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| - I have been to Bricco twice thus far and I think it's a good addition to the Kent restaurant scene but it didn't exactly meet my expectations.
Bricco bills itself as an upscale contemporary American-Italian restaurant and based on the highly lauded Akron location I had high hopes. Every think I've eaten here has been good but not the "great" I was expecting. More specifics if you can stand to read it follows:
Service has been A+ each time. The first time, the server was obviously new to the profession but very nice and attentive. The second visit, the server was seasoned, friendly and attentive. He apologized several times for the wait on our food and (I think) forgot to bring us bread (unless that only comes with pasta) but I didn't care about either of those things so no points taken.
The appetizer BANANA PEPPERS stuffed with italian sausage and chorizo rice was yummy and spicy and a good start to the meal on visit #1.
For an entree I ordered the "baked PENNE with italian SAUSAGE, caramelized onions, mozzarella cheese and banana peppers in a PINK SAUCE " and it was ok but pretty much like any penne with store-bought meat sauce I've ever made at home. (I clarify because I've had better penne with homemade meat sauce...mmm)
My date also ordered pasta this visit - going for the "ANGEL HAIR tossed with BLACKENED CHICKEN, green onions, diced tomatoes and a CAJUN CREAM sauce." I think he liked it and I got to try to and thought it was also just ok. I wasn't wowed since I think Red Lobster has (had?) a similar dish that tastes exactly the same.
Visit #2 we tried the tomato and artichoke soup which is the BEST thing I've had here and super recommended. Chunky, creamy, flavorful and divine with fresh ground black pepper (which they had on the table!!) For my own future reference, I think this soup + a salad would be a knockout pair.
For an entree I went with the "WAFFLE-BATTERED AIRLINE CHICKEN breast with white cheddar GRITS and maple butter" and my date ordered the "grilled PORK TENDERLOIN with bacon and corned beef HASH and sauteed RAPINI."
I love chicken + sweetness of maple syrup or honey and, again, my expectations were not quite met. The batter was pretty delicious although it tasted more like Funnel Cake than waffle to me and the chicken was pretty tender but pretty bland. The grits were also fairly bland (although they ended up being my fave part of this meal.) Portions are generous - I certainly couldn't finish it!
The fella was super impressed by the awesomeness of the bacon & corned beef has which I also thought was super yummy. The pork seemed a bit dry to me although it was done to the "medium" specs requested.
I'm definitely going to give this place more business as it seems consistently good but I guess I was looking for them to wow my taste-buds. There are certainly better spots in Kent if you are looking for a REALLY spectacular meal but Bricco does have the "trendy" factor going for it. (And a great rotating specialty beer list, though nothing on tap.)
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