Downtown Toledo has a new dining destination that will definitely be the place to #SeeAndBeSeen. On August 2nd, Brim House opened its doors as part of a partnership between restaurant group, Concentrics Restaurants, and hospitality group, First Hospitality Group. Brim House is the first of two destination restaurants to open in the newly renovated Renaissance Hotel in downtown Toledo, Ohio. Led by Toledo native, Executive Chef Aaron Lawson, Brim House is confident that they will bring Toledo to the next culinary level.
I was very excited to have been invited for a menu tasting last week. I brought my mother along to share the experience. We were immediately in awe from beauty of the lobby itself. I was bright, modern, and adorned with beautiful smiles ready to assist. I asked where Brim House was located and was directed to the left of the front desk. As I turn the corner, I was once again awed. This is a beautifully executed restaurant!
Photo Courtesty of Brim House
The details were definitely well thought out. Bedecked with locally sourced glass and steel, the restaurant knows the importance of supporting community.
Photo Courtesy of Brim HouseFrom the very beginning of our experience, my mother and I received the warmest of welcomes and was greeted with smiles from every single person. Not only that, they were willing to help anyway they could. My mother left her reading glasses at home and asked if they possibly had a spare pair. Our fabulous waiter, Kristin, answered with a yes! Wow! My mom hadn’t even had one crumb of food and was already a fan of Brim House. As we took a look at the menu, we knew we were in for a treat. The menu was sprinkled with all kinds of delicious descriptions. The chef decided to choose our culinary experience and led the way. As we waited for our journey to begin we started with a drink.
Brim House offers a very nice selection of specialty craft cocktails as well as an extensive wine menu. If you’re a craft beer connoisseur, they have you covered with a great selection of local beer on draft. We decided to explore the cocktail menu. I had a pretty tough time deciding. All of the cocktails sounded so amazing and adventurous. My mom went for the Flair of Passion and I decided to get an Old Fashioned. We both agreed that both were some pretty fantastic. One of the best Old Fashioneds I’ve had to date.
We started our menu tasting with the Domestic Lamb Rack, served with Lavender & Citrus Risotto, Brussels Leaves, and a Red Wine Jus. It smelled AND looked amazing! After admiring this delicious work of art, I sliced a piece of lamb off and began my journey. My first taste was a explosion of flavor that will never be removed from my memory. This piece of lamb was so tender! It was also seasoned and prepared to perfection. Just WOW! Sitting beneath the lamb was a delicious Lavender & Citrus Risotto with a bed of Brussels leaves. Delicious! If this was any indication of the special culinary talents we were about to experience, I was definitely ready!
1/2 ROASTED CHICKEN PANCETTA SMOKED BUTTER, CARAMALIZED RED ONION & SUMMER SQUASHThe next chef selection was the 1/2 Roasted Chicken with Pancetta Smoked Butter, Caramelized Red Onions and Summer Squash. I loved the light crispiness of the outside of the chicken. Inside was very moist and well seasoned. On top of the chicken was some very bold caramelized red onion. They were delicious!
TOMATO AERATED GOATED CHEESE, CHERRY VINEGAR HONEY, BALSAMIC, BASIL CRUNCHTo lighten up the menu tasting, we were next presented with the best stack of tomatoes I have ever had. The stack was propped up by the most creamiest, most delicious aerated goat cheese. So tasty! One of my favorite components of this dish was the Basil Crunch. What a creative way to bring texture and flavor to these fresh tomatoes. I absolutely love it.
9OZ BISTRO STEAK WHITE CHEDDAR MAC & CHEESE, FOIE & TALLOW BUTTER CRUSTTORONTO ~ CANADIAN RYE, FERNET BRANCA, SIMPLE, ANGOSTURA BITTERS, ORANGE EXPRESSION GARNISHNext to arrive to the table was a stunning 8oz Bistro Steak served with a delicious White Cheese Mac & Cheese. Let’s just start with the steak. So tender. So Juicy. So much flavor! It was wonderful. The Mac & Cheese was very tasty as well. I loved that it was served in this cute little cast iron ramekin. Our lovely waitress, Kristin, asked if wanted another cocktail. Yes, of course! I couldn’t decide, so I asked Kristin to surprise me. She returned with The Toronto. And she was correct in thinking I would love it, because I absolutely did. This round of food and cocktails made me an official fan of Brim House. It made me extremly excited for the city of Toledo.
When I thought it couldn’t get any better, a parade a dessert came waltzing to our table in delicious harmony. Our selections included: Limoncello Tiramisu, Chocolate Hazelnut Feuillentine Cake, and Pineapple Crème Bruelee. Each just as amazing as the other. My personal favorite was the Limoncello Tiramasu, topped with seasonal fresh berries. I couldn’t stop eating it was so good!
LIMONCELLO TIRAMISU ~ LADY FINGERS SOAKED IN LIMONCELLO SIMPLE SYRUP, LAYERED WITH A LEMON MASCARPONE CUSTARD, FRESH BERRIES TOPPED WITH VANILLA SALTED ALMONDSCHOCOLATE HAZELNUT FEUILLETINE CAKE ~ LAYERS OF CHOCOLATE CAKE AND HAZELNUT FEUILLETINE CREAM CHEESE ICING, ENROBED IN CHOCOLATE GANACHE AND CRUSTED WITH HAZELNUT CROQUANT-FINISHED WITH A WHITE CHOCOLATE MIKADOPINEAPPLE CREME BRULEE ~ PINEAPPLE CREME BRULEE TOPPED WITH CARAMELIZED SUGAR, BLUEBERRY COMPOTE
Brim House proved to be very impressive. I appreciated every detail that was put in this beautiful establishment. The amazing food. The attentive staff. The beautiful ambiance. Every aspect of this restaurant will leave you yearning for another visit. Thank you Brim House for a truly amazing experience.
LOCATED ALONG THE NORTHERN BANK OF THE MAUMEE RIVER, BRIM HOUSE OFFERS CLASSIC AMERICAN CUISINE COURTESY OF CHEF AARON LAWSON. DINERS CAN TUCK INTO COMFORTING, HEARTY FARE RANGING FROM SALADS, SANDWICHES, SMALL PLATES AND TRADITIONAL ENTREES WITH MODERN TWISTS. AN OPEN KITCHEN, LIVELY BAR AND SOFT LOUNGE SEATING PROVIDE A UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE TO RELAX, DRINK, EAT AND SOCIALIZE. THE BAR PULLS FROM MIDWESTERN BREWS AND INGREDIENTS FOR A STATE OF THE ART CRAFT BEER AND COCKTAIL PROGRAM COUPLED WITH A TOP NOTCHWINE LIST. DRAMATIC DESIGN PLAYS HOMAGE TO THE LOCAL GLASS CULTURE BRINGING BRIM HOUSE TO LIFE AS A TRUE TOLEDO DESTINATION.
Love this review. Absolutely love it. Concentrics is a phenomenal group of restaurants and the decor in their restaurants is pristine. Those dishes, Shana! OMGoodness! Exquisite! They must have been just as delicious as they look and sound!
Shana Was Here 
Love this review. Absolutely love it. Concentrics is a phenomenal group of restaurants and the decor in their restaurants is pristine. Those dishes, Shana! OMGoodness! Exquisite! They must have been just as delicious as they look and sound!
I’m in love with this place! Their food was incredible!