighborhood.
(5)Ashley S.
There was a Groupon for Sunday brunch with mimosas at liv2eat for sale earlier this week, and today was the first day that people came in to redeem their deals--we were part of this bunch. Not sure who the manager was, but they definitely should have thought ahead and anticipated more people for brunch than usual due to the deal. There was only 1 waiter for our entire section, so there were plenty of empty tables, but the poor waiter was being overworked and could only serve so many tables at once. Leaving us waiting over 30 minutes to be seated. Not only did we wait 30+ minutes to be seated, but other people who came in later with reservations kept being seated before us. One couple was 15 minutes late for their reservation, but they were still seated before us. Eventually, I booked a table on OpenTable while we were standing there, because at that rate we would have been standing there for another 30 minutes. I had considered making a reservation before I left my apartment, but the Groupon voucher didn't say it was needed, so I thought we would be fine. Lesson learned! Initially, we had wanted to be seated on their back patio, but were so happy to finally be seated that we took what they gave us. It was 1:30 at this point, and brunch ended at 2, so we were trying to get our order in ASAP. It took another 10 minutes for our waiter to come around and give us water, giving us plenty of time to look at the menu. When he did come around he apologized for our wait and told us that things wouldn't be as backed up the next time we come back (I sure hope not, because I do want to return). By this time we knew exactly what we wanted and ordered. We both ended up getting the Green Eggs and Ham and coffee. It took a long time for him to bring anything out, which was fine only because we weren't in a rush. But I would have been livid if I had a schedule to stick to. Although we waited quite a while for our order to be brought to the table, it was well worth it. Our meal was delicious! I think I may have scraped the plate haha. On another note, I was a tad disappointed when I saw that the Shrimp and Grits with biscuits had been dropped from the menu since the last time I'd checked online when I bought the Groupon. I'm not sure why they did this, but I hope they bring it back--the description sounded amazing!
(3)Danielle W.
Checked out this place because we had a coupon, but we weren't disappointed. Place is cute - it's a bit of a maze to make your way through the interior but we were seated in a back room with a large window overlooking a garden area - very pretty. The food was very good. I loved the risotto balls and the mussels, and my friend was a fan of the crab cake sandwich! The server was decent, but he talked very softly and we sometimes had a hard time hearing him. Also he must have forgotten to bring us bread because as we were leaving we noticed all the other tables had that. Only other thing to note is that the tables are pretty small - to the point that I ordered two appetizers as my meal, specifically requested that they be brought together and one was brought out as an appetizer anyways because the server did not think an extra plate would "fit on the table." I wouldn't have minded except that my friend did not order an appetizer so then I was left with the choice of having her watch me eat, or letting my food get cold...not the best.
(4)Kathy B.
Went for Brunch on Sunday and everyone really enjoyed it. The risotto fritters are fabulous. We had duck contfi, puller pork sandwich, watermelon salad and burgers and everyone's plates were empty. Service was good. We will go back for sure...owners were great!
(4)Amy B.
Went here for dinner this weekend--we had heard mixed reviews about the service, but we were on the early side, so it was fairly quiet and our waiter was attentive. The space itself is really pretty--the front room has the least character, but the two dining rooms in the back and the patio look awesome. The menu is fairly limited and priced a bit high for tasty, but fairly mediocre food. I had the amish chicken, which was a bit overdone and didn't have much of a sauce or anything with it, and my husband had the ny strip, which again, was fine but nothing that special. The potatoes with the steak were delicious, as were the veggie sides on both plates. The watermelon and feta salad was delicious though. We also had the carafe of sangria, which was ample though tasted of relatively cheap red wine. A small note: our waiter took away our bread plates before the main course, which was a bit odd, though he was happy to bring more bread after we asked for it-but had to lay it on the entree plate instead of just bringing a new plate! Overall, we will likely go back, but for happy hour when its nicer and we can sit on the patio (I am not sure if the happy hour is just at the bar or in the back too), but overall, its a fine neighborhood spot. A little overpriced, but nice ambiance.
(4)Emma W.
I signed up for Yelp to leave this review, that's how much I enjoyed this restaurant. I went with my boyfriend for Baltimore Restaurant Week and our experience could not have been better. We ended up going because the restaurant we really wanted to go to was completely booked, which was perfect because we had both wanted to try Liv2eat. The mussels, while small, came in a large quantity and in a delicious sauce that we kept dipping the bread in to get more of. I had the crab cake and, this is coming from a Marylander - one from Annapolis no less- it was by far one of the top three crab cakes I've had in my life. There was almost no filler- which I absolutely hate. It was just all amazing crab meat with an amazing mustard seed sauce that made me want to lick the plate. I'm a vegetarian but my boyfriend devoured his beef and made comments on how good it was. The dessert was absolutely perfect, far surpassing my expectations. I kept telling myself that I would only eat half of the chocolate cake but finished almost the entire thing. It was dense, kind of fudgey, but worth every calorie-rific bite. He got the chocolate cookies which were warm and literally melted in my mouth. Our server was a little timid, but extremely friendly and attentive. I was unable to use a living social I had for the place but I look forward to going back to use it! I will be getting the crab cake again :)
(5)Jason K.
A lot of these reviews seem to be about overwhelmed service and average food. I've been here twice, during the week for dinner and both times I could not have had a better experience. The first time I got the beef plate which included a NY Strip that was the most perfectly cooked medium rare i've ever had. The second time i got the pork chop. It was immensely thick and again, superbly cooked. My gal and i had no problems with service or anything really. The rub or marinade they put on the grilled wings was great and the blue cheese that came with it was more like blue cheese chunks w/ a little sauce. It's fantastic if you're a blue cheese lover. I also am a big sucker for rotating menus and farm to table places. Keep it fresh! this is my favorite spot in Fed Hill to eat hands down. I can't speak for the weekends or brunch but this is an easy 5 star for me.
(5)Gaby H.
We have eaten at this restaurant a few different times, mostly with friends. It has an awesome outdoor area where you can actually escape the vibe of Baltimore City for a while and relax. As you walk back to your table, you can see the open kitchen, while small, you can tell the ingredients are fresh and the chefs are serious. The waitstaff is accommodating and knowledgable. My favorite dish at Liv2eat are their risotto fritters, we went with another couple and ordered two orders for the table because they are THAT good- super decadent and the sauce they use compliments the fried risotto so well! My husband loves the roseda burger and orders it often. Their shrimp and grits provide a generous portion of shrimp and the flavor profile isn't too overwhelming. I have also had the chicken which is cooked well and flavorful. Overall a very solid, intimate dining experience that feels like a little getaway from the busy streets of Federal Hill. Also they offer valet parking which is a plus!
(4)Erin M.
Best meal I've had in Baltimore. Amazing food, love that the menu changes regularly and that they have the open kitchen concept. Decent wine and draught lists and great, attentive service. Would absolutely go back!
