Baltimore Happy Hour

Happy Hour at Brio Tuscan Grille

categories: Happy Hour

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I’ve been in love with indoor décor and atmosphere at  Brio Tuscan Grille from the first moment it opened in Downtown Baltimore.    I’ve been there for dinner a few times, but I go there more for Happy Hour.  It’s definitely one of my go-to happy hour locations of choice.  A few days ago a friend and I decided to meet there for Happy Hour, while I sat at the bar waiting for her to arrive I realized I written about my first visit, but never written a post about their happy hour.

Let me start off by saying I enjoy the cocktail selection that Brio offers because they have a variety to choose from: Wine, Sangria, Martini, Mules, Mojitos and more for only $4-$6 each.  They also a variety of sharable food options for happy hour.

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Pepperoni and Sausage Flatbread
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Crispy Tuscan Tots
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Spinach and Artichoke Dip
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Crispy Tuscan Tots and Black Pepper Shrimp over Eggplant

My friend and I ordered the Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Crispy Tots and the Black Pepper Shrimp over Eggplant.  The really liked the Crispy Tots because they were served with a cheese dipping sauce and it was a pleasant surprise to the otherwise basic tater tot. I also liked the Black Pepper Shrimp over Eggplant.  The eggplant was soft on the inside and flaky on the outside and the shrimp were not too peppery but made with just the right amount of spice.   The pepperoni and sausage pizza I couldn’t fully enjoy because it was served warm at room temperature. I would have liked it more if it was served hot like the other items I ordered.

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Happy Hour Martini and Sangria at Brio Tuscan Grille

The one thing that Brio is consistent with is their cocktails.  They train the bartenders very well. Whatever drink I order it’s always mixed with the right proportions, the flavors are balanced and I always leave with a little buzz.

If you are looking for a restaurant to have happy hour cocktails with a co-worker or an out-of-town friend, Brio Tuscan Grille is the perfect place.

Be sure to follow my foodie and cocktail adventures on social media …  

  

Brio Tuscan Grille

categories: RESTAURANTS

I recently visited Brio Tuscan Grille (100 East Pratt St., across from the Gallery Shopping Center) in the lovely Baltimore Inner Harbor. I was more than excited to try Happy Hour at Brio as I was already familiar with the $3.95 Happy Hour menu because I’d previously visited the restaurant.  And Yes you read that correctly, the appetizer menu during Happy Hour is $3.95!!!

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This little piggy in me likes to order three appetizers whenever I visit Brio because truth be told, they are $3.95 and whatever I don’t eat and I can take home and eat the next day 🙂 My tasty top contenders of the night were the Ravioli Caprese, Crispy Shrimp Piccante, and the Brio Burger.

The Ravioli Caprese is topped with a pesto cilantro drizzle, fresh tomatoes, romano and mozzarella cheeses.  I’m a cheese girl, so if you give me food with any cheese (anything but American cheese)  I get excited.  Romano cheese is a sharp cheese of Italian origin and mixed with the mozzarella it made a winning combination. The Caprese is served with four large ravioli rounds and it’s enough to share with another person.  The Shrimp Piccante is a crispy breaded shrimp served with a spicy aioli sauce.

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Ravioli Caprese

The Brio Burger was delicious!  Served with homemade chips, provolone cheese, and topped with a flavorful tomato garnish. I suggest  you get the burger with nothing added, specifically how it’s advertised.  Be forewarned…my friend attempted to add onions to her burger and was told onions are an additional $4.00!  Ummmm the onions cost more than the actual burger!  She’ll pass..thank you.

Brio Burger

Brio Burger

The Happy Hour drink menu is also very impressive offering 11 cocktails at $5.00 each.  I always say variety is the spice of life and the cocktail menu offers (2) Sangria’s (white and red), (3) Mojitos and (2) Cosmos.  All the drinks on the Brio menu are what we like to call “Craft Cocktails” in the bartending world.  Craft Cocktails include fresh ingredients like fruit, mint, and specially made juices.  These drinks are muddled, strained, shaken, and stirred in numerous ways… basically your cocktail is made with tender loving care.   I must say our cocktails were delicious!

I looked on like a proud mama as two of my friends asked to have the strongest drink on the menu and eventually everyone at my table ordered a Sangria Rosa made with red wine, fresh pineapple and strawberries.  I also ordered the mojito and it was very delicious, dangerous in bar standards because it taste like kool-aid and those are the drinks that creep up on you.

Of course I had dessert, mainly because it was served in the cutest little oversized shot glass and they had cheesecake!! Brio offeres a dessert sampling of all your favorites like cheesecake, brownies, creme brulee and they are priced at $2.99 each.

Brio Cheesecake

Brio Strawberry Cheesecake

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