Bice Bistro: Under The Tuscan Sun

Reviewed by : Deyana

History repeats itself and mid-1900s Tuscany comes alive in the middle of the trendy 21st century. Located in The Cannery, Singapore's most popular nightlife spot, Bice Bistro shows that the old world can be, like good wine, as enticing as the young and hip. Serving traditional Italian cuisine in a posh ambience, this outlet of Bice's group of restaurants steers away from formal fine dining and shows that classic can be casual.

The 5,000 square feet of space in Bice gives it ample room to create sections with different vibes. As you enter the restaurant, you see a glassed area (still air-conditioned) with clean white tables and fairy lights, blending in with the dazzle of Clarke Quay. Yet this area is still classy, matching the restaurant's dim interior. Be engulfed by small flickers of light that are reflected on the many mirrors inside. The dark mahogany, hard wood floors and leather seats makes you feel as though you have just been transported in time to a high-class, 1960s Italian bar - so much so that you almost expect to see a beautiful woman with scarlet lips perched on a bar stool nearby.

The names of the food in Bice are extremely long and unpronounceable to the Singaporean tongue, and the dishes here originate from traditional Italian country cooking. However, the cooking and presentation at Bice are nothing if not urbane. The Prosciutto e melone ($15) (not the complete name), a parma ham entree, is delicately arranged with fresh melons forming the base of the food. Thin layers of ham cover the melons, adding saltiness to the sweet fruit. Yet another layer of taste is added to the dish because of the bitter rocket leaves that are strewn over the disc of melon and ham. Enjoy the dish with a very thin, shredded slice of parmesan cheese.

For your main, try the extremely popular Tagliolini al nero ($28), again not its complete name. Extremely interesting with a lively seafood flavour, the tagliolini, a thin chewy pasta, is soaked in black squid ink. As a result, the pasta exudes a seafood aroma and tastes of more than just flour. With gravy of marinated fresh crab and tomatoes, the dish is sweet and spicy, gliding down your throat easily because of the softness of the pasta.

Complete your meal with the Panna Cotta ($14), a firm Italian custard that is sweet and creamy. The slightly sour strawberry soup on top of it creates a refreshing flavour to the otherwise oversweet dessert. With fresh strawberries and blueberries at the side, the Panna Cotta is served cold to settle your stomach after a satisfying meal.

Each of the service staff here is dressed extremely smartly in black and white or suits. In addition, they are alert, courteous and attend to you at appropriate times. Food arrives promptly and is served with a warm smile. The best part is, the staff here knows a lot about the food and are able to recommend you excellent dishes.


Clarke Quay is an area too bustling for my taste, but Bice Bistro manages to remain calm despite its location. Cosy and classy, it has a wonderful ambience, especially at night. I would go there for a drink, but perhaps not food, since it is too dim and I like to be able to see my food. Besides, the food is a little too pricey.

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