(5)Rowan H.
Fantastic dinner spot in Fed Hill. More upscale and quiet than other restaurants in the area. The decor is modern-rustic and very tasteful. The menu is small yet refined. I have been there a few times now and I am always impressed by the quality of food. There is a good craft brew selection, as well. The courtyard in the back is one of the few places in Fed Hill to enjoy a good meal outside. I look forward to going back soon.
(5)Sheryl M.
Had 8:15 reservations on a Saturday. Requested and was seated in the back patio- which is a charming little space with overhead trellises and what appears to be grape vines and small white lights. Services wasnt bad- just a little immature- needs some refinement. However, the food quickly made us forget about the service. The risotto fritters were crispy outside and hot and moist inside. The golden tomato gazpacho had a broth-like consistency with some chunks of red tomato and garlic. The compressed watermelon salad had watermelon infused with lemon juice over a HUGE bed of greens with nuts and feta. The pork over mashed potatoes had a small amount of crispy skin and accompanies by warm, rich figs. The pasta dish was our least favorite- although not bad. Tossed with ripe tomatoes and garlic and olive oil (added shrimp) I was hoping for a little more punch or flavor. All in all an above-average meal and nice ambiance.
(4)Caitlin C.
The food was delicious (had the risotto fritters and cream of crab soup), and the beer/wine list was nice. We went as a group of six, and the waitress was attentive and the atmosphere was very pleasant. I thought some of the food items were a bit overpriced, but everything came out tasting wonderful. Would go again for a date night.
(4)Jim H.
Visited for the first time last night. We were a large group and were looking to try something new that wouldn't bust the budget too much. The staff was warm and accommodating especially considering that we had no reservation, but they couldn't have been nicer. We took advantage of the happy hour drink prices and the Roseda Beef Burger special. We definitely got great reviews at our table on the burger, the mussels, and shrimp and grits. I haven't heard feedback on the lasagna, but I didn't hear any negatives. The small but good beer selection was appreciated and the cabernet from Windy Hill in St Helena, CA was a winner. It was just a really nice night to gather with some friends. We are looking forward to our return.
(4)Virag D.
Tasted a variety of food off the menu and it was all delicious! Love the amount and variety of beers too. Will be back soon! :-P
(5)Mike J.
Food was very good atmosphere a little loud
(4)Andrew T.
The only reason I am not giving Liv2Eat a 1 star review was the food. The food was very good, very well presented, and fresh out of the kitchen that was 10 feet away. We had a reservation, but were seated 10 minutes late, even when there were open tables, covered in dirty plates and dishes. When we were first seated, we order apps and entrees from our very busy and overworked waitress. One app came out fairly quick, but the other came out over 10 minutes later. Then we were told that the kitchen was out of our entree, and half of the menu. The restaurant made no apologies or offered to do anything for us, so we decided to just finish our beers and go get some $4 cheese steaks. You would think this place could gets its act together, considering the great food, great location, and AMAZING back patio.
(2)Sarah C.
Love this place! Quaint farm to table restaurant. Great selection of wines. The menu is always changing based on the fresh local ingredients. I have been here twice and plan to return often. Everything I have tried has been delicious. Highly recommend!!
(4)Axl R.
I went the other night with a living social deal. They did not give us any hassle and the reservation was accommodated easily, albeit it was at an early time on a holiday weekend. The place had a very casual ambiance. The risotto fritters were delicious. Oddly enough, I really liked their bread, which I normally shun. The salad (arugula and watermelon) had too much dressing for my taste. The watermelon gazpacho was delicious as a summer soup in 90 weather. My friend had the filet mignon which her said was under cooked, but he ate the whole thing and really liked it! The flourless chocolate cake with warm caramel sauce was not too heavy or sweet and very tasty. The servers were all very nice and friendly and we were well attended too, but again there were not many people there. I would recommend and return to this restaurant.
(4)Rachel C.
I'm in love with this place. We came on a warm, rainy Friday evening, and all the windows and doors were open so guests could listen to the storm and smell the fresh air. Our server put our bottle of wine in the fridge to keep it cold and brought it out frequently. The decor is great, and I love that it's small and not too loud. The food was amazing -- I highly recommend the Amish chicken.
(5)Evan B.
We came for brunch in Sunday and the food and mimosas were great but service was terrible. The hostess didn't acknowledge us for 10-15 minutes then made us wait another 10 minutes in an empty restaurant. Once we sat down they rarely came by, but were very pleasant. Again, the food was great!
(3)Momo N.
This is a really cool place in a rather odd part of Federal Hill neighborhood. Food was great, and the space is cozy. Menu isn't huge but very interesting. We tried different apps and an entrée, and I must say, stuffies were pretty amazing. Asparagus salad was massive, and they did scallops perfectly. I had the home made pasta dish for entree but it was really salty, like really salty. Pasta was great, and ingredients were all perfect, but it was just too much salt... Maybe they just made a mistake on my order? I don't know. Spinach side dish was great, and Malbec was excellent. Im definitely going back to try the chicken next time!
(4)nanci S.
Had a great meal in the courtyard with friends under the lovely wisteria. Food was Fabulous. Our table ordered the arugula & watermelon salad,,yummmmm, pork chop which was incredibly tender and juicy; homemade house noodles with shrimp and salmon with a barbeque kick. I'll go back again and again.
(4)Heidi M.
My new favorite restaurant! The ambiance is quiet/casual and doesn't feel like you're in Baltimore. The food is fantastic and the owners are very friendly.
(5)ted w.
the service is slow and the food is way overpriced ,,they treat you like they don't need your business
(1)Jenny T.
This is a long overdue review.. My best friend and I went to Live2Eat a while ago. It happened to be during Restaurant week however we wanted to go and get a few apps and have some wine. We sat at the bar and were handed a tiny restaurant week menu. That menu or lack there of was our only option. We should of left right then and there but figured we could make it work since they said we could order 1 from each course and share. Neither of us were super hungry, we just wanted apps and time to catch up. We ordered a bottle of wine and our app. 45 min later we got our appetizer. Some sort of risotto balls. They were OK.. Another 45 minutes goes by and we finally get our steak. Oh, and we had to keep waving down our bartender at the mini itsy bitsy bar to pour us another glass of wine.. Absurd. But whats really absurd is, they didn't have steak knives!!!!!! The restaurant was practically empty. It was a Wednesday by the way. We had to use butter knives. Ha!! I'm pretty laid back with stuff so under normal circumstances I would of thought it was funny and rolled with it. The steak was beyond over cooked, and it wasn't worth waiting another 45 minutes for the correct steak. Finally we got our dessert Cookies and Milk. That's about the only thing they got right and I'm certain its because they used break and bake cookies. I've since heard from friends that they've stepped their game up. Maybe they needed to work some kinks out. I'm not sure I would give it another try. Too many better restaurants around.
