BiCE

Although we normally reserve Time Out’s Red Hot spot for a new outlet, this month’s entry is an old-timer, a seasoned veteran in the high-turnover world of Dubaian eateries 37 Reviews

Meal Deal

Friday Brunch

The Italian restaurant’s new brunch offers a four-course menu of house signatures, along with Italian sparkling grape, hops and mixed drinks. Dhs285 (soft drinks). Dhs375 (house beverages), Dhs135 (children below 12) Timings: 1pm-4pm (Friday)

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Although we normally reserve Time Out’s Red Hot spot for a new outlet, this month’s entry is an old-timer, a seasoned veteran in the high-turnover world of Dubaian eateries. The absence of Bice from the restaurant roll of honour has been niggling at us for a while and over the most recent in a long line of beautiful meals there, we decided the time had come to elevate it to Hot Table status. Run by a Riminian restaurant manager who keeps it real by importing top-class ingredients from Italy, Bice is a sophsiticated and authentic joint that comes with a cast-iron guarantee of a good evening.

Sauntering in one famished Tuesday, we went for a pre-dinner tipple, making like Romans over a cheeky campari and a faceful of salty almonds. Having drained the bar of snacks, we moved to a pretty, linen-wrapped table overlooked by thousands of dirhams-worth of aged olive oil. After decimating a potful of grissinis and focaccia loaded with pungent black tapenade, we asked for bresaola, risotto, spaghetti and soave.

All were immaculate. The bresaola was a softly-scented, musky cut, matched with a bouquet of rocket and shards of aged parmesan that crumbled in the mouth, sending quivers of glee through our cheeks. The risotto was richer than Croesus, hummed with morel mushroom flavor and came laced with a smokey truffle oil that turned the puffy arborio into a playground of scents. Spaghetti alla chitarra kept the Bice end up beautifully, blending veal and beef in a seamless fresh tomato ragú draped home-made pasta.

While my dinner date has never been a dessert aficionado, reserving her sweet tooth for occasional banana cake binges, the cioccolatissimo soufflé was enough to turn her head. A teak-brown cocoa masterpiece, it mingled yin-yangishly with the pistachio icecream to genius effect, leaving us overwhelmingly content. We quit the table and dropped into snug armchairs for grappa and sated chat. Time Out salutes its newest hot table, the effortless maestro of this city’s trattorias.

By Rob Orchard

• Previous reviews
  • 15 April,2013- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 13 November,2012- reviewed by Penelope Walsh
  • 22 March,2012- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 16 November,2011- reviewed by Oliver Robinson
  • 24 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 29 July,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 19 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 16 February,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 28 January,2008- reviewed by James Brennan
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 17 May,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 01 August,2004- reviewed by Rob Orchard
  • 01 March,2003- reviewed by Rob Orchard
  • 01 January,2002- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 01 November,2001- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Phil Sissons on 11 Apr ' 13 at 06:48

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Don't believe the hype. Pizza hut style frozen potato wedges with the scallopini milanese? I ask you. don't expect the sous chefs to understand the difference between 'medium rare' and 'shoe leather' and whatever you do, don't attempt to move tables between courses

Posted by: Carole Boyd on 10 Mar ' 13 at 13:43

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

On arriving our reservation was lost, after a wait we were given a table. Ordered seafood linguine as we had very much enjoyed it previously. It was poor not much sea food and the pasta very salty and overcooked. Will not be returning.

Posted by: Ibrahim Ahmad on 11 Apr ' 12 at 17:41

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I'm surprised that you didn't post my comments. Makes one wonder if these there is an ulterior motive.

Posted by: Ibrahim Ahmad on 11 Apr ' 12 at 07:09

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

My wife and went to Dubai to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. BiCe was recommended to us by my niece who lives in Dubai, and her recommendation was reinforced by the reviews in Time Out Dubai.

I booked a table for two at 9.00 pm on Thursday, 5th April, 2012. My first mistake was to google BiCe's location. We ended up in Mina Salam near Burj Al Arab Hotel ! My mistake, but easily rectified since I had rented a car.

