Amazing special occasion dinner. Exceeded expectations. We needed a reservation for a weeknight and every chair was filled. We were seated immediately and the greeter was cheerful. Our server did a nice job walking us through the menus and we opted for the chefs selection of six dishes for a fixed price of $69 each which is a good value. The meal was soup, beet salad, charcuterie, gnocchi, chicken confit & halibut. The quantity of food was large but the quality was what shone! The cured duck pastrami was both unexpected and outstanding. Each of the dishes was perfectly prepared and showed creativity and an excellent example of bringing the most from a dish. For example the gnocchi which is a very mild dish was paired with a mushroom pesto. They have bar seating group seating and several intimate couples tables. My only criticism is the bathroom needs a bigger better exhaust fan.
Absolute decadence ! Loved their in-house cured meats selections, had the duck pastrami and lamb salami 😋 even their homemade pickled veggies and honey mustards to pair with the meats were scrumptious !
Did half orders of the seared scallop and lamb special - beautifully balanced saltiness with sweetness in both dishes 😋😋
Loved the look and smell of the rose cocktail but was a bit on the sweet side
Atmosphere was lovely, restaurant patio and exterior looked like an Italian cottage in the countryside ! Patio was also accommodating for my puppy which is a big plus 👌🏻👌🏻
Overall, loved the food and can’t wait to come back and try more of everything !
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It was our first visit to Cafe Brio, and we were blown away. We had unexpectedly decided to eat there for date night. We called and reserved a table. They informed us that there were only seatings at the bar, which didn't bother us at all.
When we arrived, the kind host greeted us and led us to our seats. The bartender was very helpful, and suggested some meals and beverages to us. He was pleasant to work with, and gave outstanding service. In fact, all of the hosts were fantastic. The service is excellent.
I liked how you could order half or full orders of each dish. We got half an order of mushroom risotto and the gnocchi! Both dishes were delicious and well-prepared. The gnocchi was more traditional, but with the addition of walnut basil pesto, it was impeccable. We got the full order of scallops sans bacon and an entire order of halibut for our main courses! The seared scallops were beautifully prepared! The halibut dish was perfectly executed. The fennel in the halibut dish provided some wonderful textures!
We split the crème brûlée for dessert! Oh my gosh, that was decadent and delicious! Shout out to the chef, crew, and personnel that go above and beyond to ensure a fantastic experience.
We ordered some garlic sausage, salami, a ribeye steak, spaghetti, halibut, penne bolognese, and a fig and lime sorbet and a vanilla ice cream tonight. The bread was nice and the butter which came with the bread was so flavourful.
The ribeye was very flavourful and delicious (as well as the veg which was served with it). The halibut was absolutely wonderful. The cured meats were delish. The pastas were tasty, too. My FIL thoroughly enjoyed the vanilla ice cream.
Amazing food with original recipes! We wanted to lick our plates to savor every bit. Service was great as well.
Highly recommended.
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For my birthday, my partner surprised me with a reservation at Cafe Brio, a place I'd heard rave reviews about. From the moment we arrived, our evening became an enchanting journey of flavors and impeccable service. Our server, Amber-Lynn, welcomed us with refreshing water and introduced us to the evening's special menu. Her warm demeanor set the tone for the evening, making us feel truly special.
To start, we shared a Caprese Salad, a visual masterpiece that delighted our senses. The sweet, juicy tomatoes danced harmoniously with the rich, creamy mozzarella, while aromatic basil leaves added a fresh, herbal touch. A drizzle of high-quality olive oil tied it all together, creating a symphony of flavors.
Before our mains arrived, we enjoyed warm bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a simple yet divine treat. The bread's crisp crust and fluffy interior felt like a cherished family recipe.
My partner opted for the Lamb Four Ways, a visual and gastronomic masterpiece. The lamb was tender, juicy, and bursting with savory and aromatic notes. Each cut, accompanied by green beans, fingerling potatoes, and a light au jus, showcased culinary excellence. One bite, and sheer delight swept across my partner's face.
As for my choice, the perfectly cooked Rockfish stole the show. A culinary masterpiece, it embodied the essence of fresh seafood. The crispy, golden-brown crust encased a moist, flaky interior that melted in my mouth. The chickpea, bacon, and red pepper base added depth to the dish, allowing the rockfish's natural sweetness to shine through.
After our satisfying mains, we couldn't resist indulging in desserts—a delectable apple cheesecake with vanilla ice cream and a delightful pavlova. Both were exceptional, closing our meal on a sweet note.
Now, let me express our deepest appreciation for our server, Amber-Lynn. Her attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable service elevated our dining experience. She anticipated our needs, delivered with a genuine smile, and struck the perfect balance between attentiveness and respect for our privacy. Amber-Lynn's professionalism and dedication transformed our special occasion into an unforgettable affair, exceeding all expectations. Café Brio, thanks to this delightful experience, has earned its place among our most cherished dining destinations.
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My girlfriend and I just had the most delightful Friday night at Cafe Brio.
Despite the place being packed, we were able to get the patio all to ourselves, which was fine with us, given how unusually nice and warm it was for an October evening.
