Bruno's Bar and Grill — Restaurant in Scotts Valley

Updated: 9/17/2024

Good, solid place for lunch and dinner. Their burgers are pretty fantastic, but everything else I've had off the menu is as well. Their drinks are fairly priced and well made.

The upstairs has a nice outside deck area and occasional live music. There is also a fun games area upstairs, but inside, with a pool table, snooker (I think), and darts and more. It also has a second bar area/lounge at the top of the stairs and more bar table seating beyond the gaming area. They also have a nice banquet room beyond that (holds roughly 80 people?) and another outdoor deck that wraps all the way around the upstairs.

They also do karaoke sometimes in the main bar downstairs.

It's kind of a neat place and family friendly, but with separate seating areas that allow adult groups to cut loose if they choose.

I would give it 5 stars all around, except for a few minor things.

The kitchen, as good as it is, can't always keep up with the seating capacity of the restaurant. When they get super busy, the time from order to table can get pretty long (like any restaurant, but a little extreme on occasion) and the quality can take a dip. That being said, I haven't experienced this in a while, so maybe that was just a brief trouble spot that they have dealt with. However, They rarely have all of the available seating open, which is an acceptable way to deal with kitchen output volume issues, but feels like wasted space to a business person. But, better that than a hit to service and/or food quality. (I would advise that they throttle their carry out/delivery/online ordering when they get busy--if they aren't already--and prioritize their dine-in patrons. It's easy for those folks to choose another restaurant or wait a little longer, but making your in-house guests wait longer is not usually--almost never--a good practice.)

The decor could use some updating, as well as some of the outside areas visible from inside. Some of them are not as clean as they could be (should be, some might say) and it distracts from what a great place it is.

Overall, this is a really good place. It's a common stop for my family and I, especially when we are going to see a movie since the CineLux is a...

We came here during the "slow time", but still very busy. They said they are understaffed so no seating up top. Bummer, it's so loud downstairs. Oh well the food was good. Update 01-07-2023. Bruno had been fully redecorated and looks really nice. The booths are cramped and uncomfortably but functional. At least the menu is the same and very good. I would not recommend this place if you don't like the loud atmosphere. It's too loud to talk and relax. Update, 11/24/2023. We reserved the upstairs party room for my wife's 75th birthday party. Emily, our server was very attentive and accommodating. She was fantastic in every regard and hope we see her again on our next visit. The food is always amazing and everyone in the party enjoyed the food and atmosphere. We highly recommend this party room for your next large event and make sure you ask for Emily. Update 9-28-2025- all 3 of us ordered the wedge salad. Not a true "wedge" but it's Bruno's take on the classic. I highly recommend this if you like a wedge salad you will love this one. Lots of blue cheese chunks and creamy dressing on the side. The salad comes with bacon that is caramelized, sticky, sweet, and smokey. Also has Apple wedges and cherry tomatoes. We pare this with the grilled brussel sprouts and put the topping from that dish on top of the salad for extra crunch! A must...

Yesterday I went to eat at this restaurant with my family and I asked for a strawberry salad with an extra piece of beef. I ask for blue cooking (call extra rare) saying above all don't make it too leathery, I hate it. the waitress brings me a piece that is much overcooked and very thin for the price! It’s borderline theft! At this point, I tell her that I'm not going to eat this piece of beef because it's overcooked, and she tells me, ok, what do you want me to do?! I suggest he bring me back what I asked for.... and there... the chef in the kitchen gave him a piece of beef that was not cooked at all, hidden by the spices, but look at the photos! it is an insult ! It’s an aberration! the boss should think twice before hiring his cook! how can we serve a plate like this. my salad had a poor salad cut in half, and it looked like it was old. terrible experience for me, and it ruined my moment at the restaurant. the waiter Sebastian tried to make up for this by offering dessert but I admit that I will never go back there and I would allow myself to give a terrible opinion if one day I am asked what I think of it. 70 dollars for a terrible time. It's theft and nothing else. it's not enough to have good music and a nice establishment... serving good food remains the basis! ...