ici

I had my 30th birthday at ici's new private dining room last weekend. Our party was literally the second one to take place in that room as it's only just opened a week ago. The room is just above the main restaurant in an stunning brownstone, it's just been redecorated and there are lots of original features, beautiful ceiling, great chandelier etc.\r They organised the most amazing menu for us, with lots of different options and they even recommended organic wines that were absolutely outstanding, I am converted to natural/organic wines!! They're really delicious and because they've got no sulfates, you don't get a headache in the morning!!! The food was great, I love the fact that they take great care in sourcing their food locally and ethically. The service was excellent, we had our own waitress for the whole night and she was really good and attentive. \r I'd never been to Ici before, a friend recommended it, but even though I live in Manhattan, I will definitely go back, you don't get such a great room for parties at such great value anywhere in NYC. Can't wait for my next birthday!!! Pros: Private dining room, organic food and wine, value, atmosphere Cons: Can't think of any!!! more

I am reading the revues and it has been more than 2 years that I go to ici (I live 3 blocks away) and , I never had anything less than a great meal with a nice service and a great wine! The restaurant is ORGANIC so when I see people getting anxious about the bill, it drives me crazy, for the same price you can eat in any mediocre French Bistro in Brooklyn, but none of them would serve you food of this quality, in respect with the environment and the community. Ici is no cheater, they deliver what they promise at a great price. And they have the best breakfast and lunch in town!!! (Village voice best of NYC last week!!!) Pros: Food, service, decor Cons: closed on monday more

After hearing glowing reviews about ici for years, I finally tried it this past weekend and was sadly underwhelmed. I expected greatness from the wilted dandelion appetizer with anchovy cream, a poached egg and pancetta, but found that the bitterness of the dandelion greens overwhelmed all of the other flavors. The duck confit in the duck confit salad was lost by the strong tasting mustard dressing. The roasted chicken was nice and juicy, but low on seasoning. However, the accompanying grits were delightful, as was the lemon pie for dessert. The service was pleasant and attentive, but not knowledgeable about matching ici's wines by the glass to the food. There are so many small, outstanding restaurants in Brooklyn serving seasonal French and New American food, but ici is not one of them. Pros: Grits; Lemon Pie; Decor Cons: Poor Balance of Flavors more

The chef and owner must have been back from vacation last night (8/16/2006) . The food was great: duck confit salad was perfectly seasoned hangar steak was cooked right potatoes that came with the steak were delicious, the cod was amazing. And the service! Knowledgeable & elegant. We could not leave ! I know understand all the good reviews this place gets. \r Pros: Organic Food Cons: Not in Manhattan! more

The chef and owner must have been on vacation last night (8/15/2006) leaving non-professionals in charge of the kitchen and the dining room. The food was horrible: duck confit salad was bland; hangar steak was raw, when we requested medium (the table behind us appeared to have this same issue); potatoes that came with the steak were like rubber; thematically appropriate, though, the cod was also like rubber. And the service! It was so slow and lackadaisical that I sometimes forgot what I was waiting for by the time it finally arrived. We could not wait to leave and go have dessert at Blue Ribbon Bakery. I don't know why this place gets good reviews unless it's some sort of booster-ism by Ft. Greene residents or we were there on a particularly off night. Either way, we won't go back to find out. Pros: far away Cons: not far enough more

I went to ICI last year and everything was great. Last night I really wanted to have a great meal, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Our waitress was the main culprit. She had no knowledge of the wine list, no knowledge of the menu, and when recommending a wine, just sent out the most expensive that she could find. The appetizers were good, watermelon salad, and liver shnitzel, but the special fish? Perhaps the special old fish? It was salty, greasy, chewy, and overcooked, and best of all the ""salsa"" was the same basic ingredients as my watermelon salad (onions, olives, feta, peppers) minus the watermelon, thank god. We had to forage for our own silverware, clear our own plates, finally after 2 hours we'd had enough and were presented with our $100 bill, 3 glasses of wine, 2 appetizers, 1 entree, 1 dessert, 1 tea. Not worth it. more

We keep going back to ICI for 2 years now. Last week again we had a great time. Beautiful mackerel with kim chee (properly served cold), tasty hanger steak and fantastic collard greens (still green not brown full of flavors and nutrients). A real casual restaurant that is about food not hype! Pros: organic, service, wine list more

Finally we were able to make it out to Ici and it was the absolute worst experience we have ever had. We had to get up and get our own salt and pepper from the bar as well as bringing our own plate to the kitchen for an undercooked steak. Not once did either waitress ( yes!! we had 2) come up to us and ask if everything was okay. Nor did they come over to refill our water glasses or ask me if Iwanted another glass of wine. The collard greens were undercooked and had no flavor but the overdose of chilli flakes. The steak had no flavor and the side dish of my makeral entree was cold. I could really rant on but I'm only allowed 150 words. There is nothing more upsetting than spending good money on bad service and bland food Don't believe the hype!!! Cons: service, Food, service more

