The sign is down and workers are moving equipment out of the Brio Tuscan Grille at the corner of Kirby and West Alabama. The restaurant shut down yesterday, a reader informs Swamplot. “They had a bunch of stuff all over the floor and about 3 rental moving trucks with guys hanging out,” writes the informant, who adds that one of the unnamed workers said the restaurant had been “not that busy” and wasn’t making enough money. Brio took over the space formerly occupied by Pesce at the 3029 Kirby Dr. spot in the Centre at River Oaks Shopping Center 2 years ago, around the same time the former Borders Books in the same building was being carved up into separate spaces for a pediatric clinic and Ulta Beauty. The Brio CityCentre location remains open.
- Previously on Swamplot: Borders Activity Report
Photo: Swamplot inbox
This location has always been snake-bit when it comes to restaurants.
I’m not too surprised. They are part of a larger chain of “Italian inspired” eateries, BBRG, that are mostly located in upscale suburban shopping centers. To be honest, I’d bet the rent became too high to sustain profits.
FYI, they also have a location in The Woodlands, across from the mall.
I’ve been to the one in the Arboretum in Austin and it was fantastic – for a chain.
I think this location is just too much in the middle of a hotbed of wonderful unique-to-Houston restaurants that nobody ever really considered it, including me.
Saw it coming. Just a block away from a far superior Italian Joint (Carraba’s) though. People just stopped going. Hardly any crowd when I was there the last couple of times. Will miss the Happy Hours Specials though, and the open air bar, when the weather was nice.
Maaan, their happy hour was the bomb!
Walgreens in 3… 2… 1…
I found Brio to be over-priced and carb-tastic with too-big portions.
I ate there once….which was enough.
Parking there sucked, and there were no alternatives for when the lot was full. At a lot of other eateries in the area, you can go a few blocks over and park on a residential street, then walk back to the restaurant. This location is surrounded by commercial properties and busy, major streets – remote parking is not an option here.
The whole Tuscan thing is soo…2010.
Restaurant-wise, I could see Cafe Express working well there. That’s about it.
I tried the place one time, it was below sub-par, its no surprise they are done…
I like the Cafe Express suggestion now that they are getting booted across the street
OK ignore my half-joking Walgreen’s comment above. I’m jumping on the Cafe Express bandwagon. Can’t think of a more logical restaurant tenant to take over the space.