I called to ask whether a salad could be made without the dressing and salt mixed in, to accommodate a health situation I’m currently navigating. I even pointed out that I understand it might be a weird request, as a way of acknowledging my situation without having to go into detail about it with a stranger. The woman I spoke to responded by saying “yeah that is weird.” Given I wasn’t asking for her opinion on my current dietary restrictions, I then re-asked her whether or not my request was possible. She explained that they can’t do that because as soon as the lentils are done, they add a vinaigrette to them. Totally fair. I asked what ingredients are in the vinaigrette and she responded “this is too complicated” in a frustrated tone then hung up on me.I’m not sure how asking simple questions is too complicated, but I am sure I would not give my business to a place that treats customers like this. That was unnecessarily unkind.Update: The phone call lasted 54 seconds. I also didn’t realize that the restaurant was not open, and don’t understand why the owner picked up my call if they didn’t have the bandwidth to talk. That sounds like a poor decision on their end; not something to take out on a customer. Had I known that context I would have happily and easily called back later.Finally, I had no expectations at all — these are my dietary issues and I’m fully aware I’m the one responsible for dealing with them — I only had two simple questions and they were met with unnecessary rudeness. Similar to the owner’s response here.You don’t have to accommodate anyone you don’t want to, but you can easily find ways to do so without being mean. I left this review so people with dietary restrictions can understand that this is not the spot for them, and avoid being made to feel like something’s is wrong with them for asking questions that pertain to their health. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness.On that note, I’m going to choose to be kind and wish you a good day with easier customers ;)
Dietary restrictions: It seems to me they don’t care to accommodate dietary restrictions (which is fair / their prerogative as business owners), or treat them like they’re valid. The latter of which is frustrating.
Alana Coghlan
This is a true gem! I have never had a better caprese sandwich in my life. They make their own fresh mozzarella and the bread was fantastic. Truly gourmet food at bargain prices.
Ayn Devera
Pick anything on the menu and you will be satisfied. Lovely cafe for our Midtown ♡
Stephen Mendel
The best sandwiches! Homemade bread and desserts! Tiny place with few tables but well worth the trip.
ACHS ANONYMOUS
best lasagna I think I've ever had. the spinach lasagna is a healthy and yummy food choice for lunch or dinner, I highly recommend
Lara MacIsaac
Best Italian in Ventura by far. They added pizza and it’s the best in the city far and away.Very authentic and fresh
bob wilkes
Great little Italian sandwich spot.Fresh made focaccia bread makes them special
Dian Kelly Carroll
Small indoor eating space but they also do take out. Very good food and staff are always helpful and efficient.
Andrea Sanchez
I had never hear of this place and I had been in Ventura for 16 years. I was interning at a small nonprofit and they bought some sandwich’s from here and ever since, I’ve been coming here! So. Delicious!!! Everything on the menu is GREAT…which makes it hard to decide on just ONE THING to order.
Julie Gillespie Childress
Delicious custom sandwiches on homemade bread!! I highly recommend!!
We frequented Brio Cafe when we used to live in Midtown Ventura, and definitely miss it now! Dina was always upbeat and welcoming, and her food is **amazing.** She makes a lot of her food from scratch, so you have to be okay waiting a bit sometimes, but it's well worth it! We also had a few orders catered over the years, and the reviews of her food were always glowing. Highly recommended!
Brenda Sullivan
This place serves homemade Italian food. It is absolutely delicious. ❤ Since it is all homemade if you don't have time to wait, their website has their menu & you can order ahead. It will be well worth it. I fell in love with the gnocchi, it's served with of course homemade focaccia bread. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10 stars!
bigbad wolf
I was gonna give this place a try but reading the reviews and noticing how the owner responded to a honest review made me think twice. Thats totally out of line. How coukd you go off on them for a review and then RETALIATE...SMH GROW UP..lost my business.
Brendan Happe
I never review restaurants on Google but this place really deserves these 5 stars. Brio Cafe has the best Italian food I’ve ever had in the West. Probably also the best restaurant food I’ve had in Ventura. There’s a thoughtfulness and quality to each ingredient. Their meatball sandwich and rosemary potato pizza are my favorites.