(1)Lauren K.
the food was spectacular. I could tell that each dish was carefully thought out by someone who loves to eat and appreciates magnificent flavors with fresh, local ingredients. Service was good and attentive and the food came out HOT! I will definitely go back, even without a coupon.
(4)Jeanette R.
We used a Groupon for Sunday brunch and arrived about 15 minutes early for our 12:30 reservation. While waiting, we observed the young woman that was cooking in the front use her wet hands to put a cinnamon bun on a saucer (and there was a spatula right on the tray of buns). The wait was not long at all, about 10 minutes. After we were seated, we ordered the cinnamon buns letting the waiter know what we observed and asked that she use the spatula instead of her hands. (His reponse to us was that "her hands are clean". (I got up from my seat and made sure that she used the spatula). We order the BTLE which came with fries and was very good; however,the waiter informed us and apologized that they did not have ketchup.
(2)Mim B.
I'm pretty surprised only 2 reviews are shown... the food is legitimately good. I've been here twice. There was a duck salad with hazelnuts on the menu the first time we were here, and it was really great. The duck pieces and hazelnuts were tossed with chopped frisee and what might have been brussels sprouts, apple, and the errant tarragon leaf. The dressing was tangy and creamy with a bit of cheese. The whole thing was a great balance of greenery, crunch, flavor, richness, and meat, and the portion was generous. I can vouch for the shareability of the arancini, which I think are on the menu simply as risotto fritters. They're as lovely as Richard Gorelick's review says, and while I say they're shareable, you probably won't want to. ;) Speaking of things to share, the mussels definitely fit the bill. I'm going to suggest you and your dining buddy each get a glass of Stillwater (on tap; props for repping Bmore's best) and a plate of mussels to share. For $10, they're major value given the portion (like a pound and a half... seriously huge pile) and level of cooking. They're moist, plump, garlicky, and just generally beautiful and perfect. Stuff like this - minimalist but perfect - gets me excited because sometimes, doing something like just not fucking it up is enough to create something delicious. Knowing when to do that and when not to is smart cooking. Also, bread may not be a big deal to a lot of people, but their bread is excellent. Serious crispy crust and nice and warm. ...Kinda wish they'd have a sandwich or something on their menu that uses it besides as toast atop that mountain of mussels! I can also say the chitarra noodles are great - super amped up mushroom and meaty flavor, and the chicken is pretty tasty. A tiny bit dry maybe, but you won't really notice it because it's expertly crisp on the outside and the rice and sauce that's there makes it not even matter. Regarding the comments of another reviewer on service speed, the first time we were there, I did notice a delay in service, but when we talked to someone on our way out, she explained that they didn't expect quite the high demand and they're in the process of hiring more servers. Service on our second visit was certainly faster... mayyyybe a little slow in the grand scheme of things...? But I was really hungry, and I usually don't even notice things like this. Finally, high fives all around for the beer and wine list. I highly recommend the malbec, and Snow Day on tap? Outside of Max's, this is noteworthy. Kudos to these folks for bringing some pleasant quality cooking to this corner of B'more.
(4)Gina C.
Really good quality food but a very long wait because the space is so small. Although our friend has reservations on a Friday night, we had to wait at the small bar area for about 30 min. Long wait I know... We ordered drinks and they gave us free fries as we watched Ghost Hunters on the TV behind the bar... That really didn't go with the atmosphere they were going for. It's dimly lit and there's only seating for about 25 people and some of the seats are higher stools so for those that like they're feet touching the floor, it may be a problem. But the food is what makes this rating. The sea scallops plates come 4 large scallops and a pumpkin puree that pairs up so well. This dish however is not so filling because there's no carbs but for those watching their weight, I think it's a good choice. This dish is one of the more expensive ones ($28). The Roseda farm beef is delicious also. The braised meat is soft and moist. The mashed potatoes in this dish make it more filling. The food is so good here, I couldn't give a 3 rating. I think other raters have similar complaints that there is no parking around here at night, so we had to use the valet in front (around $5, I think). Oh the service wasn't bad, but not overly friendly. I just like not having bubbly waitstaff in my face while I try to enjoy a meal.
(4)Adam B.
Warm and inviting setting, great service and delicious food. Chitarra noodles were super tasty and very reasonably priced.
(5)Danny R.
After watching liv2eat go up in place of our formerly beloved Centro (RIP Tapas Tuesdays) and frankly being a little skeptical of the name, we finally made it out to dinner and boy were we pleasantly surprised. With the exception of a few places, Fed Hill isn't known for quality nuanced cuisine (tots and beer, anyone?), but liv2eat is a big step in the right direction. Starting with the bread, it's always nice to start off a meal with bread crusts that actually go *crunch* when you bite into them, and the wine and beer list is well chosen. In fact, we watched the chef pulling fresh baguettes out of the oven from our seats. My wife had the duck salad and I had the house noodles (housemade chitarra noodles, guanciale, and porcini mushrooms). Both were excellent - the salad had a really nice mix of greens that balanced the duck well, and the noodles were rich and mushroomy without being heavy. Even the portions, while coming across smallish, turned out to be the right size so we didn't feel sick after the meal. Plus, we had room for dessert - baked apple with ice cream and a delicious caramel sauce. Simple but superbly executed, which is basically the theme of the place. Can't wait to go back and sample the rest of the menu!
(4)Samee G.
My boyfriend and I had a late dinner here on Saturday night and could not have been happier! We were late to our reservation by about 15 minutes, we called to let them know and the hostess could not have been more understanding, She was so nice when we arrived and sat us at a table outside. The outside is SO cute, the decor is very cozy and you almost feel as though you are in a friend's backyard. We got the house wine, I'm no wine expert but a carafe for $25 seemed like a good deal to me! I got one of the specials- house made gnocchi tomato, garlic, and basil and it was delicious! Probably the best gnocchi I have had outside of Italy, it honestly melted in my mouth. My boyfriend had the burger and loved every bite. Our server was very friendly, attentive, and helpful with the menu. Great experience overall!
(5)Rachel L.
