Brioso by Butterwood

My fiancé and I had reservations the day before Valentine’s day… let’s just say it was an unforgettable one. We arrived just before our reservation time and were seated right away. There were about 2 – 3 other tables seated in the restaurant when we arrived. We sat at our table for at least 15 minutes before a server came over. With only 3 other tables in the whole place, this put a bad taste in our mouth to start. We could see the servers chit chatting near the kitchen and sat there wondering when one would come over to us. Once a server finally came over and explained «he didn’t know we were his table», we ordered our drinks and an appetizer. We ordered the diver scallops as an appetizer. They were great! Our server was a bit frazzled throughout our time there, but he could not have had more than 4 tables throughout the hour we were there… He brought over the wrong entrees that belonged to another table. Once our correct entrees were brought over, we began to eat and realized my steak sandwich (ordered medium) was quite rare and my fiancé’s $ 32 strip steak was well done (also ordered medium). It looked like a steak that you would get at a $ 9.99 buffet restaurant, honestly. For the first time in his life (and we eat out quite a bit), he sent his food back. We did end up getting a refund from the manager who was very nice.
Overall, just a poor experience. The only positives were the scallops and an understanding polite restaurant manager and for that I will give them 2 stars.

GREAT FOOD!!! Idk If it’s because my brother is a chef there and he makes its and cooks it personally But they open steak sandwich is must have!!! Nice laid back place to eat!

Me and my fiancé came here for lunch after a big elite event… bad idea not because the food was bad but because the food was so good I had to finish it all and it was big (that’s what she or I guess he said).
I ordered the American burger I think it was called an it amazing it was big and cooked what was supposedly med rate but it sort of turned out well done but it was cool because it tastes good. The fries and seasoning was incredible I will have to say for fries I give these 5 because I’m a fry lover and honestly if fries are fried correctly they are my favorite but these has a twist they had a weird seasoning on them which made them amazing.
As for location of this place I love it, it’s right on the corner of forest and main and its located in a the hotel there which is also really nice inside.
Lastly we orders two brownie pops to finish I off and just a heads up they were so sweet they literally made my teeth hurt so keep that in mind.
All in all I have to give this place a four due to my burger not being cooked how I asked but even with that it was still amazing

Our friends and I stopped by here for breakfast since we were staying at the Wydham. The venue itself isn’t anything special. Just a very standard bar/​restaurant housed inside of a hotel. The breakfast options were decent but on the pricier side as expected with anything affiliated with a hotel. They had omelettes, standard breakfast (egg, toast and sausage), pancakes and breakfast burritos.
I ended up ordering the burrito with steak which was pretty decent. The only drawback was that the tortilla was a little soggy due to the juices from the meat.
One thing this place can definitely improve on though is service. We were a party of 8 and without a ton of other folks in the restaurant. It took forever for our food to come out.
Due to the high prices and level of service, I’d recommend going to the crêpe place down the street or Dunkin Donuts.

I was very hesitant on dining here, but I was pleasantly surprised. I met a friend here on Wednesday evening around 6:30. We decided to sit at the bar to eat, the restaurant itself was not busy at all. I ordered a dirty martini and wanted blue cheese stuffed olives which they did not have, but Bill the bartender stuffed some just for me! He was great the whole time we were there, giving us good suggestions on what to order.
We started with the Caulifrito, which was deep fried (but not battered) cauliflower and topped with this sweet and spicy sauce and nuts. It was delicious! I could eat that all day long. My friend had the crusted Salmon with grilled asparagus and I had the seafood stew which had shrimp, salmon and scallops with couscous. Both where amazing. I feel the prices are a little high. For dessert we split the salted Carmel torte on Bills suggestion and that too was fantastic.
I think I would go back to sit at the bar for drinks and apps, but for dinner, probably not unless someone really wanted to go.

