With a new year comes a new menu at BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, a BRAVO | BRIO Restaurant Group (NASDAQ: BBRG) concept. On January 18th, BRAVO! introduced a variety of new options in addition to welcoming back some of the classics. Guests are invited to BRAVO!'s table for a feast of crisp salads, delicate pastas and housemade pizza.

Lobster Ravioli alla Vodka, with sautéed shrimp and grape tomatoes in a tomato cream sauce, is a mouth-watering appetizer or entrée offered on the dinner menu as well as a lunch portion. It pairs nicely with Pietra Porzia Frascati, the favorite white wine of Rome. Pasta Nonna, served at both lunch and dinner, with fresh fennel sausage, Mozzarella di Bufala, roasted eggplant and marinara is complemented by San Fabiano Chianti, an old Italian favorite. Treat yourself to a sweet Strawberry Basil Limonata while enjoying the spicy Chicken Fra Diavolo, a version of the much-loved Shrimp Fra Diavolo, at lunch or dinner. For all pizza lovers, BRAVO! has created Prosciutto Margherita Pizza, adorned with fresh Mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce, thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma and sprinkled with fresh basil. To enhance the delicious pizza, enjoy with a glass of Araldica ?Albera? Barbera, which is made specifically as a pairing for cured meats and brings out the distinct flavors of the Prosciutto.

Guests can excite over the Insalata Rustica, a delicious salad tossed with roasted tomatoes, fresh apples, dried cherries, spicy pecans and crisp Pancetta, tossed with balsamic vinaigrette; and Chianti Braised Beef Ravioli, Sangiovese braised beef-filled ravioli with roasted sweet potatoes, brown butter and sage, both of which were added permanently to the lunch and dinner menu.

BRAVO! Cucina Italiana is an upscale affordable restaurant offering classic Italian food amongst the shadows of Roman ruins. The subtitle ?Cucina Italiana? means Italian kitchen, in which all cooking is done in full view of the guest, creating the energy of a live theater. BRAVO!'s popular entrees include grilled steaks, chops, and made-to-order pizzas, pastas and house specialties, similar to an authentic ?ristorante' in Italy. BRAVO! is part of Columbus-based BRAVO | BRIO Restaurant Group. Founded in 1992, BRAVO | BRIO Restaurant Group currently operates more than 80 restaurants including BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, BRIO Tuscan Grille and Bon Vie Bistro. Please visit the Web site, BravoItalian.com for a list of locations, and to follow the restaurant on Twitter (@bravo_italian) and Facebook (facebook.com/bravoitalian).

Editor's Note: hi-res images are available upon request.

BRAVO | BRIO Restaurant Group
Danielle Terreri, 614-340-4096
EMAIL: DTerreri@bbrg.com