Ici Urban BistroI came to Ici Urban BistroI came to Ici Urban Bistro on a date, and do not regret the choice at all. It is very romantic and makes a great impression. The service was very good: attentive without being pushy or intrusive, and very knowledgeable. The food didn't quite measure up to the rest of the experience though. Our appetizers (the beets and the asparagus) were under-seasoned and not particularly inventive, while my entree (the black bass) was very salty. To be fair, I was warned before hand that the vegetables were served in a salty sauce, but I wasn't quite prepared for the fact that it was almost inedible. That being said our fish were cooked perfectly. Our sorbets were top notch and beautifully plated. I will certainly return to/recommend this restaurant!5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Find in WashingtonBased on recommendations in Open Table, we booked a Saturday evening dinner with friends at Ici Urban Bistro. It far exceeded our high expectations. Since we all spoke a little French, we tried it with the maitre'd and wait staff, and enjoyed laughs and conviviality as we started with Champagne and ordered our meals. The food was delicious, the service professional, and the ambience invitingly quiet as we enjoyed all the courses, crowned by desserts that were "to die for." After our friends departed on Sunday, my wife and I returned for dinner and found it just as good as on Saturday. I guess that one should expect this from a restaurant in a Sofitel Hotel. We'll make it number one on our list when we return to DC for another weekend.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMPhenomenal ExperienceOur entire dining experience was incredible. The food was fantastic, highly recommend the chicken crepes to start, and the prime rib was exquisite. Our server (Mouna?) was one of the best we have had, we were visited by 3 different managers throughout the meal, every single one with genuine concern for how our experience was going. There was a lot to be impressed by, but most impressive was the awareness of the staff - our server recommended a terrific non alcoholic mojito for my wife who was not drinking, offered accompanying honey to our cheese board to meet my wife's sweet pallet, and paired a perfect red wine with my prime rib. I cannot say enough - or wait to return5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMParis in DCThis was French dining in DC at its best. The sleek decor, intimate tables, knowledgeable and helpful French staff served to
showcase the fresh menu of creative and tasty offerings of traditional favorites. From the menu offerings we had no trouble ordering three courses. Our server and staff were very helpful in finding just the right wines. Instead of dessert, our third course was a sampling of French cheeses, which were wonderful. But our server surprised us with a sampling from their homemade desserts - delectable almond macaroons with our espresso. What a finish! The food was excellent in preparation and flavor, the atmosphere subdued but friendly and all well worth the level of dining. We will return on our next visit to DC.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMA Perfect Evening!What would you call a delicious meal served in a quiet, romantic setting with soft background music, served by a staff of individuals who wanted to insure your complete enjoyment from start to finish? A perfect evening! The fresh sea scallops and halibut dishes were exquisitely prepared, and our dessert of molten chocolate cake with house made ice creams was the perfect finish. A very enjoyable and memorable evening for the food, the wine recommendation, and most importantly for the kind and thoughtful service extended to us by every member of the staff.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful RestaurantWe loved the small quiet French restaurant (with American size portions) in the Sofitel hotel. Along with the great menu they also have a "diet" or light menu for those who are calorie conscious. The food is outstanding and the service is great. Beautiful outdoor seating is available under the large shady trees. Excellent selection of wines, cheeses, and entrees. Make a reservation as it can be filled with the Washington business people as it is 3 blocks from the White House. Even breakfast can be crowded during the week.
