BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE. Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA

There’s a great full-service Italian restaurant on the lower level at Tysons Corner Center called Brio Tuscan Grille. And what a huge menu of food and drink! When you park your car in the parking garage you can see the Brio sign at the entrance to the Mall. Believe me, once inside the restaurant, you’re in a different world. Brio is definitely a destination restaurant, The warm décor makes you feel at home, and now the food. You may want to start with one of Brio’s flatbread offerings, their version of pizza. The menu features Tuscan grille items such as chicken, lamb chops, pork chops and salmon, plus 13 pasta dishes including lobster and shrimp ravioli, lasagna, fettuccine Napoli and penne gorgonzola. Among the specialties are veal marsala, crab and shrimp cakes, shrimp risotto and a whole roasted chicken. And don’t forget the beef entrees such as artichoke crusted beef medallions, filet of beef topped with gorgonzola or a 14 oz. strip steak. My favorites are the lasagna and beef medallions with shrimp scampi. The salads are great, too. I might add that if you don’t see what you want, Executive Chef Eric Madson will make it for you as he did one night for me when I had a hankering for veal parmigiana. Genial manager Ramzi Lahboub was in charge the night I was there. Brio Tuscan Grille is a real Tuscan inspired restaurant. For information and reservations, call 703-288-8882 and check the website at www.BrioItalian.com.