Another LA favourite will soon debut in Riyadh

Bianca, a celebrated restaurant and bakery concept, will take up residence at Via Riyadh.

It’s been a summer of excitement in the Saudi capital, all seemingly thanks to a singular address: Via Riyadh. A five-star hotel, leading fashion brands, and state-of-the-art cinemas aside, the new lifestyle destination is also home to the likes of Spago by Wolfgang Puck and celebrity-favourite WAGYUMAFIA. And soon, a new eatery by the name of Bianca will join the line-up, opening its doors on 18 August.

Brought to the Saudi capital by luxury and lifestyle hospitality holding Cool Inc, Bianca is no ordinary dining concept. A celebrated restaurant-bakery hybrid in Los Angeles, it was created by Gianni and Nicola Vietina, part of the family behind longstanding Madeo Ristorante, in partnership with former Four Seasons Hotel executive pastry chef, Federico Fernandez. “Bianca offers an intersection of international flavours inspired by our childhood, our families and the multicultural influences of Los Angeles,” says Gianni.

Designed to bring family and friends together, Bianca strikes the perfect balance between comfort and quality, cultivating a welcoming atmosphere and immersing its guests in the distinct culinary influences of its owners. A visit to Bianca is as much about cuisine as it is about lifestyle. Named after the grandmother of the Vietina brothers, the restaurant serves as a homage to her unwavering devotion to cooking and charming hospitality. Incidentally, bianca means ‘white’ in Italian, the colour of flour, which is more than just an ingredient at the restaurant — it is celebrated as a source of nourishment, community and creativity.

“After opening Bianca [in Los Angeles] in 2019, we looked forward to taking the concept internationally and felt that the Saudi capital is the perfect location for expanding the brand,” adds Gianni. “We see Bianca as a destination for epicurean pleasure and community, an ideal fit for the kingdom’s diverse guests that crave multicultural, upscale yet casual fare. We are very much looking forward to taking Saudi guests on a culinary journey through the experiences of both Fede and myself.”

Bianca Riyadh will offer full service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a strong core menu complemented by a rotation of seasonal specials. Signature dishes include Bianca’s tomato bisque avocado toast, croque madame, grilled gamberoni, and entraña with chimichurri along with a variety of innovative delights inspired by cultural celebrations of the chefs and the local community. 

The bakery, meanwhile, will be dedicated to a wide selection of organic sourdough bread and decadent pastries baked daily (crispy baguettes, rustic ciabattas, and airy country loaves included) as well as gourmet pastries such as pistachio-baked brioche and Argentinian shortbread sandwich cookies. Alluding to the name of the restaurant, the foundation of Bianca’s interiors is bright and airy with strong natural light, this aesthetic echoing the chefs’ coastal roots and inspired by Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany, Italy.

GO: Follow @bianca.saudi on Instagram for more information.