newsroom

Bianca, the beloved LA-based restaurant and bakery concept is set to open in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Via Riyadh. Brought to the Saudi capital as part of the brand’s joint venture with Cool Inc, the pioneer of transformation in Saudi’s hospitality and leisure market.

Opened in 2019, Bianca was created by Gianni and Nicola Vietina, part of the family behind long-standing Madeo Ristorante, in partnership with former Four Seasons Hotel Executive Pastry Chef, Federico Fernandez. Bianca is a restaurant and bakery, offering a menu influenced by the owners’ roots – Italian, Argentinean & French. 

Designed to bring family and friends together, Bianca strikes the perfect balance between comfort and quality, cultivating a welcoming atmosphere. Bianca is an elevated, upscale dining experience that immerses diners in the distinct culinary influences of its owners, transcending them to a European destination. A visit to Bianca is as much about the cuisine as it is about the lifestyle.

“We are committed to bringing Saudi diners the very best F&B experiences from around the world and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to import Bianca and its longstanding legacy to the Kingdom. This exciting concept combining a top-notch restaurant with an extensive in-house bakery and fresh pastry selection will be an amazing addition to the local dining scene,” said Sinaan Al Saady, Group CEO at Cool Inc. 

Named after the Vietina brother’s grandmother, Nonna Tina, the restaurant was inspired by her culinary passion and is an homage to her unwavering devotion to cooking and charming hospitality.

Bianca means white in Italian, the color of flour, which is more than just an ingredient at the restaurant – it is celebrated as a source of nourishment, community, and creativity. Its versatility is showcased through the restaurant’s varied offering, with flour as the single most treasured ingredient at its core.  

“After opening Bianca in 2019, we looked forward to taking the concept international and feel that the Saudi capital is the perfect location for expanding the brand. We see Bianca as a destination for epicurean pleasure and community, an ideal fit for the Kingdom’s guests that crave multi-cultural, upscale yet casual fare,” explained Gianni Vietina. “We are very much looking forward to taking Saudi diners on a culinary journey through Fede’s and my own personal experiences.”

Bianca offers 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; entraña with chimichurri, along with a variety of innovative delights inspired by cultural celebrations, both by those of the chefs’ and the local communities.

The bakery is dedicated to a wide selection of organic sourdough bread and decadent pastries baked daily, including crispy baguettes; rustic ciabattas; airy country loaves and herbed French fougasse, as well as gourmet pastries such as nutty pistachio baked brioche; alfajores, an Argentinian short-bread sandwich cookies; extra-creamy cheesecake; fudge-laden chocolate cake; and custard -filled emerald green pistachio raspberry cake.

Alluding to the name of the restaurant, the foundation of Bianca’s interiors is bright and airy with access to a lot of natural light. The aesthetic is a layered expression of the chefs’ coastal roots and inspired by Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany, Italy.