Brio Tuscan Grille
20 Paseo Dr, North Bethesda, MD, 20852
Brio Tuscan Grille Menu
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Address :
20 Paseo Dr
North Bethesda, MD, 20852 - Phone (240) 221-2691
- Website https://www.brioitalian.com/north_bethesda_market.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Kim A.
To start, this restaurant is gorgeous with very high ceilings, beautiful hanging dome lights, marbel-like columns and a very open and airy feel. They have a lot of coat racks around, which was nice since I went on a freezing day. The servers were very attentive, and helpful with making suggestions. They frequently brought refills without requests, and refreshed water glasses. I tried a bit of the BBQ chicken pizza as an appetizers, which was really good, and surprisingly spicy. For lunch I ordered the bolognese lasagna with a caesar salad. The salad was way larger that I thought it would be, which I loved! I always find myself wishing there was more salad, but not here. The lasagna was also very good, and the server brought parmesan to shred and fresh black pepper to grind over everyone's meals. If you have room for dessert, I'd recommend the chocolate lava cake. It comes with a few raspberries, and is absolutely incredible!
(5)Mark H.
It's solid. It has a nice menu and the food is all presented very well. The service was very attentive. Certainly will go back on occasion.
(4)Tara B.
Went during Happy Hour. Pretty low key. Appetizers and drink are good. I would go back. You may have to pay for parking if you stay longer than 2 hours.
(4)F M.
The entire experience was amazing!!! We organized a family dinner in the private room for a reunion. The coordinator Sean was an absolute pleasure!!! They were so accommodating, service was great!!! The food was great and I was very impressed with how quickly the food came out So hot and very amazing. Had the shrimp and lobster fett soooo good I also tried others dishes and they were an absolutely amazing. The private room so very pretty and very inviting. Great experience. Definitely going back.
(5)Phi N.
Came here for my friend's birthday. Expect a wait on Saturday nights. Started off with BBQ chicken flatbread and calamari. Both pretty good starters. Calamari is calamari everywhere, crispy though. So that's a plus. I enjoyed the flatbreat as an appetizer, prob wouldn't be satisfied if it was my entree though. For the main course, I chose the campanelle carbonara. It was delicious. Yeah, I went with a safe dish... sue me. Waitress was hilarious and fun. And she hooked us up with a little dessert for my friend. She doesn't like bacon though, so her taste in food cannot be trusted...
(3)Cheryl B.
The two stars are for the food. Had the Chicken Piccata, and never had it taste like this. A little acid-y, like they used a bit too much wine. Served with ok vegetables, and NO BREAD! Most Italian places bring dipping oil and bread or rolls. I almost asked for some, but it was well into the meal, and decided if they didn't bring any, I shouldn't have to ask for it. The place looks nice, good lighting and comfortable seating. But you go to a restaurant for the food, not just the atmosphere. One other note: our waiter, Richey, must have been a bit nervous, as he laughed alot. He wasn't a bad server, but the laughing seemed odd. I would go back to this restaurant, because I liked the layout and atmosphere, but the food just wasn't great.
(2)Sahar R.
Happy Hour is where it's at here. Where else could you get an appetizer and a martini for under $10 in Northern Bethesda or Rockville? Let me tell you friends, no where else (within a 3-5 mile range) has this deal. Every weekday from 3-7pm and then again after 9pm, they offer $5 drinks (which include sangria, several martinis, mango martini and several wines) and $3.95 tasters which includes Tomato & Mozzarella Capri,Beef Carpaccio,Margherita Flatbread,Roasted Garlic, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, and the BRIO Burger. Calling these dishes "tasters" is not quite accurate. The Flatbreads came out on huge plates. They were crispy, covered in fresh herbs an for the price amazingly good. After I ordered the Beef Carpaccio, and was presented with a platter lined with very thinly sliced raw beef tenderloin with field greens, capers, mustard aioli drizzled with Parmigiano-Reggiano. I expected a small dainty place of sliced beef with maybe two leaves of green, instead I got a long delicious platter of cow slaughter. Also the plate of raw meat inspired a look of complete disgust from my vegan coworker, so they get an extra star for that. In addition to the sliced meat being fantastic, the dressing on the field greens (a sweet balsamic) was addictive. I also had the Pomegranate Cosmo, that used Sobieski Cytron Vodka, HW Pomegranate, cranberry and fresh lime. Not bad at all. In fact it was light, crisp in flavor and overall pretty enjoyable. The service was friendly, the restaurant definitely has a chain restaurant feel (most reviewers compare it to Cheesecake Factory) if you're a fan of that then have a meal here, if not, the happy hour is worth checking out if you're in this part of Rockville. It's a guarantee you will leave full and happy.
(4)Kaye N.
they have pretty decent food. we ordered the brio pasta which was good but not extra ordinary. my boyfriend ordered the angel hair pasta with salmon and he liked it too. its a place to go to once in a while. nice ambiance and the location is pretty nice too.
(3)Norman G.
Brio's is a pleasant place for a meal and the food is pretty good. I've only been here for lunch but I imagine the experience at dinner is much the same. The dining room is nicely furnished, not usually overcrowded but not empty either and there's valet parking. Brio specializes in Tuscan cooking and it's well, as far as I can determine, not to seek anything else on the menu.
(3)Michael Y.
Came for dinner, not any sort of happy hour or special deal. Got the risotto, which was pretty good, the bread and appetizers (calamari, bruschetta) were also good. Nothing was outstanding or excellent, which made it a bit expensive for what you get. It kind of reminded me of an overhyped, overpriced copy of Macaroni Grill, but of course MG is way more delicious.
(3)Jeanne D.
It's pretty solid Italian food but sometimes the service is sub par. The last time I had lunch here I ordered a small appetizer sized caprese salad- the server brought me a full size version and charged me more. I pointed it out but ended up paying for the larger salad. My other experiences here have been really good. They have a nice happy hour selection for food and wine.
(4)Vicki C.
I've dined at Brio a few times now for lunch and dinner. Both experiences were pleasant with service but the food was nothing special to me. A co-worker highly recommended Brio for happy hour so we decided to get the gang together for thirsty Thursday. The drinks were $5 and appetizers were only $4. I recommend the cosmos! Delicious and you get what you pay for. ;-) I tried the Spicy Shrimp & Eggplant taster...so flavorful! The rest of the gang ordered the Beef Carpaccio and Brio Burger.. both tasters were delicious I will definitely return to HH at Brio and not so much for lunch/dinner. The server was very tending and friendly.. another plus!
(4)Lily K.
Service was so bad during lunch hr on Friday. First of all around 15 minutes after my party ordered the food the waiter came back and ask what we got again. He said he wanted to know who got which food (there were 4 of us). We waited another 10min or so and received our appetizer. Second they served our food the table next to us... When the food came out... And the lady who was serving the food kept touching her hair before serving the food which bothered us a little.... (She looked like a manager...) Lastly... The waiter brought us the wrong check which was around $20 more than our actual bill... He didn't even apologize nicely and just snatched the bill away when I told him he might've got the wrong check... Worst service ever but I'm giving 2star cause the food was good.
(2)Tomas H.
We really liked this place. Spacey and Italy-reminding, they welcomed us nicely at the door, brought us to our table and in a minute very attentive waiter came. He was attentive and checking on us regularly during our stay there, felt very nicely to be treated like this. Food - Mahi Mahi, Salmon salad, Lasagna and Burger - was very well prepared and served on nice dish, really liked it. We also had Carpaccio before our meals and it was great too. It is not cheap place to go but I think it was worth the price.
(5)Claudette H.
We had made reservations for two at Seasons 52 for 7:00. we were able to get out of the Strathmore garage easily so we arrived at Seasons 52 at 6:40. A snippy hostess informed us that she would not seat us earlier than the appointed time. She was immovable so we told her we would go elsewhere. She was totally indifferent to the idea of losing 2 customers so we crossed the patio to Brio and were greeted warmly and seated immediately without reservations. The restaurant was bustling with happy customers and the ambience was excellent. Beautiful setting, soft music, and cheerful and skilled waiters. We each had a drink, an excellent vodka gibson for me and Makers Mark for my daughter. i had salmon over a bed of mashed potatoes with bright green asparagus spears. She had a very large and beautiful salmon salad. For dessert we shared the chocolate lava cake with ice cream, and coffee. i would have been happy with most of the dishes on the large menu and look forward to returning soon. it was so nice to feel welcomed and appreciated as a customer.
(5)G M.
I have been here twice-once for a sit down dinner, the other time for HH. Both were average experiences. The HH is ok. I got the beef carpaccio which looked and tasted great but was not fulfilling at all - basically 4 bites of incredibly thin meat and some greens on top. Worth the $3.95 during HH, but I am shocked this goes for $13 at dinner. The fried ravioli was good, but needed more and better tomato sauce. Drinks are average. Service is average. Ambiance is excellent. Not a horrible place, but not incredible either.
(3)Diana C.
Excellent staff. Great atmosphere. Great menu. No complaints. I have always enjoyed dinner here. Tonight we sat outside and it was absolutely delightful.
(5)Matthew P.
Always good. Staff is always helpful and professional. Food is always well prepared. We couldn't be any happier. Family loves it!
(4)Mike R.
Ate there tonight, Valentine's Day and the place was jammed. Plus, people were just not moving out. To make a long story short, we didn't get to our table until 35 minutes after our 8:15 reservation. We were not happy. But the staff did everything they could to change our mood. Free appetizers, lots of attention, and then discounts for future visits, which is great, because we love the food and atmosphere. Two staffers in particular, Julia and Sean, really went out of their way for us. In the end, it didn't matter that we had to wait. It was worth it. It's rare that businesses of any sort are so determined to make amends. Highly recommend this place.
(5)J N.
Great dinner and service last night. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. We had two appetizers; cold shrimptini is good but the portion is small. Small Caesar salad was excellent - fresh, crisp and a good portion. Pasta far diavolo is excellent with shrimp! A bit pricey but it was big.i finished with the shot glass chocolate dessert, so good with the caramel! Will definitely go back for dinner and plan to try their happy hour specials soon. Just wish they would lower their dinner entree price by two bucks or so, just so it's not as pricey - we would go more often if they did.
(5)Niana K.
Review is only for happy hour: One of the best happy hour menus in the area featuring $4 bar bites and $5 drink specials. The beef carpaccio was fresh and dressed nicely, and the burger (not slider) was incredibly juicy. The shrimp cocktail was pretty good too for what it was. On the flip side, the margherita flatbread was pretty bland...never again. Limited seating in the bar area, so I advise you to get there early. Will be back again....and again.
(4)Richa T.
I've been to Brio with my friends couple of times solely for happy hour and the specials are great. They have selected food items (flatbreads, brio burger etc) for about $4 as well as selected drinks for merely $5! My go-to here is def the sausage and pepperoni flatbread which is nice, crispy and full of flavor. Their mojitos and sangrias are delicious! The lounge area gets very packed during happy hour so do come early if you wish to grab a seat. I took two stars off because of their service and cleanliness. Brio seems to be a bit slower in service than other places I've been for happy hour. Talking about cleanliness, they could work on keeping their menus clean. Last time I was at brio, my menu had some drink residue on it thus leaving my hands sticky. Also, last two times Ive been here, I came across spilled drink on the floor. If they worked on their service and keeping the place tidy, I would def give this place a 5 star because their happy hour deal is really good!
(3)Ameena W.
