BRIO Tuscan Grille
| Address: | 774 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618, USA |
| Phone: | +1 949-341-0380 |
| Site: | brioitalian.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
CH
Chelsea Madren
Raspberry Mojito ($7.75) is made with Bacardi Raspberry Rum, fresh lime, muddled mint and raspberries served on the rocks. It is a refreshing cocktail with a great raspberry flavor. Rating: 4.5/5 Brûléed Parmesan Crème ($7.95) is served with balsamic roasted grapes and grilled ciabatta. This appetizer is dessert-like with the brûléed sugar atop the parmesan crème which presents itself like beautiful stained glass. The balsamic roasted grapes give it an earthiness along with a sweet, tangy flavor. Together, the flavor profile is reminiscent of a cheesecake or crème brûlée. Rating: 4.2/5 Burrata & Ciabatta ($10.95) is creamy fresh mozzarella, roasted tomato, EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), and grilled ciabatta. This is a fresh and tasty appetizer. The flavor profile is reminiscent of a margarite pizza with the creamy burrata and sweet tomato along with the herbaceous savory notes from the garlic and basil. Rating: 4.3/5 Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts (can be chosen as a side for “The Grille” entrees) is mixed with applewood bacon, capers, pecans, and Reggiano. This is a very tasty side item. The roasted Brussels sprouts flavor along with the saltiness from the bacon and capers work really well together. A touch more parmesan would make it perfect. Rating: 4.3/5 Espresso Rubbed Ribeye ($32.50) is a 16-ounce bone-in ribeye. The steak is a little chewy at medium rare. The espresso rub is only apparent by a few grinds on found topped on the steak, not in its flavor. The espresso should add an earthiness and roasted, almost smoky flavor to the steak – maybe if it were marinated in an espresso brine. The rub also needs some salt to bring the beef flavor forward. Rating: 4/5 Balsamic Braised Beef Short Rib ($22.95) is served with butter basted wild mushrooms, roasted carrots, and cauliflower puree. The beef short rib is so tender that you have no need of a knife. The cauliflower puree is surprisingly wonderful. It has the texture of creamy grits but lighter. Rating: 5/5
AL
Alex Luu
Great ambiance! Very overpriced pasta but overall tasty and relaxing. Actually, the pasta was a little on the blander side, but I think its a healthier that way. Edit:Just when I thought this eatery improved just the slightest bit since the last time I was here 2 years back- NOPE! If it was just food alone- it would have been 2-maybe 3 stars at best but boy was service lacking. We had a corporate party of 19 people and before ordering, we very clearly instructed the waiter to separate our bills (which, of course- didnt happen). I asked for hot water and it came in a cup- I asked for a pot (which, of course- didnt come). My co-worker ordered an ICED tea- which came with only 2 cubes- immediately the waiter knew he screwed up upon setting it down "Let me get you another one with a little more ice"- What a nice gesture! But unfortunately- yup- you guessed it- IT DIDNT come! We also asked for chili (which, of course- didnt come the first time), and another co-worker who ordered a Pepsi... Food really isnt that great (same as my previous experience- overpriced- extra small portions and on the blander side.) Oh! Almost forgot- I had a Mojito during happy hour at the bar- the prices here were great-but was super juicy and watered down...sangria level - which I wouldnt mind if it was a Sunday... (If you love Mjitos I highly recommend Nicks Laguna Beach- it is to die for). To wrap this review up- I walked in there knowing the food was going to be meh*- but was hopelessly hoping for better service (which, of course- didnt happen).
PA
Paul Byrne
Just got to say, love this restaurant, food is always plentiful and always great tasting so far. Seating is great you have a choice of inside with that Italian (kind of like Bellagio feel to it), covered seating on their patio or outside seating that works both in summer and winter with their open fires and heating. Great place to bring friends or meet up. HI Guys, making an edit, sorry to say, we have been going to this restaurant for over a year or so now, loved the place, we went about 4 to 6 times a month. So last night we wanted to bring some friends there, admitting the place was busy, so we sat in the lounge area on the patio, ordered drinks, unfortunately our friends got caught up in traffic on the 5 (no surprise there), was running late, then parking was a nightmare for them. Anyway a manager we have never seen before comes over and tells us guys I see your friends are not here and we explained they were looking for parking, and unfortunately his response was well I will give you ten minutes if they do not show up you need to leave WTF. Sorry Brio, but that is the worst piss poor service I have ever come across. We liked this place because of the great service most of the waitresses and waiters provided, they got to know you personally, obviously this manager does not operate on that premises, sorry Brio, will not be going back.
AL
Alice Ly
**APPETIZERS** Quattro Bruschetta: I LOVE bruschetta. There was a steak, a classic tomato & herb, a margherita, and a bacon one with onion jam. I immediately went for the bacon one with onion jam, yum! Creamy Spinach Dip: Im also a sucker for spinach dip. Its warm and cheesy, and makes you think youre not all THAT bad because theres some form of spinach in it. Brios version serves it with crispy parmesan crisps that are already good by itself! Brio Chopped Salad: Im a fan of salads. And also salads that are dressed in a vinaigrette of some sort as it cuts through the heavy tastes of pasta and the like. **MAINS** Penne Pasta Vodka: These were like little pasta presents filled with ricotta. Ultra rich and delicious. Has a great sauce that you can sop up bread with. AND has crispy pancetta. Win. Roasted Vegetables: This was absolutely needed and appreciated. I even took some from the other side of the table ;) Chicken Milanese: Crispy breaded chicken with mozzarella and marinara sauce. I did not like this as it was dry and even the sauce didnt save it. **DESSERTS** Mini Dolchino Samplers: These were very similar to Seasons 52 desserts in the little glass cups but these were bigger. We had the Chocolate Cake and Tiramisu. Preferred the Chocolate cake one!
DI
Dima A
We have been visiting this restaurant for the past 2 years. It used to be an excellent place for authentic Italian cuisine and American dishes. The food portion was much bigger, menu was much more diverse, taste of food was great, and above all the service was fast and excellent. However, ,we visited this place 3 times ( lunch and dinner) for the past months and for some reason, the food portion is much smaller and tasteless. The waiters are slow and they are stressed since there are less waiters to serve on the floor. They even have no idea about the food they are offering. The calamari Fritto appetizer plate came cold and tasteless.My husband ordered pasta with chicken and pesto, but it came with white broth chicken sauce. The manager who visited our table was very fast in saying sorry and leaving. We were even more disappointed that they charged us for this dish that we were dissatisfied with the bad taste. Save your money and go to a better restaurant!
MA
Mary Ang
I was a bit lost trying to find Brio since its been awhile since Ive been to Irvine Spectrum but I did manage to find it. Phew! Their popular appetizer dish Bruchetta Quattro was a bit hard to chew but pretty tasty. It was followed by Brios Chopped salad which I thought was a bit on the vinegary side. We were served their popular pasta dishes Pasta Vodka and Chicken Milanese. I enjoyed their pasta Vodka. It didnt feel so heavy on my stomach and had a great sauce. I thought their Chicken Milanese was ok. It was a little on the dry side and the pomodoro sauce they provided didnt help as much with the dryness. I loved eating their roasted veggies. It was a nice touch after having a lot of carbs. Afterwards we were treated with tiramisu and caramel dark chocolate cake. I was so full I only tried the tiramisu. I heard the chocolate was dense and also really good. I will definitely come back again!