I’ve consistently found the food here to be really delicious and I think consistency in a restaurant is crucial. Having only sat at the bar, I didn’t pay much attention to what was happening at tables behind me but at the bar, there were many regulars, it seemed like there was Brioso club, people who live in the hotel perhaps and those who just really enjoy dining here and come by often. People knew each other, is what I’m trying to say. The bar has bright lights on the bottom which is a little bit awkward because there is a bright light shining at your legs and feet and so you feel like you really need to cross your legs properly and shine your shoes before coming here because there is no hiding anything with those lights. Now onto the food, their menu isn’t set up the most efficient way in my opinion. The first page of the menu lists salads, then burgers and THEN appetizers. I think the appetizers should be visualized by the guest before they get to the burgers and sandwiches. Anyways, the butternut squash soup is creamy and amazing. The caesar salad is presented beautifully with grilled romaine and is so tasty. I don’t ever order a caesar salad unless I think it’s going to be really good and let me say, it was. The Sedona chopped salad is BIG. Really big, enough for two people to share. The flavor was great and it was loaded with corn, tomatoes, avocado, and crispy onions in a pepper dressing. Their guacamole is great, served in the outside of the avocado, which is clever and cute but there just isn’t enough of it in an order in my opinion. The guacamole can be found under the section of their menu labeled, «Southwestern Favorites.» They had a Mexican flare which was different, but I loved it because I just love Mexican food. Their stuffed vegetarian poblano pepper is a great dish. Big portion, lots of flavor with mushrooms, quinoa, spinach and garlic, basically a vegetarians dream. Their salmon is to die for. It’s seafood crusted if you so choose to order it that way, and comes with a couscous salad with asparagus. The sauce is a saffron cream and while I am not a big fan of creamy sauces, this one worked really well with the dish and wasn’t overpowering at all. Now, you’re dining in a hotel, so expect to pay a little bit more than you are going to be paying at any other restaurant. What’s important however, is that the food is awesome, the bar service is fantastic and they have AMAZING desserts. The red velvet cupcake… enough said.

I was debating between trying this place and 800 Maple for my birthday dinner. Brioso won because I saw on their online menu that they had a.) guacamole and b.) Château Ste. Michelle’s Eroica riesling. Obviously you can see from my 5 stars that I was a big fan of my dinner here.
It killed me not to try the butternut squash soup on the menu but I love love LOVE guacamole. We started with the «loaded» guacamole and I’ll tell you what it’s loaded with: awesome. It’s lots of fresh avocado, corn, tomatoes, and spices. They don’t give you a super lot of it, I think if I get it again I’d tell my husband to get his own. They brought us chips with salsa with this too. I see in other people’s reviews mention of a bread basket. We did not get any bread basket, which did make me sad because I am a carbaholic. Perhaps they replaced the bread basket with the chips and salsa? They also offer a guacamole with lobster in it for $ 2 more. I like lobster, but I like my guacamole more traditional.
We got a bottle of the aforementioned Château Ste Michelle’s Eroica. It is just delicious and the perfect summer wine. They charge $ 40 a bottle for that which is a pretty standard restaurant price for that (in liquor stores it’s $ 20 – 25 a bottle). I love my WA state rieslings so if I see a restaurant offer one, I’m probably going to get it. The waiter told me he is «allergic» to wine, which is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. The horror of a life without wine!
I had the filet and let me tell you, for $ 32 this was the best damn filet. It came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I ordered medium and I always get nervous when I do that, because sometimes when you order it medium it comes out too well done. The chef did medium on the side of caution and it was more like medium rare and that was perfect! I like when chefs do it that way. If you overcook a steak it’s ruined… if you undercook it and the person doesn’t like that they can always toss it back on for 1 – 2 minutes. So, I was very happy the chef did it like that, it was a medium with a red center and I liked that a lot. The steak sauce on it is tasty.
My husband is a burger man, he had a cheeseburger and loved it. The fries are SO GOOD. I think next time I come I’d get the filet again but ask for those fries instead of the mashed potatoes (which were fine but dry).
We parked on the ramp behind the hotel this restaurant is in. The entrance is INSIDE of the hotel. The service here was decent, the waiter was present but not intrusive.
We had the Snicker’s pie for dessert, didn’t really like it. It’s too dark chocolate-​y. I hear «snickers» I think milk chocolate. This was pretty bitter.
Oh, one more thing: you probably do NOT need reservations. I made them but hilariously were were the only people here on Friday at 5pm.

We originally went here for the cupcake but ended up staying for some food. It took them about 10 minutes for anyone to notice us waiting at the front door but once we sat down the service was quick. I ordered the Smoked Cheddar Burger along with Fried Green Tomatoes. The cheddar burger would have been perfect if they didn’t burn it. I asked for it medium well and it seams like they cooked it way too fast. I never had fried tomatoes and not sure if I would order it again.

Loved it! We had a Groupon offer so we tried it. I ordered the Paladino Filet… WOW it was delicious, I have never had such an amazing steak!!! My husband got the Blackened Shrimp Pasta which was also amazing! We will definitely eat there again! The waitress was awesome as well.

Never had a bad meal here! Most of the servers are very good as well. Occasionally we’ll get a «newer» server who doesn’t do as well but we make due. I like how the manager comes around to make sure your meal is perfect. Very good craft beer selection too. This is definitely one of our go-​to places in the area.

Food adequate, our server was excellent, bartender too busy to make a margarita. Won’t go back for a 3^rd try.

