Cafe Brio — Restaurant in Victoria

Oh Café Brio. You used to be that cozy, elevated spot I recommended to friends. But this time? You gave us an evening so wildly uncomfortable and confusing, I can only assume it was performance art. Let me set the scene:

We made birthday reservations weeks in advance — you know, like people who naively believe in structure and joy. What we got instead was a front-row seat to every entrance and exit traffic jam — they seated us directly behind the hostess stand, where every coat, bag, breeze, and lost soul passed through. After asking for a better table, we were relocated to… a spot beside the washroom. Truly the cherry on top of the evening’s ambiance — nothing says “Happy Birthday” like the sweet sound of flushing and possibly, unwashed hands.

Meanwhile, walk-ins — people who just stumbled in off the street — were escorted past us to intimate booths like royalty. Amazing. It’s giving: “You may have booked, but you’re still not good enough for the good seats.”

Then came our server, who delivered one of the most chaotically unhinged menu explanations I’ve ever witnessed. When we asked for a recommendation, she started describing an appetizer, abandoned that thought mid-sentence, launched into the specials instead, and never actually finished describing anything. But it’s okay, because she peppered the conversation with the word “dynamic” five times in one breath, while using her hands like she was trying to flag down rescue planes. Was it Sign language? Morse code? I don’t know, but it was intense.

Our water was never refilled, and we never received the bread starter that every other table was happily munching on around us like some sort of bread cult that we weren’t cool enough to join.

Oh, and the food? Let’s talk about how this “Italian” restaurant proudly served us pierogies. Yes, pierogies. Nothing screams nonna’s kitchen in Tuscany like Slavic dumplings. But don’t worry — we were promised they had “dynamic flavours”. Honestly, at this point the word “dynamic” is my new personal trigger.

Now, to the steak situation — our final and most tragic course. It was a 14 oz steak, offered as a full portion only, and we were sharing it. Rather than serving it on one plate with neatly sliced pieces (you know, like literally every other steak ever served at a restaurant), they brought it out on two plates, each with half the steak and… one sad little slice cut for us like we were children whose mom cut our meat, but got distracted halfway through.

And finally — the dress code. Or lack thereof. I saw Vans, clogs, wrinkled shirts, and hair that looked like it lost a fight with gravity. I wasn’t sure if they were serving food or just helping someone move out of a dorm. Honestly, McDonald’s staff look more put-together — and at least there I get a McFlurry without having to beg for water.

We’ve had great meals here in the past, which makes this downward spiral into absurdity even more shocking. This dinner had all the elements of a tragicomedy: theatrical delivery, misplaced confidence, and the slow death of expectations.

One star for the entertainment value, because I’m still laughing at that steak. Never coming back. I’ll be dining somewhere less dynamic — and far...

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...

We were visiting Victoria , and after a recommendation we made reservations for 730pm two weeks prior to the date. Upon arrival, we were sat very close to a party of 4. To be fair, most of the other tables appeared to be appropriately spaced, but ours was not. Our server gave us water but no introduction or any info on specials. We ordered a few of the house-made meats/terrines with pickles and mustard, which were nice. My partner tried to order a spirit listed on the drink menu, the server came back and told us they didn’t actually have any of it, which was a shame. We then ordered a bottle of wine to have with our mains which took a little bit of time to arrive. It was a cold bottle of white on a mid-August evening -perfect- but no chiller on the table! Especially weird when the table beside us had a bottle of red our server gave the table next to us in a bucket on ice. We did eventually ask one of the bussers for a wine chiller, which came promptly, but was surprised this wasn’t standard. We shared half orders of 3 entrees. The squid fettuccine was tasty other than the noodles being quite over cooked. The halibut was nice as well, but again, a touch overdone. No complaints about the scallops and pork jowels, it was delicious. I probably would have liked a polenta that wasn’t quite as runny but otherwise the dish was near perfect. We wanted to order dessert but ended up deciding to go for ice cream elsewhere after waiting a while for our server to come back and take our order. I don’t think she was a bad server, but I do think she had too many tables and seemed pretty flustered the few times she did check in with us. I understand staffing issues are brutal right now, but perhaps closing off tables might be an option for the restaurant moving forward when they aren’t able to maintain a high standard of food or service. Based on our experience, I wouldn’t recommend the restaurant and won’t...