Me and a coworker were in Bethesda for a business training course. A mix of curiosity and desperation (we had been sight seeing earlier and was exhausted) led us to Brio. The atmosphere it beautiful. Very calming and relaxing. We both had the Sangria Rosa which was nothing less than amazing. My sausage, pepperoni, and ricotta flatbread was very good and my friend said that she enjoyed her bruschetta. We both devoured the nice, soft warm bread that was placed on the table. I definitely will keep Brio in mind if I'm ever in the area again.
(5)Natasha G.
The food was great but it was all about the service in this review for me we had a party of four he only asked three of us what we wanted to drink was completely rude and had awkward comments through your our meal don't go if you want good service
(2)Tara C.
Very nice dining room- open and clean. Service was good Food was like a 3-4. Drinks were tasty. I had their Sangria Rosa which was yummy and their ultimate Cosmo. Hubby of course had Stella and lots of it. Hubby had: tomato bisque and pasta with meat sauce(not on menu but think they took what they put in lasagna on top) he liked it. I had: Bistecca Insalata aka wedge salad-was ok. Has chicken limone was ok... We shared their bruschetta which was nice. And split Brio trio for dessert- marscapone cheesecake- creme brûlée and bread pudding. Never been to a Brio before. We will be back.
(4)David N.
I love Brio's happy hour which goes from 3pm-7pm and 9pm-close Monday through Friday. Their HH is awesome because they offer great appetizers for only $3.95! The apps range from sausage and pepperoni flatbread to ravioli to a burger with provolone. Most of the apps are bomb and you are getting a great deal for only under $4. Of course, they also have $5 drinks which include their sangrias, mojitos, and wine. The gf loves the white peach sangria. I only wish they had better beer deals/selection. When I don't come for happy hour (which is 95% of the time), I have gotten a couple of their pasta dishes (Pasta Brio and others that I can't remember the name of) and they have been pretty good and on par with other decent Italian restaurants. So come for the happy hour, and if it's packed, you can still get some good food at the main tables. Actually, don't come for the happy hour because I do not want my seat to get taken!
(4)David W.
Saturday night dinner with wife and parents. Restaurant was full and the service was outstanding. I was very impressed with the staff and managers who were on the floor making sure nothing was missed. Food was very good from the brochette appetizer special, soup (mushroom, yum) salad, risotto, pasta, shrimp.... I can't remember the name of all the entrees, but we all agreed the food was great. Will be going back soon and will recommend.
(5)Chanel H.
Brio has a great happy hour that runs before dinner service, as well as late night. The appetizers are only $3.95! And these portions are pretty good, enough for me to order one to myself and it could be my dinner. I loved the ravioli, which was fried and swimming in pesto/tomato sauce/mozzarella...bomb! I also really like the pepperoni and sausage flat bread. Drinks are only $5, and I liked the merlot that I ordered. I thought the peach sangria was a little weak (but I guess it's to be expected from sangria). The service was great! :) Would definitely come back.
(4)Joel C.
Big beautiful room. Wish they'd fill it with good food and service. Kitchen's mediocre at best; servers below par in knowledge and skills. Not up to the prices or the menu. Not worth a repeat visit. Sorry. Funny examploe of server ignorance --- Ordered two Gibsons. Server left,came back after long absence to report "We're all out of Gibson." I tried to tell him it's the name of a vodka cocktail, but he insisted on bragging that he's an experienced bartender and they're all out of Gibson. Toward the end of a not quite mediocre meal, a manager came by and said there'd been a misunderstanding --- they didn't have the cocktail onions a Gibson requires. Nice room, not ready for prime time.
(1)Shachi B.
If The Olive Garden and The Cheesecake Factory had a baby, it would be Brio. Decor is generic (did the designer even go to Italy or did they just eat Chef Boyardee for inspiration?), food is mediocre (except for the Bruchetta - it's good!) and the service is really what killed it for my group. Came here for a birthday lunch and while the generic card with the free appetizer was a nice touch, it really didn't make up for our disappointing service. Waiters seemed annoyed to be there, and when we asked questions, they all but rolled their eyes with responses. For a place that serves $10-15 appetizers and $15 entrees during lunch, it really misses the mark with service (have I mentioned the service is terrible?). For most of our lunch we had to flag down waiters to request more water (though, they were quick with sodas) and have them clear off plates from the table. My friend's dish was unbearably salty (the chicken limon) and when we said this to the waiter he responded, "soooo, what would you like us to do with it?" Even when you send things back at TGIFridays a manager will stop over at your table and ask if everything is ok, but not here! What a disappointment. Another thing they don't mention is that all of the dishes are AT LEAST 700 calories+ (for appetizers) and 1000 calories or more for entrees. Be prepared for your inevitable salt and butter overdose here... Do yourself a favor. If you must eat in this area, skip this disaster of a restaurant and head across the courtyard to Season's 52. I promise you'll have a much better time.
(2)Dawn G.
Disappointing for dinner. Always great for lunch. We hit Brio at least once a month for lunch and get the parmesan chicken salad and wine. It's always delicious. The service is great and they even give our 8-year old son a dough ball to play with as we watch football games in the bar area. However our dinner visit last week was a nightmare. Our waiter kept forgetting to bring our drinks over and even told us "Oh, I didn't know you really wanted that." We ordered our food and watched table after table get their food as we sat there with the bread basket. Eventually, a few other waiters started waiting on our table. They brought the wrong food, the wrong drinks and seemed very confused about our table. Our original waiter disappeared and we didn't see him the rest of the night. We would have had a few more drinks, but no one would check in on us. Finally the manager stopped by for a check-in and we let her know what a nightmare the evening had been. She apologized, but I doubt we'll go there again for dinner.
(2)Eunice K.
went with my family for my sisters birthday.. and we all really enjoyed our time there we all shared a little bit of our food with each other :) free bread YUM! they have thin cheese bread/cracker thing and it had some seasoning on it.. it was yummy... Calamari Fritto Misto yum! two different sauces come with it (marinara and a buttery seasoned sauce) both were really good. and they also did have the peppers fried separately which was a nice touch :) added a lil kick and flavor Bruschetta Quattro yummmmy! had four different samples.. i think it might be different every time cus it doesnt say which four you get.. but im sure you can ask which four they serve.. the ones i got were really good! Brio's Sliced Steak Salad so good! the salad and everything in it worked so well together! Bistecca Alla Fiorentina steak, salad and mashed potatoes my dad really liked the mashed potatoes.. and the meat was seasoned well.. Chicken Under The Brick chicken was a little dry.. and my sister thought it was a little bland.. but it was still good.. Penne Mediterranean it was okay. it was bland.. tasted like boiled pasta could only taste the flavor if you ate the veggies.. i personally wouldnt get this because im not a fan of sundried tomatoes but my sister likes it.. she said she would not get it again.. peach sangria not strong, fizzy, sweet, delicious waiter friendly. really sweet. it was my sisters 21st so she gave her a tiramisu with a candle.. :) cant wait to go back! --------------------------------------------------Â--------- we saw someone get the Bistecca Insalata A wedge of lettuce, Gorgonzola, bacon, Roma tomatoes and creamy Parmesan dressing and that looks good. it is really a wedge of lettuce filled with all those stuff and you cut and mix it yourself.. i wanna try this next time.. theres so much i wanna try now.. cant wait to go again...
(4)Loni H.
Love this place. The spicy shrimp and eggplant app is the bomb.com ! Decor is very nice and wait staff...okay. I go often.
(4)Abegail A.
*****$5 Martini night and happy hour review***** $5 martinis (Wednesdays) AND $2.95 Tuscan tasters (M-F: 3-7pm and 9pm-close)!!? Hello...count me in! Upon entering Brio, you are greeted by smiling faces. As I made my way back to the bar, I couldn't help but notice the lovely decor and openness of the restaurant. The layout is great...warm and inviting. The bar area is a pretty good size, with plenty stools lining the bar, a couple couches to lounge on, several high tops, and multiple TVs. Sandy took great care of us at the bar. She explained their concept and menu to us, and also recommended some tasters. Sandy mentioned that during their extensive seven day training, they tasted everything on the menu...so I trusted her judgement. We decided on the sausage and pepperoni flatbread, beef carpacio, shrimptini, and Brio burger. When the menu said tasters, that's what I was expecting...bites. For tasters, these things were pretty huge. They are definitely rather generous in their portions. The flatbread was definitely the best, followed by the beef carpacio. The flatbread was crispy, the ingredients were fresh, and the sausage and pepperoni were oooooooooooooooooooooooooooh so tasty. So good. Seriously. A must. yelp.com/biz_photos/A592… Served on top of field greens, sprinkles of cheese, and mustard aioli, the beef carpaccio is another must. The beef was sliced nicely. I'm not a fan of mustard, but the aioli was good. I could have done without the flatbread piece (too crispy for me), but this was definitely a nice and refreshing appeteaser. yelp.com/biz_photos/A592… The shrimptini was pretty good, especially since I usually don't eat shrimp cocktails. For me, the roasted tomoto cocktail sauce made the dish. yelp.com/biz_photos/A592… The Brio burger was just okay...good, but nothing spectacular. The burger was cooked well and was pretty juicy. I believe it was supposed to come with provolone cheese, but we didn't get that on ours. The bun was toasted nicely, and I enjoyed the sauce on the bottom of the burger. Not sure if it was the actually burger patty or the sauce, but some bites were too salty for me. The housemade chips that accompanied the burger were okay, again, a little to salty for me. yelp.com/biz_photos/A592… Since it was opening day, I thought service would be somewhat slow and disorganized. Wrong. Our food came out in a timely manner and my martini glass was never empty. Yay Sandy! You could definitely tell that customer service and satisfaction is important to Brio and their employees. Felt like I was eating in a local neighborhood bar, not a chain restaurant. I'll be back to try out food on their regular menu (everything sounded tasty and prices were pretty reasonable), especially since I work just around the corner. Woot!
(4)Jessica S.
I have dined here several times in the last few months and it is exceptional!! The atmosphere, the food and especially the staff! I live on Capitol Hill in D.C. and I will drive to Rockville all the time just to eat at Brio! Not only for dinner, but their brunch was amazing. You wouldn't expect a place like this to have an amazing brunch but they do! It is also not your typical brunch, they have choices that capture the flavor and style of their restaurant. I would and do, highly recommend Brio in Rockville!
(5)Tanya G.
So I fit the typical Asian stereotype: -I love making away with a great deal -I'm cheap -My grammar can be improved upon -I'm love saving $$$ -I can't pronounce sh- vs ch- to save my life. . . Yeah potato chips and potato ships sound exactly the same coming from my mouth. -I'm thrifty Oddly enough my driving and parking skills are superb :-P But that's besides the point. . . . Enter Brio. A wonderful little establishment with an amazing happy hour venue. $5 drinks - wine, sangrias, mojitos, oh my!!! $3.95 food - flat breads, capri salad, fried shrimp, Brio burgers, oh yeah!!! Surprisingly at these prices, they're not skimping on the portions or taste of food or alcohol. This, my friends, is the definition of happy hour. AND get this. . . HH runs from 3-7 and again 9-close!!! That means my after work snacks and late night cravings are taken care of. . . . My wallet and therefore inner Asian squeals with triple delight.
(5)Sean C.
