Summer Grilling Specials at Brio

August is National Grilling Month and to celebrate, BRIO Tuscan Grill has created a special three course summer dining special; the Art of Grilling. I sampled the prix fixe selections at the Waterside Shops, Naples, FL location last week, leaving with a full belly and a smile.

First course choices are a soup of the day, it was Italian Wedding on our day, or salad. While there are traditional salads like Caesar, there is also a Kale Caesar with pancetta and chopped egg, and a chopped salad with feta among others.

Grilled seasonal catch

Main course options cover the range of fish, pork, beef and a tender combination of grilled beef medallions with with black pepper shrimp. The pork was tender and juicy, the steak cooked to the perfect temperature and the shrimp naturally sweet, with a good amount of heat.

Grilled strip steak with rosemary and lemon

It was hard to focus purely on the meat as the sides were flavorful and delicious. We couldn't get enough of the crisp fingerling potatoes. Opt for the creamy parmesan sauce on the side so you can taste the potatoes naked too. The Sicilian cauliflower had a pleasant spicy kick that included peperoncinis and capers.

Roasted Strawberry Shortcake

Dessert is literally the icing on the cake for this three course extravaganza. The roasted strawberry shortcake is a seasonal delight, but it was the creamy, dreamy caramel marscarpone cheesecake that put us over the edge.

There are specials on wines to match these dishes as well. This portions are more than generous especially when considering the $27.95 price tag. The Art of Grilling at BRIO Tuscan Grill runs through August 21 so be sure to take advantage of it.
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New Year, New CPK

If you are like most people, you are going into January cutting back a bit, on calories, on spending, on...well you name it. So you'll be happy to know one of your most beloved pizza chains is going the extra mile to help you out, to give you more delicious yet healthful options when dining with them.

California Pizza Kitchen is making some sweeping changes both on the menu and with the decor. But fans will be glad to know many of the favorites such as the original BBQ Chicken and Thai Chicken pizzas, are staying. Some new additions to the pizza lineup include the Bianco, surprisingly light considering it has whipped truffle cream, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella and fresh sage. To get in a serving of veggies, try the brussels and bacon with caramelized onions, goat cheese, romano and cracked pepper....DA BOMB. All of the dough is hand tossed.

Roasted Garlic Chicken

So you would expect a pizza kitchen to crank out some good pies and CPK delivers. However, they are also delivering more local, seasonal vegetables. I noticed lots of kale, brussel sprouts, quinoa and farro on the new menu. Give the Harvest Kale Salad a try. It is full of great flavors and a nice bit of spice. Or take on the new roasted garlic chicken, again full of flavors with a nice crisp skin served over vegetables with bold mediterranean seasoning.

What I was must surprised at during a recent menu sampling was the Halibut and the Salmon, both roasted on a cedar plank and served with perfectly cooked veggies; your trainer would be pleased.

I should stop there and not tempt you with the new desserts like the Salted Caramel Puddig or the mouthwatering Butter Cake, I'll just keep that news to myself. (photos below)

CPK has been at Waterside Shops in Naples for more than 20-years. Not only has the restaurant undergone a change in menu but a change in design as well. It's one of the first in the nation to sport both the new look and the new menu of the new CPK.

The seating is more open, there is a new bar and a chefs table giving a birds eye view of the skillful pizza makers who toss the dough high into the air. But the biggest draw is the spacious outdoor patio. The new decor keeps the California vibe, using recycled materials, wood and metal.

You'll love the fresh look and the fresh food of CPK at Waterside Shops.