Recently, my Mom came to visit and wanted to go someplace nice in Federal Hill. When she's in town, we don't often explore the area and she wants to get a feel for the whole city, including the neighborhood where I live. in 2013, Liv2Eat was voted best new restaurant by the Baltimore City Paper. I knew my Mom was looking for something local because she wanted a true taste of Maryland crab so I figured this was the perfect spot for dinner. When we sat down, we started with the Butternut Squash Soup. The soup was incredibly creamy and then topped with bacon bits which added a nice saltiness to the dish. While it was pretty straightforward in terms of flavor, it was delicious nonetheless. My Mom and I also decided to share the Brussels Sprout Salad. It came with shaved brussel sprouts, toasted hazelnuts, granny smith apples, bacon, pecorino cheese. The dressing on this was nice and light and made the salad very refreshing, it complimented the bacon wonderfully. As I mentioned earlier, my Mom was looking for a true taste of Maryland and decided to order a Crabcake. The crabcake came with potato puree, dijon creme fraiche, pickled cabbage. When my Mom ordered she asked the waitress if it was 'very crabby' apparently that's New Yorker for 'is there a lot of filler.' The crabcake had minimal filler and a nice crust on the outside making it a true Maryland crabcake. I decided to order the Creekstone Flatiron. It came with a potato puree, sauteed spinach, and bordelaise sauce. I swapped my spinach for brussels sprouts because I had a craving. The steak was well cooked and perfectly tender and I really liked the sauce. This wasn't the best steak I've ever had, but it was still a very good, filling meal. Liv2Eat's menu highlights local and seasonal products and they do a great job rotating the menu to offer fresh and delicious options that truly showcases the best of the region.
(3)Chuck S.
I almost feel this rating is a little bit too good, but what I did like was very, very good. Came here for a friend's birthday after we could not get in at another establishment in the neighborhood. She had eaten here before and really was raving about it. However, the only items that we could even try that she had in past visits were the Risotto Fritters since it was restaurant week and they had a special menu the entire time, with no exceptions. At this point, everyone in the party except the birthday girl was unhappy since everybody had at least one course where the choices did not meet anyone's fancy. For me, I was intrigued by the Amish Chicken and Flourless Chocolate Cake, but the appetizer selection did not contain anything I wanted. We almost left, but we managed to all suck it up since it was her birthday. What's Good: The Amish Chicken was amazing in itself. One of the best chicken dishes I ever had. However, they paired it with a strange combo of green tomatoes and a relish-type concoction that I really disliked. It was also sitting on some decent mashed (they say pureed) potatoes, but this made the crisp but delicate chicken coating/skin mushy and less appealing. My wife and a few others had the flatiron steak. It was very good and the sauce (credit to the waiter for explaining it) was very good. Decent portion, but I wonder if the steak would have been just as good sans sauce. Dessert was extremely good. The chocolate cake was about the best I have had in a few years and the homemade cookies were very tasty, if a bit small for the normal $8 price. The wine/beer selection was pretty good. I enjoyed a Blood Orange IPA (I think it was Flying Dog but I can't recall). The Bad: Very small menu. I get that it's a farm-to-table place and they have a constantly changing menu, but the restaurant week menu was a bit constraining in my opinion. Some of the items were either love 'em or hate 'em. I did not like any of the appetizer choices on the restaurant week menu. I tried one of the risotto fritters. I was not a fan by any means, especially for the price. Service was a bit poor. Our waiter was very attentive until the food arrived. After that, he was almost non-existent. He also overcharged on member of our party by $30 and we had to figure out who ordered what items instead of him splitting the check. The food did not come out of the kitchen very quick, but it was warm/fresh when it did finally come out. Overall, I would like to try this place out when they have a more normal menu. However, I was not satisfied during this visit and would have been happier with the original farm-to-table establishment in the area that we originally were going to patronize.
(3)Nora K.
Such a charming place to take a date, especially on a warm summer night. The patio is beautiful with lights strung on the trees all around you. The interior is decorated with local art. Definitely go for the risotto fritters. We get them every time.
(4)Stephanie C.
Liv2eat was a surprise to me! I was expecting a trendy farm to table restaurant in Fed Hill, but it has blown me away the 2 times I've been. The menu is simple, which ensures that every dish is perfect and there's not a bad table in the place. The atmosphere inside and outside is really beautiful and simple. The staff is super friendly and there is a large variety of wines to choose from. I loved that you can watch the kitchen prepare your meal with love. The food is really fantastic and I hope this restaurant continues to do well because I will keep comping back! Baltimore needs more places like Liv2eat. Highly recommended.
(5)Jessica R.
This has to be the cutest place to have brunch in Baltimore! If the weather is nice be sure to ask to sit outside in their "secret garden." There was plenty of shade underneath this frame with plants and vines growing over it (it's killing me that I can't remember what these things are called). There were string lights under there too so I imagine it would be really romantic at night. For brunch, I ordered the green eggs and ham, which was Eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon and wilted spinach. It was so good! Their hollandaise sauce was amazing. I almost always order a variation of Eggs Benedict when I go to brunch, but this was probably one of the best ones yet! My boyfriend had the Eggs Benedict with crab and that was even better than mine! It had a large tomato under the crabmeat that was so sweet and really added to the meal. They both also came with a side of home fries cooked with garlic. You can definitely tell they only use seasonal products in their meals. The service here was also really great. My boyfriend had the unlimited mimosas with his brunch and our waitress had another mimosa ready as soon as he finished the current one, without him asking. Just the type of service you would hope to have. I had the red sangria and it was amazing as well. I originally came because I had a Yelp deal since this place would normally be a little pricy for me, but when you consider the quality of the food, the environment, and the excellent service, it was worth it. I would love to see what this place has to offer for dinner, so I will definitely be returning.
(5)Patrick T.
Something about this place is slightly "off". They have a charming location, enthusiastic staff, and an interesting menu. The food quality is nearly always very good. What I find odd is that there is usually some hiccup with the service that detracts from the experience. Today we had three such instances. First, although there were only a few other people there for Sunday Brunch, and a tiny menu selection, the food was agonizingly slow. When it came, my wife's was wrong, and they tried to coax her to take it anyway. Then they hurried and got it right (so why so slow the first time?). Finally, it took two attempts to get the yelp 10 for 20 deal to work. We'll go back but they need to tighten up.
(3)Elizabeth H.
Dined Thursday night for homemade gnocchi night. Food was amazing. Melt in your mouth pasta! I cannot wait to go back. Service was excellent. Such a wonderful place to eat.
(5)Allison D.
We had a great laid back meal here. We were visiting the Maryland Science Center and walked here after. We came with 2 toddlers and were pleasantly surprised by a train room. There was a quite room with trains set up for the kids to play while parents could relax. I am not sure if this is always open and there were only a few tables in this room. We looked out onto the patio which looked like a lovely place to eat romantic meal. The menu is kind of small, but everything we had was delicious.
(5)Jon K.
Uneven food and abusive owner. There are better restaurants nearby.
(1)Teri P.
We visited again last night, and we were pretty happy with our meal. I had some trouble making a reservation thru yelp, but was able to directly thru opentable. The menu seemed more limited than before, but there were at least 6 or 7 entree items to choose from. I ordered a glass of Pinot noir & the hubs had a glass of Merlot, but I'm almost certain they were the same wine. We started with the Beet salad (good, not great - waitress claimed goat cheese, but was more of a Brie) and the Butternut Squash Soup (really good), and we had the Crab cake entree (great, not much filler), and the Flatiron Steak (cooked perfectly with lots of flavor.) Service was a little slow, but pleasant. Atmosphere was warm & cozy in the front room.
