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BRAVO! Cucina Italiana
2727 Fairfield Commons, Space W171 | (937) 414-9581 | bravoitalian.com | Facebook
SPECIAL REASON TO GO OPENING WEEKEND
New patrons will be contributing to a worthy local cause if they visit BRAVO! over opening weekend.
BRAVO! will partner with Dayton Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Plaza, for their grand opening activities this weekend. Friday, Jan. 29 through Sunday, Jan. 31, everybody who brings their children in and orders from the children's menu will see 10 percent of the proceeds from those purchases go toward Dayton Children's. They anticipate their donations to be about $2,000, which will help Dayton Children's purchase new equipment at the hospital.
"We're really excited to have a partner like this, because they've expressed interest in more activities in the future," said Dayton Children's Director of Annual Gifts, Bethany A. Deines. "They try to find an organization that is going to resonate with their customers."
Come hungry. Leave overstuffed.
Generous portions, affordable prices and a gorgeous ambiance combine for a dining experience perfect for date night, a special family dinner or a night out with friends at the new BRAVO! Cucina Italiana at the Mall at Fairfield Commons.
It is the newest restaurant on the block at the Beavercreek mall and part of an ongoing effort to transform the mall into a shopping and dining destination. It is located just next door to the recently opened Chuy's. On the other side of Chuy's, you'll find a BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse still under construction.
The restaurant officially opens Jan. 28, but we got our first look inside the new BRAVO! during a special lunch tasting on Monday during the restaurant’s soft opening. Here's what to expect:
THE AMBIANCE
Shots from BRAVO! Cucina Italiana's soft opening Jan. 25 at the Mall at Fairfield Commons. BRAVO! opens to the public Jan. 28.
VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF
Inside the Dayton-area's second BRAVO! location (there's another near the Dayton Mall), you'll find a casually elegant atmosphere. It has a very open design that's warm and inviting, and the service staff is friendly and knowledgeable. You can view the action in the kitchen from just about any seat in the house, so you'll feel like you're getting a behind-the-scenes tour without getting up from your seat. There is an open main dining area, plus seating near the bar. The restaurant has a private dining space and is set up to accommodate large groups. We can't wait to test out the comfy patio when the weather is a little warmer.
THE APPETIZERS, STARTERS
The Arancini Happy Hour app, Lobster Bisque and Chopped Salad from BRAVO! Cucina Italiana at the Mall in Fairfield Commons.
VIVIENNE MACHI and MICHELLE FONG / STAFF
One word for you: Arancini, also known as Crispy Risotto Fritters. These deep-fried bites of cheesy risotto are a happy hour exclusive (weekdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m.) at a cost of $3.95. They come with two dipping sauces: the diavolo sauce and a more traditional pomodoro. You can't go wrong with either. These would be the perfect snack to enjoy with a glass of wine after work. Nom-nom.
The BRAVO! Chopped Salad ($4.99 alone or $4.25 with an entrée) is refreshing and tasty, with chopped greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and olives topped with a generous portion of Feta cheese and a red wine vinaigrette. Crunchy, well-balanced, and a great start to the meal.
The Lobster Bisque ($4.99 alone or $4.25 with an entree) is comfort in a bowl. Savor every slurp of this soup, with sizable chunks of shrimp swimming in a thick, creamy well-seasoned broth. If you're not a fan of Lobster Bisque, then you can opt for the more classic Italian Wedding Soup or the soup of the day.
THE ENTREES
Mama's Lasagna Bolognese and Pasta BRAVO! from BRAVO! Cucina Italiana at the Mall in Fairfield Commons.
VIVIENNE MACHI and MICHELLE FONG / STAFF
You have not seen lasagna until you've seen this lasagna. Mama's Lasagna Bolognese ($14.99) comes served in a bowl of epic proportions and offers a more creamy twist on the classic dish. Heed this advice: order this meal to share or ask for a half-portion. Once you pick your jaw up from the table and marvel at the quantity of food on your plate, savor this creamy dish that blends mounds of cheese with Bolognese and alfredo sauces. Delizioso!!
The signature dish is appropriately the Pasta BRAVO! ($13.99), and it's a great option for all diners with flavors that are tasty and yet not too bold: the rigatoni topped with a yummy roasted red pepper cream sauce is a bit sweet and oh so savory, and we loved the grilled chicken and mushrooms scattered throughout. It's topped with a touch of parsley, and we recommend saying "yes" to the offer for freshly grated parmesan straight off the rind, and some fresh black pepper.
THE DESSERT
The vanilla creme brulée from BRAVO! Cucina Italiana.
VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF
If you're like us, by the time you get to dessert, you will already be stuffed. But if you have the room, we highly recommend the Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée ($3.99). Cooked just as a Crème Brulée should be, with a caramelized sugar crust just begging to be broken with a spoon, it's the dessert you always have room for. You can also order a Dessert Trio with mini versions of the Crème Brulée, Cannoli Crumble — BRAVO!'s twist on the traditional dessert with ricotta filling with chocolate chips and cannoli pastry crumble — and the baked-to-order Warm Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie for $9.99, which seems like a great way to split small desserts or indulge your indecisiveness.
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