Excellent Service + Excellent Product: Brio Restaurant in Tucson
Last Thursday my friend and I met for dinner at the newly opened Brio Restaurant in Tucson, AZ. It's by the Tucson Mall between Oracle and Stone, along Wetmore. My friend had a menu dropped off at her place of employment and after one glance, they had me at "Lobster Bisque".
I was greeted at the door by two lovely young women who shared an appetizer menu with me and mentioned that Thursdays featured $5 martinis in all sorts of colors and flavors. I cuddled up to the bar and was immediately greeted by my new friend, Nate.
Moments later I was enjoying a Lemon and Basil "smash" martini. Pure heaven... There had to be a dozen choices from sweet to savory.
My friend arrived a few moments later and after perusing the menus and looking at the plates around us, decided the bar was where we wanted to stay for the evening. Dinner could wait.
Now don't get us wrong, neither of us are big drinkers, but the Tuscan Tasters menu was absolutely inviting, and just served in the bar area. I will admit my mouth was watering and it wasn't from the lemon in my martini.
Nate, our bartender, took the time to share some of his favorites, and the passion in his voice, the expression on his face as he relived his own "tasting" adventure quickly had us ordering everything he mentioned.
Lobster bisque, Beef Carpaccio, Sliced Steak Bruschetta, Ravioli Caprese, and the Brio Burger with housemade chips. What a great way to sample many different flavors (10 to choose from) at a low, low price of $2.95 each.
I remember Nate described the Bisque something like "The perfect marriage of flavors and a honeymoon in your mouth"...and it was. Both of us were measuring the depth of our tureen bowls about half way through, worrying about how soon we were going to run out.
(Nate is the third man down in the white shirt - ask for him!)
A few months ago when I completed the Certified Tourism Ambassador class for Tucson, one of the statements I took to heart was, "Good service, great food = satisfactory experience. Great service, great food = Outstanding experience."
(Open to outside bar/dining area - perfect on a monsoon afternoon!)
This was my first "experience" with Brio Restaurant in Tucson, AZ: A bartender that has passion for his job, knowledge of his product - and follow-though with great results = we'll be back. And maybe even on a DIFFERENT day of the week!
P.S. If you're watching calories, don't let them describe the desert menu with you with their platter of decadent temptations. You'll order...I know you will.
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