My wife and I decided to go for a drive yesterday, and we ended up at the ‘trendy’ shopping spot of Dayton, Ohio, called the Greene.  It’s one of those outdoor malls with a fountain and bands playing and apartments and a Cheesecake Factory, of course.

We just wandered around a bit until we ended up at the Brio Tuscan Grille.  I don’t know how authentic anything there is (the company, Bravo, is out of Columbus, not the Italian food capital of anywhere), but it’s generally pretty decent food.  I did notice that they have a $2.95 special menu, so I asked about that, and was told that we had to sit in the bar area to use that menu.  I also found out the bar area extended outside to several couches and wicker chairs.

So, since it was about 75 degrees and sunny, we found a comfortable chair on the tile patio and looked over the menu.  I got my wife a bellini, which was an easy choice as I knew that was her favorite.  I just had club soda with a lime slice.  Looking over the menu, there were about 6-8 options, and I got beef carpaccio, while my wife got the Brio bistecca burger.

The carpaccio was actually very good, served with greens and a cracker of some sort.  Very tender, pretty nicely done, and unbeatable for $2.95.  The burger, on the other hand, was huge, served with chips made at the restaurant.  Looking later at the lunch menu, this is normally $11.95, and it’s worth it for that price, too.  For $3, I don’t know why this place isn’t flooded!

The burger was done just right to begin with.  But to add to it, roasted tomato mayo is added, along with perfectly crispy bacon and pinot noir onions, topped off with smoked mozzarella.  The burger was huge, and my wife could only eat half, so I had to help out and try the other.

While I liked the carpaccio, this burger is now my favorite burger.  I must make one for myself!  This is one of those burgers that makes you sorry that you get filled up because you just want more!

I’m not usually that big on restaurant food, especially at chains, but we were joined by an apartment tenant as we were finishing who said that several of the restaurants at the Greene have special prices during the week, making it easy to eat good food for fast food prices.

I guess I kind of made fun of Brio’s home in Columbus, but, upon reflection, I’ve never been disappointed by the food at Brio.  And knowing about the bar menu (from 3-7 pm and from 9 to close), I’ll be back.  On top of that, it was a great day to sit outside on a comfortable couch to enjoy the afternoon.

If you have any of these ‘must haves’, let me know so I can find them for myself!

This post is tagged