This page Sponsored by Mucho Mexico Restaurante Reviews     Profile     Menus     Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner     Daily Specials     Website

Brio Tuscan Grille

MY REVIEW: This was a business lunch for four, we did not have a reservation (arrived at 11:30) and although there was already a line at the door, myself and one other of the party were seated right away before the remaining two of the party arrived. That does not always happen so I was impressed with that. I had read that it is quite noisy in there and it is, but being a low talker, even I was able to be heard - the place is beautiful. Our waiter was attentive and all our food arrived at the same time, drinks continually filled.

I ordered the Shrimp Mediterranean (another review on here enjoyed it). I liked the food but it was sooooo salty. That was very strange. I'll chalk it up to a one time thing and would order it again. The other three parties' lunches looked delicious and they all enjoyed their dishes: Mezza Lasagna & Insalata, Risotto & Insalata and Tuscan Harvest Salad. He tried to tempt us with dessert but two of us had cappaccinos instead. I will return - would like to try so many different dishes on the menu.

NAME: SLD
SUBMITTED: 3/21/2013   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/20/13
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Biro Tuscan Grille on Kirby, in my opinion, has first class management but service is green around the edges.

December 14, 2012 was our first time at the Brio at Kirby. The restaurant has a great décor, ambiance and wonderful location. It is an upscale chain. The "free" valet parking, that is polite and efficient, is a plus for this busy section of town.

Our reservations for 7:30 were not honored, and while a Friday night in a busy spot, that can be understandable, but when asked, the hostess affirmatively advised we should not sit at the bar for a drink while we waited -- giving the impression the table was a moment away - while twenty five long minutes passed. Ok so we should have ignored her advice and taken a seat at the bar.

When seated, we had a longish wait to see a waiter. An over eager young waiter finally appeared only to to rush through the specials. I…could not understand a word. The waiter was unfamiliar with the not extensive, but serviceable, wine list. (Brio has reasonable prices on both food and wine, considering the upscale, no doubt high rent, location).

We should have realized service trouble was in the works when the waiter could not open the bottle of wine and resorted to putting it between his legs to pull the cork. (Spare us the show - get new staff a battery operated corkscrew).

We ordered a starter but that was clearly missed by the staff when salads appeared first. Our stammering waiter said something about the “pizza oven being broken” before scrambling over to the computer to put in the obviously forgotten order. If not so adolescently sad it would be funny. Why lie? The food, when it eventually served, was pretty on the plate. It is simple fare but not outstanding. Excellent bread.

Surprisingly, a Manger stopped by our table and asked honestly what we thought. She was appalled; saying they did not have a broken oven of any type. She graciously covered the cost of the meal over our protest.

Brio at Kirby is a new restaurant -- and has much to be said for it. The staff needs to get over the green edges. Management is experienced, does appear to know what it is doing and appears to work quickly to fix the problems. Perhaps Biro needs some time to “season” the staff?

NAME: kmsea
SUBMITTED: 12/15/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/15/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Young waitress was a little weak with service but nevertheless exceptionally pleasant. Food was all excellent-- dining participants in group ordering lamb, salmon, shrimp and vegetarian. The appetizers were exceptional and the deserts were just fine. Will be back many times as this place has won first place on our list.

NAME: ft
SUBMITTED: 10/23/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/20/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Sunday evening. Out shopping. Planned on eating at C*heesecake Factory but there was a 30 minute wait. Decided to walk across to a restaurant called Brio Tuscan Grill. Wonderful ambiance. No wait. Had the Lobster bisque, it was tasty but only three tiny pieces of shrimp or lobster. Husband ordered Chopped salad. Even the lettuce was chopped into 1/2 inch pieces. Different but good. We split the Sweet Potato Risoto. Delicious. A little heavy on the garlic, but we found the 1/2 portion just right. Loved the sesame crackers.

NAME: go4glo
SUBMITTED: 2/19/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 2/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: We visted Brio's on Sunday for a Mother's Day/ my Birthday meal. The wait for a table was about 1 hour which is expected on Mother's Day. We opted for immediate seating at a small table in the bar area. We leisurely ate and watched a basketball playoff game. Our waiter, Chris, was very attentive and informative about the menu. He recommended everything from the wine, the salad dressing, my honey's entree and even dessert. Everything was spot on and tasted delicious. Even in the bar area our dinner turned out to be very romantic! Thank's Chris! The food flirted with our tastebuds while my honey and I flirted with each other. We will be back!!!

NAME: Mr&Mrs Make it Happen
SUBMITTED: 5/10/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 05/11
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Went there for a late Easter lunch, around 1:30pm. Place was crowed but only had 20 minute wait for inside or could sit on patio immediately. Went for the patio. Our waiter was there pretty promptly to get drink orders but thats where the promptness ended. Waited 25 minutes to get our tea and my daughter had to wait longer than that for her milk and had to remind the waiter. Finally ordered our food and waited almost 45 minutes for our salads. Asked if my daughter's mac and cheese could be served as she was starving. She got it about 15 mins later. Took another 20 mins after salads finished to get our food. Manager did come over upon our request and apologized. Food was just ok, maybe because it took so LONG to get it we just couldn't enjoy it. Part of our bill was comped which was fine but for the prices on the menu I was not impressed with the service. Our waiter was nice and tried his best when he had time to check on us but he was very rushed and didn't have time to wait on us properly, not what you'd expect for this type of restaurant. Nice atmosphere but not sure I will be back.

