Ici Urban Bistro offers a fresh and contemporary twist on traditional French bistro cuisine. Offering French comfort food using the best local ingredients, Ici provides patrons with the perfect place to mix, mingle, share and enjoy. Executive chef Franck Loquet.
"I 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!"
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: romantic
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"Our 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 return"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, notable wine list, kid-friendly, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Based 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."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The service was bad, and they did not know what they were doing. They were nice but unorganized. Food was very good, except for the duck, as it was not cooked properly. We had a good time overall, and the food was good, but over priced."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"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."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic
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"We 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."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"The 30-minute lunch box is a tasty mix. The ambience is quiet for conversation. The service is fine. But skip the Sancerre by the glass - much too expensive at $18! That's equal to more than $100 a bottle. This means lunch costs more than $50 a head including tax and tip - without going near the a la carte menu."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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"I 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."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"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."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We 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."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"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."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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"We 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."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for lunch
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"Perhaps 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!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Warm, 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!"
Dined on 03/27/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"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."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"we 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."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, great for lunch
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"I brought my wife here for her birthday while we were staying on vacation at the Sofitel. The service and staff were so gracious and made her night such a memorable experience. The food was outstanding, creative and absolutely delicious. We have ranked this as quite possibly our best dining experience ever but have definitely ranked it as our most memorable. Thank you, Ici!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We are long time patrons of Ici Urban Bistro inside the Sofitel Hotel. We almost always find street parking, but the valet parking is also very easy. The service is consistently the best out of all of the restaurants we frequent in DC. The food is also consistently excellent. The assortment of breads are wonderful and the soups (often not shown on the online menu) are always flavorful. We love both the squash soup and french onion soup. Our two favorite waiters have been there for as long as we have been going (5+ years now..). The lounge across the hall is great place to have a "before" or "after" drink as well. The ambiance in both are very nice (black and red color scheme). The sound level is perfect for conversation"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"Went to DC for a Valentine's weekend getaway... Ici Urban Bistro was perfect. Food and service were terrific. Best meal out we've had in a long time...and we eat out a lot. A little pricey but worth every cent."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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"we went for restaurant week but also ordered a la carte. the escargot was different than other places but amazing! the scallops were to die for, and good thing we left room for dessert as they were amazing (we usually split a dessert, but not this time!). and to top it off, the service was impeccable."
Dined on 02/10/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Love this place but it gets noisy so recommend that you go early and make a reservation. TIP: There is a quiet lounge across from Ici Urban Bistro that feels more upscale hotel lobby than high end restaurant like ICI but... it is managed by the ICI team and offers many delicacies. Recommend and early lunch at ICI followed by coffee and dessert across the hallway!"
Dined on 02/08/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Service and food were amazing! Have not seen service like that in quite some time. Personable yet very professional. Managers and servers were fantasic. Food was amazing!"
Dined on 02/08/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We had a marvelous experience with the Restaurant Week menu and suberb service from our very helpful waiter, Marlos. The restaurant is intimate, but you do not feel as if you are overhearing the conversation of others. My friends loved the celeriac veloute soup, adn the sous chef came to our table to explain the proportions.
PS: I highly recommend the Blue Parisian."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Excellent food. Went to ICI as a part of Restaurant Week. Had a nice lunch. Mostly pairs dining, although there was one large party of 10. The noise level in the restaurant was surprisingly high due to this party of 10 and it being the lunch hour on a Friday."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
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"I have not felt so close to Europe since my last visit there. The food was all is should be and our waiter was excellent. He was a better sommelier than half the fine dining restaurants I have visited recently."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
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"This is a lovely, quiet and romantic restaurant. It's an expensive restaurant, but for $35.13 I's a great bargain. If you get the flights of wine, there's enough for sharing.
My husband and I had: Celery Soup Veloute: Rich comfort food balanced with the tartness of green apple. Wonderful! Salad with Pomegranate: A first rate salad with a light vinaigrette and the blast of flavor from the pomegranate seeds. Short rib stew: So yummy. If you like tender long cooked stews, this one's for you. It had a lovely hint of rosemary. It was served on a bed of mashed potatoes too. Perfect winter fare. Gnocci with Mushrooms: I a word, wonderful. Pear and chocolate dessert. The best thing we ate. Just. Try. It."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"One of my favorite places because it's quiet. Went during restaurant week so it was louder, more crowded than usual. Regardless, great food and service as always."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, great for lunch
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