Best reason to go: The menu is varied enough to please the picky in-laws and your partner’s discerning palate. Plus, most of the dishes are big enough to share, if you like eating off companions’ plates like I do.
For the kids: There are two menus: the one for those who don’t mind being called “baby cakes” and the one for those who’d rather sit at their own table. The usual suspects are on both menus, but there are pleasant surprises, such as grilled salmon ($7.95) and chicken ($6.95), lasagna ($4.95) and build-your-own pizza ($5.95). The Grande Kids menu, for kids ages 7-12, has slighter larger portions and more non-fried food. The girls, ages 3 and 4, had chicken tenders and a hamburger. The baby cakes also shared a Caesar salad ($1.95). My 4-year-old explained that she was eating the salad, for the first time ever, because of all the (fresh parmesan) cheese piled on top.
For the grown-ups: Lots of options, but not nearly as overwhelming as other chain restaurants. We started with the reliably yummy roasted garlic, spinach and artichoke dip ($10.95) and blackened shrimp and chorizo flatbread ($13.95), which was overpowered by the chorizo. And because our eyes were bigger than our tummies, we ordered two entrees. My friend had Brio’s sliced steak salad ($14.95), rounded out with gorgonzola, tomatoes, candied pecans and mushrooms. I had the handmade and spicy pasta alla vodka ($16.90), which was still delish the next day as leftovers.
If I had this dinner to do again, I’d share an entree and go on a Wednesday when martinis are $5 from 4 p.m. to close.
Service: Prompt and pleasant once we were seated. We waited nearly an hour and spent most of that time in the kids’ section of the nearby Barnes & Noble. We had called ahead to make reservations, only to find out the restaurant doesn’t reserve seats but instead offers a call-ahead service that, in theory, shaves 10 to 30 minutes off the current wait time. Our attentive server said the wait was typical of a weekend night.
Atmosphere: Washed walls, warm wood finishes, low lights and grand arches have all the touches of Tuscany, or at least as I’ve seen on TV.
Dessert: Who can even look at tiramisu ($5.95) after inhaling all that food. Me, that’s who! Italian coffees are a great second choice. My friend had a cappuccino ($3.95) with the perfect allotment of swirly milk.
Grade: A
14576 SW Fifth St., Pembroke Pines (Other locations in Hallandale Beach, Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens)
BrioItalian.com
Cuisine: Italian
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Credit cards: All major
Bar: Full-service
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