(4)Teri H.
Came here recently... twice. Glad we've given this place a couple more chances. Food has been delicious and service has been wayyyyyy better . Ordered the risotto fritters which are excellent and the cheese plate for appetizers. The BF got the roseda burger which is his go to and it's always delicious and cooked perfectly. I ordered the Brussels sprouts salad which was very big and very good as well. Love this place and its close to where we live. Definitely a neighborhood gem!
(5)Maddie A.
We have been here several times and always enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. Last night, my boyfriend and I took our families here during restaurant week. Matt was our server. We had a party of 7 and he handled us spectacularly. He was knowledgable, friendly, and perfectly attentive without being annoying. The staff was overwhelmed but we hardly noticed. The food was amazing (particularly the risotto fritters appetizer and steak entree). We always enjoy the cookies and milk for dessert. Now I just can't wait for them to have a full bar!
(5)Dan F.
Liv2Eat is a great place, unlike anything else in Baltimore. Open kitchen to the main dining room is very cool, as is the back patio. Crabcakes were awesome, risotto fritters for the appetizer, and milk and cookies for dessert. Definitely check this place out!
(5)Troy M.
Ate here on a Saturday night and the food was very good, prices were cheap and the service was solid. Highly recommend the lemon bars!
(4)Bob J.
Passion mean so much to me. So does small business owners that truly care. For these reasons, Liv2Eat is one of the best dining experiences in Baltimore in 2014. I've live in many places and eaten out enough to know what's good and bad. There is something truly special about Liv2Eat and everyone should be dining here! The fresh and seasonal approach is one thing that makes Liv2Eat such a great experience. Can't wait to come back for brunch in their awesome patio space once the weather gets better! It looks like such an awesome space!
(5)tara R.
Yummy and well paired meal.. definitely my new fave.. maisys and bread and circuses close 2nd and 3rd. Also good wine list: )
(5)Lara E.
Went here for brunch after seeing a yelp deal and good reviews. We were the only ones in the restaurant and sat at a nice table with open doors to view the street. The decor was nice and cozy. Then a passerby we knew recommended we sit on the patio, which we did not even know existed. The waitress dried off a table for us under the shade and next to a wall of bamboo, very nice relaxing atmosphere for brunch. I had ordered a Bloody Mary and eggs benedict. The bloody mary was terrible. It tasted like tomato juice and a ton of lime juice, and was garnished with two limes, which was new and unusual for me. I had also heard the bartender ask if there was any more old bay and the owner said no, she she proceeded to use a large amount of paprika instead. I could not even drink the bloody mary it was so bad. But when I took a bite of my eggs benedict I was pleased. You can tell when people make hollandaise sauce in house because it has a very distinct taste of butter and lemon, which is what I crave but is so hard to find at a restaurant. Liv2eat's was amazing! and there home fries were delicious too! i wish I could give more stars but I was a little let down by not being offered to sit on the patio, my fathers coffee was cold, only served in a hot mug, and my bloody mary was discussing. overall, try and perhaps your experience will be better!
(3)Casey C.
Great spot. The back outside area is awesome in the summer and all the food is wonderful, from the burgers and crab cakes to the brunch. I wish they had a full liquor license but they do the best they can with what they have and still offer creative drinks. Great money saving yelp deal also.
(4)Matthew S.
Went there for Sunday brunch for our first trip. I had the green eggs and ham which were quite good. My wife had the French toast which she said was the best French toast she has ever had. Comes with real maple syrup - not the cheap stuff out of the bottle. It was in the upper 80's so we were hesitant to eat outside but there is a lot of shade and we had a nice breeze. Eat outside if you come here even if it is a bit warm. We brought our 17 month old and he liked being outside and we felt okay letting him wander around. A handful of other kids were there for brunch and they have a train set for the kids. Probably less kids for dinner. Wife loved her sangria and I had the sake Bloody Mary. Probably a matter of preference but I prefer a vodka one. Wait staff were all great as were the owners. We will be back.
(5)Brynn M.
This is a charming restaurant that has all of making of a lovely local spot. Seasonal menus with delicious handcrafted food and a great rotating wine selection. They also have a beautiful courtyard dining area in the back that is ultra romantic. The service is sometimes on the slow side but all things considered, the food is always delicious when it comes out.
(4)Kelly C.
Start your meal with the risotto fritters and end it with the cloudless chocolate cake. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Monique C.
Wonderful wine tasting and dinner last night. Greeted at the front door, shown to a table immediately, awesome waitress and service, and the food was amazing. We ordered the burger and fries and crabcake platters, delicious! Burger was cooked just the way I ordered it. Using an Amazon Local Deal went smoothly, a very nice discount too! This place is really really cute. Don't bypass it, go in!!! We will be back!
(5)Shanna W.
I got married in July 2014 and in the months preceding the wedding, I looked at restaurants to host my Bridesmaids' Luncheon. I knew I wanted to have to luncheon in the city since many of the guests live out of state and I wanted them to see what I love so much about Baltimore, and Federal Hill in particular. After narrowing down to my choices to about 5 places, I contacted each of them to ask about availability and pricing. Out of all the responses (and some places didn't even respond!), I found Cecilia's (the co-owner) to be the most hospitable and the quote was the most reasonable. Although Liv2Eat was closed to the public during the day and time that I requested to have the luncheon, she told me that was absolutely not an issue. In addition, she was completely on board for offering a set price that I would pay per guest. I could not believe for what a nice place it is, how reasonable the price was! She gave me about 7 choices for entrees and I picked 3 that I wanted to offer my guests. After that she sent me a contract, which included the entrees that I chose - which I definitely appreciated having so I could ensure everything was written down and agreed upon. When I arrived the day of the luncheon, I saw that Cecilia had decorated the tables on their outdoor patio and everything looked gorgeous! I love that the weather was mild enough in July so that we were all able to enjoy the beautiful space outdoors. I also loved that since the restaurant was not open to the public, we had the whole place to ourselves and Cecilia as our server! She was an absolute doll - so friendly, bubbly, and sweet to all of my guests! And she is a wonderful server as well. The food was absolutely delicious, which is just what I had hoped. In addition, we had numerous of different kinds of cocktails that were so summery and refreshing as well. My friends were so impressed with the place and I know the next time they visit, they would love to return to Liv2Eat. I definitely recommend this restaurant - especially if you are having a private event. Cecilia was so easy to work with and so flexible, which is exactly what I was looking for!
(5)Bree W.
