Right off the bat, you should know that knocking the rust off of your Spanish accent to try and pronounce "bree-zho" is incorrect. The name is pronounced "bree-joe," from the owner’s childhood nickname. Briejo toes this line of elegance and simplicity in its decor as well – copper sculptures on the wall are matched by childlike paintings, and small curtains divide the room in particular places to give some barriers to tables. The benches are loose from the ground, but comfortable. The bathroom has no tile, but simply a polished sheen over the existing slab.

The dishes served can vary from season to season, but almost everything follows the restaurant's theme of homey elegance. Salads run from $6-$8, including the house salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, roasted pine nuts and a honey-balsamic vinaigrette. Appetizers run mostly from $8-$10, with unexpected partners like citrus aoli and jalapeno jelly on the Cajun crab cakes ($10). Main dishes have included a pork chop with raspberry BBQ sauce ($20), smoked cheddar truffle mac & cheese ($17), and salmon in coconut curry (market price).

Mashed potatoes, not to be left out of a comfort-food oriented menu, have several varieties available as a side, including coconut or garlic. A creative variety of red and white wines are available, with old favorites and some likely new ones like the pinot noir-esque Zanto.

For those who'd make it a morning out instead of an evening, the brunch menu offers a variety of main dishes all for $11. While names like "What A Crepe" and "Truman Compote" might seem a little corny, they don't joke around with what goes into them – the compote has a chicken breast served with vanilla gnocchi, and apple hazelnut compote. And fear not – they also have bloody Marys ($11) and coffee for those people whose elegance might also be a little homey in the morning.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Dan Morgridge