Caf? Brio
A touch of class
I didn’t even know that Limassol’s Caf? Brio did meals so when I found out I decided to treat my mother-in-law.
Caf? Brio is actually set up like a caf? however the owner changed his mind and after (rumour has it) poaching a Hungarian honcho chef from some very reputable place (think luxury hotel), opened up a restaurant area as well, which is tucked away to the side of the caf?. It’s actually very cosy… and classy. White linen and thin-stemmed, wide-bodied glasses grace the tables, while funky square white plates tell you you’re in a place where image matters. So, either the food will be great to go with that image or it will be rubbish and you will only go because it’s a beautiful place in which to be seen.
It was a Monday so very quiet – something that worked in our favour as the 10 to 12 tables are stationed relatively close together… a European concept, which boosts atmosphere but easily allows you to share the conversation two or three tables away.
A very friendly waiter came to take our coats and bring us menus, which are essentially caf?-style with a limited choice of sandwiches, salads, seafood, steaks, pasta and desserts. That said, we found it difficult to decide as each one sounded quite delicious and there was also a weekly special menu comprising half a dozen more dishes.
I settled for a mixed salad with parmesan as a starter, and fillet steak with rosemary, sage, green peppercorns and chilli, roast potatoes and grilled vegetables for main. My mother-in-law opted for the Insalata Exotica that included “hearts of palm” along with seasonal fruits and salad. We were intrigued as to what that was, yet upon questioning, were brought a sample to find that it is indeed the centre of a palm – something akin to an artichoke – and is marinated in salt and water to enhance its flavour. Very interesting. She followed this with grilled Dover Sole and, upon the waiter’s suggestion, chose risotto instead of roast potatoes, to go with the mixed grilled vegetables.
Background music was subtle and not the usual commercial stuff, which was a pleasant relief as we enjoyed both it and our conversation throughout the evening. A selection of warm bread rolls arrived with a plate of butter rolled into swirls. We scoffed these, and waited for our starters, which arrived shortly after. The salads were delicious and had we not been so hungry, would have almost sufficed as a meal… certainly had it been lunch, it would have been enough.
Constantly checking on us, the service was very unobtrusive and noticeably attentive. My mother-in-law ordered a glass of the suggested chardonnay, which proved to be very nice and our main course arrived in good time after our entrees. Sizeable portions, beautifully presented, I was really looking forward to the experience, particularly since I often order steak only to discover that it has not been cooked the way I like: medium, pink, no blood. When it came, it was perfect. Succulent, thick, juicy, Irish steak, topped with herbs and peppercorns with its only fault (if I were to pick) being that I would have preferred a tad more chilli. The roast potatoes were gorgeous and mixed vegetables crisp and flavoursome. The Dover Sole was divine (I couldn’t resist trying it) with a melt-in-the-mouth quality rarely found from a frozen fish, but admittedly it was a little pricier than most of the other dishes. Though we had ordered risotto, roast potatoes came with the meal, but quickly after, a portion of creamy risotto (also very tasty) was brought to the table.
We struggled, but succeeded, to finish the main in order to make it to dessert since I had my eye on the mini chocolate souffl?. My mother-in-law just couldn’t do it and settled for some jasmine tea, despite being temped by the lemon tart, tiramisu and dark and white chocolate mousse…
The waiter brought my souffl? around 15 minutes later and we smiled to see that Caf? Brio had been written on the plate (together with a few hearts) in chocolate. Accompanying it were two small jugs of cream and caramel to pour over. Mmmm. Warm and cake-like on top, the centre was a thick, rich mousse – a little heavier than I had expected, but delicious nonetheless.
Overall, the place was great. Taste, atmosphere, service and scrumptious food meant that we would definitely return! Highly recommended.
VITAL STATISTICS
WHERE Caf? Brio Restaurant, Hallmark Complex, Georgiou ‘A Street, Limassol
CONTACT 25 879911
WHEN Open for lunch (12pm onwards) and dinner (7.30-11.30pm) every day
PRICE 3-course meal for 2 including drinks, about £45