This is a very nice restaurant but not the restaurant for me. I'm a very picky eater but am usually ok if there's a good chicken dish on the menu. However, I didn't like the chicken dish. The chicken wasn't good or flavorful and I didn't like the sides that accompanied it. I sent it back for some noodle dish that I didn't like either. The fritters were ok but not what I expected. The milk and cookies were awesome. I gave them 3 stars because the waitress was really good at trying to find something I liked and because I went home hungry. Although, I didn't like either dish, I keep the noodle dish anyway. I didn't want to be THAT customer. I took it home to my mom and she said it was ok. Also, my dinner date had the burger and said it was good.
(3)Brittany W.
I'm really happy that we have this little gem in fed hill. The food is always exceptional as is the service. One of my favorite dishes is the "stuffies" which are clams baked with all kinds of goodness. I could keep eating them all night. Their milk and cookies are also perfect. They bake them right then so they come out gooey and warm. The ambiance is nice too. During the warmer months they have an outside seating area in the back. It's a bit hidden and very romantic. There is an ivy canopy covered in small white lights with tables underneath it. It's lovely. I haven't had a bad experience there yet for brunch or dinner! Check it out if you haven't yet.
(5)Randy G.
I've been to liv2eat four times and have pretty much had consistent experiences. The ambiance is cool: open kitchen/bar seating or the patio. The menu is very small, but has some nice options. Risotto fritters are a classic as are their crab cakes. Good beer and wine selection (no liquor license). For me, they consistently miss the mark on service. A few examples from when I went on Friday (it was not a packed house or else I would have lower expectations): steak cooked rare when asked for medium; waiter not introducing himself or telling us specials; no one asking how our food was; sitting down for 10 minutes before being asked if we'd like anything for drink; receiving entrees before appetizers. I knew some local people at other tables at the restaurant and all felt the same way about the service. They need to step up their service if they want to last -- lots of options like them in fed hill.
(2)Mike D.
I'm new to the Baltimore area and this was the first time I'd ventured into the Federal Hill Area. First the location is great, it's on a somewhat quite street, although there are other little dinners around and a nice amount of people walking through. Parking looks to be difficult, but Live2Eat offers a valet service. The restaurant appears to be in a converted flat, which can make it a tight squeeze to walk around but I applaud whomever did the layout because it did not appear that diners were packed in too tight. I was with a large group so we reserved the private room (possibly the old master bed room) and we were very pleased with the setting. We easily sat 12 adults in the private room which had a great bay window with views of the garden. The service was great, our server must be a professional waiter because he was outstanding. As I said we had a large crew but he expertly talked us through the menu and our questions about the food. He knew the menu, he knew the ingredients and how the food was prepared. The drink menu was limited but we were all please with what we ordered. I did see a review that stated that it took a while for the food to come out. I suppose that is true, but it may be by design. As I said the waiter was a pro and we were a large group enjoying the appetizers and drinks. And I believe the waiter caught on and his timing of the service was spot on. I ordered the Roseda Strip medium rare and it was perfect. the puree potatoes were almost as good as my wife's selection, and some nice veggies to round out this great meal. From around the table I heard many complements on the crab cakes. After the meal we walked off this great meal on our way down to where all the bars are- about a 5 min walk down some lively streets Strongly recommend this place for the food, location and service. Hope this helps
(4)Patty K.
We went to Liv2eat on a Sunday night and didn't even realize they were due to close just 40 minutes after we got there. Despite that, the staff stayed open for just the two of us! We decided to let the waitress/chef pick our orders for us and they did not dissappoint! Mussels, rissoto balls. panna cotta. So good and the service was top notch. I can't believe it has taken me so long to eat here. I'm definitely coming back!
(5)Bridget M.
My favorite intimate brunch, lunch, or dinner spot! The back patio is the best in Baltimore. Service is fantastic.
(5)Minna W.
"Why bother making a reservation if they're not going to keep it?" -wise words from my boyfriend after our first (and most likely last) experience here. We went with the intent to use an online deal, enjoy a nice dinner, and hopefully add another restaurant to our list of regulars in Baltimore. Sadly though, the poor customer service (read: extremely long waits and very little attention) and mediocre food are going to keep us from going back. We understand that restaurants, especially new ones, can be short-staffed and tight, but the lack of service we got that night was just disappointing. The open kitchen is a refreshing view, and the quaint bread basket was helpful in tiding us over until our entrees came out. I'd say the highlight of my meal was the risotto fritters, so do try those if you come. The entrees themselves were a little too salty for my taste, but maybe by now the kitchen staff has tweaked their ingredients. If you do go, try to avoid peak dinner hours to make the most of your night!
(3)George N.
I ordered off the restaurant menu. It had a great 3 course menu. I ordered the risotto fritters, amish chicken, and baked apple. The atmosphere was nice and it was great seeing the open kitchen.
(4)Max S.
Great food. Incredible homemade bread. Burger, BBQ salmon, clam stuffers, all incredible. Not that crowded and awesome courtyard out back
(5)Foodrunner F.
Pretty good food. The portions are small but tasty. The restaurant has a nice ambiance and the service was good. It is a small restaurant and the food is good. The restaurant is not too expensive but the portions are small.
(4)Kristin R.
One of the best meals I've had in a while. We went with a group of 5 people. The service was excellant and welcoming, and the server really knew the menu. As a table, we had the scallops appetizer; the fries appetizer, the swordfish special; the crabcakes; the hamburger; the cookies n milk dessert; and the flourless chocolate cake. I honestly cannot say a bad thing about any of it. Everything was melt-in-your-mouth amazing. The portions are not big by American standards, they are more European. But , this place is a hidden gem. We will be back!
(5)H B.
Just had a business dinner with an out of state physician. What a great experience! The doc was a vegetarian and the Chef, in his usual gracious way, accomodated all his requests and even a few little tasty extras. This is always a wonderful foody experience! Love it!
(5)Brian H.
*Brunch Review* This is a beautiful place that fails to live up to its potential. - Food: average and overpriced. I got "The Hangover" ($16), which was billed as duck confit, hash, an egg over easy in a cream sauce. The cubed potatoes were white right through and vastly undercooked. The confit was a few torn-up scraps of salty meat. The sauce was bland. The lady got the green eggs and ham ($14), which aside from the salt in the ham, was yet again bland. - Mimosers: weak and a rip. We got a carafe of mimosas ($18). There was almost no champagne in them. NOT what should be expected in a Bmore Brunch mimosa. - Waitstaff and Ambiance Only good thing about this trip.
(2)Supriya M.
Took the walk to fed hill on a beautiful Friday night to use a Living Social. Made reservations for 2 for 7p but oddly the restaurant was deserted. We sat outside originally in a very nice enclosed garden area but quickly decided to relocate inside to avoid the mosquitoes. Menu fits on one front and back page. Beer selection was nice. Sangria was tasty. Complementary small rolls were very good, albeit not warm like we like them. Yellow tomato gazpacho had a different look but familiar taste and hit the spot. The burger exceeded expectations, the quality of the beef itself justified the price. Fries that came with were crispy. Pork loin also pleasing since we're fans of fig. Skipped dessert since the 3 choices weren't precisely to our tastes at that moment (a little too heavy after all we had eaten). This is a very nice restaurant, quiet and pleasant ambiance. Service was attentive and friendly. Portions were reasonable, food well-prepared, decent value, but not cheap. The main criticism is that there was not a ton to choose from on the seasonal menu, but though not overly excited about the original options, after we had our meals, we were very satisfied with what we got. We agreed this place should have more people on a Friday night.