Ok...tried this place again last night...........FYI........i never eat in the restaurant side of this place.......I love the lounge area because its got nice comfy couches and its just much more pleasurable than the stiff restaurant tables...... but man the service is STILL the same. I show up with a friend and we get a middle section in the lounge.....trying to get some drinks and food while watching the NBA finals. The place is not super busy......the restaurant side has maybe 2-4 tables...and the lounge is medium busy....but still there was a section for us to sit. Takes forever to get a waiter.....over ten min.......finally i go up to the bar with 5 serves standing on the corner watching tv or just commiserating with each other. I ask for a server.....finally one shows up.........so we put a drink order in.....and have to ask for menus....??? The tables are dirty with drink rings and actual drink spillage from the last guest but nobody cares.......the floor is dirty again as usual......for some reason they must think fresh patrons want to stare at bread and napkins and bottle tops on the floor......they just never clean.........i don't get it!!!! So there I am...got my drink order in......but the drinks don't show up for 10 min.....and we are right in front of the bar! WTF........what i'm really confused about is I would think that the people sitting in this section should be great tippers.....well really having worked in food service......i know that any table is a possible great tip if you give them attention and keep tabs on them.......so this area seems even more profitable if you do it right! While waiting on the food....i put in a second drink order and ask the waiter if he can clean the tables please........but he forgets.........so the guy that delivers the food shows up and was gonna put the food on top of the floating water.....so I asked him....CAN YOU PLEASE CLEAN THIS TABLE........i swear i wanna pull my hair out in this place! I don't think the management in this place is ever looking at this site because if they were they would do something about this area of the restaurant! What sucks the most is the food is really good and they have great specials as well. But there is nobody in this place that is addressing the basics of customer satisfaction.......the Bar/Lounge area NEEDS TO BE ATTENDED TO..........at ALL TIMES.......SOMEBODY TAKE CHARGE PLEASE....because i like this place.......but you are cramping my style!!!
(2)Tim P.
This place employs people who steal from customers. The service is mediocre to lousy, again because they will apparently hire anyone with a pulse, and then not attempt to train these dullards. I think it's a training issue. The management needs to tell trainees things like, "If a customer hands you a $20 bill on a $12 tab, don't ask them if they want change (with the implication that you somehow deserve an $8 tip on a $12 tab). Just bring the change. It's not a huge loss even if there's no tip, because you literally did next to nothing for such a small tab, considering how expensive this place is." Or, they could say something like, "If a customer leaves an expensive item at the table accidentally minutes before closing, don't pocket it. That customer WILL come back for it, and when it's not in the lost and found the next day, they WILL figure out that you stole it. They WON'T come back after they figure that out, which hurts YOUR long-term income, because you could have had a loyal customer who tips well and isn't a pain in the ass. But no, you had to go for the quick score. Good job idiot." Incidentally, the waitress got a $3 tip on the $12 tab, which is well over 20%. These issues occurred on two separate occasions; the first was an attempt to rectify the second, and occurred on consecutive days. It was reasonable to assume the item accidentally left at closing time would be in the lost and found the next day. This dump is clearly not reasonable. Yuck.
(1)David M.
Bad-to-mediocre food quality at expensive prices Totally underwhelmed. nice bar space. very open restaurant with high ceilings bad food. bad service. overpriced
(2)Eunice K.
I'm so disappointed... I've heard their food is better than Cheesecake Factory... not that I'm a huge fan of them, but I still wanted to try this place. The boyfriend and I walked in around 2:30PM on a Sunday, and more than half of the restaurant was empty. The hostess said that the only place available for seating was by the bar. Really...? are you serious? I told her than we would wait until "seat opened up". She told us she would see if a table was available and disappeared. I mean... seriously? half of the place was empty!!! Then about 3 minutes later, she came back and sat us. Didn't even say ANYTHING except "follow me". No smile, nothing. As soon as we sat down, she slid the menu across the table and left. WTF? Had the bruschetta appetizer-- meh. It was okay... nothing I would ever go crazy for. One of the bread on the bruschetta got pretty soggy... ugh, I HATE SOGGY BREAD!! I had the eggs benedict... one of the egg whites wasn't even cooked. Seriously... they have way better eggs benedict at The Original Pancake House. The boyfriend had the Chicken Pomodoro Classico... He said it was okay... nothing amazing. Our server was okay too. He didn't even smile... when I would say "thank you" for refilling my drink, he didn't say anything, he would just look away. The only time he said thank you was when he brought the check for me to sign. LOL... Honestly... Cheesecake Factory has WAY BETTER service than this place. If I had a choice to eat either here or at Cheesecake Factory, I would eat at Cheesecake Factory for sure. So. All in all, Brio, it was my first and it def is my last.
(2)Orlangela A.
She said..." This place is alright, just needs to work on their service. Every time we come here we are always waiting for our waiter. They have really good happy hour specials. Their brio bistecca salad is really good, with the Parmesan dressing. The Gorgonzola crusted steak is also really good. The happy hour burger is yummy, especially for the price, only $3.95 and it comes with house made chips." He said..."Happy hour food here is really good, the taste-to-cost ratio is off the charts as the menu items are very inexpensive but the food quality is great. It can get a little crowded in the bar area, but usually you can find a seat relatively quick. Service is getting better, because every time we have gone here it has improved. My friend has had wine spilled on him, that's how bad it was at one point. But the manager quickly came and apologized and gave us free dessert. Free food makes bad things disappear for me...The bistecca salad is our staple there, but their steak is a good cut for an Italian restaurant."
(4)Ana B.
Love Brio, I have never be disappointed with the quality of food I order, whether is pizza, pasta, fish or meat I have always enjoy it. They have a good variety of wines, my husband and I usually star at the bar or by the fire place, the bartenders are usually very friendly and give us a wine taste on the house. The desserts are too die for, I never feel rush here even when the restaurant is full. I highly recommend
(4)Rob K.
It's not bad, but it's nothing too special. Fairly busy for a Friday dinner service, but we didn't have to wait for a table. The dining area is inviting, fairly bright, open and loud. We ordered the bruschetta sampler for starters and fettuccIne campanIa and pasta brio for the main course. The brushcetta comes with four different toppings - of which three were excellent and one was just not our taste. No fault on Brio. The pasta dishes were, on the other hand, a bit of a miss. The campania was chock full of garlic, without garlic being featured at all in the menu description. The pasta brio had pieces of chicken that I swear were so similar it could have been the Perdue chicken breast slices in a bag. The sauces for both were nothing special, and in general left us feeling we didn't get what we paid for. That being said, the service was excellent and some of the non-pasta items coming out of the kitchen did look more appealing. Perhaps we just swung and missed with our selections.
(3)Valerie B.
Went here last night for holiday party - never heard of this place but ok I'm game! Poor service and dirty menus - awesome! ALMOST made it to my car before vomiting everything I ate - happy new year!
(1)Ryan B.
I've been here on a couple occasions. The dinner is okay and the service is fair. The best time to come here is for happy hour if you live nearby. Definitely one of the better places for happy hour in North Bethesda that I've been to.
(3)Kat F.
I came here for dinner with my super healthy father and teenage sister. One this I absolutely absolutely recommend (if you're 21+) is their Caposaldo Moscato. It's so crisp and light, I could probably drink a whole bottle myself. They give you a nice loaf of warm bread to start with. I ordered a light pasta dish, Pasta Alla Vodka, to eat with my white wine. It came with just the right amount of pancetta and enough sauce that I can use the bread to dip with. My father ordered a salmon dish which was fairly flavorful and was pretty light on the calories, too. My sister ordered a pasta dish that had spicy sausage. That dish was HUGE and she had to take a lot of it to-go. It was pretty delicious, though. Overall a very nice experience. I was surprised that it wasn't very busy that night, though (Saturday before Christmas). I was expecting at least a 15min wait when we got there...I guess I just happened to be lucky that night.
(4)Al E.
This place is a fun spot with a great happy hour. They now have outdoor seating which if you time it right means you can sit in the afternoon sun. The menu is decent but they might do better adding additional beers on tap. They are also inconsistent on their policy about dogs - sometimes they let us sit outside with our little dog and sometimes they will not (not sure why!). Overall though a nice place to sit and have an evening drink & snack! :)
(3)Parysa T.
The food was pretty good. It's kind of expensive but I feel like at this price point, the food isn't anything exceptional. Thankfully we had a reservation but it seemed like everyone around us (on a Friday evening) had been waiting for over 40 minutes which isn't cool. What made it less cool was that they were passing around cold pizza slices to mitigate the anger rising up in everyone. I understand what they were trying to accomplish, but at least pass around warm food or something that hasn't been chilling around for an hour. I would recommend this place for a less busy night because the food is good enough that you should try - just expect to pay for it!
(3)Eric J.
Steak was too salty. Tuna tartare with a mango dip was interesting, but wasn't really sure what they were trying to do with it.
(3)Mike M.
Had lunch with a client at Brio today. First visit to this location. Started with a nice Cesar salad which was well dressed and chilled. Next I had a the mahi mahi entree off the low cal menu. It was a smallish piece of fish served over warm greens mixed with toasted rice, very tasty and only 500 calories. Others at our table had more traditional Italian dishes and everyone seemed very happy. Service was attentive and efficient. Very nice atmosphere. Can't wait to come back for dinner.
(4)Chantel E.
Eh...3 stars because I think its just ok. I've been to Brio for happy hour a couple times and they have great appetizers but the drinks are blah. I would compare their martinis to a simple rail rum and coke....nothing special but gets the job done. Every time I visit the wait staff is really friend and are willing to make recommendations.
(3)Amanda G.
This place is right downstairs for my apartment and it's very convenient if I want to grab some appetizers and a few drinks. I've only sat in the bar area, and in my opinion the strong point of this place is its happy hour! They have a Mon-Fri happy hour until 7pm and then they have a late night happy hour until close! I feel like they usually have some sort of discount opportunity at the bar! Also, Wednesday all day they have a menu of $5 martinis! Awesome=) I've really only ordered drinks, lunch and appetizers here...and they were all delicious! I ordered a creamy pasta for dinner once and although it was good, I found it to be a bit overpriced for a chain type of restaurant. The Chipotle chicken & bacon panini is delicious for lunch and I would recommend coming to Brio for lunch or for one of their happy hour food or drink specials! They have a menu on which everything is $5..food and drinks! I will be back for happy hour, but probably not for a four course meal. Also...a bartender there by the name of Chris was very personable and mixes very good drinks!
(4)Tom N.
The atmosphere is great and it's located in the new North Bethesda Market. The service was quite attentive. The bruschetta was great. The risotto on the other hand.. bleh. I'm a salty eater.. but wow.. their risotto with sweet potato was super salty! I was not a fan of that dish... I'll probably give it another try at some point.
(3)Bruce R.
Good food, poor service. Waited a long time for our server to finally show up. Drinks took a long time. Entrees were served but our waiter never returned until I asked to speak to the manager. Disappointing. The restaurant was not busy. Offered coupons for free appetizers.
(2)Chaz C.
Went for an anniversary lunch and they made the meal very wonderful. They accommodated allergy issues and the waiter was great. Has the feel of DC dining without the hassle.
(5)Dave M.
Bottom-line: the food was acceptable. Salad wedge was typical. Margharita flatbread was good (but temperature was tepid). The various pasta dishes with shrimp were fine and enjoyable. (It was nice being served HOT food.) But, nothing was so fantastic that I would have to go back, again. The odd thing was the waiter. He acted like he was our friend, using slang ("cool" in response to my order) and as we were leaving, the expression he used was odd (I can't quite recall what he said but it was an odd/slang version of saying "thank you for coming"). Plus, when the entrees were served, we ordered two glasses of wine ... but he didn't deliver them until we were (practically) finished with our meal! He agreed to take back the wine but it was just a very odd way of being waited upon. Eh, you only rent food.