Being smaller than most DC restaurants, it is wonderful to have a low level of noise while enjoying a great meal with excellent service.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOur best meal in D.C.We were amazed by the wonderful dining experience that we had here. Our waitress was exquisitely attentive but not obtrusive and gave a wonderful presentation of truly outstanding cuisine. Starting with complimentary lobster salad canapé, it ended with equally wonderful gifts from the pastry chef. In-between were generous portions of superlative culinary offerings. My wife enjoyed chilled pea soup and my clams with chorizo were savory & satisfying. Her veal T-bone with morels and asparagus overcame her capacity (but I was pleased to help her out). My red drum fillet was PERFECTLY cooked & overlaid al dente white beans. Our wine, chosen from excellent choices, worked perfectly. This was a meal we hope to repeat whenever we're in town.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMI was very impressed withI was very impressed with Ici Urban Bistro. The food was fantastic and I felt the service was exemplary. Our waiter paid attention to every detail and was very flexible. The entire experience felt very personal without being the least bit stuffy. I was surprised that it was not more packed on a Friday night. I highly recommend to anyone staying in town near metro center to consider Ici Urban Bistro. I will absolutely be back again.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was our first time at IciIt was our first time at Ici Urban Bistro and we were extremely pleased. The food and service were very good. We can't wait to go back again soon.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMQui, quiVery posh, and excellent atmosphere. I don't speak french, but I felt like I did after leaving.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe arrived 20 minutes lateWe arrived 20 minutes late due to heavy traffic, but were greeted very graciously and immediately seated at a table by the picture window with a spectacular view of promenad dinners and passers- by.
Our waiter was friendly but not patronising very helpful. We started with cocktails and enjoyed the view and modern ambiance while we talked our waiter periodically would check on us in the most unobtrusive way, that aspect alone makes it worth coming back for. Finally we ordered, appetizers and main course, they arrived in a timely manner, not bunched up and crowding the table, very orderly, the way it should be.
We definitely plan to return.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMUne très bonne adresse!!!Voilà un restaurant fort sympathique où on y mange très bien. Leur menu "léger" est très intéressant. Le service est impeccable4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWent by myself for dinner.Went by myself for dinner. One of my "tests" is how a fine restaurants treats single women diners...passed with flying colors. Great table and I notice that they did that for all of us. Superb service and beautiful food.. Don't expect huge portions. This is about amazing presentations fascinating blends or taste and texture . Scallops were fabulous. Hope to go back next time I'm in town.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had breakfast at ICI BistroWe had breakfast at ICI Bistro because of the good reviews and the location, in our hotel. I had the eggs Benedict, the eggs were slightly overdone, I like them runny. The holland aisle was excellent. My wife had pancakes that were very good. They placed a basket of fresh made breads at the table, they were all wonderfull. Anything bread related seems to be the way to go. Service was impeccable. Very nice upscale atmosphere. We will return.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMHidden GemPerhaps the best fine dining that I've had in DC, especially for the price. The escargot was fantastic and the duck was brilliant. Outstanding service by Marlos. I could not have had better service. Marlos took care of me and my girlfriend who celebrated her 24th birthday that night. Excellent! Highly recommend!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service and foodExcellent service and food - a memorable experience.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food, Outstanding ServiceWarm, hospitable, friendly, helpful and yet not pretentious is how I describe the service at this eatery. My 11 year old son, who is very well travelled, declared one of their 5 varieties of bread the best he's ever had. We enjoyed the fois gras, French onion soup, and the pork loin. We were too full to try the scrumptious looking deserts. Bets of all was the service. This was all very unexpected from a hotel cafe!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMMy girl's night out was fabulous!My girl's night out was fabulous! Ici Urban Bistro is a fantastic restaurant and one I'll return to when I want to have a special evening with great food, service and ambiance. Thank you.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMReally enjoyed. PortionsReally enjoyed. Portions are typical of French restaurants. Food tastes very fresh.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMwe loved icibistro and willwe loved icibistro and will definitely be back. we were there for breakfast, the staff was most attentive and friendly, the pastries are TO DIE FOR. the french pressed coffee strong and yummy. we highly recommend a place to stop for brunch while sightseeing.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThe egg white omelette wasThe egg white omelette was great - very tasty, not oily and lovel presentation!! Best healthy breakfast I've ordered with wonderful service. Alway spooking for accessible restaurants that are truly wheelchair accessible and Ici was . . . . we will be back.1/9/2013 12:00:00 AM