Bice Bistro at Westgate City Center Among the array of restaurants at the ever-growing Westgate City Center in Glendale is a new standout: Bice Bistro.

The Italian restaurant has a contemporary feel from the moment you step inside. The decor is light and sophisticated, and attention is immediately drawn to the wine wall lining one entire side of the restaurant. Televisions tuned to sporting events hang above the bar at the front, but there is quieter, more intimate seating in the back.

When my dining companions and I first saw the menu, we knew we were in for quite a treat. Bice Bistro offers a wide variety of Italian food, including pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, fish and meat. As soon as the bread arrived at the table, it was clear that we would not be disappointed with the overall meal. The bread was served with butter spiced with flecks of red pepper, making it difficult to save room for the entrees as we gorged on the high-carb treat.

Of the appetizers we chose to sample, the overwhelming table favorite was the calamari. Served with mushrooms, zucchini and a spicy tomato sauce, it was perfectly cooked — the lightest and fluffiest I have ever tasted. Not surprisingly, it was much fought-over and completely devoured before too much time had passed.

Luckily, our salads soon arrived and diverted our attention. Bice Bistro offers the usual green and Caesar salads, and the Caesar, which had a hint of garlic, was definitely delicious. The star salad of the evening, however, was what our lovely waitress called the “house specialty.” The baby spinach salad came with beets, goat cheese, pine nuts and lemon vinaigrette. The beets in particular were fresh, and even those of us who had never tasted beets before thoroughly enjoyed them.

Before long our entrees were served and, as with the appetizers and salads, we were pleasantly surprised by the diversity of flavors. Our pizza of choice, fotomodella, had tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, arugula, and the key ingredient, truffle oil. Needless to say, it was distinct from any pizza any of us had ever tasted, and it was easily a favorite. Another favorite entree was the crab-and-shrimp-stuffed ravioli with a lobster cream sauce. The ravioli is made in-house, and it was perfectly cooked. The rich and creamy sauce, however, was what really made the dish.

Finally, it was time for dessert. Although we all thought we had filled up, we still managed to relish three delicious treats: tiramisu, chocolate souffle and mango sorbet. The tiramisu and souffle were equally exquisite, and we were all impressed with how rich the souffle was without being overly sweet. The sorbet, which also is offered in other fruity flavors, was simple yet delicious — the perfect alternative if you’re just not hungry enough for a full dessert, but can’t imagine walking away with nothing. AZ Business Magazine March 2010

So the next time you’re at Westgate and feeling overwhelmed by the vast number of restaurants vying for your business, relax — Bice Bistro will not disappoint.

If You Go:
Bice Bistro
6751 N. Sunset Blvd., #E-110
Westgate City Center, Glendale
(623) 877-4760
www.biceglendale.com

 

AZ Business Magazine

March 2010