Granda Pizza - Just 'OK'!

I'd been wanting to try Granda Pizza for a while after reading some great reviews online and in local Facebook community posts. It's an Italian owned restaurant close to where I live in North Bangkok and when one of my friend's children invited me to his birthday dinner there, the opportunity was too good to miss!

Upon arrival I was immediately a little disappointed by the simple and rather unattractive exterior, but not unduly worried as the way a place looks is just decoration but on entering, the disappointment increased with a rather bland looking, yellow decor that was far too brightly lit to allow any ambience or a cosy atmosphere which is one thing I like when eating at what is a relatively pricey restaurant for these parts. There was a little outdoor garden area if anyone wishes to eat outdoors which was nice.

There were 3 adults and 6 children sitting down and we ordered a good mix of both Italian and Thai food. The menu was extensive and covered all the Italian Pasta and Pizza staples along with a decent selection of Thai dishes, salads, seafood and desserts, although the desserts were a little sparse. It was a 'safe' rather than a spectacular menu.

I had spotted French onion soup and that's a must for me and along with the pizzas, spaghetti carbonara (I don't know why, but kids in Thailand absolutely love this and would gladly eat it three times a day if they could!), spicy Squid salad and assorted extras including an Italian sausage selection, we had soon had a table full of food to attack! Beer for the grown-ups, coke or water for the kids!

The service was very good. The place wasn't too busy and the waiting staff were attentive without being the Thai style of overbearing and the food and drinks were delivered quite quickly.

So how was the food?

The French Onion soup was average. Not as peppery as I would have liked, too small a portion and not hot enough but OK and the mozzarella topping was gorgeous although there was too much and the balance was lost.

The pizzas were excellent. Again, the cheese was superb and they were overall, delicious.

According to the kids, who are experts, the Spaghetti Carbonara was perfect. Delicious, not too much meat and lots of creamy sauce which is how they like it!

The sausages were....just any old sausages it appeared and the Thai spicy, squid salad was delicious but not out of the ordinary according to the wife!

The food was quite well presented which was surprising to me considering the blandness of the decor and the 1970s inspired menu design. The owner was wandering around chatting to what looked like loyal regulars

The well received Spaghetti Carbonara!

Overall?

It was just OK. Nothing special but I don't have any complaints. More importantly, the kids loved it and it was a great treat for them.

Pricewise it was as I'd expect it to be. Above what the average Thai would pay for a meal but not the extorionate downtown prices for a similar meal.

I've moaned about the decor and design but thats important to me. Design and ambience make you feel good and adds to the overall experience and for this reason, its not somewhere I would choose to go with the wife but I would happily go if invited out. I simply didn't get the Italian vibe. Perhaps its a little like eating Indian or Chinese food in the UK, it's just not the same as eating it in its home country! I am sure there are disappointed Chinese and Indian tourists and expats in the UK who understand this!

Sorry its a rather non-descript review, but it was rather a non-descript restaurant!

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Restaurant Information

Granda Pizza Livio

900 ถนน วัชรพล Khwaeng Tha Raeng, Khet Bang Khen, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10220, Thailand

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Granda Pizza - Just 'OK'!
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