Brio Tuscan Grille Frontenac - Visited July 2018

My last review for the Brio Tuscan Grille was in 2012 and rather brief, so with our visit today it seemed like time to write up something new about this very established Frontenac restaurant. We showed up shortly after they opened at 11:00 am and the place was still pretty empty. Since it was actually pleasant outside they had opened up one of the doors to their patio and some other customers were already seated outside. You take what you can get here in St. Louis in the summer!

We perused the menu and my wife and mother-in-law both ordered the Margherita flatbread, my two adult children ordered the Prosciutto & Burrata pizza and the Berries & Cream French Toast, and I decided on the Mezza Lasagna & Insalata with the chopped salad. The hostess also ended up being our server and she was extremely attentive and friendly, promptly bringing us bread with our drinks and we were reminded that the service in general was top notch there. Part of why you pay a little more for the food at Brio is definitely the atmosphere and service.Their staff is well trained to be courteous and responsive and it shows.

The bread that showed up with our drinks included both a small loaf of sourdough and some long pointy bread with olive oil and seeds on it. Both breads were very fresh and flavorful, and after we ate most of it, our server came back and brought us some more. They also brought my chopped salad which was very light and refreshing, a good salad for a summer lunch. The goat cheese, black olives and red wine viniagrette combined to add a nice delicate flavor to the salad greens without being overpowering.

Prosciutto & Burrata Pizza

Our entrees appeared just as I was finishing my salad and I was lucky enough to sample all of them. My lasagna was not a large, heavy lasagna, but was very good with more cheese than meat sauce. It was very flavorful and actually just the right size which allowed me to sample the other dishes! The prosciutto & burrata pizza was very tasty as well, with plenty of sauce and cheese to go with the prosciutto. The ham was a little difficult to chew and slightly fatty, but it was still delicious and went well with the hearty crust and other ingredients on top to make a satifying pizza. The Margherita flatbread had a thinner, crisper crust and very fresh and flavorful tomatoes and basil with just enough mozarella cheese. The French Toast was rather unique with the cream cheese in the middle making it stand out from your usual French toast. We noticed the main theme in all these dishes was cheese, and Brio knows which cheese to use in each case and how to use it well.

Overall the food was all above average as was the service and the overall experience was extremely pleasant on a beautiful summer day.  There is a reason Brio has continued to do well in their Frontenac location, even with The Shack just up Lindbergh having an always packed brunch business. The menu and atmosphere at the two restaurants could not be more different and are both appealing in very different ways. Brio feels more formal and upscale, and is not so noisy and busy with much more personal service. Their Italian menu is more delicate and refined with one side of the menu comprised completely of beverage options (primarily an extensive wine selection). If you prefer some quiet, more formal time with your brunch party while dining on light (but cheese infused) Italian entrees with exceptional personal service, Brio Tuscan Grille is the choice pick in the Frontenac area.

Food Quality, Service & Atmosphere