(2)Rachel L.
I've been to Brio in Tyson's and liked it so I was really happy to see them coming to Rockville! And they don't disappoint. The restaurant is big and spacious. They have lots of tables so I could see coming here with large groups or at busy times and still not having to wait too long which is great. Every time we've been, with 4 or fewer, we've been seated immediately. They have a variety of Italian dishes, everything is sort of a new or interesting twist on the traditional. It's a good crowd-pleaser, everyone can find something they like. The portions are generous. Yes, it's a very commercial chain... but the food doesn't taste like it! The food is really good - fresh and delicious. I usually order a pasta dish - mushroom ravioli is my favorite. I also like the bruschetta appetizer. I've never gotten something I didn't like. They serve great bread in the bread basket. They also gave my toddler a lump of dough to play with and shape, then baked it for him. He was a bit too young to appreciate it but I thought it was really a cute thing to do. The service has been stellar every time. They will give Cheesecake Factory a run for their money. After I went here, I declared that Brio is what Timpano's used to be like, before they went downhill (if perhaps a bit more commercial). Update 1/15: The last couple times we were there, the service was slow and the dishes we ordered were disappointing. It seems our initial experience was an anomaly and they aren't that awesome after all. Still an ok choice, but I'm downgrading to 3 stars.
(3)Jim L.
Ok, just had to see what all of the fuss about this place was about...... Parking: Get there early enough and you can find street parking without too much effort. Meters are enforced until 7PM / my friend went to Whole Foods and got free parking/ Valets: Another friend and I left at the same time last night, me on the street, he with valet....I beat him back by 10 min.... and we were only going 1 mile away Outside Decor: Lots of outdoor tables do the sidewald which will be nice if the weather isn't too hot/cold or rainy..... Interior: Makes you think initially of a "junior Bellagio".....with the similar colors.... Bar: Ehh! Just a long bar where you sit side by side....tough if you have a group... There are tables to the side where people are like vultures and will beat you over the head to grab if they think one is opening up. The little "lounge couches"....I've never liked. Are they trying to be a "cool place" where people park themselves and NEVER move? You need to encourage turnover..... I saw 3 of the lounge couches taken up by group that ordered one drink, one HH appetizer and then water for the reest of the time...... Staff: Hostess was nice and friendly; waiters/waitresses say hi to you as you walk through the place..... Bartenders? Hmmmmmm .... I will give the edge to Timpanos and Season's 52..... With a bar that small, one should not have to wait so long when my glass was empty...and I sat next to the tap........ Nice addtion to the area though......
(3)Annie L.
love this place, the ambiance and the pricing, totally awesome! so after 9pm the $2.95 tasters are delish and these dishes are very filling and a great deal, i mean they had pizza and burgers. I came here with my BF one night, after passing by all the time when we go to seasons 52, just waiting for the day it would open. Then randomly passing by we finally saw that it had opened. Parking was free btw, so don't be intimidated by the parking garage. Anyways, i loved it so much after hearing from the bartenders that they had brunch, I was soo excited because you know there aren't a lot of great brunch places around here that I enjoy. So the following day, I came here for brunch with my parents, it was delish! if you love eggs benedict as I do, please try it, they have such variety, crab cakes, chorizo's you name it. The pricing was reasonable, just because it was so good. I also made reservations, even though i didn't have to, because there was like no one there at 11am. I guess it's because they just opened for a month and no one really knew about it. The service was excellent, both the night before at the bar, and for brunch. Try the flat bread pizza, totally awesome if you are into thin crisp crust like I am. This might be our new place to hang out, watch out clydes, and good bye brunch at mosiac cafe. fancy, classy place, might have a get together there, who knows... Update: Tasters are now $3.95, but still a good deal!
(5)Erin D.
I'm reviewing the bar part only....in terms of a place to go in Rockville...or "North Bethesda"...this is great for location and parking. Good drinks and great service. However, if you go as a group of girls, beware the creepiest creepy guy ever that is a REGULAR there, to the point a waiter pulled us aside and apologized on his behalf. He said hes there ALL the time constantly bothering women. Other than that, its a fun place!
(3)Navi B.
Very attractive bar area with couches on the inside. Outdoor seating is a plus. But honestly this place is all show and average tasting chow. I really want to like this place given the proximity to my home but I can't. Don't get me wrong... It's not bad, just terribly overpriced dressed up chain food. Think Macaroni Grill or the like with a better interior and more mediocre food.
(2)Jack G.
I would prefer a better parking arrangement, I was not sure where to park. The food was average, I had a the Tuscan salad which was a bit small for a dinner salad. The crusted steak was OK but I would not order that again. Typical chain restaurant. The service was slow and the drinks do not come right away.
(3)Linda B.
I tried Brio for the first time last night. It smells like heaven (carbs & tomatoes) in there. With all my will power, I steered clear from the usual Italian fare and ordered the blackened tilapia and a side of spinach. Both were prepared quite nicely. The dining room is impressive and enormous. I imagine it would be a great spot for group dining. I would definitely give it another go based on my first impression of their food and the atmosphere. The only thing that was lacking was the service. Our waiter was not rude per se but the service was painstakenly slow/inattentive, which was odd considering 90% of the tables were empty and there were multiple wait staff. Perhaps it was an off night in terms of service, but I think once they get that under wraps, it will be a solid go-to restaurant.
(3)Lanie L.
This new Brio location officially opened up just a few days ago, but I was lucky enough to dine here during their soft opening. When I arrived here at night, you'd think it was a fully open restaurant, with every single table booked, and dozens of waiters/bussers/and staff running around like crazy. Here in DC, I always find myself in restaurants where I know it's going to be a bit expensive, with not much options for myself to eat. But because my friends want to eat there, I tag along. (So you guys owe me one by accompanying me to a vegan restaurant next time!) The entire atmosphere was chaotic and energetic, though the look and feel of the restaurant managed to bring the chaos level down a notch. It's a very beautiful place, with a great interior design, fancy table settings, nice dim lighting, and calm colors. But there's also their cocktail area, where you can sit on couches or at the bar. There's something for everyone here. Right away, my party was greeted and our names checked. We thought we'd have to wait a long time, looking at the crowd, but it wasn't that bad. Friday nights at Olive Garden is way worse. Flipping through the menu, my hindsight proved me right and I saw...pretty much no options for me to eat. However, our server for the night, Eric, was really attentive to my needs and helped me out, making really great suggestions. I ended up getting the Peach Bellini cocktail, the Strawberry Balsamic Salad, sans meat and cheese, and the Penne Mediterranean, sans cheese. There were people everywhere, and there are so many things going on. It made for a really interesting people-watching experience. Surprisingly, our food came out in a relatively decent amount of time. I think we expected to wait for a long time, so getting it before we expect always makes it a nice surprise. The salad was super delicious. I usually don't have nuts in my salads, but when done right, it can make the salad. The pecans add such a great flavor to the already powerful tastes of the strawberry vinaigrette. I'm sure for everyone else, the chicken and cheese adds another flavor dimension, but I was pretty happy with what I had. The pasta was also enjoyable. There's something about onions and mushrooms that when cooked together, fill up the dish with such a savory rich taste. I also love pine nuts, and their buttery flavor and altogether, this dish was rich, filling, yet light enough to enjoy without guilt. Throughout the night, Eric would check up on us to make sure we were all enjoying our meals. He made sure my dinner was prepared correctly and that I was satisfied. (Sometimes, great service makes or breaks your experience, no matter how your food turns out). He would even take some time to chat just about small things. I told him that I was from California, and he was super surprised. I guess not too many Californians are found in Rockville hahaha. He said he wants to visit one day and I told him he should! My friends all enjoyed their food too, and the best part was that the servings were big enough for us to take home some leftovers. By the time we left, it was closer to closing time, but I noticed that people were still coming in waiting to be seated. It just sucks knowing that a typical table will dine for about a hour, and that all the workers will probably have to work way past closing time to ensure everyone gets served. I guess people want their Italian food at 11pm? Overall, I would probably never eat here again. But being with friends and trying out this new restaurant, plus paired with great food, drinks, atmosphere, and service, I'm glad I experienced this place at least once.
(4)Annie K.
I've been to their location in Tyson's a few times, but we decided to check this location out since our friends live in the building above the restaurant. We came in a group of 4 this past Friday night. The decor is nice and there is plenty of seating. I had a birthday coupon which allowed us to have the beef medallions and shrimp scampi for free, so we chose that as one of our entrees -- along with shrimp risotto with a side salad and lamb chops with a side of roasted vegetables. (the names were all in Italian, but that's pretty much what we ordered) We ordered drinks, which took awhile -- but the server explained that the juices were hand-squeezed, which was a plus. My girlfriend and I also ordered mixed cocktails (razzberrtini and peach bellini) which tasted like straight up fruit juice the first time around, and the server kindly gave us another round after we mentioned it to him. (the second round tasted like there was alcohol in it :P) I enjoyed the salad and shrimp risotto, and my boyfriend enjoyed his lamb chops. The roasted vegetables were a great addition to the dish. At the end of our dinner, our server packed all of our leftovers for us, and presented us with a complimentary dessert. He gave us two strawberry cheesecake desserts, 1 for me, and 1 for my girlfriend, which was extremely nice of him! He apologized for not paying attention to us as much as he should have, because he had to take care of another table, but we didn't mind because we all had a great conversation anyway. I liked this location, and would definitely come dine here again when I'm in the area.
(4)Xen N.
We were seated promptly, very friendly front desk staff. We were seated, ordered beverages and appetizers, then dinner. The appetizers were good but not memorable. We ordered filet and lasagna. They made a mistake and brought out a pasta dish instead of lasagna, and left the filet on the table. We had to wait 10-15 minutes for the correct item to arrive and although the food was good, one of us had to eat alone or eat cold food while waiting. All we got from the manager was "sorry". Doubtful we will be back. The cost does not warrant the service, or the meal. Sad... because the restaurant/decor is beautiful.
(1)Maggie G.
Happy hour is ah-mazing!!! So cheap, but they don't skip on the portions. Drinks are $5. My personal fave is the white peach sangria. Food is $3.95 and that includes a huge burger. You can't go wrong here. One of the best happy hours by far. Plus they have a 3 hour complimentary valet parking.
(5)Weetzie B.
Yummy! Had the Ravioli Di Bello. Sign up for their mailing list and receive the Bruschetta Quattro for free! Great service and dining experience, definitely going back.
(5)Caroline L.
Came here for Mother's Day. Our reservation was pretty early (4 PM) so for the 1st half of our meal, our server was on top of things. The last half got a bit choppy although I knew he was trying and appreciated the front manager stepping in to take away some plates and ask if we needed anything. Absolutely LOVED the free bread basket they first brought out. My grandma is obsessed over bread so our server was a good at bringing another one when the basket quickly became empty. He was also a champ in handling all the substitutions and questions I asked. Even though the burger wasn't on the dinner menu, he allowed us to order one. The good/yummy: Risotto, Lobster and shrimp fettuccine (sooo yummy!), and the burger. The bad: Salmon. The server asked us how my mom wanted it cooked- we said medium. It came out well done. My mom ONLY eats salmon when we go out so she could probably write her own book on where to go for good salmon. Her critique on this piece of salmon was: 'This is the worst salmon I've probably had. No flavor. So dry. Ends were burnt. I rather have Ruby Tuesdays". I felt AWFUL b/c although everyone else's meal was awesome, the one that mattered most (my mom on mother's day) failed miserably!! yikes!! Also I ordered the entree w/ 3 steak medallions. Made sure to emphasize I liked it medium rare- rather have it even just rare. Sure enough it came out w/ 3 well done pieces. Honestly, the pieces are so tiny and they seemed busy and I didn't want to be "that" customer that complained on a busy night. I can eat well done steak... just would've enjoyed it 1000% more if it was more rare. Holidays put me in a good mood so I didn't complain about the salmon either. In hindsight I guess i should've so they could've had a chance to fix their mistake. Oh yeah, we also got 3 hot teas and they only brought enough hot water for 1.5 cups. Had to wait around to ask for more water. No biggie but thought it was a rookie mistake. Brio for me would be one of those places where I wouldn't be excited or upset to go to. It's just... a-ok.
(3)Brian F.
What a great place! Improved and focused since our last trip here. The bar area was hopping, and dinner was delish. Reasonable prices and great service to boot. Order off the Grill section of the menu, and enjoy an excellent $32 bottle of Benziger chardonnay.
(4)MacKenzie W.
Pretty good. Tried it on a whim because Maggiano's didn't have any reservations. Parking: This is the only reason I wouldn't go here. That area is hell...we were SO lucky to find a spot on the street. Otherwise it's a maze of garages or valet. Good luck. Service: Not bad, but not great either. Went on a Saturday night and our waitress was a little slow. She made great recommendations for food and was very friendly though, so I'll give them that. Food: Got the bruschetta sampler for an app and it was eh. I love some good classic bruschetta and theirs were all untraditional flavors which were only so-so. The only one I'd suggest is the steak one. Was really good! The caprese salad is also a winner. The mozzerella is awesome. For my entree I got the grilled salmon salad. The salmon is cooked perfectly, although maybe a little on the salty side. I would order it again though, was really good. My mom got the penne fra diavlo which was our waitress' recommendation. It was awesome. Definitely get this if you want a good pasta dish. For dessert got the chocolate caramel cake in the little shot glass. Delicious! Prices: Apps were a little pricey ($15ish) but entrees were average ($15 for the salad, $12-20 for pastas, in the $20s for steaks).
(3)Harris H.
My daughters and wife took me here for Father's Day. We sat on the patio, which is cramped but very pleasant. The server was good, but not as attentive as I like. It took a while to get drink refills, but not a big deal. My mushroom ravioli was outstanding. My wife ordered the veal marsala, and honestly, it was blah and more like a dark brown gravy taste. The pasta was overcooked and she was disappointed with it. My daughter told the waitress that she wanted the crab cakes but is allergic to peppers, so gave her a second choice if they had peppers since the waitress wasn't sure. The waitress came back and let her know it did have peppers and she was getting the second choice. When our meals came, my daughter's side vegetables had peppers, she told the staff to just remove them and leave the rest of the dinner as she wanted to eat with us, not twenty minutes later. Unfortunately, the server didn't understand and did a whole refire. So, my daughter ended up eating hers after we were done. The manager was very apologetic and told her she was taking care of her, but when the bill came, the meal was still on there. We had our removed and all was well. I gave it 4 stars because it was good, and we did enjoy for the most part. I will update after next time.
(4)Kathy J.
Brio is Great! Wide open dining room. Bar area looks nice. Food was great, yummy bread basket and the pasta pomodoro was delicious. Kids menu looked good too, but didn't have what I was looking for. My mom had a chopped salad with grilled chicken it looked like she enjoyed it. Waiter offered me pizza dough to play with (I turned it into a muffin shape). They put it in the wood fire oven to bake and I took it home and ate it later. The reason I didn't give Brio 5 stars is because there was some trash under the table when we were seated and a fruit fly flew into my ear. Other than that Brio is the place to be! - Sam, age 11.
(4)Robin G.
WOW, this place is awesome. Perfect atmosphere, perfect location, good service and delish food! I had the mushroom ravioli and it was excellent. My husband had steak and he was very happy with his meal. The price was reasonable and I cannot wait to go back! YUM
(5)Peter L.
Dinner for 8 is never easy on the wallet and Brio is not only great food, but a great value. I had the shrimp and the lobster bisque and it was great. The portions were perfect and we had room for desert. We will be back again and again...
(4)Nini K.
Great happy hour at the bar; delicious bruschetta sampler and mashed potatoes. The outdoor seating is an extra bonus for us and service has been great so far. Try this place!
(4)Nae C.
So far I've had very pleasant experiences at Brio. Lunch, happy hour and dinner all boasts yummy food, great service and very reasonable prices however with $3.95 apps & $5 drinks happy hour is my fav! The spicy shrimp & eggplant is drool-wrothy and the Brio burger is full-size and tasty. The happy hour atmosphere is very laid back with your choice of plush, comfy lounge areas, standard table and chairs or sleek high tops with stools. Located in the same shopping center as Whole Foods, this has quickly become my go-to place.
(4)M C.
Stunningly beautiful place, very friendly staff, and about the freshest food ever. All the pasta is made on-site, same for the cocktail mixers (so the bar can take a few minutes longer than usual), the veggies are tasty, and the meat and fish are heaven. I definitely recommend the Bruschetta Quartto -- 2 big pieces of the daily special and each of the 3 standard favorites, so it's a bit different every time. The mojitos are fantastic. Even the desserts are approved by my Italian born-and-raised hubby, who loooooves the steaks. The whole menu lists calorie counts (thank you!) and has plenty of variety. I've been at least 10 times since it opened, and the servers always welcome us back. I can't wait to try the brunch this weekend!
(5)Tyler C.
I went here the other night and I really enjoyed it. As others have said it is loud, but I didn't find it that bad . I wish they would get rid of the revolving doors at the entrance since they are always a pain. The service was great and we were always checked on to make sure things were good. I got the chicken limone which was very delicious and juicy. Overall it was a good experience and the food was delicious.
(4)Alex P.
2-stars. Reliable sources have told me it's better and I went with a large group on a Friday night. I know the restaurant is new and they're still working out the kinks, but this was just too much. It took nearly 45 minutes just to get salad. Another 30 minutes for entrees. A meal was missing and multiple entrees were cold. Lamb was extremely rare despite request. The restaurant was very loud such that we could not hear the waitress. Also, crowd tends to be surprisingly geriatric. The prices are very reasonable and I think they probably would do a bit better on a less crowded night as the kitchen staff gains more experience. The outdoor seating and bar looked great, and would have been more desirable to me under different circumstances. The manager was very apologetic about our experience and comped some items, which was some solace. I will return to give this place a second shot and update review if needed.
(2)Vicki M.
Love the happy hour at Brio's. Seats are either at the bar, tables with tall, chairs, or comfortable club type chairs or sofas. Prices are good: $4 for Margharita flatbread, Brio burger (cut into 4 pieces), carpaccio, other goodies, all good sized portions. Drinks are $5. Service is fine, not in-your-face, but it is easy to call the server.
(4)Nora H.
I've been there twice and liked the food very much. For a chain restaurant, it serves good pastas. Try the Bruschetta Quatro--a great sampler to taste delicious bruschetta. Also, their desserts are nice and not extremely big (a change over other places that expect you to share or eat a huge dessert by yourself), but could be a bit less sweet.
(4)Mike K.
$3.95 each for a decent happy hour burger plus grilled shrimp with fried eggplant in a yummy sauce. Good conversation with folks we sat next to on comfy chairs in the lounge. Pretty place. No drink specials for happy hour. I will definitely check them out for lunch or dinner. Me and my gal met a councilman from Takoma park with his lady friend and a nice couple from Olney. Good times. Nice to see you, Morgan
(4)R W.
We had a disappointing visit to Brio Tuscan Grill. I blame Poor Management on the problems we encountered. Things did not start well when we ordered 2 glasses of Merlot and one of the glasses was filthy; there were lipstick marks and spots on the glass. The waiter brought out a new glass of wine. Overall, the service was poor; maybe the waiter was new, but he seemed clueless the whole time. During our meal we ordered 2 more glasses of Merlot. The waiter disappeared for 10 minutes and then came back and said "they ran out of Merlot". We sat there in disbelief. For dessert we ordered the Tiramisu. After 10 minutes we asked our waiter about our dessert. He said the kitchen was backed up and they "were making it". When it was finally delivered to our table, the Tiramisu was chilled indicating it had been made earlier. The food was ok, but with all the different restaurants in the Rockville, Bethesda area I don't think we will be going back.
(2)Fixshine P.
Good restaurant and the food is awesome.
(5)Jason A.
Needed a last-minute place for a nice dinner w/ family & boy-howdy did we choose right! This place is just fantdiddlytastic for sure....cannot say enough about the service, the atmosphere and the food. Our waiter just totally went out of his way to take care of us all and made us feel very special. Certainly intend to re-visit the next time we are up near the District!!
(5)Georgina S.
Your reservation system and loyalty program is soooo messed up! You look like you are running a food truck. To make a reservation is impossible and you do not have the ability to recognize your own patrons. O here's the deal...look for us at Seasons 52 or Founding Farmers or Paladar as you FIND yourself... Goodbye.
(1)Jeremy L.
We stumbled into this place one night on a whim. I wish I had known about the happy hour, because our late dinner was pricy. 15 bucks for the salmon off the health menu. It was cooked nicely, but only a half portion really. 25 bucks for the main dish would have been a ripoff too. 18 would've been appropriate. The atmosphere was lively and fun. Not amazing food, but darn good, just overcharging for rather generic dishes.
(3)Chris P.
I was fortunate enough to attend the soft opening for Brio at North Bethesda Market. The restaurant has a nice open design and tasteful decor. While the speed of service was slow at times, I understand this is one of the kinks they work out at soft openings. The staff couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. We started out with the bruschetta quattro appetizer, a sampler of all the types they offer. They were delicious, especially the tomato & ricotta and sliced steak. I also got the lobster bisque with shrimp, and my wife ordered the wedge salad (both well executed). For the main course, my wife ordered the Salmon (came with fried tomatoes) which she really enjoyed. I got the Veal Marsala (with a side of tomato pasta), which was the best I've ever had. We finished off with two mini desserts, the milk chocolate caramel cake and the tiramisu. Everything we ate throughout the night was delicious and exceeded our expectations. We also ordered a few cocktails. Most of the juices and syrups are made in-house (as our waitress explained), which is a nice touch. While the prices are higher than other chain Italian restaurants, we felt the quality and service justified them. We will be returning. Tip: We saw signs promoting a $5 martini night on Wednesdays, as well as $2.95 bar bites.
(5)Kate V.
Have had two meals there recently. Noise level at dinner is huge. VERY LOUD and hits you when you walk in. The interior is lovely except acoustics not working. Food is clearly re-heated from frozen entrees created somewhere else and trucked in. Nothing is fresh or innovative. Very high calorie and no real choices for anything created by an innovative chef. Had brunch on Saturday. Potatoes were cold and again obviously poorly reheated. Nice wait staff. Like the fact that the calorie count is listed and wish there were more low calorie choices. Cocktails good price and the one I had was delicious. Food needs improvement as does the menu. Wouldn't waste my money there unless you want high calorie re-heated food 4CatKat
(2)Dan Z.