(4)Katy K.
I wanted to go in and love this place. It's cute and tucked away in Federal Hill. I went with a book club, a total of 5 of us for dinner. They put us in a smaller room, which was great. We could talk and not worry about disturbing anyone else. There was a large window looking out to the courtyard which looks beautiful! I should also add, before getting to the food/service, that when I walked in the hostess (also a server?) saw my book and was very friendly and showed me to the room. We waited a while for the server to take our drink order. We weren't sure if anyone else was showing up so him giving us extra time to wait was nice. However the extra time to wait turned out to be how the rest of the evening went. He took our orders, drinks came in a decent amount of time. He chatted about books he recommended. However he left without asking if we were ready to order. We waited.... And waited... And waited... I doubt they forgot us as servers walked past us several times. Finally we asked another server (the hostess). She came back saying our server was busy and she was going to take our order. Then we waited... And waited... And waited... At this point I could have eaten a fellow book reader. I was starving!!! Finally food!!! I ordered the crab cake sandwich. I was tasty. Above average and a nice size. Not too much filler so that was a plus. Never once did anyone ask if we wanted a drink. I would have ordered one with dinner but no one came in to ask. So the wait started over again. We all finished and waited again (this was the longest wait of the night). Please bring me my check!!! I thought we'd be there until brunch the next day. No one came in to ask if we wanted dessert or anything else. We wouldn't have because of time of course. The checks came and he was nice enough to split them all. That was a bonus. But then we waited again for change!!! He said he had to go across the street for change. When we left it was after closing. We were there for roughly 3 hours. A majority of that time waiting for service and flagging down help. The beautiful courtyard is enticing. Was it an off night? I don't know. They never apologized.
(2)Lindseg S.
Well the food is delicious, but everything else was a nightmare. Staff is very rude and unfriendly. Sat down at 7:20 and didn't see any food until past 8. I had to be somewhere at 9 so we asked if we could hurry it along... Didn't see the next course until 8:30 and the water gave us a lot of attitude. They have free valet, which sounds great but DON'T DO IT. They mixed up everyone's keys and actually LOST my friends car keys. Dropped them somewhere in the street or in another customer store. So long story short we missed the show at 9, were at the restaurant until 11:30 and the car had to get towed. The owner was sassy and not very helpful or apologetic to the situation. I will never return
(1)Samantha G.
I had a lovely dinner date with a girlfriend at Live2Eat last night. It was raining, so the courtyard was unfortunately out of the question, but it's adorable (just like it was when this place was The Bicycle). Our waiter, Mike, was patient and just attentive enough. He could sense that we clearly had a lot of gabbing to do. Since we came in during happy hour, we were able to order $5 glasses of wine- and they were quality. I had the Malbec and my friend had the Pinot Grigio and both were clearly not the standard cheap happy hour wines that are so commonplace. Mike was nice enough to clue us in when happy hour was about to end so that we could order a second glass each for $5. We started with the risotto balls which were a more generous portion than I was expecting for an appetizer. They were tasty, but I wouldn't say 'amazing.' I would say that the one misstep of the night was that we were brought the (delicious) bread and butter after we received our appetizer. If I had known that we were getting bread (which typically comes right away) I might have opted for something less carb-y for the appetizer. Things really started to get fun with the watermelon arugula salad. It was so fresh and the huge chunks of watermelon was insanely juicy. It paired perfectly with the crumbling of feta and slivered almonds. The highlight was definitely the entree: BBQ salmon with spinach, corn, mashed potato, and topped with onion rings. All of the flavors complimented each other; I started to try to get a little bit of each component in every bite. The salmon was cooked to perfection in a way that I can never achieve at home. I would *definitely* order this again. Maybe tomorrow. Desert was a flourless chocolate cake with strawberries. I would have liked a bigger piece :)
(5)Jen H.
Not a place for the lonesome diner. Went there alone and asked to sit at the bar so I didn't take up a table. Apparently I didn't do any favors and I probably would have gotten better service had I sat a table. I walked in at peek dinner time on a Friday night and was politely welcomed. Joanna served me at the bar at was attentive at first. Then the crowd rolled in and I was soon forgotten. Not to mention that the bar is not really a bar set up for patrons. It's small and used as a serving station for water and other beverages - not the most comfortable spot to eat. I finished my glass of wine mid meal and was not offered another despite the three waiters and owner passing me several times. After I finished my entree, the owner happily cleared my plate and I sat for what felt like an eternity before they brought me my check. I've been to this place multiple times and up until now, have had great service. This is a great place for a date but not inviting for someone dining alone.
(3)A. C.
(11/21/2013) Had a Living Social deal about to expire for Liv2Eat, so decided to check it out. We needed it, the prices are pretty absurd for the experience. They also denied us Happy Hour since we were using a coupon deal, even though we were there during Happy Hour times. Bad form. We were distracted the whole evening by the fruit flies dive bombing our drinks and trying to infiltrate our nostrils. Risotto Fritters were plentiful, deeply golden, crunchy, creamy and savory; kind of single note, but I don't think actually made of risotto, felt like long grain white rice, rather than traditional types like Arborio or Carnaroli, but tasty. Soups were smooth and creamy, had the Squash and Mushroom, both delectable and highlighted their main ingredients, but unfortunately came plain jane in white bowls like a puddle of baby food (or worse, for the mushroom, please refer to picture). I seem to have been missing the Garlic Crostini, Mushroom Duxelle, and Herbs promised on the menu. A Brussels Sprout Salad was tartly dressed, which was a good counterpoint to the bitter sprouts. When the mains came to the table, an overwhelmingly fishy odor came with it. We got the Sea Scallops and a Crab Cake, but really, the fragrance of your seafood should not precede it. Scallops were well-seared and cooked through, squash puree was observed to be remarkably similar to the soup that was just consumed. Crab Cake was well-seasoned, enjoyed the Dijon and creme fraiche as a sauce; pickled daikon, cabbage and julienned red peppers were a nice tart and crunchy foil. I'm not a big fan of mash under a crab cake, I find it mutes the cake; the Potato Puree all right, somewhat bland, but buttery. The cake had the weirdest texture for crab meat I've ever seen, like long and stringy; found 1 lump, I suspect it was made from pasteurized and canned Indonesian backfin. It's currently not Maryland crab season. The Roseda Burger was prepared as ordered (medium-well), something funky about the cheese (was just supposed to be cheddar). Overall food was OK to good, but not a decent value at all.