Probably the worst meal I’ve had for what you are paying for. Service was terrible and waitress took a half hour just to bring water and there were only 3 people in the whole restaurant. Told them I was allergic to something in the snapper entrée so instead of making it without it, I paid $ 30,for an overcooked piece of snapper. I can not see this place lasting long in Williamsville. Updating this to add that getting harassed for my terrible experience by obvious employees makes this place even more crappy than it was before. Please keep sending me rude messages, your restaurant still sucks. Sucks to suck

I ordered the short rib very tender piece of meat sadly the potatoes that went with the ensemble didn’t fit in
They tasted frozen
That turned me off somewhat
Complexity of sauces nothing outstanding
More like a mishmash of ingredients thrown on a plate
It would of been a better experience had they simplified this dish
Stronger flavors to accompany this dish
South Americans pride themselves with strong tastes like chimchirri sauce accompany beef
Herbal vinegary sauce to accompany such a rich cut of beef
The appetizers were good did love their roasted cauliflower drizzled with a very outstanding maple finish
The guacamole was a nice touch no skimping on avacado
Atmosphere super nice
Think this experience could of been outstanding if they adhered to a balanced dish. Too many sauces none stood out
Sadly

I went with a girlfriend and we had an overall good experience. Our waitress was attentive, but we were left to wait at times like when dinner was cleared and we wanted dessert. My friend ordered the Vegetarian meal, but it was so spicy she had to send it back. They were very understanding and replaced the meal without question.
I had the chicken with mashed potatoes which was good, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more if the chicken was a split breast. There just wasn’t a lot of meat for the price. All in all we had a good time, but I don’t think we would go back.

One of the questions that I like to answer for other Unilocalers is, «Why would I come here?» I can think of a couple of possibilities for this one.
1. Work dinner. Relative seclusion and quiet enough to socialize over drinks and still get some business in after work hours if you are located nearby and don’t want to travel all the way downtown for an upscale atmosphere.
2. Date night. This would be a good place to bring a date that shows you can afford to feed her in style, if that is the impression you are trying to create. It’s not suuuper romantic (no dim lighting, no fireplace), so I wouldn’t go for an anniversary or anything like that, but maybe a first date that you’re trying to keep casual but still impress if that makes any sense.
In either circumstance, arrive early because parking here is a giant cluster. I was never sure where I was supposed to leave my car as the restaurant is inside the Wyndham hotel, so I parked in the plaza next door at Trattoria (shhhhhh!).
Probably not a good choice for dinner with the kids, or relaxed family gatherings.
The waiter was very knowledgeable about the drinks, which was a plus. I had the blackberry margarita ($ 8) and my buddy had some wine, which the waiter was all too pleased to answer questions about.
Apparently, Brioso is affiliated with Butterwood Bakery, so the bread basket had blueberry muffins as well as the bread (but was served with a chipotle butter which doesn’t scream blueberry…). We also had the guacamole and chips, which came out quickly and was nicely blended without being too mushy. They left the rind buried in the bowl, underneath the guacamole which seemed odd. Not sure if that was a failed attempt at fancy, or accidental? Guacamole was still a win as it was fresh and had a good flavor.
I had the Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano pepper ($ 18) which came with a small clover salad and a chipotle dressing beneath it. I appreciated the warning that it was spicy, because although I like spicy, I’m sure others would want to know that. The stuffing of the pepper was a cheesy risotto which worked well with the spice of the sauce. It was large enough to share with two large poblanos on the plate.
Dinner was about $ ⁸⁰⁄₂ including drinks, which isn’t too bad. I’d go back, but I think the pepper was the only veggie option, so maybe just for drinks/​appetizers.
Bön appétit!

