The Lively

Food is very good here! Some of the best chicken, steak, and potatoes we've ever had. The meatballs were 10/10. Cocktails? Amazing. The place was beautiful. However, our reservation was at 845, it took 10-15 minutes to be seated after arriving, and we didn't get our food until around 10 pm. I understand it was late on a Friday, but the wait stuff was inattentive and seemed short on patience with us (almost rude tbh) and were never around.

Food is very good here! Some of the best chicken, steak, and potatoes we've ever had. The meatballs were 10/10. Cocktails? Amazing. The place was beautiful. However, our reservation was at 845, it took 10-15 minutes to be seated after arriving, and we didn't get our food until around 10 pm. I understand it was late on a Friday, but the wait stuff was inattentive and seemed short on patience with us (almost rude tbh) and were never around.

VERDICT: A definitive stop for lingering conversations over exquisite food and drink. Time easily shifts to timelessness as the experience truly envelopes you and your company. FOOD: If you go, plan on drinks, appetizers, dinner, sides, dessert (in whatever order pleases you). The food and drink are truly elevated, but the portions are smaller. Still, it's completely worth it and even adds to your dining experience via an ensemble of flavorsome choices progressively delivered to you. The menu does change (I'm not sure how fast), so keep that in mind if you find the items I'm reviewing aren't present. Each food was its "rendition, truly revelational in execution. DRINKS: Classic and unique offerings. I should have been more adventurous and gone beyond my draft beer. I did sample one (I don't remember the name of), but it was a take on an appletini that had incredible apple flavor while remaining dry in sweetness yet bold in flavor. APPS: Meatballs were excellent. At first, I was apprehensive in that there was no crust on the meatball, but after tasting it, they convinced me I might be making meatballs incorrectly. The texture was a perfect bite-- consistently cooked from surface-to-center-- blooming in flavor balanced well between meat, aromatics, and umami, while the marinara serves as acid to further open the palate. DINNER: The cod was brined and cooked to perfection, with a moist flake and a torch-seared skin. The miso sauce bloomed harmoniously with the more gentle flavor of the cod, awakening it to a more interesting presentation. While slightly uncouth, I ordered the french fries to experience an elevated fish and chips. The lasagna was almost laughably small, but upon tasting it, we laughed no more. It was rich and elegant, impressively filling akin to Elven Lembas bread. (The portion size was a mercy for those like me who would eat the whole thing and then regret it, had it been bigger.) The roast chicken was likely a well-executed half chicken presentation, perfectly brined and classically seasoned with an expertly balanced aromatic bouquet. DESSERT: Incredible. Having a pastry chef on staff really makes a difference. The cheesecake and chocolate cake were excellent, but the key lime brûlée could inspire a whole Hallmark Channel movie about the dessert that got away, starring Simu Li as me, pining away for it during the lonely holiday season. SERVICE: Excellent. The wait staff were prompt, knowledgeable, and generally pleasant to interact with. ATMOSPHERE: Low light and quiet music set the tone for intimate conversation in a comfortable booth. This is where The Lively excels: a lingering, intimate environment meant to engage in conversation at length over drinks, appetizers, dinner, and shared desserts.

VERDICT: A definitive stop for lingering conversations over exquisite food and drink. Time easily shifts to timelessness as the experience truly envelopes you and your company. FOOD: If you go, plan on drinks, appetizers, dinner, sides, dessert (in whatever order pleases you). The food and drink are truly elevated, but the portions are smaller. Still, it's completely worth it and even adds to your dining experience via an ensemble of flavorsome choices progressively delivered to you. The menu does change (I'm not sure how fast), so keep that in mind if you find the items I'm reviewing aren't present. Each food was its "rendition, truly revelational in execution. DRINKS: Classic and unique offerings. I should have been more adventurous and gone beyond my draft beer. I did sample one (I don't remember the name of), but it was a take on an appletini that had incredible apple flavor while remaining dry in sweetness yet bold in flavor. APPS: Meatballs were excellent. At first, I was apprehensive in that there was no crust on the meatball, but after tasting it, they convinced me I might be making meatballs incorrectly. The texture was a perfect bite-- consistently cooked from surface-to-center-- blooming in flavor balanced well between meat, aromatics, and umami, while the marinara serves as acid to further open the palate. DINNER: The cod was brined and cooked to perfection, with a moist flake and a torch-seared skin. The miso sauce bloomed harmoniously with the more gentle flavor of the cod, awakening it to a more interesting presentation. While slightly uncouth, I ordered the french fries to experience an elevated fish and chips. The lasagna was almost laughably small, but upon tasting it, we laughed no more. It was rich and elegant, impressively filling akin to Elven Lembas bread. (The portion size was a mercy for those like me who would eat the whole thing and then regret it, had it been bigger.) The roast chicken was likely a well-executed half chicken presentation, perfectly brined and classically seasoned with an expertly balanced aromatic bouquet. DESSERT: Incredible. Having a pastry chef on staff really makes a difference. The cheesecake and chocolate cake were excellent, but the key lime brûlée could inspire a whole Hallmark Channel movie about the dessert that got away, starring Simu Li as me, pining away for it during the lonely holiday season. SERVICE: Excellent. The wait staff were prompt, knowledgeable, and generally pleasant to interact with. ATMOSPHERE: Low light and quiet music set the tone for intimate conversation in a comfortable booth. This is where The Lively excels: a lingering, intimate environment meant to engage in conversation at length over drinks, appetizers, dinner, and shared desserts.

