August 2, 2017
It's been rumored for awhile that Downtown San Diego's BiCE Ristorante would soon close. The space was up for sale and was far too large for its customer base. Today speculations were confirmed through an email sent to customers and friends where Executive Chef & Owner Mario Cassineri announced that tonight would be the last evening of service.
"Unfortunately, fine dining does not have the draw it once had," said Cassineri in his emailed statement. "This reality, combined with unforgiving leases and the rising cost of labor, brought us to a very difficult decision. We are simply unable to continue to provide our guests with the dining experience BICE was created to provide."
With locations that span the globe from Dubai to Buenos Aires, the privately-owned BiCE (pronounced "Bee-chay") Ristorante was first opened by Beatrice "Bice" Ruggeri in Milan, Italy in 1926, and has since been grown by her family to have locations in Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Kuwait, Iran and numerous incarnations around the United States. The large San Diego location at the corner of 4th and Island Avenues is actually BiCE's second effort in downtown San Diego. The first time around, it opened on the top floor of the Paladion (originally a mall of luxury shops, now an office building) in the early 1990s, but failed to attract a sufficient clientele to remain in business. BiCE returned to San Diego in October 2009.
We have spoken to the Italian-born Cassineri about the trials and tribulations of operating his restaurant in the heart of downtown San Diego. He explained that the rising costs of doing business would likely force him from downtown San Diego and that he aspired to revive his concept in a different part of town, possibly Little Italy. Cassineri is still involved as a consulting chef at University Height's Madison and as a partner in Liberty Station's Officine Buona Forchetta, which is also opening a branch in Encinitas in 2018.
BiCE Ristorante is located at 425 Island Avenue in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit
bicesandiego.com and check out the full farewell statement below.
To all our friends and family:
For the past 9 years, we have strived to bring our guests unique and amazing dining experiences. Opening BICE was big for all involved. It brought life to the once vacant corner of 4th and Island, and served as special place to gather with friends. We could have never imagined BICE would become what it did, and mean so much to so many. We set out to bring people together and serve amazing food in a beautiful space where everyone felt welcomed. To us, it was a complete success.
Unfortunately, fine dining does not have the draw it once had. This reality, combined with unforgiving leases and the rising cost of labor, brought us to a very difficult decision. We are simply unable to continue to provide our guests with the dining experience BICE was created to provide. Because of that, our last day of service will be tonight.
To our loyal and incredible staff who made up the BICE family, we wouldn't have been successful all these years if it weren't for you. Our guests consistently returned because of your warm, caring service and dedication to BICE. We thank you for making BICE a special place to be.
To the many purveyors and guests who have become close friends over the years, we are forever grateful to you. We sincerely thank you for all your years of continued patronage and support. Without you, the last nine years would not have been filled with the happiness and laughter that made us keep going. This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult decisions we've ever made, but it has become an unfortunate reality for many in our industry. We hope we have given you as many joyful memories as you have given us, and look forward to breaking bread with you all soon.
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Addio per ora, or goodbye for now.
Mario Cassineri and the BICE family
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