Bice Ristorante Orlando

The ambiance and service were good, nice location as well, however, I was not impressed with the quality of the food, specially for the price you pay, it wasn't bad but it was not amazing either....

Bice used to be one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago so I had high expectations for the experience in Universal's premier hotel. Unfortunately, the restaurant didn't age as well as I'd hoped.To be fair, we visited when the property was under construction and as such the dining room had all of its windows shuttered and no view. I can't comment on the typical experience from an ambiance perspective but would note that the entrance has a desk with a sign to wait for seating and across the way is an open door to an office space with a large copier and cleaning supplies ... doesn't quite match the waiters in formal suits and dress code requirements for patrons.Our waiter was wonderful. The vibe was empty. A few hotel guests. Again, might be due to hotel construction. But my biggest issue was the food. It was fine. Nothing special or en par with the pricing. Especially the pasta. On that end you have two options - fresh made or de cecco boxed pasta for similar prices. I mean, that is my favorite supermarket dried pasta brand but I'm not paying $30 for it at a restaurant without something dang special. And why would anyone pair "dang special" with boxed pasta?Portion sizes large - again a bit of an early 2000's vibe. Everything acceptable but nothing standout. Typical ceasar, thick cut and very covered bruschetta of a pizza house vibe, veal very sauced, pasta very sauced, everything very sauced. Wanted it to be a standout but next time would go to Vivo for equal or better food and a fresher ambiance.

Bice is a fantastic restaurant that I cannot recommend enough. Paul our server did an amazing job making us feel right at home as soon as we sat down. We decided to sit outside on the patio and enjoy some live music that was happening downstairs in the pier area of the hotel. The appetizers, salads, and main course were all delicious. The wine list is long and has lots of great options, and the servers all give great recommendations for the entire menu. We are Orlando locals so we were not staying at the hotel, however, with validation from the hostess, parking is free! This is a major bonus for those who know these hotels love to charge massive amounts just to park for a meal. We will definitely be returning soon!

Date night at Bice was fantastic! The service was fantastic and we were never left waiting. The food tasted phenomenal and the atmosphere was lovely on the patio! Only complaint was the portions related to the price. That is to be expected though with the touristy area.

We had a lovely quiet meal with our "resort clothes or nicer" at this little gem in Portofino. We ate the wagu, the lobsters, and whatever was the specials. Fantastic bread. Kids had all the classic italian meals. We had a group of 10 and it was reserved way ahead of time, because it is a restaurant more suited, really, for smaller parties. We had a small reunion vacation and we had all just flown in that afternoon and could not bear to think outside the resort grounds, but wanted to spoil ourselves before hitting all the activities on vacation the next day. They delivered great service, and pretty good fine dining experience. Food wasn't stellar but was still very good. When you consider ambiance, service, smells, cleanliness, lighting and great menu choices, I would say this will be an annual reservation, should we stay at this resort again. Definitely will be back.Pretty, pretttay, prettay Good! ~Larry David

After reading the reviews, I don't know how people were displeased. Upon entering the restaurant, we were quickly greeted by the hostess. She was pleasant and welcoming. Once you walk down the hallway, there is a big open area where all of the tables were - it was an elegant space to say the least. We were promptly greeted by an Italian waiter, he was attentive and extremely helpful in navigating us through their wine and food selections (something not as typical in Italy!). We started with his wine recommendation of Colle Mossari Montecucco. It was a a nice Super Tuscan that had slightly earthy notes and was full body. For an appetizer, we had the Polpo (octopus), it was cooked perfectly, but not charred. They had some herb on it and the dish came with a pesto-like drizzle. It was great! Our wine paired nicely with the Penne All' Arriabbiata. The pasta was cooked perfectly for gluten-free, the sauce was perfectly balanced between acidic and slightly sweet. The spice factor was certainly present, but for me I would have liked it to be a little spicier. For dessert, I had the pumpkin cheesecake mousse (they omit the crumble for gluten free). It had a nice pumpkin flavor and the texture was very creamy like a mousse. My husband had the Cappellaccio, which is "little hat" ravioli with braised short rib, spinach, mushroom and Marsala cream sauce. He felt the short rib had a nice flavor and was tender not fatty. It was excellent with the Umami flavor of mushroom in Marsala. The ravioli had had more meat than spinach, which was nice.We definitely would return. Be prepared to pay for quality though.

