BiCE Cucina has made the trip downtown. The renowned Italian restaurant on 55th Street between 5th and Madison Avenues opened a second location in Manhattan this week, in the heart of Soho at 15 Watts Street.
BiCE Cucina Soho is a relaxed and elegant space with some contemporary touches. The décor is stylish and bright, with fresh flowers, green plants, and tables surrounding two huge columns that have been transformed into trees by a local artist. The idea was inspired by BiCE Restaurant Group CEO Raffaele Ruggeri and it’s meant to bring positive energy, he says.
Ossobuco at BiCE in Manhattan. Photo: ©Erica Dunhill
“Soho is a hot spot now,” Ruggeri says. “After this past year, it is the right location to open a new restaurant. I am from Milan and with BiCE Cucina Soho, what I am trying to convey in this restaurant is the Milan state of mind. It’s about the way we eat, drink, and do things.”
The BiCE Cucina menu has adapted to meet the needs of today’s diners, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options now in the mix. Pinsa, the traditional Roman pizza with a light, airy crust, is served all day, and a menu of small dishes is available for late-evening visitors.
“We like to eat well,” Ruggeri explains. “Everything is made from scratch in a homemade style. We make our own bread and fresh pasta. You come into my restaurant and you come into my home.”
He says that must-tries on the menu are Taglioni Lobster, Ravioli Marsala, Ossobuco, and Pappardelle al Telefono.
Linguine Vongole at BiCE in Manhattan. Photo: ©Erica Dunhill
With family ties and culinary traditions that date back nearly a century, BiCE Cucina Soho brings together the flavors and hospitality of Northern Italy and the chic style of contemporary New York.
The history of the restaurant goes back almost a century to 1926, when Beatrice Ruggeri, known as Bice, opened a restaurant in Milan. Her goal was to share with diners the dishes most loved by her family. As the oldest of 10 children, she was the cook and helped raise her siblings; she understood the importance of ingredients and valued the lively atmosphere of the kitchen and the table.
Today, with restaurants around the world—including the original Milan location and the original Manhattan spot on 55th St.—BiCE is in the hands of Beatrice’s children and grandchildren. Ruggeri is her grandson, and his New York partner and long-time friend is Peter Guimaraes.
To help set the mood at their latest effort, BiCE Cucina SoHo will feature a DJ on Friday and Saturday evenings, and live upbeat jazz to accompany Sunday brunch.