We went to ICi with my husband for the first time last week and had a great experience. We sat in their beautiful quiet garden and enjoyed every bite! We really liked the skate fish, the chicken liver schnitzel and their american chese selection. We will be back very soon. Pros: organic, garden, service more

I thought the 'old fish' review was really hilarious. Honestly its great that the situation was handled with a delicate sense of humor. I can't wait to go there again ( had the steak last time ) and enjoy the beautiful cozy garden in the back. I just wont order the fish on a Sunday. Pros: garden, brunch Cons: n/a more

Until last night, Ici was my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. I ordered skate which had a strong ammonia odor. Not being familiar with skate, I had a few bites. Then I heard the women at the next table remarking that their skate smelled like ammonia. The owner came over and said ""eh, its just old fish, there is nothing to worry about,"" as if serving old fish is par for the course. Then the chef came out, grilled me on how much I had ingested, and offered me some websites on skate. (An ammonia odor is an indication of spoiled or improperly handled skate; it should not be served). She said, ""when you come to a restaurant like this, part of the experience is that each fish is different. Sometimes they are old."" To be fair, we were not charged for the skate. more

Four of us went to Ici before a BAM show. It's very cute. The menu was nicely sized with five small plates, eight appetizers and seven entrees. The portions are generous, specially the short ribs entree that my husband ordered . The food was really impressive. But the best was the service. Our waitress was pleasant and available. Highly recommended. Pros: service, food more

Four of us went to Ici before a BAM show. It's cute but VERY loud. The menu was small but tasteful although the portions are tiny...the short ribs entree my husband ordered should have been called ""short RIB"". The food was unimpressive. But the worst was the service. Our waitress was pleasant but unavailable. Our wine, appetizer and entrees took FAR too long to be delivered and we sat with empty glasses and used plates on the table for most of the meal. When my three dining companions received their entrees, we waited patiently for my salad and soup for over 7 minutes until one of my friends walked back to the kitchen to get my salad himself. No apologies, no ""please have dessert on us"", no nothing. And worse, we missed the majority of the show we wanted to see due to the service. Not recommended. more

We went there for Brunch this past week end and really enjoyed ourselves. The food was really good, specially the Frittata and the French Toast. Service was quick and efficient. Nice wine list. Certainly the best Brunch option in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill. Pros: organic eggs, atmosphere Cons: wait for table more

was it the storm or is their service usually that horrible? i had to ask for my side of bacon atleast 3 times and did not get it until every morsel of my main dish was done. Cons: service more

After reading great things about brunch here, I went with a few friends. First off, there were very few options for brunch, just a couple egg dishes basically. The waitress recommended the vegetable fritatta, so several of us tried it. In short, it was disgusting. It tasted like a luke-warm soggy sponge! There are much better places in the area, so don't go here. more

I had read the review in New York Magazine, and thought that perhaps I was going to a delight in a not-so-great part of the city. I had to convince my wife that traveling to Brooklyn wasn't such a bad idea, and that this place had a great review. Frankly, the place is underwhelming from start to finish, from little dinky tables to cafe-quality waitresses who didn't know their menu let-alone pairing questions. The food was boring as can be, nothing original .. .and frankly, the fact there were ""cooks"" in the back and not chefs has something to do with this. more

I read about the restaurant in ""New York's Magazine top 101"" restaurants...the space is great...the smell of the fireplace throught the restaurant gives it a great intimate touch...the kitchen is exposed, which I liked as well...the cured sausage and their truffle mushroom soup was a nice start...I opted for the special fish of the day...it was perfectly seasoned and cooked...great portion as well, enough for one or if you're watching your wallet, a great share...my girlfriend had the japanese beef stew...she found it to be her favorite dish of the nite...the server wasn't overly attentive, but the food and the space made up for whatever she lacked...can't wait to try their brunch menu....we'll both definately be back. Pros: atmosphere, food, location more

This restaurant shows from the moment you walk in the door that the owner and the chef both have yaers of experience. julie (the chef) delivers food that is always seasonal, fresh and well thought out you can tell she care about food and the people that eat it. this is one of my fravorite restaurants in new york. don't stop what your doing Pros: food, price, decore more

Maybe not easy to understand because so simple. I guess we are not use to real restaurants anymore. The best organic ingredients cooked at the last minute served by a friendly staff in a quiet and relaxing setting. Great expereince in a restaurant is that simple. Thank you ici. more