Friday, July 21, 2017

BRIO Tuscan Grille to Bid "Ciao" to Buckhead Next Month

BRIO Tuscan Grille plans to shutter its Buckhead restaurant after dinner service on Sunday, August 6th.  The approximately 9,000 square foot restaurant in Buckhead Centre at 2964 Peachtree Road opened in 2000.  Bravo Brio Resturant Group, the Columbus, OH-based owner of the BRIO Tuscan Grille and Bravo Cucina Italiana restaurant chains, confirmed in May that it planned to close "at least six restaurants this year."   The first three closures occurred earlier this spring in North Bethesda, MD (BRIO), San Antonio, TX (BRIO) and Willow Grove, PA (BRAVO!). 
While BRIO was never a frequent dining destination for me, it seemed to do a rather good business.  Its location, just south of Pharr Road and next to The Peach shopping center in the heart of Buckhead, had a good sized patio that likely contributed to its popularity despite its mediocre chain food.   
The restaurant's website described BRIO Buckhead:

"At BRIO Tuscan Grille Buckhead, we hope you enjoy our delicious Italian dishes, grilled entrees, pastas, sweets and drinks from the Italian restaurant tradition. Join us today for the best Italian restaurant experience in Atlanta Georgia!"

BRIO Tuscan Grille's other Atlanta area location just off Ashford Dunwoody Road alongside McCormick & Schmick's and P.F. Chang's will reportedly remain open.  

According to permits on file with the city of Atlanta, BRIO Buckhead replaced their "25 ton" HVAC unit in August 2014. The restaurant space itself is also in overall good condition and despite a reported spat between the restaurant, its landlord, and the onsite parking management company, the space will likely not stay vacant for long.  

Are you surprised BRIO Tuscan Grille is closing their Buckhead location?  What would you like to see open in place of BRIO Tuscan Grille?  Do you think there are simply too many restaurants being opened in metro Atlanta?

Please share your thoughts below.  

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I worked next door in 2005-06 and we frequented Brio back then. It was one of our favorites and didn't feel too "chainy" back then! Perhaps prompted by nostalgia, I went back 3 or 4 years ago and was disappointed by the ambiance, food and service compared to my memory. So all that to say - not surprised!

Anonymous said...

no one eats pasta anymore

Anonymous said...

I think plenty of people still eat pasta - Olive Garden, of all places, is killing it

Anonymous said...

Really?! "no one eats pasta"... get off your stinking Atkins high horse and get real. Americans are FAT and will continue eating however they want until it's no longer an option (and then even still...). Spell check on RESTURANT. And really what is "too many restaurants" in this growing and economically-boosted metro area?

Anonymous said...

What? BRIO Buckhead replaced their "25 ton" HVAC unit in August 2014. But they wouldn't deal with one of the greedy parking companies that have descended on Atlanta. Happy Property owners have been besieged by these people who don't care that existing restaurants and small business offices are the ones adversely impacted by their greed. Customers of existing businesses who have enjoyed free parking will now be forced to pay $2.00 for 30 minutes until they reach the maximum of $15.No validations, that cuts into the new comers profits. So goodbye Brio. There will be many others fleeing these leeches as they transform Atlanta's live and let live lifestyle.

Anonymous said...

They used to have the best Wednesday ladies night happy hour back in 2002. Patio was packed and people stayed till about 11pm. Sad they couldn't keep it going.They wasted suck a great location.

Anonymous said...

Always was our "go-to" place for a great Happy Hour. Sorry to see both locations fold.

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