NAME: smith
SUBMITTED: 4/24/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: .4/2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I had a friend come in from out of town and had wanted to go to the City Centre. It was a Friday evening and as we strolled along the streets trying to figure out where to go (the selections are endless there!). We walked by Brio and the patio seating with their large lounging sofas and drapes really appealed to me! We sat on the patio on a beautiful evening. It truly felt grand. We ordered the artichoke dip and a bottle of wine and sat there and talked and sipped the wine. It was so relaxing, I can not wait to go back. I don't know that I even want to sit in the dining area, the patio was so fantastic. Very casual, relaxing. We loved it!

So glad we wound up there considering all the other selections. Truly felt like home! I signed up for their newsletter and received a coupon for a "FREE" filet and crab cake for my birthday, can NOT wait to redeem that! I love this place. Even though they were packed to the rafters, everyone was pleasant and friendly! You have to give them a try. They really do care. At least that was my experience.

NAME: frequent diner
SUBMITTED: 1/5/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/10
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I invited 3 good friends for wine, appetizers at 5pm...we had outstanding service & food!The waitstaff and bartender Brandon took good care of us and we all said we'de return soon!!

NAME: Jules
SUBMITTED: 1/4/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/29/10
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Really very good every time we have been there. Last time was just had some bar food ( carpaccio and crab/shrimp cakes ) and wine. Enjoyable and pleasant waiter.

NAME: edward
SUBMITTED: 11/5/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: November 5
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Ambience good.We were looking forward to a treat..new rest. in our neighborhood. Food not good...Caesar salad was "rusty" where it had been cut too far ahead. Veal Milanesa greasy..$24.95 & below average..cooked in too low a heat. No flavor. WAY too much on the plate..not appealing at all. Service below average..no clean cutlery between courses and plates left on the table. Was a b'day ...no special "treat" as is often the custom for dessert. Left feeling totally unsatisfied. Will not recommned . Sad.

NAME: Kajadu
SUBMITTED: 7/20/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/19/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: First Visit: Ambiance 10+, Service 6+, Wine 8+, Entree 5 for Quality, & a 9 for Quanity, Dessert -4. Waited 20 minutes for table, arrived 10 minutes before reservation, Waiter not familiar with the Wine List,Pasta quality not equal to restaurants in the Galleria Area. Selected two entrees recommended by the Waiter. ????? his selection. Desserts quality & quanity not what you deserve for the 10+ ambiance. Overall, will give management some time prior to a second visit.

NAME: alicia
SUBMITTED: 6/7/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/05/10
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Went to the new location for anniversary. Dinner was superb. We had evening special bruschetta, split a wedge salad, I had shrimp/lobster over pasta and my wife had barbecued shrimp over rissotto. All great and HUGE PORTIONS (took home another dinner for 2). For desert they offer a very large selection including 5 different mini-desserts which were not expensive at all ($2.50) and just the right amount. Dinner with drinks (non-alcohol), tax and tip was $80 and we thought quite reasonable for the quality of food and service.

Please note that on a saturday night there can be a modest wait (up to an hour) but there is immediate seating in the bar and out on the patio.

We will definitely be back again.

NAME: db
SUBMITTED: 6/5/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/10
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: On my first visit I was pleased with the decor, ambiance, and the overall upscale look of the place. My S.O. has visited the one in Columbus, Ohio and like it a lot. We cam slightly early and did not wait for a table. The wait staff was very attentive and helpful. We ordered a bottle of wine and had a nice conversation with the waiter about our choice. For dinner she ordered the Mediterranean Chicken salad and I had the Pasta ala Vodka. We found them both excellent. The manager came by and asked how we were doing, a nice touch. No weak points that I noticed, except in the bar afterwards where we had to explain how to make a common drink. We will come back. Bonus, we found parking in the garage next door easy.

NAME: ladams
SUBMITTED: 5/31/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: May/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Service, courtsey and great food will be the making of this restaurant.

Having enjoyed a wonderful lunch there with some friends four weeks ago, I wanted to share the same experience with my husband. So on Saturday we decided to eat there. As usual we were greeted, seated and waited on with the pleasant professionalism I had received before. We both ordered from the brunch menu and when the food arrived the presentation was perfect. We had both ordered the crepes - mine was the delicious crab and shrimp dish; my husband's was the sausage and spinach.(Crepes Florentine)

However, when he started to eat his crepes he realized there was no spinach in the crepes.

We told our waiter and the matter was dealt with immediately in the most polite and courteous way by both our waiter and the floor manager. In fact, because of the error we were not charged for my husband's meal. We did not expect this, but were impressed. We will definitely be back to eat there and tell our friends. Not only is the food wonderful but the staff know how to treat their customers. So refreshing in this 'take it or leave it' world of today. BRAVO BRIO, HOUSTON.

NAME: ron
SUBMITTED: 5/31/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 5.29.2010
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: I had lunch there with a group of co-workers. We had the Calamari Fritto Misto and Bruschetta Caprese for appetizer. The Calamari was light and not greasy and the Caprese was really good. For entrée, I had Shrimp and Scallop Risotto with Caesar Salad. One of my co-workers had the Chicken under the brick which looked real good. My Risotto was a little bit under cooked and watery. For desert I had the crème Brulee which was just right. It was light and tasty not heavy and not too sweet. The service was attentive and our waiter gave us a lot of advice from his own experience. From time to time the manger will come to your table and make sure everything is all right. Over all it was a very pleasant experience.

NAME: JoAnn
SUBMITTED: 4/27/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 4/27/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

If you don't agree with these comments, agree with them or have additional comments,
click here to Add Your Review.