Nice new Italian spot on the Pike. As long as you are not in a hurry, this is a great place for good pasta and drinks. The food is very well prepared and has great flavor. The service is a bit slow, but waiters are friendly and try to make you comfortable. Menu is large and offers something for everyone. Chicken Limone is great! They even bring raw pizza dough for the kids to make into shapes and then they bake it for them. Nice touch.
(4)Chip C.
Food is average, but service stinks. Our party waited around for 40 minutes at the table before they even brought water. As a result the manager got involved with our dinner and totally screwed the pooch. The real waiter we had was excellent, but the manager was attempting to help and fouled up the whole operation. The manager could not handle a simple bill.
(1)Ashley D.
We tried this restaurant on the first night it was officially opened. It is a beautiful restaurant, it has an open layout with tons of windows and nice lighting and a striking central bar area. The atmosphere reminded me a bit of The Cheesecake Factory. It strikes an unusual balance: it certainly feels more upscale than other Italian chains like Olive Garden or Mamma Lucia's, yet they offer a children's menu and we felt very comfortable dining there with our infant (they quickly brought us a sling that we could set his carseat in as we ate). The food was notable for the gigantic portion sizes. I ordered lasagna and it came on a plate as long as my arm! I was only able to eat half of it before boxing up the rest to have for lunch the next day. My mother ordered the beef carpaccio as her meal and it was also served on a huge platter. The lobster bisque was very good, and my husband enjoyed the crab and shrimp cakes. They had a decent selection of wine and specialty cocktails as well. The servers were still obviously learning the ropes and there were a few small mistakes. One member of our party received a cup of soup that she didn't actually order, and appetizers that were supposed to come out with the main course came out with the soups and salads instead. But the service was friendly and fast, and I'm willing to overlook small errors when the staff is clearly brand new. The prices are higher than those at other chain restaurants, but the nicer atmosphere and massive portion sizes are worth the small bump in price. I will keep Brio in mind the next time I'm craving Italian food and am in the Rockville area.
(4)fp c.
I went last week and I'm planning to go again next week. I am not a person who ordinarily goes out on weeknights, but I think this is worth it. Parking was not a problem - got a space on the street. The late night (9PM+) deals and HH are great. The drinks were very good - martinis for $5 (fancy flavors. I didn't do a straight one so I cannot speak to booze quality) - very tasty. In fact, that pretty much describes everything, "tasty". The $3.95 "tasting dishes" were great - especially for the $$. Tom complained about food being too salty. One of the things I liked about it is that they are not afraid to put salt and pepper on things. I am so tired of politically correct, bland food. Of course that it spurs you to buy more drinks has nothing to do with it. I say 4 stars because everything was very good, but nothing earth shattering - and also a few weirdos who appear to be regulars. Maybe they weren't, but they ran around like they owned the place, and some 50 yo guy was hitting on all the 20 something girls.
(4)Kate L.
This is a great Italian restaurant that I went lat week....the food was amazing, the staff was friendly and I will go again definitely loved the atmosphere a lot and I highly recommend this restaurant...
(4)Slick S.
Dreadful. The dining room is huge and incredibly noisy. The people at our table had to scream at each other to be heard. The food is about Applebees quality and not even close to authentic Tuscan. This is the sort of place you go if you know nothing about Italian food and are easily fooled by fake arches and bronze chandeliers.
(1)christine c.
Brio is another one of these relatively new restaurants in Rockville - large and spacious, comfortable seatings - round and square tables, cushy booth seats, modern design and felt a bit hard edged with pinkish stone walls and a lot of glass and metal. We were there for lunch on a Wednesday and the place was fairly full with a varied assortment of diners and pleasant atmosphere. Service was good, they kept bringing soft drink refills automatically as they were free - you have to practically stop drinking and keep the full glass in front of you to not getting another one. The menu was extensive, and the regular portions were huge, although there were some light lunch selections which was more moderately sized. We had a variety of dishes among us, and some were better than others. Among the light fares, the chicken with mushroom sauce and crab cakes were good, so was the Tuscan market salad with chicken. The lobster bisque was a disappointment - color too lightly pink and overly creamy and taste so bland it could have passed as creamy vegetable soup with a bit of tomato coloring. Also ordered the spicy shrimp with eggplant appetizer - it sounded a lot better than it looked or tasted - very greasy (eggplant was breaded and deepfried), overly sweet and somewhat vinegary. Desserts were served in little glass cups - we tried the chocolate cake and tiramisu, they were just so-so, I'm not a fan of desserts served this way - everything mushed up in the cup you have no idea what you are eating. Overall, it's one of these places where if you order carefully and stick with the simpler dishes or what has proven to be good then it might be possible to have a better dining experience.
(3)Jeff L.
bartender frances is the bomb. Best bartender that area has. No comparison.
(5)Sarah C.
I have been to this location a few times. Mostly it was for dinner (on both weekdays and weekends), and while the food is decent, in every case the dining room was a third full. Then I went for a work happy hour and learned their happy hour specials are great, so I thought I would invite a group a friends. So apparently the secret is out on their happy hour, because when I showed up to meet my friends there and was the first to arrive, the bar area was packed. I do want to say that the wait staff in the bar is amazing and really work hard. However, there is very limited seating, so when my friends started to arrive I asked our waiter if we would be allowed to sit at one of the (many) open dining room tables. He told us that while the happy hour specials applied to the bar only, we could keep a tab open at the bar and sit at a table while continuing to order from the bar. He said to me "I just want to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves." My immediate thought was "Wow, what great service! This place is awesome!" ....And then we sat at a table in the dining room. (Which I will again remind you, is almost completely empty at 6:30 pm.) Immediately the manager came over and asked if we would be ordering off the main menu. When I told her that her own staff member told us that we could sit there provided we place our own orders at the bar, she told us that the dining room is for restaurant service only and proceeded to close my friends' tabs at the bar for them. Eventually we were able to move back into the bar area so we could actually enjoy the bar specials, but the experience left me a little annoyed. I do understand that the restaurant area and the bar area are separate. However, clearly the majority of Brio's business comes from happy hour. One would think from a customer service standpoint they would be a little more accommodating to that part of their business. Particularly when an employee, who actually did have our enjoyment in mind, told me that it was OK to sit in the restaurant area. I did not appreciate the manager's attitude that I was doing something wrong or somehow trying to "cheat the system" when I was told sitting there was OK. So I would say this to anyone considering Brio for a happy hour - the specials are good and the bar wait staff is fantastic. However, whoever at their corporate office designed this particular restaurant did not anticipate the high volume of bar traffic, and as such they should be a little more accommodating to their patrons. Be prepared for the place to be packed and for anyone outside the bar area to be extremely unfriendly should you step over the threshold.
(1)Sam R.
Good food, but very very noisy. Service was good but a bit slow. It may calm down over time.
(3)Steve W.
Had dinner here on Saturday night. Very busy. I like the modern yet classy bar. The bottles behind the bar sit on glass shelves that are lit up. Great ambiance. The drinks are very reasonably priced which is a plus for this part of town. Looks like a great happy hour spot! They also had good HH food specials. We ordered the blackened shrimp and chorizo flat bread as an appetizer. It was delicious. I had the pasta alla vodka for dinner and my girlfriend had the grilled shrimp & orzo. My pasta was very tasty. Unfortunately her orzo was not cooked and was hard, but considering everything else was good for a chain restaurant I can accept that it was a one off. The manager was very attentive and noticed that something was wrong her dish before the waiter could even check back to see if everything was ok. She ordered the lamb chops and they were again delicious. Good spot for some decent Italian food on the Pike.
(4)Aaron L.
Ate here with the fiancee for the first time tonight and we had a great time - had the grilled salmon and the pasta alla vodka. Entrees are reasonably priced ($16-$28) given the atmosphere and the local area, and the service was great. Several different servers stopped by (two were managers) to make sure everything was going well. They make food to order and let us sub/add sides to the dishes (added asparagus & orzo) extra to our dishes at no extra charge. Scott was our waiter and he made for good conversation, food recommendations and overall was very attentive. Parking is free under 2 hours, which was nice. The decor is nice - large space with big open room and bar with comfy couches. We'll definitely be back for dinner and I look forward to trying their happy hours, too.
(5)Fredda S.
I went to Brio's on Easter Sunday evening. It was early so the restaurant was rather sparse. Although I mentioned that I was waiting for another person, the hostess still allowed me to sit at my table. The waiter was very attentive and brought me some delicious sourdough bread and herb crackers (which were outstanding). The menu was very extensive and I was also interested in the specials. When my other guest arrived we decided upon the special bruschetta with two types of tomatoes. Although it was Easter, I really didn't want a large entree, and the waiter informed me there was an appetizer of Gorgonzola encrusted lamb chops. I was intrigued. My friend, a vegan, ordered the Mediterranean penne pasta without the feta. The food was so good, the portions abundant (my lamb chop appetizer consisted of 4 French lamb chops) and the service was impeccable. The only down side to Brio's in North Bethesda is the location. It's tucked right off Route 355 near White Flint Mall. Parking on the weekends are easiest as one can park on Woodglen and Nicholson. Hopefully, those who work in the Rockville area will start frequenting Brio's for lunch and then stay around for dinner. I'll be coming back again.
(5)Rob S.
Brio delivers good food. I've been to Brio for lunch now at least 25 times, and dinners at least 15. Lunch is consistent with attentive staff and quality food. When it comes to dinner, they're 98% accurate. Twice I had to send back kids ravioli because it had a meat sauce instead of their regular tomato sauce, but other than that, the food is consistent and the staff friendly. Never a wait when we arrive. The caprese classico is excellent. The chicken pesto is light and tasty. Of course Chicken under the brick and Chicken limone are also good. And there pasta bolognese is delicious. Bread is fresh and warm when you are seated!
(4)Kim S.
Absolutely love their HH! $5 drinks and $3.95 for great appetizers.
(4)Gray S.
I love the bar area here and the patio! Sitting at the bar service is amazing, drinks are great, and all the bartenders are friendly. The more you come the better they anticipate your needs and keep the evening flowing. The food is good, but very high in calories. I love this place as a local watering hole for a low key evening.
(5)J L.
First timer at Brio Tuscan Grille and our waiter "Matt" was great "A++". He explained the menu and service was spectacular. I ordered "fennel sausage & roasted tomato trecce pasta" which i would give 3 out of 5. The portion size for this dish was not that much. The bread offered at the beginning was soft and delicious. I love there bread!! I tried a few of my friends dish. Ravioli Di Bello was so delicious. Highly recommended if you cant choose. Also try some appetizers : calamari fritto mistro and roasted garlic, spinach and artichoke dip.
(4)Winnie N.
Came here on a Thursday around 7 PM, sat ourselves at the bar. Everything was downhill from there: 1. Took 10 minutes of hard staring for a waiter to come over and give us menus. 2. Another 10 minutes to order my wine. Once the wine came, no water (do I really have to ask for that?). Ordered food 3. 15 minutes later, had to ask for bread. No sign of the food. 4. 20 minutes after ordering food, a manager comes over and tells us that the waiter lost our food. What? I don't understand how this happens. 5. Food finally came, and it wasn't bad at all. Actually, if it weren't for items 1-4, it would have been great. I was just too grumpy by that time to care. Will I return? Nope.
(2)Diana M.
