SimplyAbuDhabi XIV

7 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I BiCE first began in 1926 in Milan. Beatrice Ruggeri – ‘Bice’ to her family and friends – was known for her extraordinary hospitality and personal warmth. For years she was encouraged to open her cucina (kitchen) to the public, and in 1926 she opened a neighbourhood trattoria. The first customers said it was like being at the home of a friend, and – fast-forwarding nearly a century later – we found that still to be the case with the warm welcome and memorable gourmet food we experienced. The first gastronomic delight we encountered was the arrival of a loaded basket of breads, alongside a vast array of tapenades and individually selected and sourced extra virgin olive oils, procured from Italy’s finest artisanal producers and presented on a trolley for us to choose a favourite. The bread and oils were all so fresh and fragrant, it was tempting to fill up, but having eaten at BiCE, we would urge you to save room for what’s to come. As a starter, we can highly recommend the Insalata di Aragosta – a poached lobster salad, served with marinated and grilled bell peppers, which was both visually stunning and the perfect way to start the meal. The richness of the lobster, offset by the tart acidity of the peppers, awakened the palate for the main course. BiCE gets the balance just right between traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine, which is reflected in the selections of pasta, fish and meat dishes. For our mains, my fellow diner opted for the Seafood Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes. Topped with clams, mussels, and other seafood, the pasta dishwas served with a superb tomato sauce that was beautifully seasoned. Meanwhile I chose the succulent Ossobuco, a Milanese classic, accompanied by a creamy risotto. Both dishes were absolutelymouthwatering, showcasing the very best of fresh local ingredients prepared in time-honoured Italian fashion. As we considered whether we could possibly find room for dessert, we were treated to live piano music that provided the perfect backdrop to conversation – not too intrusive, just enough to set a warm and festive tone. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, we could see the pool area illuminate enchantingly as the sun began to set across the Corniche – and naturally, we wanted to linger a while longer, so we settled on a fresh raspberry panna cotta to complete the meal. And what a meal it was. With Chef de Cuisine Federico Parravicini at the culinary helm, and Dennis Magaton of Venice as Restaurant Manager, the cuisine at BiCE is truly Italian in scope, featuring culinary styles, specialities, ingredients, produce and techniques from all corners of the Italian peninsula and its regions. And in keeping with the BiCE tradition of warm and familial hospitality, it must be noted the service at BiCE was exemplary. While never intrusive, the staff were attentive to one’s every need. Our server was friendly, and so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the menu that she made us feel excited about what treats were in store. Restaurant Manager Dennis even stopped by our table between courses, with a warm word of greeting very much in the style of Italian hospitality, to be sure we were content with the food and the service. All in all we were made to feel very welcome and appreciated. The entire experience of dining at BiCE somehow captured both the exceptional elegance and modernity one would expect from a restaurant located at Jumeirah Etihad Towers, as well as the warmth and charm of a traditional Italian cucina. We look forward to eating there again.