With its first restaurant opening in Milan in 1926 and its celebrity following (in the 80’s, Bice Manhattan served the likes of the Rat Pack, Sharon Stone and more), Scottsdale’s new Bice Ristorante is rich is history and time-honored Italian recipes. In December, the two-story Bice opened in North Scottsdale in the spot that formerly housed Michael’s at the Citadel. The atmosphere is swanky, yet comfortable, with a great bar area and a super-cool outdoor area and lounge on the second floor that overlooks the Valley and hosts live music.
To start a meal at Bice, you can’t go wrong with one of the restaurant’s cheese plates. The burrata dish is accented with homemade pesto and a rainbow of organic cherry tomatoes. The cheese melts in the mouth, while the tomatoes are sweet and juicy. Pair the plate with one of the offerings from Bice’s bread basket for an even heartier appetizer. The calamari is another must get. The dish features fried crispy calamari and artichoke alongside a slighty spicy tomato sauce. Though fried, the dish still feels light and airy and pack a lot of flavor. The only improvement? More artichokes.
A trip to Bice simply isn’t complete without enjoying some pasta. Thought it’s not doing your waistline any favors, the Pappardelle al Telefono, which is a signature dish at the restaurant’s Milan location, features house-made pasta accented with mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh basil. Straightforward and satisfying, the dish is delicious but was drowning in cheese and pasta–a little less of each would have let the wonderful pappardelle shine through even more.
If you desire a lighter entree, the scallops–with veggie strings, saffron sauce and squid ink dressing–is a delectable seafood offering that as a pretty to the eye as it is pleasing to the taste buds. For a heartier main course, the Filetto di Manzo is divine. The steak is cooked to perfection, with a perfectly crisped exterior and a zesty green peppercorn sauce. It is sided with mashed potatoes, which are utterly velvety.
Though Bice offers more traditional Italian sweets for dessert, like cheesecake and tiramisu, the coconut panna cotta, topped with salted caramel sauce and diced fresh mango, is a refreshing, satisfying and beyond-tasty way to wrap the meal at Bice. www.biceaz.com.
A Taste of Bice Ristorante
