Bruschetta with Prosciutto, Asparagus and Carmelized Onions
Brio Tuscan Grill at the Mall at Millenia is my pick for a lazy Sunday lunch. Today, my friend Andrew and I dined outside in the crisp 80 degree Orlando weather, while we caught up over some of the most innovative appetizers and dishes I've seen in a while.
A bit on the upscale side, Brio's patio allows you to relax and sneak away from the stuffy interior. Sourdough bread fresh out the oven was brought to the table with a slab of branded butter. (The butter literally said BUTTER on it.) Warm and delicious, we nibbled away while we waited on our Bruschetta appetizer.
A part of the day's specials, the Bruschetta with Prosciutto, Asparagus and Carmelized Onions was large enough to be an entire meal and plated beautifully. The inventive mix was tangy sweet with a clean, crisp texture. I've never experienced carmelized onions so overwhelmingly candy like. It almost tasted as if jam was smothered somewhere between the prosciutto and the bread. I wish the prosciutto had been a little saltier, but overall I really enjoyed this classic dish with a twist.
A bit on the upscale side, Brio's patio allows you to relax and sneak away from the stuffy interior. Sourdough bread fresh out the oven was brought to the table with a slab of branded butter. (The butter literally said BUTTER on it.) Warm and delicious, we nibbled away while we waited on our Bruschetta appetizer.
A part of the day's specials, the Bruschetta with Prosciutto, Asparagus and Carmelized Onions was large enough to be an entire meal and plated beautifully. The inventive mix was tangy sweet with a clean, crisp texture. I've never experienced carmelized onions so overwhelmingly candy like. It almost tasted as if jam was smothered somewhere between the prosciutto and the bread. I wish the prosciutto had been a little saltier, but overall I really enjoyed this classic dish with a twist.
Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Panini
Andrew ordered the Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Panini. If you can't tell from the photo, the aspiring chef definitely approves. Loaded with chicken and a hint of smokey flavor, the chipotle and bacon were a great combination and really robust. Just one half of the flattened sandwich is enough to fill you up and send you straight to bed for an afternoon nap.
Pan Seared Grouper with Roasted Vegetables in a Citrus Pesto
I chose a lighter dish that wouldn't make me sleepy on the drive back to Gainesville. The Pan Seared Grouper with Roasted Vegetables in a Citrus Pesto was also a special of the day I enjoyed digging in to. I wish the citrus had been a bit more apparent in the pesto, but the grouper was buttery and rich. The vegetables were lightly roasted and added a nice touch of color to the plate. The grouper was a tad bit fishy, but I ate the whole thing so apparently it couldn't have been all that bad.
The check at the end of the two-plus hour lunch was a bit expensive for my college budget, but that isn't going to stop me from coming back.
One word to sum up the entire experience? Pleasant.
The check at the end of the two-plus hour lunch was a bit expensive for my college budget, but that isn't going to stop me from coming back.
One word to sum up the entire experience? Pleasant.
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