We arrived at BiCe at 9.30 pm and were led to our table, with a view of the swimming pool. The decor was nice, and the staff were polite and friendly (what one would expect). But what really surprised us was the pram parked next to the adjoining table, and a small child being fussed over. Looking around, we could see many children under 12 years of age. Definitely, definitely not a romantic setting, more like a family restaurant.

The calamari and prawn starter was average, as was the veal for our main course. On the whole, it was definitely not worth going all the way to Dubai Marina. We could have had a similar meal in any reasonable priced Italian restaurant in central Dubai at considerably less cost. Dissapointing.

Posted by: AmeriPair on 23 Mar ' 12 at 08:10

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

BICE came very highly recommended by multiple people. The two of us went for a weekend dinner. Plan ahead and make reservations to ensure you get the time you want. Looking back we probably made poor choices from the main dish menu. One of us had the seared tune and the other had sea bass. Clearly the other patrons were ordering more traditional Italian dishes like pizza and pasta. There is also a cart of either olive oil or balsamic vinegar that looked interesting. The service was good, the piano man playing live music was the highlight of the evening. We plan to go back and order pizza and pasta instead of the fish. We found the price to be rather high considering the quality of the food.

Posted by: Heather on 12 Mar ' 12 at 09:15

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I have to say that I love the food at this restaurant. I hadn't been in awhile and it didn't disappoint on my recent visit. Everything from the focaccia in the bread basket to the mini cookies they bring you with the bill if you are too full for a real dessert are fantastic. I've enjoyed the sea bass and tuna mains on several occassions and recall the beef tenderloin as delish as well. Neither I nor any of my dining companions have ever found fault with the food.

With that said, I find the atmosphere a little stuffy and they haven't managed to get rid of the "hotel restaurant feel". The decor is nice and the vibe is relaxed so I can't put my finger on it but some spots in Dubai manage it and some don't. I wouldn't describe it as trendy, and it feels like a place I could take my parents without feeling out of place, so maybe that's the thing!

Anyway, the service is compentent but not spectacular. Friendly but not overbearing, helpful but not too attentive. On par with similar places in this city.

With that said, if you are looking for a nice Italian meal in the marina I think this place served up food that is consistently devoured as is evidenced by the constant stream of customers despite the someone aging venue.

Worth a visit! It is in the entertainer fine dining book as well, so great value is possible!

Posted by: james on 21 Feb ' 12 at 18:46

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

nice

Posted by: William Dubai Resident on 07 Dec ' 11 at 15:01

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Trully one of best restaurants in Dubai and a trully Italian -not like others so call italians...

Food is amazing, service great and the refurbishing is spectacular... new Bice is better than old one -if possible.

Bravo guys, your regular guest for looooooooooong time

Posted by: david on 03 Dec ' 11 at 04:07

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I visited BICE Skybar on the UAE 40th National Day with my girlfriend and her visiting parents, hoping to see national day fireworks over the palm and have great dining experience, on both counts we were sorely disappointed.

We were shown to our table outside at 7pm and waited 10 or 15 minutes for menus, even then with a restaurant not even 10% full that the waiters were running around not really knowing what was going on. After finally getting some drinks we also ordered our food expecting great things.

The starters arrived probably 40 minutes later, calamari and octopus carpaccio - both average at best, lets hope the main courses are better we said.

Over an hour had passed when the rushed waiters appeared with four plates, three tenderloin at 240 Dhs each and a seafood pasta. We all excitedly tucked into our mains to find they were all cold, not lukewarm, but stone cold. After managing to flag down a sprinting waiter he took all the main courses back to be warmed. In 5 minutes the pasta arrived back which was again dispatched back to the kitchen to arrive with the rest of our dishes.

Finally 10 minutes later all four plates arrived, unfortunately however the waiter had not remembered whose steak was who's so i found myself staring at one of my guest's steak which he had already taken a chunk out of first time around, after some musical plates we all had our own plate of food back and hopeful that it was piping hot, this time they had manged to meet only the lukewarm temperature level but we all so hungry decided to tuck in.

