Business Bites

>>Brio Tuscan Grille is bringing a little slice of northern Italy to Southwest Florida's lunch hour.

Located at the newly renovated Waterside Shops, Brio's dining room (like so much of Naples) is a comfortable, romanticized vision of Italian style-with vaulted ceilings and sweeping, jewel-toned textiles as overscaled as the enormous plates of homemade pastas. Entrées on the lunch menu range in price from $10 to $15 and include panini, flatbreads and salads.

If you start with an appetizer, don't miss the calamari ($9.95). Tender and flavorful, it's fried in a light batter with pepperoncini and served with a pomodoro sauce and a scrumptious garlic aioli. It's fairly certain that you'll return to the office in a cloud of garlic, but it's worth it.

Brio's service is prompt, but not rushed, and meals can definitely be enjoyed within the span of a lunch hour. The lunch menu even features a "small plates" section, but don't be fooled. Our serving of Mezza Lasagna Insalata ($11.95)-billed as a half portion of Brio's lasagna Bolognese with a side salad-was more than we could come close to finishing. A reasonable selection of vegetarian options makes Brio a good spot for diners with dietary considerations. We recommend the Penne Mediterranean ($10.95) tossed with mushrooms, feta, sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and caramelized onions.

The noise level in the high-ceiling dining room might be problematic for working lunches, but there are a few intimate side nooks worth requesting. Several private dining areas can be booked for larger parties and events. And for impressing visitors, the alfresco patio on a warm day is hard to beat. Call ahead to make reservations. This place fills up during the lunch hour.

Brio Tuscan Grille at Waterside Shops, 5505 Tamiami Trail N., Suite J1, Naples; (239) 593-5319.

-Sammy Mack