The Hilton Dubai Jumeirah's signature restaurant is one of those lucky few eateries in the city that has managed to hold on to a loyal clientele despite the number of new venues that seem to open on a weekly basis.
So how do they manage to do it?
Well, for a start, you receive one of the warmest welcomes and within minutes of being guided to your table, you're ready to (discreetly) kick off your shoes and enjoy the night.
It's undoubtedly an upmarket venue but somehow, the stuffiness that can sometimes accompany a meal in so many of Dubai's finest restaurants is absent at BiCE.
The restaurant manages to reproduce the kind of Italian bonhomie you fantasise about but rarely encounter outside the country.
As restaurant manager Roberto Rella says: “We don't have guests at BiCE, we have friends.''
Italian-born chef Andrea has concocted 47 authentic dishes comprising antipasti, meat and fish specialities, pizzas, pastas and risottos.
There are some lovely summer seafood dishes on offer, including an exquisite tuna carpaccio with king crab, fresh fennel salad, home-made semidried tomatoes and mandarin-oil dressing.
The range of choices might leave you in a spin, so ask for guidance from the enthusiastic staff and you won't go wrong.
The steaks are cooked to perfection and there are endless options for pasta lovers and vegetarians. The desserts at BiCE are visually dramatic and cater to different palates.
And don't forget to choose one of the olive oils from an eye-popping trolley and mop it all up with some of the delicious (and far too moorish) house bread.
There is a decent list of house beverages available and again, if you're feeling spoilt for choice, ask for recommendations.
It's not hard to see why BiCE inspires loyalty. Its ethos seems to be founded on the idea that diners should be able to relax, enjoy great food (and lots of it), maybe have a few laughs and feel spoilt rotten. A winning recipe in every sense.
Overview
Design: Cheery but elegant, modern style with pool views
Cuisine: Contemporary Italian
Seats: 96
Opening hours: 12-3pm and 7pm-12.30am
