PIzza Bianca at Riverside 66, Tianjin
Pizza Bianca - this is casual dining restaurant known to every expat in Tianjin and many a local family too. Why? It is simple - quality Italian fare at an affordable price served in a stylish but very family friendly environment. They have just added another branch to a growing portfolio at the upmarket Riverside 66 Mall in Heping. Like two other outlets, yes, it too is in a mall. The problem I have with mid range restaurants in malls is that they are soulless and smack of commercialism. So, it was with this in mind that I tried the recently soft opened Pizza Bianca to see, firstly, if it was just a copy of its other outlets and lastly, if it was just another mall restaurant, good enough for a quick bite while shopping or if it could be a destination in itself.
The restaurant
This is definitely a mall restaurant with quite a bit of soul and character. Roman pillars reinforce the restaurant's concept of paying homage to Roman dishes while at the same time adding an aesthetic element to it. Glorious floor to ceiling windows offer unobstructed views of the rooftops of homes and also some of the striking architecture in the area. The windows give a sense of freedom and if you are someone who hates malls, it is possible to get to the restaurant without having to pass too many stores. However, the most exciting aspect of the restaurant's appeal is the terrace. There are not many mall restaurants in the city that allow terrace dining on the 6th or higher floor and I tell you, I am beside myself. Standing on the terrace with a glass of bubbles or an Aperol Spritz is enough reason to want to visit the restaurant. I cannot wait for terrace dining to commence - it is cold now!
The Menu
Pizza Bianca at Riverside 66 is based on a Roman concept, so expect different menu items compared to the other branches. The menu is more substantial, with some dishes exclusively served here at Riverside 66. On my visit, I tried quite a few. I am really excited about the thin crusted pizza. I tried the 72 hour Roman sourdough Prosciutto and rucola pizza - that crust was perfect; crispy but still with enough dough to make me feel I am having a pizza. I also tried the Margherita Mozarella basil pizza, part of an impressive vegetarian selection. It was hard not to appreciate the simplicity of this - that is how one should judge a pizza, without the fancy toppings. You can't go wrong with this 75 yuan offering.
Value for Money meets Quality
Since its opening, I have been to the Riverside 66 Pizza Bianca twice. On one occasion, my bill came to 260 yuan and that included a bottle of their house Prosecco. That was for 2 people. This is one of the big draw cards to this restaurant. This branch has stuck with the basic pricing that you will find at other Pizza Biancas but has just added some premium dishes, meaning now more than ever, they really cater for every pocket. The new branch continues that trend of affordable Italian dishes that also check the ingredients box.
The Verdict
It did not take me long to become a fan of the new branch of Pizza Bianca. The sun bathing the restaurant through those windows, the terrace, a menu that includes both classic Pizza Bianca dishes as well as new ones exclusive to this branch and finally value for money make this one of my two go-to mall restaurants in Tianjin. I cannot wait for Summer so I can have that Aperol Spritz on the terrace while looking at the city I am happy to call my home. It is a haven from the hustle and bustle of shopping malls, and is now a mall I would visit just for Pizza Bianca. You should too! A destination in its own right. And yes, as the sun's rays kissed my face, I felt my soul move.
Brandon Stoltenkamp
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