Although I'm not a chain fan, I can say I was impressed . I came for dinner with my brother. The ambiance was beautiful and refreshing. Our waiter Brian, was as nice as he could be. The bread was lovely. It was fresh and hot. I started with a wedge salad. It was twice the expected size, and I ate every bite. The chef was kind enough to add lobster to my, ' Shrimp Mediterranean.'' I was more than happy. I left with a smile. Next time I will start my evening on the beautiful patio. I look forward to returning and tryiing more of the menu.
(4)Samantha L.
After returning from my overseas trip, I remember receiving an email from Brio Rewards offering $10 off $40. Also, I've been craving Italian cuisine for awhile. After going to get my eyes checked at TLC, I became super hungry. Brio Tuscan Grille is located in North Bethesda Market off Rockville Pike. Brio offers hearty and healthy lunch entrees under $15. For lunch, I ordered the following: (1) Arnold Palmer, (2) Grilled Salmon Fresca, (3) Mezza Chicken Limone, and (4) Mezza Chicken Under The Brick. The Arnold Palmer consisted of half tea and half lemonade. I liked how it was refreshing, sweet, but not tart. The Grilled Salmon Fresca consisted of grilled salmon served over grilled asparagus, roasted sweet potatoes, spinach, red peppers, pesto vinaigrette, feta, tomatoes, and drizzled with balsamic glaze. In all honesty, it was weird mix of flavors. I don't think pesto and balsamic vinegar go together. The Mezza Chicken Limone aka Chicken Piccata consisted of egg battered chicken in a white wine, lemon and capers sauce. It was served with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes. The sauce had the right amount of lemon in it. It would have been nice to have the sauce over the mashed potatoes. Due to its taste consistency, I'd say this is my all time favorite entree at Brio. The Mezza Chicken Under The Brick consisted of charcoal crusted chicken in mushroom Marsala sauce. Like most entrees, it also came with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes.
(3)Sabrina B.
Went here for a work function "in the back room" I was not impressed. Considering how much money was laid out for this thing, service was lacking. Or more so - disorganized. Very disorganized and poorly timed. You would have thought they never had an event back here. Food: The appetizers were pretty good - 4 out of 5. The main course was something I could make at home and the presentation was lackluster.
(3)Michael G.
This place is just okay. Went there last night because the weather was nice and we could sit outside. Ordered the chicken w/ Marsala sauce. The sauce was more like a gravy. Very thick with not many mushrooms and overly salty. The mashed potatoes were okay, but a little too much garlic. For dessert, we got the chocolate lava cake ( or whatever they call it) and it was good, but something like that is hard to screw up. Also got the peach croissant with ice cream. It would have been nice if it was warm, but it was as cold as the ice cream on top. And it was hard to cut since it was so cold. Service was fair. The waiter was very nice, but it took forever to get our food and the place was practically empty. I might go back just because it is so close to my house and the outdoor area is nice.
(3)Eddie K.
It was an okay experience. Much better dining experience then Carrabba's though. I would recommend some coat racks or hooks by the booths. There is no place to put your coats. The service was pretty good. For appetizers, the Beef Carpaccio is an eye catcher but it lacked seasoning. A little salt helped a lot. The spicy shrimp & eggplant was inedible for me because it was too salty. I wasn't too thrilled about my entree - the Pasta Alla Vodka. I asked for jumbo shrimp as a topper, but got really small shrimp. Now, the reason why I didn't rate this lower was my wife's dish. She got the Strip steak and it was cooked perfectly and tasted great. So, the next time I come back here, I will skip the appetizers and just order the Bistecca Alla Fiorentina.
(3)Caiti S.
This is a 3 star- nothing exciting and nothing disappointing. I wouldn't think that anything here really resembles authentic Italian food -- but it's decent American food with a subtle nod to Italian food. I had their version of chicken marsala which needed way more mushrooms as that was the only flavorful aspect of the dish. I got the feeling that the recipes are very formulaic and boring in the kitchen. My husband got a chicken dish with roasted peppers which was more flavorful than mine. I don't want to knock this place because they did nothing wrong... it's just that I know there is so much more exciting food to try in the same area. There really isn't anything Italian or Tuscan about this place. It's more like a smaller scale Cheesecake Factory.
(3)Jason C.
HAPPY HOUR REVIEW ONLY: This immediate area, which is next to whole foods, is arguably the best place for cheap HH north of Bethesda proper and has great options including Paladar, Brio, and Seasons 52. Yes...I know that they are all either national or local chain restaurants, but considering many places don't even have happy hour in the Rockville area, I think these are some good options that are nearby. My top dish during happy hour is the beef carpaccio. You get a full plate of this for $4. You can't top this in the Rockville area for the price you pay! My other favorites are: Black pepper shrimp-pan seared shrimp in a very creamy sauce ($6) Crispy eggplant fries- eggplant strips that are battered and fried ($4) Drinks specials are $5-$6 and include wine, martini, and other cocktails. Take a look at my pic. That's under $20 and you get 4 full plates. You can't complain.
(4)Gahee L.
Came here with a party of 8. We had reservations so we didn't have to wait but there was definitely a line so make reservations if you'll be coming on Friday/Saturday dinners! Our waiter was phenomenal and even humorous. The service was fast and our food came out fairly quickly (but not to the point that it was sketchy). The best part about this restaurant for me was that it served GLUTEN FREE PASTA! Granted, there were only 3 types of GF pasta available, but that's 3 more than most other Italian restaurants. I had the pasta pomodoro and it was simple but delicious. Loved the soft garlic and cilantro sauce additions to the tomato paste. Not to mention, the gf pasta didn't taste chalky or dry at all! I tried my friend's Brio pasta sauce and it was pretty good as well, though a bit on the heavier side compared to the pomodoro. We had bought a dozen Georgetown cupcakes and had asked our waiter to serve them after the meal. He brought each cupcake out on separate plates and placed on top of red cloths that made the cupcakes look even more beautiful. We appreciated the effort and thought and offered him a cupcake, which he accepted :) The ambience and decor makes Brio a perfect spot for both family gatherings and date nights. It isn't too loud or too quiet. And though I couldn't eat the complementary soft bread or the crispy crackers offered before meals, they looked delicious. If I had to name an aspect I didn't like it would be that the parking in this area can get quite atrocious. But other than that, I love Brio!
(5)Fana T.
Came here for lunch on a Saturday around 2... Made reservations from my hair salon thinking it would be crowded, boy was I wrong! My bf was already there and as I'm escorted to our table, there had to literally be only 5 other groups... I'm thinking oh nice to know its a quiet relaxing lunch spot with great food, that was def not this time We had the calamari app, eh disappointing! So chewy and the crunch was soggy... Not wanting another disappoint I get a salad, Salmon salad was average but good no complaints! My boyfriend got the crab cake entree and it was sooo small, like child size. No where near filling and last but not least we asked our server for his strawberry lemonade twice and gave up on it lol Nevertheless food was bland and service slow, can you imagine if it was busy?! I guess that's why it not :/
(2)Anne Z.
One of the best HH places in the Bethesda/Rockville area. M-F 3:30pm to 6:30pm and 9pm to close. This includes drinks and small plates menu. I usually get my usual dirty vodka martini, which is great, not too dirty not too strong. My friend usually gets the italian lemonade which is light but delicious. For food we always get the beef carpacio and the the black pepper shrimp which are amazing. The beef is thin and melts in your mouth, pairs well with the arugula salad that is served with it. The black pepper shrimp could pretty much be a meal in itself! Very flavorful and never overcooked. I have had the brio burger though...I would skip it, just a plain burger...Opt for the other options. The eggplant fries and the ravioli are also pretty yummy! In addition to the HH, my friend (pasta addict) always orders a main plate of pasta, I believe last time it was Diavolo with shrimp. Very yummy! Lots of shrimp and the sauce was a great mix of creamy tomato sauce with the perfect amount of spicy! Highly reccomend you try this place if not for the pasta, for the happy hour!
(5)Benjamin M.
I don't hand out 5-star ratings willy nilly. But when it's great, it's great, and dinner here recently was one of those times. First, I loved the style and layout of the restaurant: high ceilings, perfect lighting and a huge, elevated and comfortable booth with plenty of elbow room were all pluses. Second, our server was excellent, initially asking if this was our first visit and then briefly going over the menu breakout. He was also patient when we requested more time...twice...as we all struggled to decide on our dinner choice since numerous selections sounded wonderful. I was craving bruschetta as an appetizer and he recommended their "Bruschetta Quattro," a nice sampling of their four different varieties. I really enjoyed the Roasted Red Pepper and Slice Steak, both of which I'd order on their own. After struggling through so many appetizing dinner selections, I finally decided to the try their signature dish noted multiple times in reviews, the Pasta Brio. As good as the dish description of rigatoni, grilled chicken, seared mushrooms and roasted red pepper sauce sounded, it tasted even better. Plus, it was the perfect portion without feeling like I was overly stuffed. A delightful dining experience from beginning to end combined with free parking in a nearby garage definitely keeps Brio on my list of bookmarks for a future return visit.
(5)Carmen V.
Exceptional! I came here yesterday with some colleagues, and I was impressed. Atmosphere + service: All the tables outdoor were taken, only small tables were available indoor. Luckily the wait for a table of 6 for outdoor seating was only 10 minutes, the waiters immediately cleaned up and seated us. We arrived at 7:00pm and the outdoor atmosphere was perfect. The weather was perfect with a cool breeze. Menu + options: Although this is an Italian cuisine restaurant, there were so many dishes and options. It took our group over 20minutes to decide what to eat. From pasta dishes to seafood to lamb to chicken to beef, we were overwhelmed (in a good way) with the options! We did not feel rushed when deciding nor did we feel ignored when we were ready to order. The waiter gave us plenty of time to decide. Besides the food, they had plenty of alcoholic beverages from delicious reds to tasty mixed drinks. I skipped the alcohol this time around, but some from my group enjoyed their drinks. For my entree, I ordered the shrimp and lobster fettuccine in a spicy lobster butter sauce. It was amazinggggg! The portions were huge, you are definitely getting what you pay for. Everyone at my table did not finish their dish. We did not have room for dessert, but it looked delicious from the table next to us. Overall experience: Waiters knew how to respect our space and did not interrupt our conversations. The atmosphere was perfect, perfect weather, perfect lighting! Speaking for myself, I would definitely come back for more! By the looks on my colleagues' faces, I could tell they enjoyed every bite. Next time I'll save room for dessert! I will recommend this restaurant for anyone who enjoys a good Italian cuisine!
(5)Joan J.
A very nice place to stop in for a drink. They have great happy hour specials.
(4)Monica C.
Great spot for Happy Hour! Mon-Fri 3:30pm-6:30pm & 9pm - Close. The drinks are solid, the food is pretty tasty and you get quite a sizable amount!
(4)Sam M.
I am celiac and I asked for gluten free pasta and they said they would give it to me and then I got really sick and I know they think people just do it to be "trendy" but you really should be careful because I get really sick. DO NOT TRUST THESE SERVERS. THEY ARE LIARS.
(1)Bryony B.
This place has not disappointed yet after about three times of dining in different circumstances. They always seem to be able to get us in no matter what, which is really really nice. And the food has always been delicious. So far, some favorites have been the calamari, peach bellini, and the lobster bisque. The portions are nicely sized (large) and the prices are very decent. I like their selection of cocktails - they seem quality and varied, many trendy with different herbs or fruits/vegetables. The desserts also look like they might not be that good, but they actually were all pretty awesome. I guess sometimes I get the feeling that this place is just a chain that is for less special occasions, but honestly they do everything really well - so its so far just a slight feeling that is easy to overcome. Also, if you have kids - they will give you bread dough for them to play with and make things out of - then they will bake it and bring it back - nice!