I had ordered my rather expensive steak, even by Dubai standards, to be medium rare so was disappointed to find it a shade of grey / brown when i finally got to cut into it. Cue flagging down a running waiter again, when my replacement had not arrived by the time my guests had finished their rather mediocre main courses i decided not to put myself through any more hell.

The restaurant manager had not made an appearance up until this point but had left his rather stressed looking waiting staff to deal with the issues. However after the plates had been cleared he appeared, rather randomly with a bottle of champagne to apologise (we had all been drinking red wine until this point).

My hunger had got the better of me so i decided to order a dessert, their signature dish, chocolate fondant, one of my favorites. Surprisingly the centre was of a gooey consistency but again cold having been out of the oven for what must have been some time.

As we were leaving i approached the manager to offer some constructive feedback, after all he didn't charge us for the desserts and the tenderloin which i never consumed, how very generous. Only for him to suggest we return for another go at BICE, and we would each get a glass of champagne on the house, let me think about that one, no thank you sir, good night.

Posted by: Linda on 15 Nov ' 11 at 18:03

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Once of the best places in town, althought food is loosing the charm from chef andrea

Posted by: Linda on 15 Nov ' 11 at 18:03

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Once of the best places in town, althought food is loosing the charm from chef andrea

Posted by: on 05 Nov ' 11 at 11:03

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Great experience mouthwatering appetizers

Posted by: Stuart on 09 Sep ' 11 at 15:00

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I tried to go to Bice last night and I was absolutely disgusted with the service I, and my friends received on entering the restaurant. I was informed that I wasn't going to be allowed in because I was wearing shorts. These weren't just any shorts. I was wearing nice, tailored shorts, loafers and a shirt. I was told that the restaurant abides by Islamic sensitive rules.

I should have enquired about the dress code but restaurants a great deal nicer than Bice would not have had a problem with my dress. Not only that, the sheer hypocrisy was absolutely disgraceful.

I wasn't allowed in wearing tailored shorts but girls were allowed in to the restaurant showing considerably more skin than me.

I wasn't allowed in wearing tailored shorts because it "wasn't Islamic" but they were happily distributing alcohol on the premises.

I will never return to the Hilton JBR ever again. I am posting on Facebook and emailing all internet publications about the disgraceful hypocrisy currently present in this hotel and restaurant.

Posted by: Dr. Raji Mathew on 14 Aug ' 11 at 08:13

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Dined here last night. The original location is shut for renovations so the venue had moved to the Bice Skybar on the 10th floor and featured a reduced menu. There were no pizzas and even some of the starters like lobster carpaccio or the king crab steak salad were missing.
Once seated, fresh warm bread and breadsticks were kept at the table with 3 dips - olive paste, tomato, and olive oil. The beef carpaccio topped with thin dry cheese and lots of ?rocket leaves covered the entire plate and was a sight indeed.
The seabass mainns on a bed of potato was served hot and well presented but devoid of the taste of any seasoning. Lemon wedges and lemon butter sauce kept by the side. With a little bit of salt things were much better. The skin was crisp but didn't cut with the flesh which was soft and fresh and broke away with just a little pressure. At Dhs. 175 it was pricey.
Although I had wanted to stop, but I just couldn't go away without having their famed tiramisu. It was served in a cup and was the creamiest tiramisu I had ever had. The brown ?coffee powder coating on the top left a slight bitter taste in my mouth which leaves me to conclude that next time I should have it with coffee.
The atmosphere inside was of elegance and fine dining but the waiters were disarming and this helped me feel more relaxed.
The bill for one person including a bottle of sparkling water was around Dhs 330.

Posted by: Stephen on 01 Jul ' 11 at 16:33

Best italian restaurant in Dubai. Food and test faboulous. . Bravo to the Chef.

