Brio in Rancho Cucamonga Reopens: Dining at Victoria Gardens

Do you like Italian food, craft cocktails, or just a fun night out? Brio in Rancho Cucamonga has recently reopened with a revamped menu and dining at Victoria Gardens just got a lot more fun!

I’ve been going to Brio since they opened at Victoria Gardens. Their drinks have always been a favorite, and hanging out on the patio during happy hour is a fun time, so I was excited we were invited to the media party for its reopening. A night full of appetizers, cocktails, a piece of a massive cheese wheel, and a full course meal with wine pairings. And the dessert! More on that later.

Brio opened originally back in 2013, and due to a fire, they had to temporarily close in late 2024. They are a “Tuscan-inspired restaurant destination serving authentic, northern Italian cuisine, luxury wines & cocktails—our specialties include premium quality steaks, chops, seafood, made-to-order pasta and flatbreads prepared in an authentic Italian wood-burning oven,” described most adequately on their website.

Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm, where their drink specials and appetizers are $8 each. My favorite is their calamari, and of course, you need to try one of their martinis. Their Old Fashioned Martini is unique in that it also has DiSaronno in it, so it’s a unique take on a popular cocktail.

Every Wednesday is Wine Wednesday, where glasses are available for $7 each, and on Thursday, they celebrate Martini Thursday for $7 signature martinis. You can’t go wrong.

You can make reservations online, but during Happy Hour, it’s first come, first served, and they do get full some evenings so come early for more chance at getting room for your party at the bar or outdoor terrace.

We got to try many of their menu items during the party — here’s a peek at the menu for the evening.

The small bites in the serving tray pictured were all fantastic, my favorite being the charred octopus. It’s available daily as an appetizer, so if you like seafood, this is one you need to try. Great smokey flavor, perfect consistency (none of that rubbery texture you find at some restaurants) and served with a smoked paprika aoili.

You need to try one of these bread platters, so come hungry. Fresh baked ciabatta, whipped ricotta, whipped butter, extra virgin olive oil & your choice of Rosso sea salt or Rosé sea salt. Spread and sprinkle on soft, pillowy bread make this a great way to take the edge off while waiting for the rest of your meal.

Everything is so colorful and delicious F!or what it’s worth, I didn’t finish a single drink I started, there were so many to choose from, but my favorite was the Ultra Premium Italian Margarita. The sangria is incredible — not too sweet, good and fruity, and just the thirst quencher you need when trying different bites.

Wine was served throughout dinner, paired to each course, and as a frequent wine writer (you can find me over at Wine and Travel with Donna), I was loving the choices. If you want wine during your meal, be sure to ask your server for recommendations; they know their stuff.

The setting at Brio is basically the same as it was before, with tables spread out through different rooms, some with views of the outside. They also offer a banquet room available for large groups, and this is where we were seated for the event. It offers privacy and plenty of space for photo opportunities or speakers without crowding the diners.

Another fun option they offer is tableside pasta from a cheese wheel. We eat out a lot, and I’d never had pasta made with such a massive cheese wheel! The Parmesan Wheel Truffle Pasta was incredible. I was getting full by this point but I made sure to try it.

I’m a vegetarian, so I didn’t partake in the meat dishes, but judging by the reactions of my table mates, everything was a hit. I went for the Shrimp & Scallop Risotto, after a healthy serving of salad. (Not pictured is their Truffle Fries — they’re a food for a different night, and they are SO good.)

And now I’m hungry all over again. Whatever you do, leave room for the dessert. I chose the Pistachio Tiramisu, and it was absolutely incredible. I don’t do dessert often, but I’d cut back on apps just to try this again. Mascarpone and pistachio cream between soft layers of espresso-soaked lady fingers, topped with chocolate crumbles. Heaven on a plate.

Overall, it reminded me why I loved going to Brio. Service was top-notch, the food was varied and delicious, and no matter what type of diet you have — vegetarian, vegan or carnivore — you’ll find numerous options on their expansive menu. There is also a kid’s menu that goes a little beyond the average kid’s menu, by adding a build-your-own pasta, lasagne, and chicken parmesan, in addition to the typical fingers and pizza options.

We had a good time and were treated to not only all of the above food but a swag bag of fun gear. The Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce was in attendance, along with the head Chef, Joe Hays (Director of Culinary for all Brio locations) and General Manager, Francisco Gomez.

Thanks for the invite, Brio! We look forward to returning for many happy hours and date nights! I need more of that tiramisu.