In the corner of Garden State Plaza lies Brio, a “Tuscan-inspired restaurant destination serving authentic, northern Italian cuisine…” After a quick stop at Barnes & Noble, my friends and I entered the villa-esque establishment. Subsequently, the clinking of glasses and zooming waiters left me with a busy impression. The restaurant upheld a relaxing atmosphere with its dimmer lighting and darker toned furniture, arousing a feeling of ease.
The restaurant seemed to boast multiple options of seating from small counters, booths, larger tables, and even two private sections fitting for gatherings and families. After ordering drinks, the waiter handed us a menu boasting of many different Italian classics. Much of the words on the menu contained words in Italian – furthering the northern Italian vibe. We decided to order the spinach & artichoke dip, chopped salad, pasta brio, broccolini, and mashed potatoes: an eclectic spread for the four of us to split.
The wait time was relatively short and the restaurant provided us with some fresh white bread, however, the portion sizes of our meal did surprise me. They were much smaller than I anticipated, especially for the prices (most of what we had ordered ranged from $15-$25). The spinach & artichoke dip tasted nice, but nothing special. The flatbread contained a nice crunch, yet the dip lacked flavor. The broccolini’s presentation was quite humorous to my friends; we weren’t expecting thin pieces of broccoli with suspiciously long stalks, however it was a nice palette cleanser. The mashed potatoes were standard and the garlic lifted the flavoring in a pleasant way. While the pasta brio tasted well, it had a peculiar almost bitter taste that left me confused. The use of red peppers really boosted the flavor of the dish and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, the chopped salad was given late. By the time we were done with the rest of the dishes, the waiter came with it. It was nothing spectacular, however, it was quite fresh and appetizing.
Brio delivers well: quick seating, kind staff, and a comforting atmosphere. It’s a perfect place for a quick date, a night-out with friends, and dinner with parents. While its portion sizes felt small and some of its dishes carried a slight subpar taste, it delivers a complete meal and solid service. As much as I can wish for a trip to Northern Italy and its cuisines, a trip to Brio suffices for now.