3 Words: "Flourless Chocolate Cake."- It's the true star of the show. We went back a second time on our vacation to eat it again! The ambience was classy and quiet. Some people were dressed up, others were casual... but it was definitely had a "steak house" kind of vibe. The service was hit or miss. Our first server was excellent! He was an older gentleman from New York with a load of knowledge about the food and wine. He promptly refilled our water after we had taken a drink, checked on us after each course, and was very friendly. On our second trip in, we had a server from another country. I'm not sure where. He was dressed more like a host, instead of a server... perhaps they were short handed on servers that day... but the 2nd gentleman did the basic job... and nothing more. He never asked if we needed anything or refilled water. He wasn't overly helpful or friendly. Slightly cold, if anything. We ordered the tortellini pasta to share as a first course both days we dined here. If you ask, they will split the pasta dish for you and your companion. It's not enough to split for more than 2 people. Also, it was so delicious, I have no pictures of it. But it was hot, well seasoned, and had a lot of Pork Ragu mixed it! We loved it! Course 2 - night 1 we ordered: - PAN SEARED U-10 ALASKAN SCALLOPS (Served with Lemon Zest & Herb Risotto and Roasted Baby Carrots in a Blood Orange Balsamic Reduction) & - Scaloppine di Vitello "Piccata"(Sauteed Veal Scaloppini, Lemon Capers and White Wine Sauce, Potato Au Gratin, sautéed Asparagus)The Scallops were delicious and the risotto... yum! Probably one of the best, if not the Best scallops I have had. The veal was well cooked, & flavorful, but I would still probably try something new next time we are in town. Course 2 Day 2: - *^ Tagliata di Manzo(12 oz. N.Y. Strip sliced, Arugula & fresh Tomato Salad, roasted Potatoes, Red Wine Sauce)- *^Carre' di Agnello(Roasted Rack of Lamb, Garlic sauteed Fresh Mushrooms, Mashed Potatoes ,Port Wine Demi Glaze)The steak was well seasoned and perfectly cooked. The lamb was honestly the worst I had ever tried. It was over cooked and seasoned strangely. I would not over again. Course 3 Day 1:- flourless Chocolate cake - tiramisu My mouth is watering just thinking about that cake! -Order the Carmel gelato to go on top. So good! - the cane was warm, moist, and had tremendous flavor! The tiramisu was great. It was a true tiramisu. Well made... but had nothing on the cake! Course 3 Day 2: - flourless chocolate cake - cannolisWe should have just gotten two chocolate cakes. Lol. But they were delicious and I don't have a single bad thing to say about them.

Fellow food enthusiasts, welcome to the delightful world of BiCE at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando. Nestled within the striking surroundings of this charming Italian-inspired destination, BiCE promises a culinary adventure. I invite you to join me as we explore the tantalizing flavors and exquisite dishes that grace the tables of this extraordinary establishment.Let us begin our epicurean escapade with a toast:The Blanco Margarita Italiano seduced my palate with a smooth elegance, a dance of tequila and citrus that pays homage to both Mexico and Italy. The Paloma Guava Juice Basil added a delightful twist to the classic cocktail, infusing it with tropical notes and aromatic herbs.I indulged in an array of appetizers that showcases BiCE's commitment to artistry:The Salmon and Ricotta dish elevated the richness of the salmon with the creamy decadence of ricotta, with a marriage of flavors that simply sung on my tongue. Beef Wellington, a true culinary masterpiece, was condensed into bite sized morsels, and stole me with each decadent chomp.Prosciutto and Melon with Balsamic glaze gave classic sweet and savory notes. Brilliant palate cleanser for the table. The Fried Shrimp with Citrus Tequila Sauce really stopped me in my tracks: sweet and juicy, crunchy and tangy with an embrace of citrus-infused tequila sauce. I had a few nibbles of the Mozzarella Caprese balls: velvety mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil. I couldn't put the Tuna Tartar down! So fresh I swear they pulled out of the sea and minced it up in the gondola and brought it upstairs to us. The Arancini Rice Ball with Bolognese and Truffle made me feel like heaven, each bite more enticing than the last. These are the entrees that will transport us to gustatory bliss:The 16 oz Shank Osso Bucco: slow-cooked perfection, prepared with the love it deserved, tenderly surrendering from the bone to the slightest touch. A saffron-infused risotto brought everything together. This dish would certainly fill the mightiest of appetites! The Braised Short Rib Spinach Ravioli gave me comfort and made me feel sophisticated in the same breath. The mushroom parsley marsala cream had me in the clouds. The succulent short rib hiding in that delicate pasta made me feel alive. The velvety marsala cream had me coming back to each bite with excitement. For my seafaring friends, the Branzino was a winner: Potatoes, Carrots, and Parsnips came along for the ride. The delicate flavors of the Branzino the earthiness of roasted root vegetables really gave me old world vibes. My friends, BiCE at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando is a classy and classic place to be. Let me know the next time you go! This place is definitely Odyssey Approved! -Paul aka Mouth Odyssey

I would give BiCE 4 1/2 stars if I could. I was so pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. There were some mixed reviews here on Yelp, but the menu looked solid, and we were looking for a more upscale spot at Universal for dinner, so I decided to give this place a try. I'm so glad I did. The ambience of the restaurant was lovely, and the service was highly attentive without hovering over. But it's really the food that impressed me. Everything from the gnocchi to the Caprese salad was delicious, but it was the tagliatelle with a tomato cream sauce and prosciutto that amazed me. God, it was maybe the best pasta I've ever had. Anywhere. And I come from a very steeped-in-culture Italian family. God, this pasta was closer to ethereal, than actual. Perhaps the Platonic ideal of what pasta should be. Yeah yeah, I know I'm waxing poetic about this pasta, but it was really that good. It's one of those dishes that just make you involuntarily say, "Mmmm" over and over again like a weirdo. I'm very excited to eat here again, and to try my hand at making that pasta at home. I was already reverse-engineering it as I ate every bite.

Ordered Filet Mignon and it was not cooked right the 1st. 2nd or 3rd time. You cannot put a steak under the broiler to make it med. well.Please take the time to cook an expensive steak correctly.Atmosphere nice. Service nice.