Great atmosphere with delicious food and cocktails. Their mushroom dish is the best. The only downside was that we waited for almost an hour before our food came out, but I would still come back again.

Great atmosphere with delicious food and cocktails. Their mushroom dish is the best. The only downside was that we waited for almost an hour before our food came out, but I would still come back again.

Absolutely lovely atmosphere with knowledgeable and friendly staff! Fine dining without the stress that usually accompanies pomp and circumstance. More Great Gatsby than Bridgerton. The bucatini entree and the beans present in the Spanish octopus appetizer might have been undercooked but were delicious regardless and may have just been personal preference!

Absolutely lovely atmosphere with knowledgeable and friendly staff! Fine dining without the stress that usually accompanies pomp and circumstance. More Great Gatsby than Bridgerton. The bucatini entree and the beans present in the Spanish octopus appetizer might have been undercooked but were delicious regardless and may have just been personal preference!

I truly enjoyed the evening. The atmosphere reminds me of New Orleans, which made the experience even better. Even Niklause would like. The service was top-notch! Then, the snow against the outdoor clear lights was a touch of magic. A special thank you to the bar tender for our photo!

I truly enjoyed the evening. The atmosphere reminds me of New Orleans, which made the experience even better. Even Niklause would like. The service was top-notch! Then, the snow against the outdoor clear lights was a touch of magic. A special thank you to the bar tender for our photo!

Drinks were very good, but they charged for soda water. Why? Just make the drink a set price. The food portions were small. We got there early & they were out of two menu items & the menu is already very small. The food was OK, but portions were small & over priced. Toast was literally served black (burnt). I couldn't believe it was sent out of the kitchen. We left and went to Red Feather & bought more food since we were all still hungry. The steak was literally thrown on a white plate with nothing else. It was the worst presentation I've ever seen for a $75 steak. We won't be going back.

Drinks were very good, but they charged for soda water. Why? Just make the drink a set price. The food portions were small. We got there early & they were out of two menu items & the menu is already very small. The food was OK, but portions were small & over priced. Toast was literally served black (burnt). I couldn't believe it was sent out of the kitchen. We left and went to Red Feather & bought more food since we were all still hungry. The steak was literally thrown on a white plate with nothing else. It was the worst presentation I've ever seen for a $75 steak. We won't be going back.

The atmosphere was great, the service was outstanding! My wife, my brother in law and I went to the Lively Christmas Eve. We made reservations for an early dinner at 5:30. My wife and brother in law had the beets appetizer and I had the clam chowder, both of which were great. My wife had the Salmon which she loved, my brother in law had the cannelloni which he thought was fabulous. I ordered the Prime Rib and asked for medium rare. My prime rib was not remotely close to medium rare, much closer to medium, no hint of pink anywhere in the meat. I would have thought by eating early, there would have been no problem getting medium rare. Our total bill including drinks came to very close to $500. I was amazed to see I was charged $5.00 for a square ice cube.

The atmosphere was great, the service was outstanding! My wife, my brother in law and I went to the Lively Christmas Eve. We made reservations for an early dinner at 5:30. My wife and brother in law had the beets appetizer and I had the clam chowder, both of which were great. My wife had the Salmon which she loved, my brother in law had the cannelloni which he thought was fabulous. I ordered the Prime Rib and asked for medium rare. My prime rib was not remotely close to medium rare, much closer to medium, no hint of pink anywhere in the meat. I would have thought by eating early, there would have been no problem getting medium rare. Our total bill including drinks came to very close to $500. I was amazed to see I was charged $5.00 for a square ice cube.

I recently had a delightful meal at The Lively. The food was absolutely fantastic! The dishes were beautifully prepared, and the flavors were outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the Swardfish, which was rich in flavor and balanced. However, I do have a small piece of feedback regarding the service. While the staff were friendly and attentive, they seemed a little over-eager at times. Plates were cleared quite quickly, even when one guest was still eating. Additionally, we were frequently asked if everything was alright, which felt slightly disruptive to the conversation. It would be fantastic if the service could strike a balance between attentive and allowing guests to enjoy their meal at their own pace. Overall, I had a very positive experience at The Lively and would definitely recommend it for the amazing food. With a slight adjustment to the service style, I believe it could be an even more enjoyable experience for everyone.

I recently had a delightful meal at The Lively. The food was absolutely fantastic! The dishes were beautifully prepared, and the flavors were outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the Swardfish, which was rich in flavor and balanced. However, I do have a small piece of feedback regarding the service. While the staff were friendly and attentive, they seemed a little over-eager at times. Plates were cleared quite quickly, even when one guest was still eating. Additionally, we were frequently asked if everything was alright, which felt slightly disruptive to the conversation. It would be fantastic if the service could strike a balance between attentive and allowing guests to enjoy their meal at their own pace. Overall, I had a very positive experience at The Lively and would definitely recommend it for the amazing food. With a slight adjustment to the service style, I believe it could be an even more enjoyable experience for everyone.