Viva

A relatively new addition to the restaurant inventory in Seongnamdong is Italian eatery Viva. It's delectable menu and setting is a taste of Italy in Korea - and all at very reasonable prices.

Something that seems to be a reoccurring theme with most restaurants in Ulsan is the escape they provide from an offensively noisy street outside. Viva continues this tradition by insulating you with atmospheric jazz music and light green and cream colours. It's a tasteful and cosy place with good food.

The Entrée choices are divided into three main categories, based on tomato sauce, cream sauce, and risotto. Each of these categories then has five or six dishes to choose between (including seafood options). Prices are 7,000won and 8,000won, which compared to other western restaurants in the area, makes it an absolute snip. Especially considering the satisfying portion size received in return. Other items on the menu include salads and various breads that appear on your table with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Interestingly though, there are no pizzas available to order.

Drinks are standard restaurant fare with various soda's and alcoholic beverages (beer from 3,000won) complementing a meal. The house wine at 15,000won is a tempting purchase. For post-meal relaxation, chat over coffee and green tea with free water refills throughout.

Yet there are one or two blemishes that could spoil a visit.

Ordering can be problematic with the language barrier (despite the presence of a Korean-English menu) and there is no specific vegetarian option either. Some customers also noted no choice in pasta shapes. Finally it takes a while to prepare the food and a group order doesn't appear from the Kitchen all at once.

One feature, which will be to the delight of some and distaste of others is that smoking is not permitted on the premises.

So, popular with a mix of locals and foreigners Viva earns itself an enthusiastic recommendation. It's not a fantastic Italian when compared to the options available elsewhere in the world however, for what one might expect from being in Korea it is quite the place.

Getting there: Open 11am until 10pm Viva is on the main covered retail shopping street in Shinae towards the top where a number of restaurants are clustered. For example, from Holly's Coffee walk towards the Mcdonalds and keep walking up in this direction for a while until the restaurant appears on the left hand side. Telephone 052-211-4224.