(4)Connie M.
Wow! An amazing dinner!! It was late. After 8:15. I had my mini poo and needed outdoor seating. I called to make sure they allowed dogs on the patio. Very courteous. She even looked outside to see if there were available tables. 5 stars just for that! The four of us (5 if you include the dog) were seated promptly but it seemed like a pretty long wait before John came to our table for drink orders. He was very enthusiastic but seemed a tad frazzled during our meal, like he might have been new. After making sure there were free refills, we ordered the Palmer ($3.50) made of peach and ice tea and a kid's strawberry smoothie as well as calamari ($11) and caprese salad ($8.25). The calamari was perfectly fried and served with 2 sauces: marinara and a delicious lemon aioli-like sauce. The tomatoes in the caprese were perfectly ripe and the mozzarella delightful with a balsamic glaze. I watched my two friends fight over the last piece of cheese and one of them even used the last piece of bread to wipe the plate clean! The young lad and I shared a chopped salad ($5) which was fresh with tomatoes, olives, onions, cucumbers, feta and a red wine viaigrette. The kid's spaghetti with meat sauce ($7) was delicious! I heard it was so good that he forgave them for not bringing him the penne he ordered. Thin little tubes of twisted pasta served with fennel sausage, roasted tomatoes, broccoli, rosemary and parmigiano-reggiano ($14) was a perfect combination. And the spicy grilled jumbo shrimp on a pilaf made of orzo, farro, broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes, spinach, feta and peso vinaigrette ($16) was so good, that John was admonished for trying to clear the plate when there was still 2 bites left! My Amish raised half chicken with lemon pepper ($15) was so crispy on the outside that I had to eat the skin. The mashed potatoes were buttery and the roasted carrots, broccoli and zucchini were so sweet! I only ate half saving room for dessert and I am so glad that I did! Our sweet tooth (teeth) and full bellies were indulged with a serving the size of 2 shot glasses of tiramisu ($3) and a mini cheesecake made of caramel and mascarpone ($4). All I can say is WOW! So delicious and decadent. Tiny price for bold flavors. Do yourself a favor and save room for dessert. Choose any but have dessert...you won't regret it!
(4)C B.
Delicious, well-presented, well-priced food in a comfortable classy environment. This is a place where you can impress with a "I'll take you out for dinner" without breaking the bank. Everything that I've had has always been above average--and I've been here a half dozen times now. The bread and butter is exceptional and a lost art in restauranting. If you are reading this, and asking "Should I go?" Yes, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Adam T.
Pretty solid Italian restaurant. Surprisingly solid for something I was expecting to be a Olive Garden knock-off. I was impressed by the decor. Very large space and I enjoyed the columns and lighting. Food was fine. We had the fried calamari appetizer which was decent. Nicely fried and calamari was cooked properly-- not chewy or rubbery. My co-reviewer says there was too much breading. Entrees were Med shrimp with orzo and pasta with fennel sausage. Both were pretty good but nothing to write home about. Overall, worth checking out if you like Italian. I doubt we'll make a habit of it but our experience was pleasant enough.
(3)Brittany S.
For some reason Brio gives up that chain restaurant feel to me, maybe it's because the inside reminds me of Cheesecake Factory with the low lighting and faux wall painting? Either way, the service and food are good. Our server was extremely friendly and funny but it always seemed like he was in a rush and even with an assistant server (BTW - have you ever been to a restaurant with an assistant server?) it seemed like the drinks came out pretty slow. I ordered the Strawberry Smash which was good, but not amazing. The waiters were on point with getting everyones order right and to the right person. I appreciate that they have menu items that are on the lighter side and labled "LF". I ordered the chopped salad which wasn't anything special and the chicken and peppers, it came with quinoa. It was really good, simple dish but it looked fancy and it was a lot of food! Everyone enjoyed their meals. Unfortunately we were too stuffed for dessert. Even when we got the check our group asked if they could split it after the fact and they were very happy to do it. It's always stressful splitting a check in a large group but they had everything under control. This place didn't blow my mind enough to come back but I might have to so I can try the gorgonzola crusted beef medallions, I have to save up all my calories for that one!
(4)Kat A.
Eh this place is ok. While I like the options their abundance of menus is straight up overwhelming, especially when sitting in the confines of the bar. Lets see. They have a lunch/dinner menu, a gluten free menu, a bar menu, and a light menu. When you have 4 menus in front of you it's annoying. Less is more. The food is just alright. If I ever go back again it would likely be for the ambiance.
(2)Kari S.
So, I came back for that late night happy hour that I mentioned in my previous review last night. The bartender Brian is no longer there. The new bartender absolutely SUCKS. We had empty glasses and our food (after like 45 minutes) was no where to be found. Finally, when it did arrive, we had no silverware or napkins until we were passing back our empty plates. The bartender continued to ignore us. At the end I voiced my displeasure with the entire experience only to be given an empty stare. I will never go back.
(1)Mark N.
It was great to see that a Brio opened in the Rockville area. Even though I went during a busy time the service was excellent and so was the food. I ordered a steak with mashed potatoes and had an espresso. Definitely a new favorite!
(4)Sumi H.
Just wonderful! My boyfriend is a chef and I'm a true foodie so it's always hard for us to find food that blows our mind. To save disappointment, he usually cooks, but it was so pretty outside we decided to go out for lunch. He told me he used to come here and knew I would like it. He was right! I ordered the shrimp and lobster fettuccini and he ordered the lobster ravioli. It was so fresh and so clean, good balance, large portion and very flavorful. The lobster bisque is amazing too!! Drinks are strong and fresh!! I'll be back soon.
(5)Shannon D.
Brio was a surprise, in a pleasant way. Many of the reviews after it first opened were not so great, but on this Monday night, it was actually pretty good. Brio is part of the new North Bethesda Market complex on Rockville Pike, which also includes a bustling Whole Foods Market (with its own garage space) and several other restaurants, from high-end (Seasons 52) to take-out (Jimmy John's). Brio is right next to the elevator exit on the Plaza (P-1) level; garage parking is free for the first two hours, but sometimes you have to fight the Whole Foods crowd to find anything. Big, open windows flow right onto the Plaza area by the water feature. The space is what the renovated White Flint (known in development circles as "Pike District") is supposed to be; lively square, people walking, Metro nearby. Very high vaulted ceilings, archs, and a separate bar area show off the space well. Behind the bar, the bottles are arranged to form what looks like a double set of piano keyboards on the wall, really a nice touch and relatively understated. The floor has rugs and runners, which quiet the brick/plaza feel. In fact, the place was dramatically quieter than, say, Del Frisco's up the street a couple of blocks (food was nicer and a bit less expensive as well). Nice wine list, and real lemonade, not from a mix or a fountain gun. They have a variety of mixed lemonades as well. A little unusual, but it reinforces the "Tuscan" part of the name. About 60% of the customers were in the bar area, which looked lively, but we didn't try any of the middling-sized cocktail list. The wines, on the other hand, were extensive and quite good. Our waiter, extremely soft-voiced due to allergies, knew much about each wine on the list. Our appetizers were quite good. I had the Tuscan Chopped Salad, which was a huge portion for an appetizer. Tart dressing over chopped mixed greens, with big chunks of feta, lots of olives and tomatoes. My better half had the lobster bisque, which was rich, without being overpowering; fortunately, no fishy taste, which can sometimes be a problem. The menu was heavy on lobster dishes. Entrees were the beef medallions and the bolognese lasagna. The medallions were small, but nicely cooked. The lasagna, on the other hand, was enormous and you paid for it with a 2,200 calorie count. But the alfredo sauce was smooth and rich, not cloying, but a nice cover for beautifully-al dente pasta, and a good match for the sausage filling. The red sauce ladled on the middle wasn't really much of a bolognese taste, but more of a marina "red" taste. Not the best part of the dish, though certainly not bad, just not really the veal-rich taste the name suggested.. The dessert tray had no superstars, and the chocolate layer cake (not my choice) was bland. Just sort of a brown mild chocolate cake, and the four different layers of icing were not strong enough to distinguish one from another. Nice caramel and strong dark chocolate sauces on the side were quite good though. Overall the dish was just okay, and could have been much better. Service was spotty, sometimes attentive, sometimes not really there. Quite knowledgeable waiter, but overworked. The manager and other staff filled in at several points, at one point explaining that our waiter was dealing with a problem elsewhere (not entirely sure what to say about that). Bit of human drama at the next table, as a son was introducing his new partner to his parents and brother. Classic tension at the table, but as the wine flowed, they seemed to loosen up (or at least got louder). On the whole, a nice, and a bit unexpected, addition to the Pike District. We'd go back easily, as opposed to Del Frisco's, where it would take some thought (mostly because of the noise level).
(4)Jamie E.
After getting shafted by Seasons 52 on date night my girlfriend and I headed across the street to Brio. We walked in and were greeted by a very friendly hostess and was seated immediately. Within a few minutes our waiter who was very down to earth and enjoyed to talk to us came and took our drink and appetizer order. We ordered calamari and it was cooked perfectly and tasted great. Our dinners were very tasty and very filling, but of course there was room for tiramisu for dessert. The presentation of everything as well as the service was way better than a lot of places I've been to. The ambiance of the restaurant, food and service made for a better rest of the night then when it started.
(5)Nille P.
I visited this place on 12/12/14 for our annual Christmas luncheon. We were able to be seated and get drinks before our whole party arrived, which was good. For appetizers, we got the spinach dip, calamari, assorted bruschetta and the spicy shrimp eggplant. Every single appetizer was delicious. For my lunch entree, I got crab and shrimp cake with the roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables. I was surprised that the potatoes and vegetables were mixed together, but it was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the whole meal. I'm not a fax of mixed vegetables at restaurants, but theirs was really good. For dessert, I ordered the the caramel mascarpone cheesecake and it was very good as well. I especially like the dessert display they put on. Service was fast and attentive, even for a large party and I would definitely go back on my own.
(4)David S.
We dropped by this plaza after reading several reviews for Seasons 52, only to walk in and be told they could not accommodate us for the evening, as their reservation list was too long to accept walk-ins. As we left Seasons 52, we saw the sign for Brio and decided to give it a try. We should've skipped Seasons 52 in entirety, as the service and food we received at Brio was excellent. The hostess saw us coming over from Seasons and told us she'd seen a number of folks turned away. She took us to a table immediately and asked us for drinks before she told us our server's name. When the server appeared a minute or two later, he had our drinks and went over a few specials for the evening, calmly and deftly entertaining a few questions we had concerning the menu. He made a recommendation for a substitution for my girlfriend, assuaging her anxiety about altering a dish to suit her tastes. He brought us our appetizer, made some small talk (hilarious), and checked in at perfect intervals throughout the meal, which came out quickly and prepared very well. Her "custom" order was well done, and she loved the meal.
(5)Kristine Elaine M.
Their food was delicious and savory. I think in all honesty their food is what makes the ratings a five, however my experience there was okay. We sat down at a table and did not receive any help for around fifteen minutes. It was empty for a night and there was probably around three other tables whom sat as well. The prices during happy hour are worth it however, and truly refreshing depending on what you get. Food was prepared pretty fast, and put on the table all at once. The waiter though was very fast paced and jolly, but did mess up the check at the end. Its okay though he still was able to fix if and appropiate to our needs.
(5)