How did we get started
In 1981, Chris and Rick Doody helped their mother, Sue, open Lindey's restaurant in German Village, Ohio. In a short time, Lindey's became a respectable dining establishment and a Columbus Institution. During the success of Lindey's, Rick went to the Cornell restaurant school to learn more about the business and Chris attended Tulane University in New Orleans to learn how to cook.
After learning the business, the Doody brothers ventured off on their own and opened Bravo Cucina Italiana, a causal family Italian eatery. The restaurant was designed to look like the courtyard of a ruin in Italy. Broken columns, exposed brick and arches fill the restaurant with an authentic Roman feel. Their forte was high-quality Italian food freshly prepared-to-order. Currently there are 54 locations in the midwest and the south with plans for more locations throughout the United States over the next two years.
Expanding the Business
After securing Bravo's place in the market, the Doody brothers ventured out again in 1999 with the creation of Brio Tuscan Grille. Brio, meaning 'Lively" or Full of Life", was just that. The restaurant, designed to attract a more upscale crowd, features white-tablecloths and authentic northern Italian food. Unlike Bravo, Brio's menu is lighter and fancier. Bravo, offers heavy spaghetti and lasagna dishes while Brio focuses on a Tuscan taste of lighter sauces, fresh fish and wood-grilled steaks and chops. The Brio concept proved to be an overnight success. Brio Tuscan Grille received the prestigious "Hot Concepts!" of 2002 award from Nations Restaurant News. There are 18 locations including Columbus, Orlando, Atlanta, Birmingham, Cincinnati, Richmond, St. Louis, Cleveland, West Palm, Houston, Kansas City, Naples and Dallas with multiple new locations on the horizon for 2006 and 2007.
The Success Continues
In fall of 2001, the brothers opened Lindey's Cafe, which provides a more casual atmosphere than the original Lindey's in German Village. Located at Polaris Fashion Place, in Columbus, Ohio, the cafe menu focuses on over 60 items from gourmet pizza, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steaks and chops.
The newest in restaurant offerings from the highly successful Bravo Development Group, is Bon Vie, the group's first French concept venue. Bon Vie is also located in Columbus at the Easton Town Center. Meaning "good life" in French, Bon Vie features French comfort foods in a bistro setting.
Today, they operate 59 restaurants including Bon Vie Bistro, Bravo, and Brio Tuscan Grille.