Had a Groupon or Living Social deal (can’t remember which!) for Brioso by Butterwood so the husband and I decided to have a date night during the week after work. Brioso is located within the Wyndham Garden Hotel on Main Street in Williamsville. There is ample parking at the hotel, both in a lot in the back and also in a parking garage attached to the building… although I parked there, I’m not sure I was allowed to, but my car was there with no ticket when I left so I consider that a good parking spot. Walk through the lobby and off to the side is the entrance to Brioso. When I entered, there was no one at the host station and I saw several employees before someone alerted the hostess that I was waiting. The restaurant was not busy at all on a Wednesday night at 6:30pm.
The restaurant is very swanky looking inside, with rich looking tables, lighting, and décor. They also have a nice large bar. We sat at a table for 2 next to a window overlooking Main Street. I believe our server was named Joe. We started by ordering a glass of wine (me) and a Pepsi (husband). Unfortunately for the husband, his Pepsi tasted off (think flat/​slightly diet taste) so he requested a Sierra Mist instead. That arrived at the table and tasted like tonic water. Joe came back to the table and my husband mentioned that there must be something wrong with the pop machine and maybe he could try a ginger ale instead? Well, there definitely was something wrong with the pop machine because it took quite a while to get that ginger ale but the waiter came back and sort of apologized for all the yucky pop. Third time was a charm.
Some complimentary chips and salsa arrived at our table, which were salty and warm, and the salsa was a little on the mild side but still tasty. For appetizers, we decided to split a soup and salad. I had the Brioso Romaine salad which was basically a Mexican twist on a Caesar salad. The dressing had a nice horseradish and avocado kick to it, although I felt the greens were slightly overdressed. The charred corn and cotija cheese were delicious toppings though. I enjoyed it but my husband did not like the play on his beloved Caesar salad. He had a bowl of the Minguichi soup… think tortilla soup but more of a broth base as opposed to cream. It had a little bit of spice but could have used more in my opinion. In fact, maybe some hot sauce at the table would have livened everything up!
For entrees, we both went with one of the specials. My husband ordered the chicken lasagna and I had the rib eye tostado. My steak was well seasoned and perfectly medium rare, set atop an arugula and tomato salad with fried potatoes, on a crispy tortilla shell, with chimichurri and roasted pepper sauces. It was simply delicious. I really enjoyed my dinner. My husband, on the other hand, was disappointed in his because it wasn’t really what he was expecting. When you think «lasagna» you think of a nice neat little stack of layered meat and cheese goodness. What arrived was a big messy bowl of mushy stuff covered in a creamy sauce. The flavors were pretty good but the presentation left a lot to be desired.
We were too full to partake in any of the Butterwood desserts, but they do have a lovely case full of them when you walk in for planning purposes. Looking back on it, we should have taken a few home. All in all, I enjoyed my meal at Brioso, but the husband did not, so it will be relegated to my «girlfriends drinks and light meal» list. It was pretty pricey though, so I’ll probably stick to lunch or the bar menu next time.

Hubby bought a Groupon or something of the sort to use here for lunch. We stopped here on a Saturday for a lunch before we went shopping. It was dead empty… the staff was bored and sitting at the bar chatting. We were seated right away and served waters. We each had a beer and enjoyed the «homemade» chips (maybe not… hard to tell) and salsa. I ordered the Brioso burrito and it was very good — a little greasy from the meat but had a lot of veggies. Hubby had a hamburger that was a small heart-​attack on a plate. Burger, Bacon, onion rings, chips… however, man food heaven.
I agree with others — signage is bad and the door to get in is almost impossible to find. Note — go into the hotel and then turn left …

Here’s another Restaurant Week review for you…
Pros:
— Atmosphere
— Big wine list
— Salmon and steak entrées
— Dessert
Cons:
— Dirty floor
— Poor signage around outside of property
— Horseradish Caesar dressing (wtf?!)
Very cozy and contemporary adult place to eat… definitely not a place for children. We had reservations at a normal dinner time and were seated immediately. The waitress said that the place would be filling up rather soon. Overall, the table service was very good.
Course 1 was salsa and chips. I loved the fresh, minced salsa. The chips were questionable… well-​salted but a little soft.
We had the calamari and chopped Caesar for appetizers. My calamari was lightly fried and clean. I just wish they drizzled more sauce over it.
My girlfriend got the chopped Caesar… which had Buttermilk-​Horseradish dressing. I’m going to be completely honest when I say that the horseradish dressing almost entirely ruined my dinner. You know a great chef from a c**ky one when he dares to use horseradish as an ingredient on what should be a simple Caesar salad. In Buffalo, you either like horseradish or you don’t…You either put it on your beef on weck or you don’t. There’s no in-​between.
Listen, Brioso… it’s OK to make your meals fancy and South-American-ish…but stick to the basics on some things. If you want to have Caesar salad on your menu, then please prepare it with the normal ingredients.
I’m just so f**king frustrated over this horseradish thing and I have no idea why…
Anyways, my salmon dish with seafood crusting was great. My girlfriend’s steak was slightly overcooked but well-​seasoned and the (small) helping of potatoes it came with were glorious.
Fantastic Butterwood dessert as always. The plain whipped cream tasted like it came out of the can. I hope that wasn’t the case for the raspberry whipped cream on my cheesecake.
Btw, I just looked at their breakfast menu online. Who would pay $ 16 for a breakfast burrito?

We just had hot chocolate and dessert so that is all I can speak to. But I did ask to see the menu. BRING YOUR WALLET AND TWO CREDIT CARDS– yikes this is a expensive place. Drinks with alcohol were $ 14.00!!!
It was a nice looking place but nothing so extraordinary. Waiter was upbeat!

We stopped in for some celebratory drinks and an impromptu gluten free dessert — and I was very pleased with the selection of both!
The prices were typical of a Butterwood place and the interior was cool and collected. The only service we experienced was from the bartender, so I don’t have much to comment on there. We enjoyed our evening though, and will definitely return. The quality of the place at first glance made me more comfortable with the idea of sending guests to stay in the hotel, as well.