Posted by: Ziat on 23 May ' 11 at 09:33

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

l really enjoyed, Food and service are excellante

Posted by: Moza on 15 May ' 11 at 14:02

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• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Such a disappointment!! It's my one and only try, my friends said it was way better years back. Food was tasteless the only thing I have enjoyed was the complimentary bread. I've had way better pizza and pasta in Dubai.

Posted by: Marc on 14 May ' 11 at 17:01

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I have never been so disappointed by an italian restaurant before, from the starters to the main courses: my foie gras was tasteless, the octopus carpaccio was surprisingly hot and the pasta main courses were equally awful (the gnocchis were more like mash potatoes and the lobster fettucine were so spicy we could not feel the taste of lobster anymore). You can easily find the same quality of product in any supermarket in Dubai and you better stay home and cook your home pasta if you want to enjoy. the whole experience was dreadful, noisy and very expensive. too bad, i had been recommended this place by friends and had better expectations.

Posted by: Chris on 01 May ' 11 at 19:09

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Great place to go, probably one of the best italian restaurants in Dubai.

Posted by: Peter on 29 Dec ' 10 at 13:09

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Bice compare to other Italian Restaurant is the best in Dubai for 10 years of consistency.

Posted by: GAURESH NAIK on 27 Oct ' 10 at 18:44

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

it is best restaurant in world , service was excellent & climate was too good ,as well as food & everything was perfect................keep it up.

Posted by: keshav on 04 Sep ' 10 at 19:43

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

We went to Bice after reading the reviews on TO. Most of the people have voted it suitable for a romantic dinner.I beg to differ.We went there for our anniversary and found it too vibrant/active for a romantic evening out.The food was decent,but overpriced.Service was good. Wouldn't recommend it if you want a really unforgettable night though.I strongly recommend celebrities at the One & only Royal Mirage.

Posted by: mr marini on 13 Apr ' 10 at 16:46

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

best italian in dubia by far all my family enjoyed kids also 12 and 9. Ate in milan several times before and also in orlando and dubia is no diffrent excellent !

Posted by: Cigdem Taylor on 22 Mar ' 10 at 22:41

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Bice is a beautifull fine dining restaurant where u can eat delicious, hearty food with an excellent hospitality and care. Special gratitute to its kind and humble chef and staff.

Posted by: füsun on 22 Mar ' 10 at 16:31

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: füsun on 22 Mar ' 10 at 16:29

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Rosa Millane on 22 Mar ' 10 at 15:45

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I am originally from Portugal and this is my first time dining in Bice,Dubai.I have been in other Bice in Italy before and I can say there is a great consistency in service,food,ambience and all. What can I say more just great.Keep up your superb work! Oh and before I forget you must try pasta dishes or the Pizza such delights! desserts are mouthwatering too, I will definitely come back..Thank You for the top service all in all.

Posted by: W. Braun on 14 Mar ' 10 at 13:51

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• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

good food, good service, but a little bit over priced.
Fish and seafood dishes are ok but nothing exeptional

Posted by: FULYA AKKAYA on 11 Mar ' 10 at 18:34

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Bori Ince on 06 Mar ' 10 at 17:02

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Exquisite and palatable food: tasty & very attractively prepared & served dishes; friendly and accommodative personnel; great ambience and overall service.

Posted by: Ilayda Mutlu on 05 Mar ' 10 at 10:38

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

my favorite reastuarant

Posted by: Ilknur Mutlu on 05 Mar ' 10 at 10:36

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The best Italian restaurant in Middle East

Posted by: marlene on 19 Jan ' 10 at 14:27

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

It is one of the best italian restaurant in Dubai.But like others i feel that it is priced more than it deserves

Posted by: Darrel Jamieson on 19 Oct ' 09 at 05:56

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Sylvain Chandler on 05 Jul ' 09 at 10:00

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Risotto over cooked, to follow meat overcooked, what an evening......

Posted by: Domenico on 07 May ' 09 at 12:02

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Domenico on 07 May ' 09 at 12:02

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes