Just came here a week ago while visiting Harry Potter Land and it was an awesome experience. If you're a tourist then this is definitely the place to go!!! Or if you're not a tourist, then still the place to go!!! I mean I ordered the duck entree and it was simply magical. Between the texture of the food and the sauce that was to die for, it was truly exceptional. The bread was great also with the little tri-dipping platter. My salad was amazing. My server was spot-on and you could tell he put alot of care into his profession.
(5)
Wayne D.
Positives - pretty extensive wine list across the spectrum of prices. Also, the service was excellent. We were a party of 7 and the staff was incredibly responsive and helpful. Negatives - the quality of the food for what you pay is disappointing. There were three of us that ordered Lobster Bisque, and the consensus was that it resembled and tasted like turkey gravy. Just really odd. The spinach salad with goat cheese and pancetta was lacking pancetta and there wasn't much goat cheese for that matter. I had the veal chop which was actually pretty good, but the only accompaniment was a bit of arugula. There was a large private party and perhaps the kitchen was focused in that direction, but this is an upscale restaurant with upscale pricing so that shouldn't be an issue. I think there are better choices in the area and won't be heading back to Bice anytime soon.
(2)
Laura P.
Did not like the food. We were served a piece of raw chicken. They comped the one meal. But I really feel they should have comped our entire bill. I emailed the company and never got a response. Won't go back
(1)
Gerald H.
Great location within the Portofino Bay Hotel. The place look emmaculent. The service was excellent. They were very attentative to our needs but also gave us a little privacy to enjoy the company. We ordered the salmon and black grouper. Both were okay. The Black Grouper is nothing like your normal gulf coast group so expect a swordfish-like texture if you order this. Overall a great dining experience.
(4)
Mitchell B.
Bice - be careful to pronounce it correctly or you might come across as, well, Bice. Another in our fair city's litany of overpriced, mediocre restaurants posing as fine dining. We hadn't been in about 5 years for that reason, but were lured back by Magical Dining Month to see if things had improved. The only magic was displayed by our waiter making the food I ordered change into something else when it was presented. Three times. I should add there are only three courses. Right, I ordered risotto (which was quite good when it finally arrived) and got spinach salad; then, rather than my pork (not so good) I got ravioli in vodka sauce (should have kept it); and to top it off, received apple something or other rather than the chocolate cake (nearly tasteless). At the conclusion of our 'magical' night, our waiter was pouty and put off when our friends asked to use their Bice frequent dining card (why they would dine there frequently is something I will have to explore with them). His first response was a curt 'no.' His manager then came by to tell our friends that yes, in fact, they could use their card for our drinks, of which there were a fair number (thankfully - helped us forget about the food and service), but not the food. Fair enough. Our waiter then returned with what looked like an audit of our tax return - about 10 pieces of paper all with different amounts shown - 'sign here' 'this one's mine' 'this one's yours' etc, etc. When we finally sorted this mess out, we had passed the CPA exam and were glad to be rid of our harrumphing server. To recap: Service - nearly inept, but well dressed; Food - mostly mediocre with a good plate of risotto; Wine List - typically overpriced resort list with some good selections. Oh, and I almost forgot something else they forgot; they forgot to bring us bread. 2.5 hours in an Italian restaurant and no bread, a first for this reporter. So after five years, not much had changed. Maybe we'll try it again in another 5. Maybe not.
(2)
Kamila L.
Elegant Restaurant, Good Service. Impressive coleccion of Wines. 3 stars was because I had Duck and it was a little "fishy" that I could not finished it. Our server was cold (not that I wanted a conversation with him but his service was just "cold"). Other than that, it is one of the nice places to have a nice dinner right outside Universal Studios. However, my visit was not remarkable.
(3)
Tiffany L.
Food was good, it's just really expensive. We have a Bice in Chicago, so it was tough paying the hotel prices for the same food. I liked the warm sourdough bread served in the beginning. Beef carpaccio has too much of that heavy creamy dressing. Spaghetti was better than the Ravioli. Extensive wine selection.
(3)
Tom L.
Very disappointed. Dined at Bice in NYC and loved it. Orlando was awful - awful. 2 Stars as the service was spot on. Wine list so over priced (4x retail) - spent $120 for a $30 wine. Also -getting there from the lobby was like a scavenger hunt. Again - service was like Italy - Italian food like I imagine they would serve in Arkansas.
(2)
Tram N.
This restaurant is typically business causal, but they accommodated our park hopping family. I loved this restaurant when I was in San Diego, and I loved it in Orlando. Their pasta is one of the best pastas I have tasted in that the chef actually made and cooked the pastas to perfection. I was pleasantly surprised that they altered their dishes for our family since we had so many preferences and allergies.
(4)
Savannah S.
First of all, if you have not been to this resort, the Loews Portofino Bay is beautiful. Walking to the restaurant (is difficult to find) but gorgeous views along the way. I went here for a networking event, so we were in the private dining space. The passed hors d'oeuvres were very good, ahi tuna roll-up, garlic mushroom on cracker, and others I can't remember. The "dinner" was arranged as a sort of buffet. There was fresh fruit, bread rolls, carved turkey station, cheese tortellini, penne-marinara, cheese & charcuterie. It was an odd mix. All of it was good. But it was not a sit-down dinner. The room too small to hold everyone and got SO NOISY you literally were yelling at each other. The worst place for networking. Desserts were average cannoli, tiramisu cups, chocolate strawberries (actually very very good). If you book a party here, keep it 15 or less people. I would have to try this place again for dinner to decide how I feel about it..
(3)
Howard H.
We came here on our culinary tour of the piazza at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. This place boasts a more upscale menu and claims to focus on northern Italian cuisine. Prices range from 25 to 50 bucks a dish with kids menu ranging from 10 to 22 a pop. The antipasto was good and the caesar salad was freshly made (I could taste the anchovies in the dressing). The kids NY strip steak was really good and better than some 40 dollar steaks I've had. I had the osso bucco which was pretty good. The bed of saffron risotto was a bit bland but the sauce from the shank was enough to make up for it. My eldest had the risotto special and it was also excellent although the portion was massive. They probably could have served something 2/3 of the size and still charged the same price. The decor is second to none and the service is fantastic. Although it's a place geared towards professional types, there were plenty of families there on account of it being on Universal property. It's a step above the price level of other eateries in the hotel but it's worth it in my opinion (especially if you're from NYC - no sticker shock for us).
(4)
Andrew A.
House made pasta was the best I've ever had. Martinis were perfectly made. Antipasta platter was tasty. The salads are a bit large but great, and same with the pasta. If you want to do a traditional Italian courses meal they can do split portions of salads and pastas.
(5)
Daniel G.
The food was not terrible, it's just RIDICULOUSLY over priced. My wife and I each had an appetizer, an entree, and a glass of wine. The bill was $180!!! For that price I should be eating something memorable. But it was average run of the mill. And the service was poor. The maitre 'd started our service because waiter was too busy. And they seemed confused and stressed the whole time. If you're going to charge 5 star prices, at least have enough staff to deliver top service. We will not be back to Bice.
(1)
Ina V.
Omg the food was fantastic. The antipasto plate simply delicious, great buratta appetizer. Ossobuco was amazing. Delicious wine, great atmosphere. Amazing staff. WE went to eat there two nights out of our 5 days vacation, that's how good it was.
(5)
Tyler L.
Very interesting place. Upscale. Expensive. Good Italian. I will give them that they delivered delicious food and the restaurant felt very high-end. That said, it was pretty (very) expensive... I don't think there is too much to compare this place to around the area...definitely the best restaurant I saw in terms of luxury. In Orlando there is either cheesy Disney manufactured experiences...or you pay a lot for something decent. I guess if you want something decent...Bice yourself. Just know I warned you it is expensive.
(3)
Mark H.
Although the air was not working correctly we stayed for dinner, and it has hot in this place! Excellent top notch Italian at reasonable prices with impeccable old world "European" service! We were a large party and enjoyed every course. They make many of their pastas and sauces were flavorful. Their delicate touch and variations of trad southern Italian dishes were a welcome surprise, such as the tuna tartar. They did not flinch when one of us wanted a different sauce that was offered on a homemade pasta. Portions were ample. Great wine list and the desserts were also tasty.
(4)
Duke B.
Service 9/10 Food. 7/10 Wine. 10/10 Overall I wasn't expecting much and had a great meal. They have a great wine selection and an upscale feel. It's not the ritz Carlton it's lowes portofino so don't be such a snob and you will probably love this place. We had the duck in a truffle sauce. The black grouper, fritto misto, radicchio salad and soup of the day which was an asparagus cream. All were great.
(4)
J R.
Had a wonderful meal last night at Bice. I made reservations at 7pm on Friday for a table at 8:45. We were quickly sat and the host brought us some delicious bread and various hummus and sauces for dipping. My girlfriend and I went for the traditional courses. We started with the Caprese salad, which was wonderful, but a bit expensive at $20. We split a caesar salad with a $5 splitting fee. Our entrees ere delicious. I had the scaloppini chicken marsala and my girlfriend had pomodoro. If you're looking for a great italian meal and you don't really care how much money you spend, I definitely recommend Bice!
(4)
Rob B.
Probably the best Italian food we have ever had. Service and ambiance were fantastic. Highly recommend
Bice gets five solid stars in my book. Our experience was flawless. They were very accommodating to our group and gave a wonderful table with a great view of the harbor at the Portofino Hotel. The uniqueness of this restaurant, paired with the incredible location overlooking the harbor piazza at the Portofino gives it an unrivaled personality and perfect ambiance. Since there were a few of us in our party, we were able to sample just about all the entrees in their menu and nobody was disappointed. Now, I understand that in America, our expectations may be a bit different when it comes to portions. We are used to huge portions that we get served in those franchise style restaurants, but it is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, cheap ingredients artificially flavored to mask the mediocrity of the quality. In Bice, you will get reasonable portions of real food cooked to perfection in the original Italian style of their recipes. I would respectfully submit that if you immerse yourself in the cultural experience and give in to your surrounding and really take the time to enjoy your meal and your company, a night out at Bice will be your next five star review.
(5)
Peter B.
Pretty decor and good service but the complements just about stop here. I eat out 4 - 5 days a week and this food is banquet quality at best. A few good items are the fried calimari and beef carpaccio. Now the problems. The risotto was lumpy and dry, the chicken Marsella rubbery and bland and the veal overcooked. The chief need to pay more attention to the kitchen and spend less time drinking French Burgundy with guests in the dinning room. My guess is he comes from a corporate/conference cooking background. This review, In fairness was only written after giving them a second chance. Unfortunately, the second visit was no better then the first.
(1)
Marty C.
This is one of the nicest upscale Italian restaurant chains you will find. The venue is elegant and romantic with views of the man-made Portofino Bay. The interior is relaxing and (on our visit) full of mostly professional folks. Our waiter (Alex) was friendly, prompt and made our dining experience a great one. While we were mulling over the menu, we were presented with fresh bread and a trio of dipping options: hummus, balsamic EVOO and a pinkish cannellini bean mash that didn't have a distinct flavor. None of the choices were outstanding and we focused on the EVOO. For an appetizer, we tried their fried calamari, shrimp, zucchini and mushroom offering. The shrimp were huge. It came with their delicious marinara sauce and it was a mountain of fried heaven. Thank goodness we had the presence of mind not to order salads because this was huge. Alex had suggested the Ossobuco Di Vitello Con Risottto Allo Zafferano and the Costoletta Di Vitello Alla Milanese Con Rucola E Pomodorini. The ossobucco was fall-apart tender with a wonderful savory sauce atop of very tasty saffron flavored risotto that was perfectly cooked. The pounded veal schnitzel was a huge bone-in portion that had a small pile of arugula with cherry tomatoes in a vinaigrette dressing nestled on the side. It did not come with a starch which seems odd for an Italian restaurant. About half way through my schnitzel, I was craving something other than a lemon wedge to moisten the meat. In hindsight, I should have asked for some more of their luscious marinara. Overall, we had a fine meal considering their upscale price point. It is a beautiful restaurant that I found very relaxing. On future visits, I would be willing to sample more of their dishes and know to ask if their entrees come with a starch. We didn't have dessert but the coffee was wonderful. If you are anywhere close to Universal Orlando, hunt down Bice and give it a try.
(4)
Lorraine H.
Now I know what non vip feels like (...again .. lol) $400 dinner (for 6 adults 2 kids) and instead of feeling it was worth every penny (2 birthdays at our table ) thinking we could have been elsewhere getting more for less
(3)
Victor M.
Ignore the bad reviews, there are people that will find anything to complain about. We started with the calamari, it was awesome and it had huge shrimp in it. I had the ravioli, it melted in my mouth! My wife had tortellini , she loved it. Our Waiter Patrick gave us a dessert on the house because it was our 2 year anniversary. The pasta is homemade and super fresh!
(5)
Ken C.
The service is the first standout for this restaurant. The food is also pretty good as the pasta and sauces tasted fresh. The wine selection was pretty good as well. Be ready because Bice is expensive but you do get quite the dining experience that makes it worthwhile. There was a piano playing in the background which promoted a great atmosphere. The Caesar salad was amazing the fra Diablo was spicy. Overall a great place.
(5)
Dean C.
The food is really good and the service is fast and professional. For the price the portions are small but they do bring a lot bread. The salmon spread that comes with the bread is very good too. Our server was Emilio and he was a great waiter.
(4)
Ronnie B.
When you are a theme park like Universal Studios, you are kind of a captive audience. Sure you can walk around and pay $15 for a burger in Nascar garb, another $15 burger in Hard Rock garb, another one at Margaritaville, shrimp at Bubba Gump, but I am sure you get the idea. There were a few selections for fine dining (including the Palm at the Hard Rock hotel and Emeril's Asian fusion restaurant, Tchoup Chop, at the Royal Pacific) plus a few possibles at CityWalk, but basically my choice was between the Palm and Bice at the Portofino where we were staying. If I go back, I would love to try The Palm, but I am so very glad that I chose Bice for a special dinner. First, this restaurant has a good wine list. It's not fantastic, but it's good and our waiter was able to make a few recommendations for by-the-glass starters. We decided to try out the Antipasto platter: quality or the lack thereof shows up quickly on things that are less prepared. We were not disappointed in the display nor the quality of the foods. I even asked if the chef had prepared the baby artichokes as they were quite tasty. Roasted red peppers, marinated tomatoes, mushrooms, Mortadella, aged provolone, some fantastic parmesan in big chunks...and I forget what else was there. It was just that delicious and I started to wonder whether I should have ordered dinner. The bread served was of two types, the better was the focaccia and there were three dips or spreads: a tuna, which was tasty... and did not taste like it came from a can (thank the Lord!) some very good quality olive oil with some herbs which was rather mild, and some hummus. If I were being picky, I would say that the hummus was a little bland. Saying that would be the absolute lowest art of the meal. My wife ordered a split pasta order, since she could not decide between the two. The first was little sacks filled with pear, Gorgonzola and something else I have forgotten. She let me taste it and it was exquisite. The second was a tagliatelle with a very very good Bolognese. I do not say this lightly as I have had Bolognese that tasted like tomato water with cream. I had a full plate of fettuccine with lobster and mushrooms. The lobster was beautifully prepared, not tough at all, very flavorful and the mushrooms excellent without being slimy or unpleasant. It was such an odd combination that I wondered whether it would work, but it did very well! the lobster had substance and the mushrooms did not add too much of an earthy quality. We had a bottle of the Sangiovese with the Bice label. It was quite light for a Sangiovese, but was a perfect accompaniment to the richness of the dishes. Why a red wine you ask? Yes, the little pear sacks might have done better with a good white, but overall I rather liked the red... and buying the bottle was a better deal for us. A final note on the pasta: after being assured that the pasta was made there by hand, I examined it carefully for flaws. One of the difficulties about making pasta is when pieces are thicker or thinner at various points. Not only were these three different pastas prepared perfectly, the texture of each of them was remarkable. I was very impressed. If you like The Olive Garden, you will have no idea why this is special. I mentioned it twice to the very attentive server and he told me about an old man who only made pasta in the kitchen by hand. fact or fable, it sounded good. I hope they keep him because pasta like this is a lost art. I hope they keep the chef too! he is not only talented, but he takes superb care in each of the dishes that I saw. We had a beautiful table overlooking the piazza, the service was excellent, the wine very good and the food was fabulous. I would drive from Tampa to have dinner here: it was that good! I will be back.
(5)
Mary C.
A slice of Italy in Orlando. I enjoyed a very nice dinner here with my family. The general manager Francesco came to our table to make sure everything was to our liking. I thought the service was excellent, coupled with a great tasting extensive and fresh menu, it was an overall great dining experience. My brother literally ordered the whole left side of the menu - everything was delicious. My favorites were the risotto, calamari, mussels and carpaccio. Lovely!
(4)
Kimberly S.
Avoid! We were very excited to have our Christmas Meal here - and overall it was an utter disappointment. It's overpriced and it underdelivers. The appetizer Calamari - which was $19 - was far overcooked. When I saw it on the menu, the description made it sound delicious...and it was not. Our salads were actually very nice - so ... a few points were gained at that moment in the meal. My entree was horrendous. I ordered the chicken dish which, again, sounded great from the description, and I couldn't even cut through it with a sharp knife it was so tough. At over $30 - I at least expected food! Not only that, no one even asked me why I wasn't touching my meal, and the server never popped back to check in. In addition, the bus boy cleared our meals away while my sister was still eating! Mind you, he cleared my full plate of food - and no questions were asked regarding the un-touched food. Come on folks - at these prices - lets provide etiquitte lessons for all employees! Overall though I recommend a strict - AVOID - and go to Mama Della's which is located about 50 yards away. I'm giving them 5 stars, and would give them 10,000 stars if I could!
(1)
Nikki J.
I saw an advertisement for this restaurant in a fine dining magazine and decided to make reservations for my boyfriend and I while we were in Orlando. It has a very nice ambiance and I loved that some of the wait staff was actually from Italy because it made it feel a little more authentic. Some Good Notes About Bice: Food is outstanding! My boyfriend had never been to a fine dining Italian restaurant before, in fact he was a little frustrated at the menu because he didn't know what everything was and he's a picky eater at the same time. The restaurant was very accommodating and explained his options and recommended items to him based on his likes and they told him if he didn't enjoy his meal he could send it back. He had the Fettuccine Paglia e Fieno con Granchio, Capesante e Peperoni Arrostiti which is a Homemade Spinach and Egg Fettuccine with Crabmeat, Scallops and roasted bell Peppers in a roasted Garlic, Shallot and white Vermouth light Cream Sauce. I tried it and it was delicious. He even forced himself to eat the meal in its entirety because he loved it so much. I had the Spaghetti alla Chitarra alla Bolognese and because I'm not a huge fan of spaghetti the chef suggested another pasta for me to have with it that was homemade - can't recall the name but it was a wide noodle and such a better option then the spaghetti. The meat wasn't ground beef, it was real braised beef, super tender and full of flavor. I couldn't eat the whole plate because it was heavy and rich but I wanted to keep enjoying each forkful! Some Not So Good Notes: I was a little annoyed because I had made reservations in advance and we still weren't able to get a table by the window to enjoy the beautiful water view outside and unfortunately it was way to chilly and windy to sit outside. They weren't able to accommodate us to get a window table either. Bottom Line: Amazing food and I bet the experience would have been even better if the weather permitted us to sit outside and enjoy the gorgeous water view.
(4)
Eric Y.
Pretty good for upscale Italian in a resort. It's pricey but in line with finer restaurants in the touristy Universal area. The decor is upscale. White linens, understated, refined, quiet. Beautiful views of the Portofino Hotel from 3rd floor locale. Nice touch: mini coat rack next to our table. Menu is in English and Italian, for that authentic touch. Large selection of salads and pasta (most handmade), all available in half orders which is great. Caesar salad is good but extra charge for anchovies? That's nickel and dime stuff. The shaved Parmesan tasted domestic - is that possible? The special soup, potato leak, was nice. Tortelloni with spinach and ricotta was perfectly al dente and the brown butter-sage sauce was good but where's the sage?. More of that "parmesan" too. I had veal osso bucco with saffron risotto. This was a huge hunk of meat. I want to see the calves on that cow! Anyhow, the meat was tasty but not as tender as it should be. The risotto was excellent. My wife had seafood fettucini, perfectly al dente and very flavorful but a bit dry. Tagliatelle with porcini cream sauce was very good. Prawns with polenta and oyster mushrooms was also good. We had the chocolate mousse cake (chocolatissimo - love that word), an excellent version of molten chocolate cake. Yum. Wine list is impressive but pricey, but how many places offer an Amarone by the glass? It was quite good, by the way. Again, pretty good for resort food, if you can stomach the prices.
(4)
Leah F.
Very nice restaurant for a theme park resort
(4)
Shawn S.
Beech-Ay. Always surprised to see kids in a restaurant where the average dish is in the high 20's. What I liked about this place was the food quality and the servers - ours did speak Italian so the ladies in our group could lose themselves in the moment just a bit. Nice wine list, white table linens were elegant. My only knock was the high cost of the food. I had the penne and tomatoes, quite tasty!
(3)
Nobbi L.
Whereas the food is maybe a 3 to 4, the service was a 10. The only other restaurant I've been to with maybe better service was a now defunct franco-russian restaurant at the wyndham in the west hollywood area called diaghilev. We wanted half orders of several items because we were just two and had eaten a big lunch. Our waiter had offered the half orders, we accepted, but we got full orders. Way too much food. But we were not charged for the full orders. All in all, given the fact that we were in a tourist resort restaurant, we were really impressed with the service...
(5)
Rita L.
i thought this restaurant wasn't so bad! It was the first time I was introduced to Moscato d' asti! Now my favorite wine ever! I love the waiter who introduced me to it! The food is forgettable, I already forgot what we ordered!
(3)
Bill H.
My first review and it's not a good one. We're not high maintenance diners but this experience was bad enough that it warrants a review. While the food was OK , it was overpriced chain restaurant fare. I had a major problem with the service. Maybe it was the fact that we went in with kids but it is a restaurant based in a mid-range family resort (i.e. this is not the Grand Floridian). Anyway, I ordered what should have been a very nice glass of wine. I knew that I was taking a chance ordering premium wine by the glass but I assumed that such an expensive restaurant would only serve wine by the glass if they went through the bottle every other day or they'd be prepared to dump it. The wine was delivered and it was clearly bad. I drink enough wine to know when something has been sitting out in a warm environment for several days. It has that certain odor to it. I told the waiter (who already had a miserable attitude) and he reluctantly took it away. He came back 5 minutes later to tell me that his manager tasted the wine and thought it was fine. I told him to take it away anyway. Needless to say, there was much tension for the rest of the night. The waiter, no dummy at math, realized that the cost of the wine was very small in relation to his standard tip. So at the end of the meal, he let us know that they would take the glass off the bill and smiled for the first time that night. It was the right thing to do but it should have been done right away and without the drama.
(1)
Kevin A.
IS IT PRONOUNCED BI-TCHY? Because that's how our server acted...BITCHY. After a week of bad hotel food at another property, my co-workers and I were excited to have a nice Italian meal at Bice. Unfortunately our server prevented that from happening. Despite the restaurant only being about half full, he took forever to take our wine and food order, made no attempt to be polite, and was totally unapologetic for the slow service. All in all, he spent less than one minute at our table the entire evening. To make matters worse, the osso bucco was tender, yet under-seasoned and had a strange odor to it (think Alpo). On the plus side, the saffron risotto was among the best I've ever had which is the only thing keeping my rating at 3 stars. I'd give Bice another chance, but I'll definitely make sure I get a different server.
(3)
Justin S.
this place will define between amature and professional dinning. if you have to check your bank account before going, then stay away. this place is not for you. if you like me, and enjoy true service.. bice is the spot! we had 4 people in our party and went on pure reccomendations from the staff.. the chef sent about 7 different courses at us... it was simply amazing! beautiful atmosphere and some of the best pasta dishes and dessert i have ever had. i suggest getting a room out there, its worth it. ask for francesco, he is the best!
(5)
PB F.
At first, I thought this restaurant was pronounced like 'Bice' like rhymes with 'Dice' and 'Rice.' But it turns out, after getting the welcome from the man in the white suit jacket working there, that it is pronounced 'Bitch-ay'. Haha. Anyway, the ambiance was typical pretentious, kind of like older person, cruise-ship-esque. It was empty when I went. Dim lighting and white table cloths kind of place with the waiters in their white suit jackets being all polite and formal. First of all, they brought out some bread. The bread was tasty, and came with some garlic-y spreads. They were kind of strong, the spreads. One was very garlic and butter, and the other was strong fishy taste. I skipped the appetizer since I wasn't that hungry and opted for the Ahi Tuna, because that is usually a light plate with a nice healthy tasting slab of fish. When it arrived, I saw like 6 or 7 slabs of fish on the dish. It was a huge serving. It was enough for 4 people. Crazy. It was on top of a mish mash of cooke zuchini and potato, as well as soggy cooked rasins and some other stuff I couldn't see because it was dim lighting. The fish itself was ok, but kind of thick and jelly tasting. Fresh enough. The stuff underneath it was gross. The other dishes we ordered were very mediocre and non memorable. I don't even remember what some of them were. I give this place 2 stars instead of 3 because it was overpriced and the food wasn't that great. I wouldn't go back. There is so much other better food in the world. So much! This food and this restaurant really had no personality. And was way overpriced for what it was. Forget Bice and have some rice instead, or have something else that's actually nice.
(2)
Erica S.
We went here on our first night in Orlando, and by "first night in Orlando" I mean, we actually moved here. I am holding out for some amazing restaurants and new experiences, and I probably won't be back to many of them because I plan on going all over the south in search of BBQ, so we went for broke at this place--ordered mussels to start (good buttery and herb broth, mussels were OK), a half order of their chock-full of short rib and herbs and good stuff ravioli (rich and perfectly cooked and delicious), and the risotto foie gras (it was a little one-note) paired with an interesting blended wine that sort of had a hint of mushrooms (I know, sounds gross, but it was a good pair with the Italian fare). Our server was really friendly and took the time to describe the restaurant briefly, along with their mission statement (they have several restaurants, and this particular one makes all of it's pasta fresh in-house every day). The restaurant itself is a little hidden inside the Loews Orlando Portofino resort, but it's a nice walk past the "lake Como" pond and a pretty view to the sparkling water. If you get your parking validated, it's free to park.
(3)
Danielle R.
Service was friendly and good - when we were given attention. Our dinner was a great experience, as we had a great group of people we were enjoying the evening with, but this became an incredibly "leisurely" dinner based on the amount of time it took to get our orders, and lengthy times between courses. That being said, we were generally happy with our menu selections. While they encourage the traditional Italian 4 course meal, we knew better and chose to have a few of the pastas as starters along with a few of the other apps. The short rib ravioli was lovely; the filling was perhaps not quite as rich and densely flavored as I anticipated, but it was good and I would look forward to it again! Others at the table enjoyed the lamb, and veal scaloppini. Two of us had the veal Milanese that was coated much heavier and more fried than anticipated, taking away from the tenderness of the lovely cut of meat. The tomatoes and arugula were bright fresh flavors, but I would have liked more of the balsamic drizzle. (This is part of a group of Bice restaurants)
(3)
Christiane W.
The food was fantastic. My mother had a salad and I had the Risotto. My mom tasted my Risotto and said it was the best thing she'd ever had. Sitting outside, you're at the mercy of any events being put on by the Hotel. There was some pretty bad music coming from a reception. The outside seating is lovely, otherwise. We weren't wild about our server. I served for years, and this guy was technically outstanding, but there just wasn't any personality there. He wasn't interested in engaging us in any way, just serving. And some people want that, but we're not those people, and part of being a great server is recognizing when to engage and when to hang back. He never made eye contact with either of us, which I thought was very strange.
(4)
Robin S.
The resturant has very nice decor. We had a reservations and were seated immediately. Then they tried to seat us at the worst table in the resturant while the resturant was about 25% full. They agreed to move us to another table but it was not much better. The most frustrating part was that lovely tables sat empty throughout the night so I was amazed as to why they would seat us at a table where the waiters come in from the outside tables and the waiter POS system is located right there also. More a typical theme park resturant rather than the upscale establishment they advertise as. The appetizers were good , the mussels and the anti pasto. The entrees not so great. Two of the pasta dishes looked like they had sat in tha back for some time as the sauces became gummy rather than freshly glistening. The homemad pasta has begun to get gummy and hard around the edges so again I am sure it sat before coming out to us. The veal scallopinni was like veal and onion juice. I was unable to eat it. The waiter never came to ask how our food was. The wine was very good. The Napoleano pastry puff was fantastic. I would not waste the money and ever eat there again under any circumstances.
(2)
Robin B.
Me and my valentine had dinner in Bice, during a short trip in Orlando. the location of the place is really suggestive. We had dinner around 9.45pm and besides the fact the kitchen was about to close, we had a great experience, the manager Robert, took care of our table in a very professional way, the way a great server is suppose to be. Our plates where served at the right time and temperature, the portions were more than enough, the value is pretty good. The profitterols is a must, delicious. if you go to Orlando Bice is the right place to have dinner, well located, great food, Just perfect if you wanna impress your girl and have a great italian intimate experience.
(5)
Andrew C.
Bice is a hotel restaurant located on the campus of the Loews Portofino Bay resort. The resort is beautiful. The restaurant sits on the water on a second floor. The inside of the restaurant is quite nice, though exceedingly cold. I was expecting to see meat hanging. We ate a Prix Fixe menu since we were a large group. The salad was tasty, though quite bitter with endive and other rare greens. However, very fresh, crisp. The gnocchi was tasty, though not fork rolled--more like a 1cm roll of potato cut every 1/2 inch. The tomato basil sauce was quite fresh. I'd have to say very tasty, quite good, but not the best I've ever had. the dessert was a Tiramisu which was light, well-flavored. Service was fantastic. I would say that the food was quite good, but overpriced for what you get, but this is likely due to its location at the resort.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Validated Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Ryan U.
Just came here a week ago while visiting Harry Potter Land and it was an awesome experience. If you're a tourist then this is definitely the place to go!!! Or if you're not a tourist, then still the place to go!!! I mean I ordered the duck entree and it was simply magical. Between the texture of the food and the sauce that was to die for, it was truly exceptional. The bread was great also with the little tri-dipping platter. My salad was amazing. My server was spot-on and you could tell he put alot of care into his profession.
(5)Wayne D.
Positives - pretty extensive wine list across the spectrum of prices. Also, the service was excellent. We were a party of 7 and the staff was incredibly responsive and helpful. Negatives - the quality of the food for what you pay is disappointing. There were three of us that ordered Lobster Bisque, and the consensus was that it resembled and tasted like turkey gravy. Just really odd. The spinach salad with goat cheese and pancetta was lacking pancetta and there wasn't much goat cheese for that matter. I had the veal chop which was actually pretty good, but the only accompaniment was a bit of arugula. There was a large private party and perhaps the kitchen was focused in that direction, but this is an upscale restaurant with upscale pricing so that shouldn't be an issue. I think there are better choices in the area and won't be heading back to Bice anytime soon.
(2)Laura P.
Did not like the food. We were served a piece of raw chicken. They comped the one meal. But I really feel they should have comped our entire bill. I emailed the company and never got a response. Won't go back
(1)Gerald H.
Great location within the Portofino Bay Hotel. The place look emmaculent. The service was excellent. They were very attentative to our needs but also gave us a little privacy to enjoy the company. We ordered the salmon and black grouper. Both were okay. The Black Grouper is nothing like your normal gulf coast group so expect a swordfish-like texture if you order this. Overall a great dining experience.
(4)Mitchell B.
Bice - be careful to pronounce it correctly or you might come across as, well, Bice. Another in our fair city's litany of overpriced, mediocre restaurants posing as fine dining. We hadn't been in about 5 years for that reason, but were lured back by Magical Dining Month to see if things had improved. The only magic was displayed by our waiter making the food I ordered change into something else when it was presented. Three times. I should add there are only three courses. Right, I ordered risotto (which was quite good when it finally arrived) and got spinach salad; then, rather than my pork (not so good) I got ravioli in vodka sauce (should have kept it); and to top it off, received apple something or other rather than the chocolate cake (nearly tasteless). At the conclusion of our 'magical' night, our waiter was pouty and put off when our friends asked to use their Bice frequent dining card (why they would dine there frequently is something I will have to explore with them). His first response was a curt 'no.' His manager then came by to tell our friends that yes, in fact, they could use their card for our drinks, of which there were a fair number (thankfully - helped us forget about the food and service), but not the food. Fair enough. Our waiter then returned with what looked like an audit of our tax return - about 10 pieces of paper all with different amounts shown - 'sign here' 'this one's mine' 'this one's yours' etc, etc. When we finally sorted this mess out, we had passed the CPA exam and were glad to be rid of our harrumphing server. To recap: Service - nearly inept, but well dressed; Food - mostly mediocre with a good plate of risotto; Wine List - typically overpriced resort list with some good selections. Oh, and I almost forgot something else they forgot; they forgot to bring us bread. 2.5 hours in an Italian restaurant and no bread, a first for this reporter. So after five years, not much had changed. Maybe we'll try it again in another 5. Maybe not.
(2)Kamila L.
Elegant Restaurant, Good Service. Impressive coleccion of Wines. 3 stars was because I had Duck and it was a little "fishy" that I could not finished it. Our server was cold (not that I wanted a conversation with him but his service was just "cold"). Other than that, it is one of the nice places to have a nice dinner right outside Universal Studios. However, my visit was not remarkable.
(3)Tiffany L.
Food was good, it's just really expensive. We have a Bice in Chicago, so it was tough paying the hotel prices for the same food. I liked the warm sourdough bread served in the beginning. Beef carpaccio has too much of that heavy creamy dressing. Spaghetti was better than the Ravioli. Extensive wine selection.
(3)Tom L.
Very disappointed. Dined at Bice in NYC and loved it. Orlando was awful - awful. 2 Stars as the service was spot on. Wine list so over priced (4x retail) - spent $120 for a $30 wine. Also -getting there from the lobby was like a scavenger hunt. Again - service was like Italy - Italian food like I imagine they would serve in Arkansas.
(2)Tram N.
This restaurant is typically business causal, but they accommodated our park hopping family. I loved this restaurant when I was in San Diego, and I loved it in Orlando. Their pasta is one of the best pastas I have tasted in that the chef actually made and cooked the pastas to perfection. I was pleasantly surprised that they altered their dishes for our family since we had so many preferences and allergies.
(4)Savannah S.
First of all, if you have not been to this resort, the Loews Portofino Bay is beautiful. Walking to the restaurant (is difficult to find) but gorgeous views along the way. I went here for a networking event, so we were in the private dining space. The passed hors d'oeuvres were very good, ahi tuna roll-up, garlic mushroom on cracker, and others I can't remember. The "dinner" was arranged as a sort of buffet. There was fresh fruit, bread rolls, carved turkey station, cheese tortellini, penne-marinara, cheese & charcuterie. It was an odd mix. All of it was good. But it was not a sit-down dinner. The room too small to hold everyone and got SO NOISY you literally were yelling at each other. The worst place for networking. Desserts were average cannoli, tiramisu cups, chocolate strawberries (actually very very good). If you book a party here, keep it 15 or less people. I would have to try this place again for dinner to decide how I feel about it..
(3)Howard H.
We came here on our culinary tour of the piazza at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. This place boasts a more upscale menu and claims to focus on northern Italian cuisine. Prices range from 25 to 50 bucks a dish with kids menu ranging from 10 to 22 a pop. The antipasto was good and the caesar salad was freshly made (I could taste the anchovies in the dressing). The kids NY strip steak was really good and better than some 40 dollar steaks I've had. I had the osso bucco which was pretty good. The bed of saffron risotto was a bit bland but the sauce from the shank was enough to make up for it. My eldest had the risotto special and it was also excellent although the portion was massive. They probably could have served something 2/3 of the size and still charged the same price. The decor is second to none and the service is fantastic. Although it's a place geared towards professional types, there were plenty of families there on account of it being on Universal property. It's a step above the price level of other eateries in the hotel but it's worth it in my opinion (especially if you're from NYC - no sticker shock for us).
(4)Andrew A.
House made pasta was the best I've ever had. Martinis were perfectly made. Antipasta platter was tasty. The salads are a bit large but great, and same with the pasta. If you want to do a traditional Italian courses meal they can do split portions of salads and pastas.
(5)Daniel G.
The food was not terrible, it's just RIDICULOUSLY over priced. My wife and I each had an appetizer, an entree, and a glass of wine. The bill was $180!!! For that price I should be eating something memorable. But it was average run of the mill. And the service was poor. The maitre 'd started our service because waiter was too busy. And they seemed confused and stressed the whole time. If you're going to charge 5 star prices, at least have enough staff to deliver top service. We will not be back to Bice.
(1)Ina V.
Omg the food was fantastic. The antipasto plate simply delicious, great buratta appetizer. Ossobuco was amazing. Delicious wine, great atmosphere. Amazing staff. WE went to eat there two nights out of our 5 days vacation, that's how good it was.
(5)Tyler L.
Very interesting place. Upscale. Expensive. Good Italian. I will give them that they delivered delicious food and the restaurant felt very high-end. That said, it was pretty (very) expensive... I don't think there is too much to compare this place to around the area...definitely the best restaurant I saw in terms of luxury. In Orlando there is either cheesy Disney manufactured experiences...or you pay a lot for something decent. I guess if you want something decent...Bice yourself. Just know I warned you it is expensive.
(3)Mark H.
Although the air was not working correctly we stayed for dinner, and it has hot in this place! Excellent top notch Italian at reasonable prices with impeccable old world "European" service! We were a large party and enjoyed every course. They make many of their pastas and sauces were flavorful. Their delicate touch and variations of trad southern Italian dishes were a welcome surprise, such as the tuna tartar. They did not flinch when one of us wanted a different sauce that was offered on a homemade pasta. Portions were ample. Great wine list and the desserts were also tasty.
(4)Duke B.
Service 9/10 Food. 7/10 Wine. 10/10 Overall I wasn't expecting much and had a great meal. They have a great wine selection and an upscale feel. It's not the ritz Carlton it's lowes portofino so don't be such a snob and you will probably love this place. We had the duck in a truffle sauce. The black grouper, fritto misto, radicchio salad and soup of the day which was an asparagus cream. All were great.
(4)J R.
Had a wonderful meal last night at Bice. I made reservations at 7pm on Friday for a table at 8:45. We were quickly sat and the host brought us some delicious bread and various hummus and sauces for dipping. My girlfriend and I went for the traditional courses. We started with the Caprese salad, which was wonderful, but a bit expensive at $20. We split a caesar salad with a $5 splitting fee. Our entrees ere delicious. I had the scaloppini chicken marsala and my girlfriend had pomodoro. If you're looking for a great italian meal and you don't really care how much money you spend, I definitely recommend Bice!
(4)Rob B.
Probably the best Italian food we have ever had. Service and ambiance were fantastic. Highly recommend
(5)Kevin M.
I recently went here as part of Magical Dining Month. The menu looked very appealing and I had been wanting to try this place for years. The experience was ok, but not something that blew my socks off. Our server was very nice, but it took a while for someone to come to our table. To the restaurant's credit, they were dealing with a massive party, which was taking a lot of their resources. Once we were recognized, the staff was very helpful. The restaurant is loud, really loud. We had difficulty hearing some of the wait staff due to the volume level. The décor is nice, with white linens and high ceilings. However, those high ceilings add to the volume issue. The restaurant is deep within the Portofino resort. You have to walk quite a way to get there and take a couple elevators or stairs. If dining with someone who is mobility impaired, this is quite a hike. Otherwise, it is a nice walk through a beautiful resort. You really forget you are in Orlando when going through the area. The restaurant validates your parking which makes valet a $5.00 choice, which is well worth it. The food was good, and worth our $33.00 for three courses price. If paying full price, I am not sure it would be such a good deal. Our appetizers, prosciutto wrapped shrimp and a beefsteak tomato with cheese were good. We ordered the ravioli with pesto and the chicken scaloppini. Both were tasty, although the pesto seemed a little salty. The desserts were awesome. Chocolate Crème Brulee was delicious and just tasted decadent. It was such a change from the usual vanilla crème brulee served everywhere. The Napoleon was also very good and the fruit and cream made a delicious combination. Overall, Bice was good, and worth giving it a try.
(3)Gustavo A. L.
Bice gets five solid stars in my book. Our experience was flawless. They were very accommodating to our group and gave a wonderful table with a great view of the harbor at the Portofino Hotel. The uniqueness of this restaurant, paired with the incredible location overlooking the harbor piazza at the Portofino gives it an unrivaled personality and perfect ambiance. Since there were a few of us in our party, we were able to sample just about all the entrees in their menu and nobody was disappointed. Now, I understand that in America, our expectations may be a bit different when it comes to portions. We are used to huge portions that we get served in those franchise style restaurants, but it is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, cheap ingredients artificially flavored to mask the mediocrity of the quality. In Bice, you will get reasonable portions of real food cooked to perfection in the original Italian style of their recipes. I would respectfully submit that if you immerse yourself in the cultural experience and give in to your surrounding and really take the time to enjoy your meal and your company, a night out at Bice will be your next five star review.
(5)Peter B.
Pretty decor and good service but the complements just about stop here. I eat out 4 - 5 days a week and this food is banquet quality at best. A few good items are the fried calimari and beef carpaccio. Now the problems. The risotto was lumpy and dry, the chicken Marsella rubbery and bland and the veal overcooked. The chief need to pay more attention to the kitchen and spend less time drinking French Burgundy with guests in the dinning room. My guess is he comes from a corporate/conference cooking background. This review, In fairness was only written after giving them a second chance. Unfortunately, the second visit was no better then the first.
(1)Marty C.
This is one of the nicest upscale Italian restaurant chains you will find. The venue is elegant and romantic with views of the man-made Portofino Bay. The interior is relaxing and (on our visit) full of mostly professional folks. Our waiter (Alex) was friendly, prompt and made our dining experience a great one. While we were mulling over the menu, we were presented with fresh bread and a trio of dipping options: hummus, balsamic EVOO and a pinkish cannellini bean mash that didn't have a distinct flavor. None of the choices were outstanding and we focused on the EVOO. For an appetizer, we tried their fried calamari, shrimp, zucchini and mushroom offering. The shrimp were huge. It came with their delicious marinara sauce and it was a mountain of fried heaven. Thank goodness we had the presence of mind not to order salads because this was huge. Alex had suggested the Ossobuco Di Vitello Con Risottto Allo Zafferano and the Costoletta Di Vitello Alla Milanese Con Rucola E Pomodorini. The ossobucco was fall-apart tender with a wonderful savory sauce atop of very tasty saffron flavored risotto that was perfectly cooked. The pounded veal schnitzel was a huge bone-in portion that had a small pile of arugula with cherry tomatoes in a vinaigrette dressing nestled on the side. It did not come with a starch which seems odd for an Italian restaurant. About half way through my schnitzel, I was craving something other than a lemon wedge to moisten the meat. In hindsight, I should have asked for some more of their luscious marinara. Overall, we had a fine meal considering their upscale price point. It is a beautiful restaurant that I found very relaxing. On future visits, I would be willing to sample more of their dishes and know to ask if their entrees come with a starch. We didn't have dessert but the coffee was wonderful. If you are anywhere close to Universal Orlando, hunt down Bice and give it a try.
(4)Lorraine H.
Now I know what non vip feels like (...again .. lol) $400 dinner (for 6 adults 2 kids) and instead of feeling it was worth every penny (2 birthdays at our table ) thinking we could have been elsewhere getting more for less
(3)Victor M.
Ignore the bad reviews, there are people that will find anything to complain about. We started with the calamari, it was awesome and it had huge shrimp in it. I had the ravioli, it melted in my mouth! My wife had tortellini , she loved it. Our Waiter Patrick gave us a dessert on the house because it was our 2 year anniversary. The pasta is homemade and super fresh!
(5)Ken C.
The service is the first standout for this restaurant. The food is also pretty good as the pasta and sauces tasted fresh. The wine selection was pretty good as well. Be ready because Bice is expensive but you do get quite the dining experience that makes it worthwhile. There was a piano playing in the background which promoted a great atmosphere. The Caesar salad was amazing the fra Diablo was spicy. Overall a great place.
(5)Dean C.
The food is really good and the service is fast and professional. For the price the portions are small but they do bring a lot bread. The salmon spread that comes with the bread is very good too. Our server was Emilio and he was a great waiter.
(4)Ronnie B.
When you are a theme park like Universal Studios, you are kind of a captive audience. Sure you can walk around and pay $15 for a burger in Nascar garb, another $15 burger in Hard Rock garb, another one at Margaritaville, shrimp at Bubba Gump, but I am sure you get the idea. There were a few selections for fine dining (including the Palm at the Hard Rock hotel and Emeril's Asian fusion restaurant, Tchoup Chop, at the Royal Pacific) plus a few possibles at CityWalk, but basically my choice was between the Palm and Bice at the Portofino where we were staying. If I go back, I would love to try The Palm, but I am so very glad that I chose Bice for a special dinner. First, this restaurant has a good wine list. It's not fantastic, but it's good and our waiter was able to make a few recommendations for by-the-glass starters. We decided to try out the Antipasto platter: quality or the lack thereof shows up quickly on things that are less prepared. We were not disappointed in the display nor the quality of the foods. I even asked if the chef had prepared the baby artichokes as they were quite tasty. Roasted red peppers, marinated tomatoes, mushrooms, Mortadella, aged provolone, some fantastic parmesan in big chunks...and I forget what else was there. It was just that delicious and I started to wonder whether I should have ordered dinner. The bread served was of two types, the better was the focaccia and there were three dips or spreads: a tuna, which was tasty... and did not taste like it came from a can (thank the Lord!) some very good quality olive oil with some herbs which was rather mild, and some hummus. If I were being picky, I would say that the hummus was a little bland. Saying that would be the absolute lowest art of the meal. My wife ordered a split pasta order, since she could not decide between the two. The first was little sacks filled with pear, Gorgonzola and something else I have forgotten. She let me taste it and it was exquisite. The second was a tagliatelle with a very very good Bolognese. I do not say this lightly as I have had Bolognese that tasted like tomato water with cream. I had a full plate of fettuccine with lobster and mushrooms. The lobster was beautifully prepared, not tough at all, very flavorful and the mushrooms excellent without being slimy or unpleasant. It was such an odd combination that I wondered whether it would work, but it did very well! the lobster had substance and the mushrooms did not add too much of an earthy quality. We had a bottle of the Sangiovese with the Bice label. It was quite light for a Sangiovese, but was a perfect accompaniment to the richness of the dishes. Why a red wine you ask? Yes, the little pear sacks might have done better with a good white, but overall I rather liked the red... and buying the bottle was a better deal for us. A final note on the pasta: after being assured that the pasta was made there by hand, I examined it carefully for flaws. One of the difficulties about making pasta is when pieces are thicker or thinner at various points. Not only were these three different pastas prepared perfectly, the texture of each of them was remarkable. I was very impressed. If you like The Olive Garden, you will have no idea why this is special. I mentioned it twice to the very attentive server and he told me about an old man who only made pasta in the kitchen by hand. fact or fable, it sounded good. I hope they keep him because pasta like this is a lost art. I hope they keep the chef too! he is not only talented, but he takes superb care in each of the dishes that I saw. We had a beautiful table overlooking the piazza, the service was excellent, the wine very good and the food was fabulous. I would drive from Tampa to have dinner here: it was that good! I will be back.
(5)Mary C.
A slice of Italy in Orlando. I enjoyed a very nice dinner here with my family. The general manager Francesco came to our table to make sure everything was to our liking. I thought the service was excellent, coupled with a great tasting extensive and fresh menu, it was an overall great dining experience. My brother literally ordered the whole left side of the menu - everything was delicious. My favorites were the risotto, calamari, mussels and carpaccio. Lovely!
(4)Kimberly S.
Avoid! We were very excited to have our Christmas Meal here - and overall it was an utter disappointment. It's overpriced and it underdelivers. The appetizer Calamari - which was $19 - was far overcooked. When I saw it on the menu, the description made it sound delicious...and it was not. Our salads were actually very nice - so ... a few points were gained at that moment in the meal. My entree was horrendous. I ordered the chicken dish which, again, sounded great from the description, and I couldn't even cut through it with a sharp knife it was so tough. At over $30 - I at least expected food! Not only that, no one even asked me why I wasn't touching my meal, and the server never popped back to check in. In addition, the bus boy cleared our meals away while my sister was still eating! Mind you, he cleared my full plate of food - and no questions were asked regarding the un-touched food. Come on folks - at these prices - lets provide etiquitte lessons for all employees! Overall though I recommend a strict - AVOID - and go to Mama Della's which is located about 50 yards away. I'm giving them 5 stars, and would give them 10,000 stars if I could!
(1)Nikki J.
I saw an advertisement for this restaurant in a fine dining magazine and decided to make reservations for my boyfriend and I while we were in Orlando. It has a very nice ambiance and I loved that some of the wait staff was actually from Italy because it made it feel a little more authentic. Some Good Notes About Bice: Food is outstanding! My boyfriend had never been to a fine dining Italian restaurant before, in fact he was a little frustrated at the menu because he didn't know what everything was and he's a picky eater at the same time. The restaurant was very accommodating and explained his options and recommended items to him based on his likes and they told him if he didn't enjoy his meal he could send it back. He had the Fettuccine Paglia e Fieno con Granchio, Capesante e Peperoni Arrostiti which is a Homemade Spinach and Egg Fettuccine with Crabmeat, Scallops and roasted bell Peppers in a roasted Garlic, Shallot and white Vermouth light Cream Sauce. I tried it and it was delicious. He even forced himself to eat the meal in its entirety because he loved it so much. I had the Spaghetti alla Chitarra alla Bolognese and because I'm not a huge fan of spaghetti the chef suggested another pasta for me to have with it that was homemade - can't recall the name but it was a wide noodle and such a better option then the spaghetti. The meat wasn't ground beef, it was real braised beef, super tender and full of flavor. I couldn't eat the whole plate because it was heavy and rich but I wanted to keep enjoying each forkful! Some Not So Good Notes: I was a little annoyed because I had made reservations in advance and we still weren't able to get a table by the window to enjoy the beautiful water view outside and unfortunately it was way to chilly and windy to sit outside. They weren't able to accommodate us to get a window table either. Bottom Line: Amazing food and I bet the experience would have been even better if the weather permitted us to sit outside and enjoy the gorgeous water view.
(4)Eric Y.
Pretty good for upscale Italian in a resort. It's pricey but in line with finer restaurants in the touristy Universal area. The decor is upscale. White linens, understated, refined, quiet. Beautiful views of the Portofino Hotel from 3rd floor locale. Nice touch: mini coat rack next to our table. Menu is in English and Italian, for that authentic touch. Large selection of salads and pasta (most handmade), all available in half orders which is great. Caesar salad is good but extra charge for anchovies? That's nickel and dime stuff. The shaved Parmesan tasted domestic - is that possible? The special soup, potato leak, was nice. Tortelloni with spinach and ricotta was perfectly al dente and the brown butter-sage sauce was good but where's the sage?. More of that "parmesan" too. I had veal osso bucco with saffron risotto. This was a huge hunk of meat. I want to see the calves on that cow! Anyhow, the meat was tasty but not as tender as it should be. The risotto was excellent. My wife had seafood fettucini, perfectly al dente and very flavorful but a bit dry. Tagliatelle with porcini cream sauce was very good. Prawns with polenta and oyster mushrooms was also good. We had the chocolate mousse cake (chocolatissimo - love that word), an excellent version of molten chocolate cake. Yum. Wine list is impressive but pricey, but how many places offer an Amarone by the glass? It was quite good, by the way. Again, pretty good for resort food, if you can stomach the prices.
(4)Leah F.
Very nice restaurant for a theme park resort
(4)Shawn S.
Beech-Ay. Always surprised to see kids in a restaurant where the average dish is in the high 20's. What I liked about this place was the food quality and the servers - ours did speak Italian so the ladies in our group could lose themselves in the moment just a bit. Nice wine list, white table linens were elegant. My only knock was the high cost of the food. I had the penne and tomatoes, quite tasty!
(3)Nobbi L.
Whereas the food is maybe a 3 to 4, the service was a 10. The only other restaurant I've been to with maybe better service was a now defunct franco-russian restaurant at the wyndham in the west hollywood area called diaghilev. We wanted half orders of several items because we were just two and had eaten a big lunch. Our waiter had offered the half orders, we accepted, but we got full orders. Way too much food. But we were not charged for the full orders. All in all, given the fact that we were in a tourist resort restaurant, we were really impressed with the service...
(5)Rita L.
i thought this restaurant wasn't so bad! It was the first time I was introduced to Moscato d' asti! Now my favorite wine ever! I love the waiter who introduced me to it! The food is forgettable, I already forgot what we ordered!
(3)Bill H.