Blake McPherson
Incredible service and incredible food. Tina is so kind and helpful. I had the chicken and mozzarella sandwich and it was the best sandwich I’ve had in a very long time.
I called to ask whether a salad could be made without the dressing and salt mixed in, to accommodate a health situation I’m currently navigating. I even pointed out that I understand it might be a weird request, as a way of acknowledging my situation without having to go into detail about it with a stranger. The woman I spoke to responded by saying “yeah that is weird.” Given I wasn’t asking for her opinion on my current dietary restrictions, I then re-asked her whether or not my request was possible. She explained that they can’t do that because as soon as the lentils are done, they add a vinaigrette to them. Totally fair. I asked what ingredients are in the vinaigrette and she responded “this is too complicated” in a frustrated tone then hung up on me.I’m not sure how asking simple questions is too complicated, but I am sure I would not give my business to a place that treats customers like this. That was unnecessarily unkind.Update: The phone call lasted 54 seconds. I also didn’t realize that the restaurant was not open, and don’t understand why the owner picked up my call if they didn’t have the bandwidth to talk. That sounds like a poor decision on their end; not something to take out on a customer. Had I known that context I would have happily and easily called back later.Finally, I had no expectations at all — these are my dietary issues and I’m fully aware I’m the one responsible for dealing with them — I only had two simple questions and they were met with unnecessary rudeness. Similar to the owner’s response here.You don’t have to accommodate anyone you don’t want to, but you can easily find ways to do so without being mean. I left this review so people with dietary restrictions can understand that this is not the spot for them, and avoid being made to feel like something’s is wrong with them for asking questions that pertain to their health. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness.On that note, I’m going to choose to be kind and wish you a good day with easier customers ;)
Dietary restrictions: It seems to me they don’t care to accommodate dietary restrictions (which is fair / their prerogative as business owners), or treat them like they’re valid. The latter of which is frustrating.
This is a true gem! I have never had a better caprese sandwich in my life. They make their own fresh mozzarella and the bread was fantastic. Truly gourmet food at bargain prices.
Pick anything on the menu and you will be satisfied. Lovely cafe for our Midtown ♡
The best sandwiches! Homemade bread and desserts! Tiny place with few tables but well worth the trip.
best lasagna I think I've ever had. the spinach lasagna is a healthy and yummy food choice for lunch or dinner, I highly recommend
Best Italian in Ventura by far. They added pizza and it’s the best in the city far and away.Very authentic and fresh
Great little Italian sandwich spot.Fresh made focaccia bread makes them special
Small indoor eating space but they also do take out. Very good food and staff are always helpful and efficient.
I had never hear of this place and I had been in Ventura for 16 years. I was interning at a small nonprofit and they bought some sandwich’s from here and ever since, I’ve been coming here! So. Delicious!!! Everything on the menu is GREAT…which makes it hard to decide on just ONE THING to order.
Delicious custom sandwiches on homemade bread!! I highly recommend!!
Restaurantji Recommends
We frequented Brio Cafe when we used to live in Midtown Ventura, and definitely miss it now! Dina was always upbeat and welcoming, and her food is **amazing.** She makes a lot of her food from scratch, so you have to be okay waiting a bit sometimes, but it's well worth it! We also had a few orders catered over the years, and the reviews of her food were always glowing. Highly recommended!
This place serves homemade Italian food. It is absolutely delicious. ❤ Since it is all homemade if you don't have time to wait, their website has their menu & you can order ahead. It will be well worth it. I fell in love with the gnocchi, it's served with of course homemade focaccia bread. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10 stars!
I was gonna give this place a try but reading the reviews and noticing how the owner responded to a honest review made me think twice. Thats totally out of line. How coukd you go off on them for a review and then RETALIATE...SMH GROW UP..lost my business.
I never review restaurants on Google but this place really deserves these 5 stars. Brio Cafe has the best Italian food I’ve ever had in the West. Probably also the best restaurant food I’ve had in Ventura. There’s a thoughtfulness and quality to each ingredient. Their meatball sandwich and rosemary potato pizza are my favorites.
Incredible service and incredible food. Tina is so kind and helpful. I had the chicken and mozzarella sandwich and it was the best sandwich I’ve had in a very long time.
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