(3)J. Burke M.
By Baltimore, and certainly by Federal Hill, standards, liv2eat is a little out of the way from the bustle of Cross Street, but I have been meaning to try this place out for quite some time now and I am very pleased I did. I was a little alarmed when the waitress answered every single question we had with, "it's fantastic." Usually, that sends up a red flag for me, but her words held true as all three of us ended up stamping her endorsements with a seal of approval. I would go through what we had, but the menu changes here so frequently in an effort to be as seasonal as possible, making a listing rather pointless. Instead, I will say that what the menu lacks in diversity, it makes up for with quality of execution and taste. Want a huge menu of mediocre meals? Go to The Cheesecake Factory. Want a more limited menu with all excellent dishes, made from local, farm-fresh products? Go to liv2eat. My biggest concern about liv2eat is that it doesn't get enough patronage based on its location and ultimately closes. My second biggest concern was the couple sitting next to us: Are they waiting for one or two more people? Were they being stood up by another couple? Do they have imaginary friends dining with them? WHY ARE THEY SITTING ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE TABLE?! It turns out that is just how they preferred to dine (weird), and once I realized that dining in the same establishment as the type of people who prefer to sit "samesies" doesn't say anything about me, I was very relieved. 4.5-4.75 stars out of 5. I'll go back, repeatedly.
(4)k r.
Great little neighborhood restaurant with an upscale edge, nice in an area with so many bars! The owners are nice and accommodating and food is delicious, nice wine selection too. Love the milk and cookies option for dessert. There's also valet parking on the weekend which definitely helps us get there more often.
(5)Bridgette J.
Went here for date night on a Saturday night, the atmosphere was great though it wasn't nearly as crowded as we anticipated. The service was attentive and helpful. Although the menu is smaller than some, everything was well executed. The pork loin was a little overdone but the risotto fritters were delicious!
(4)Vicky D.
Came here with the BF and his friends because one of them had a Living Social deal. A little hard to find if you don't know what it looks like outside. Inside, the place is very cute and I do like the open kitchen. The bar in front is tiny, not sure if there was any in the back since I didn't go back there and the bathroom is awkwardly right next to the entrance/exit. The food was pretty good, I shared croquetas which were GREAT, but our friends ordered the risotto balls and they looked almost exactly the same LOL. The only difference in appearance was the sauce. I got the Amish chicken as my entree and it was fantastic. One of our friends commented on how quickly I was eating it but I was just hoping nobody else wanted to try it cuz I wanted it all to myself. My friends said their food was pretty good, but the thing we all agreed was lacking was service. Our waitress seemed very flustered and very much like this was the last place she wanted to be. She came to our table only when absolutely necessary and was overall disappointing. I'd give the place another chance, especially because they have a seasonal menu. Hopefully I get a different waitress next time.
(3)Solomon D.
Went here for the first time because of a Living Social coupon. It was a wet and cold Tuesday nitght in Federal Hill. Parking took me 10-15 minutes. Ugghhhh. Once inside, I was pleasantly surprised by the decor and ambience of this place. I came alone and I usually sit at the bar. However, the bar was small and crowded despite the fact that there weren't a lot of people in the place. The server was pleasant and the menu was simple but very appealing. The beer menu is decent except if you like lagers (like I do) so maybe a negative there. I had the amish chicken. One word...Fantastic. Plus it was a good enough portion. Overall the place would get four stars but the parking is terrible and the bar is small. I think I will return here.
(3)Ellie S.
Finally!! A restaurant in Federal Hill that is fantastic!! We carried out from here on a weeknight and were pleasantly surprised. The food was absolutely delicious- risotto fritter, croque madame, butternut squash soup and beet salad. Wonderful place to keep in mind when wanting a yummy home cooked-esqe meal with exorbitant flavors and charm. The risotto fritter sauce was to die for!!!!
(4)Richard g.
I have visited this space often, during it's two lives as Bicycle, and then Centro. The back patio is a very nice space. And I appreciate any eatery that in Federal Hill that does not cater to the Cross Street bar crowd. That said, my visit Friday night left me unsatisfied. 2 reasons, which I am finding all too common in eateries. 1) A menu without much imagination. Burger, crabcake, salmon, flank steak? Really? "Is that all you got?" And the cheese plate? The cheddar tasted more like Cracker Barrel. The risotto fritters are a nice touch...but this menu is "dumbed down" 2) I resent spending $125, $150, $200 for dinner - which I am forced to eat sitting near loud, fidgety kids and their parents who let them "run wild". This night I was surround by half a dozen kids at adjoining table. Look, if you want to have kids, great. But I do not want eat with them. This restaurant has a kid-friendly Tuesday. OK. Forewarned. Now, how about an adult-friendly rule - no dining with kids after 7PM.
(2)David L.
Nice place, service was good. GF had the butternut squash soup and I had the mushroom soup, both very good. She had the roasted beet salad with salmon..way too much dressing. I was very excited to try the peking duck. Duck was cooked beautifully cooked but under seasoned. Also, what really makes peking duck is the crispy skin but no where to be found. Disappointing. Still, think place is worth another try.
(3)Derek I.
Came here for brunch (used our Groupon) and had the breakfast steak (medium rare) and also tried the french toast. The presentation of the steak was nice but it could have been seasoned more---it was also slightly tough but ok (average steak). The french toast was tasty but just ok. The service was on point and it is a cute place to eat.
(3)Renee T.
They get 5 stars because our waitress, Joanna is lovely and professional. Also , the gnocchi was by far the best I have ever tasted. It is the best in the world. Plus, it is just a nice place to have dinner.
(5)John H.
We came here with a living social coupon and thought the cozy place had lots of potential. Unfortunately we came across several shortfalls as soon as we arrived. Our server forgot her personality at home and failed to explain anything on the menu. She was just 'there'. Appetizers took 35 minutes to arrive. The menu was small but the food was goood. The burger was as juicy and flavorful however the fries were just meh. The steak was ok, if not a bit tough. The pear salad was average at best. Finally the Amish chicken was dry however the wild rice pilaf made up for the dry meat. I'd come back again but I hope the food improves.
(3)Laura A.
What they are aiming for with this restaurant has lots of potential and is what we need in the neighborhood -- casual, but solid food and not a sports bar. We went the other night and shared the chitarra noodles, the risotto fritters, and the mushroom soup. Each dish was well-prepared, but was drowning truffle oil! It made everything taste too rich and heavy. The draught beer and wine by the glass lists are small, but good and reasonably priced. The service was friendly, but slow. It seems from other reviews that they may be working on this. We will probably try it again because we live nearby and the atmosphere was nice, but we will be sure to ask them to leave out the truffle oil and try to order lighter dishes.
(3)