My first review and it's not a good one. We're not high maintenance diners but this experience was bad enough that it warrants a review. While the food was OK , it was overpriced chain restaurant fare. I had a major problem with the service. Maybe it was the fact that we went in with kids but it is a restaurant based in a mid-range family resort (i.e. this is not the Grand Floridian). Anyway, I ordered what should have been a very nice glass of wine. I knew that I was taking a chance ordering premium wine by the glass but I assumed that such an expensive restaurant would only serve wine by the glass if they went through the bottle every other day or they'd be prepared to dump it. The wine was delivered and it was clearly bad. I drink enough wine to know when something has been sitting out in a warm environment for several days. It has that certain odor to it. I told the waiter (who already had a miserable attitude) and he reluctantly took it away. He came back 5 minutes later to tell me that his manager tasted the wine and thought it was fine. I told him to take it away anyway. Needless to say, there was much tension for the rest of the night. The waiter, no dummy at math, realized that the cost of the wine was very small in relation to his standard tip. So at the end of the meal, he let us know that they would take the glass off the bill and smiled for the first time that night. It was the right thing to do but it should have been done right away and without the drama.
(1)Kevin A.
IS IT PRONOUNCED BI-TCHY? Because that's how our server acted...BITCHY. After a week of bad hotel food at another property, my co-workers and I were excited to have a nice Italian meal at Bice. Unfortunately our server prevented that from happening. Despite the restaurant only being about half full, he took forever to take our wine and food order, made no attempt to be polite, and was totally unapologetic for the slow service. All in all, he spent less than one minute at our table the entire evening. To make matters worse, the osso bucco was tender, yet under-seasoned and had a strange odor to it (think Alpo). On the plus side, the saffron risotto was among the best I've ever had which is the only thing keeping my rating at 3 stars. I'd give Bice another chance, but I'll definitely make sure I get a different server.
(3)Justin S.
this place will define between amature and professional dinning. if you have to check your bank account before going, then stay away. this place is not for you. if you like me, and enjoy true service.. bice is the spot! we had 4 people in our party and went on pure reccomendations from the staff.. the chef sent about 7 different courses at us... it was simply amazing! beautiful atmosphere and some of the best pasta dishes and dessert i have ever had. i suggest getting a room out there, its worth it. ask for francesco, he is the best!
(5)PB F.
At first, I thought this restaurant was pronounced like 'Bice' like rhymes with 'Dice' and 'Rice.' But it turns out, after getting the welcome from the man in the white suit jacket working there, that it is pronounced 'Bitch-ay'. Haha. Anyway, the ambiance was typical pretentious, kind of like older person, cruise-ship-esque. It was empty when I went. Dim lighting and white table cloths kind of place with the waiters in their white suit jackets being all polite and formal. First of all, they brought out some bread. The bread was tasty, and came with some garlic-y spreads. They were kind of strong, the spreads. One was very garlic and butter, and the other was strong fishy taste. I skipped the appetizer since I wasn't that hungry and opted for the Ahi Tuna, because that is usually a light plate with a nice healthy tasting slab of fish. When it arrived, I saw like 6 or 7 slabs of fish on the dish. It was a huge serving. It was enough for 4 people. Crazy. It was on top of a mish mash of cooke zuchini and potato, as well as soggy cooked rasins and some other stuff I couldn't see because it was dim lighting. The fish itself was ok, but kind of thick and jelly tasting. Fresh enough. The stuff underneath it was gross. The other dishes we ordered were very mediocre and non memorable. I don't even remember what some of them were. I give this place 2 stars instead of 3 because it was overpriced and the food wasn't that great. I wouldn't go back. There is so much other better food in the world. So much! This food and this restaurant really had no personality. And was way overpriced for what it was. Forget Bice and have some rice instead, or have something else that's actually nice.
(2)Erica S.
We went here on our first night in Orlando, and by "first night in Orlando" I mean, we actually moved here. I am holding out for some amazing restaurants and new experiences, and I probably won't be back to many of them because I plan on going all over the south in search of BBQ, so we went for broke at this place--ordered mussels to start (good buttery and herb broth, mussels were OK), a half order of their chock-full of short rib and herbs and good stuff ravioli (rich and perfectly cooked and delicious), and the risotto foie gras (it was a little one-note) paired with an interesting blended wine that sort of had a hint of mushrooms (I know, sounds gross, but it was a good pair with the Italian fare). Our server was really friendly and took the time to describe the restaurant briefly, along with their mission statement (they have several restaurants, and this particular one makes all of it's pasta fresh in-house every day). The restaurant itself is a little hidden inside the Loews Orlando Portofino resort, but it's a nice walk past the "lake Como" pond and a pretty view to the sparkling water. If you get your parking validated, it's free to park.
(3)Danielle R.
Service was friendly and good - when we were given attention. Our dinner was a great experience, as we had a great group of people we were enjoying the evening with, but this became an incredibly "leisurely" dinner based on the amount of time it took to get our orders, and lengthy times between courses. That being said, we were generally happy with our menu selections. While they encourage the traditional Italian 4 course meal, we knew better and chose to have a few of the pastas as starters along with a few of the other apps. The short rib ravioli was lovely; the filling was perhaps not quite as rich and densely flavored as I anticipated, but it was good and I would look forward to it again! Others at the table enjoyed the lamb, and veal scaloppini. Two of us had the veal Milanese that was coated much heavier and more fried than anticipated, taking away from the tenderness of the lovely cut of meat. The tomatoes and arugula were bright fresh flavors, but I would have liked more of the balsamic drizzle. (This is part of a group of Bice restaurants)
(3)Christiane W.
The food was fantastic. My mother had a salad and I had the Risotto. My mom tasted my Risotto and said it was the best thing she'd ever had. Sitting outside, you're at the mercy of any events being put on by the Hotel. There was some pretty bad music coming from a reception. The outside seating is lovely, otherwise. We weren't wild about our server. I served for years, and this guy was technically outstanding, but there just wasn't any personality there. He wasn't interested in engaging us in any way, just serving. And some people want that, but we're not those people, and part of being a great server is recognizing when to engage and when to hang back. He never made eye contact with either of us, which I thought was very strange.
(4)Robin S.
The resturant has very nice decor. We had a reservations and were seated immediately. Then they tried to seat us at the worst table in the resturant while the resturant was about 25% full. They agreed to move us to another table but it was not much better. The most frustrating part was that lovely tables sat empty throughout the night so I was amazed as to why they would seat us at a table where the waiters come in from the outside tables and the waiter POS system is located right there also. More a typical theme park resturant rather than the upscale establishment they advertise as. The appetizers were good , the mussels and the anti pasto. The entrees not so great. Two of the pasta dishes looked like they had sat in tha back for some time as the sauces became gummy rather than freshly glistening. The homemad pasta has begun to get gummy and hard around the edges so again I am sure it sat before coming out to us. The veal scallopinni was like veal and onion juice. I was unable to eat it. The waiter never came to ask how our food was. The wine was very good. The Napoleano pastry puff was fantastic. I would not waste the money and ever eat there again under any circumstances.
(2)Robin B.
Me and my valentine had dinner in Bice, during a short trip in Orlando. the location of the place is really suggestive. We had dinner around 9.45pm and besides the fact the kitchen was about to close, we had a great experience, the manager Robert, took care of our table in a very professional way, the way a great server is suppose to be. Our plates where served at the right time and temperature, the portions were more than enough, the value is pretty good. The profitterols is a must, delicious. if you go to Orlando Bice is the right place to have dinner, well located, great food, Just perfect if you wanna impress your girl and have a great italian intimate experience.
(5)Andrew C.
Bice is a hotel restaurant located on the campus of the Loews Portofino Bay resort. The resort is beautiful. The restaurant sits on the water on a second floor. The inside of the restaurant is quite nice, though exceedingly cold. I was expecting to see meat hanging. We ate a Prix Fixe menu since we were a large group. The salad was tasty, though quite bitter with endive and other rare greens. However, very fresh, crisp. The gnocchi was tasty, though not fork rolled--more like a 1cm roll of potato cut every 1/2 inch. The tomato basil sauce was quite fresh. I'd have to say very tasty, quite good, but not the best I've ever had. the dessert was a Tiramisu which was light, well-flavored. Service was fantastic. I would say that the food was quite good, but overpriced for what you get, but this is likely due to its location at the resort.
(3)