Our service was exceptional. Truly. Being on the patio we had front row seats to watch satisfied guests leaving the restaurant, happily engaged in conversation by a gregarious man who almost certainly was the owner. His lively panache for customer experience was a welcome sight.
Throughout the night, staff visits to our table were perfectly timed, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their work. Our waiter knew the menu inside and out, and really hit it out of the park in helping us navigate the many high quality appetizer options to start our meal off right.
We opted to share a number of smoked and cured meats and fine cheese boards, and I went a bit crazy adding a small serving of cream of mushroom soup.
For our mains, we both opted for the Penne Bolognese which perfectly balanced lamb, tomato, carrot, onion, garlic, and parmigiano flavours delivered on the freshest penne I've had yet on Vancouver Island.
Afterward, I would have surely opted for dessert, but by then it was clear that I had gotten a little too carried away with the bread and butter in the early stages of our night.
If you have the chance to go to Cafe Brio—you must. I can't recommend it highly enough! Such a wonderful atmosphere and experience.
Reservations recommended. Went with the brio family style shared dinner @ $67 per person, chef’s choice, 6 dishes overall. Since it’s random, I’ll speak to what we were served: clam chowder cup (meh, soup on the lighter side, New England style). Romaine lettuce salad (ok, garnished with crumbs, garlic, sharp cheese) charcuterie board with pate (good), bresaola (good) rabbit terrine (delicious) sausage (good). Mains: gnocchi (good) duck with beets (yum) fish with pancetta(?) and fingerling potatoes (yum). Party of 4 + bottle of wine = $380 not including tips. Overall, I’d stick with ordering charcuterie + individual mains, though the variety was nice. Service…our waitress was good though didn’t bring the requested balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
We had the beet salad and cheese board, gnocchi and fish special, and sticky toffee pudding. The meal was excellent. We didn't have a reservation but we were able to sit at the bar which was actually very nice. The bartender served us and did a great job.
No surprise that the food and service was amazing. A medium sized menu with a nice variety of choices. Most have the option to get half portions so you try a few different dishes easily enough. I assumed the full portion would be smaller due to being a fancy joint but it was very filling.
I had the pork cutlet which was mouth watering. I tried the beat salad and carbonara pasta as well - both amazing.
The only thing to complain about, and you can probably tell from the photos, is the lighting! If it's so dark your wait staff carry flashlights to read the menu... It's probably too dark.
Would be happy to return!
This place was great. The atmosphere perfect. The bartender was friendly and made my friend a custom drink. The boards are delicious…the duck with the Brie and quince jelly was a 10/10 combo. My only regret was not getting the bartender’s name to put in the review because he was both authentic and kind.
Open 4 days a week Wednesday - Saturday, has an old world ambiance and charm, with great food, mostly locally sourced, some fusion dishes with a Thai slant, and attentive service. Booking a table is only by phone request. Worth more visits.
Lamb was amazing . Fish and carbonara pasta were a bit too salty, but creme brulee was lovely.
Really enjoyed 1/2 plate options for lighter fare or mix and match.
Bread was delicious and bountiful.
The staff was the best, attentive and friendly, offering delightful suggestions
Will go again
Thanks Cafe Brio staff
PS loved that it is open late ❤
My partner & I had dinner. The scallops & duck breast was so amazing! We were wishing the scallop portion was 4 rather than 3. Food, drinks and staff were great.
First time at Cafe Brio ever, you really are never sure what to expect at a new restaurant, what I can share is Wow I went with a friend and we sampled the duck, olives and lamb rib appetizers...all exceptional with lots of flavor and even though the online menu didn't show the full list of drinks they had some great original cocktails. For dinner I had a half order of Mushroom Risotto(texture exceptional lots of mushrooms and a interesting addition purple corn flowers) and a half order of the daily special Rock Fish. Alot of thought goes info the presentation and flavors in each dish. I took me 15 min to decide on what too eat and I cant wait to return. P.S. they have gluten free options and my friend was also extremely happy with his selections. Good job 👍 guys kudos to the chef and great service from the servers.
Amber gave us some great tips and we loved our meal.
All available in 1/2 portions so you can mix entres.
Brilliant.
1/2 portions are huge.
Great find for us.
Came here for the first time from having read some online reviews. It's a cute restaurant with a large bar area in the middle, and good number of tables around. We ordered the family meal (2 people portion). It came with a first course of 3 different starters (salad, soup, chacuterie), and a second course of 3 different mains (seared duck breast, grilled halibut, olive oil tomato basil spaghetti). The seared duck breast was out of this world! The best I have ever had. Other dishes were also outstanding. Service was friendly and attentive. The owner was so kind; she kept helping us entertain our toddler to give us some time to enjoy the food. The experience was way beyond my expectation. Will definitely come back!
Had the most wonderful anniversary dinner here tonight. The staff were delightful, the environment was beautiful and the food was exquisite. Thank you all for such a wonderful dinner.
Wonderful food and owner. Had the Beet salad, the Contorni, Tomato Salad, Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto, and Lamb feature (4 types). Superb for 2 people.
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