Brio Tuscan Grille:
A NJ Restaurant Review

Restaurant Highlights

Fare: Northern Italian

Price: Moderate - Expensive

Food Quality: 2 Stars

Service: 2 Stars

Decor: 3 1/2 Stars

Overall Rating: 2 1/2 Stars

Decor is upscale, attractive with energetic ambiance. Bar scene is vibrant

Value:  Good

Noise Level: Moderate - High

Dress: Casual

Recommended For: Diners who enjoy good food and trendy ambiance, at a reasonable price

Not Recommended For: Diners who prefer more complex, eclectic food preparations in an "Old World" less trendy setting with more fine dining amenities; or for diners who prefer a traditional Southern Italian menu with heavy red sauces.

Recommended dishes: When available, Grilled Shrimp with Orzo; Filetto Di Manzo Toscano (filet mignon); and the Shrimp & Lobster Fettuccine.

Liquor: Full bar with good specialty cocktails and reasonably priced wines.

Restaurant Review

Brio Tuscan Grille is a national chain restaurant operating in seventeen states with five locations in NJ.

While this review is for the Freehold location, being a national chain with a standard menu, standard staff training, similar pricing, and similar decor, you are apt to experience similar results with your dining experience at any of the New Jersey Brio Tuscan Grille Restaurants.

Of the other major Italian chain restaurants such as Olive Garden, Bensi, Carrabba's, etc., Brio's can be ranked at the higher end for decor, food, and service, but in the middle of the group of the other Italian chain restaurants for price/value.

The decor is very attractively done up with a Tuscan villa ambiance and very high draped ceiling. The dining area is very large with three co-located dining areas. The well attended bar area also has dining tables.

They serve northern Italian food in a Tuscan villa atmosphere with an open kitchen featuring made-to-order pastas, steaks, chops, fresh seafood, flat breads, and desserts (some are home made). They offer large portions served on hand-painted Italian plates.

Meals start with a bread basket of a variety of tasty crunchy, seeded crackers and sourdough. Dipping oil is provided when requested.

The service at Brio's is excellent. The wait staff is 20+ years; well trained, friendly, attentive. The upscale dressed wait staff works together as a team. During the course of your meal you are apt to have as many as four wait staff working together to take your orders and/or stop by to ensure your needs are taken care of.

During the warmer months there is outdoor dining at most Brio Tuscan Grille locations.

They are open for lunch and dinner seven days/week, and for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

They are child friendly with a large kids menu.

Reservations are recommended, especially for Friday & Saturday evenings at mall locations.

(updated December, 2016)

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