Ici Bistro

From my preivous dining experience with ici before, I knew how hard it was to book a table. Now that they moved to Windsor arms hotel, they made it even more difficult! Reservation section on their website says «under construction», their phone number is «not in service/​not assigned»; I had to called the hotel & asked them to transfer me to the restaurant. Had to took one star away because of that.
First impression when I walked in is that the place is very very quiet. Unlike their old site, they hid their kitchen away, couldn’t see chefs cooking anymore. Half of the food items were gone from their old menu. Steak tartare is tasty as before; potatoes were crispy, tartare itself was fresh. Beef carpaccio was a bit disappointing as it was too salty. We also shared the grill platter. Beef was cooked to perfection, chicken was moist, fried calamari was crunchy. Last but not least, soufflé!!! It was so light and fluffy! Yum!
Will come back for their tartare and soufflé again!

I have been to a variety of restursunts ranging from McDonalds to Michelin Rated restursunts. I have never had such a terrible dining experience.
Our waiter took 10 minites to come to oir table initially. We indicated that we were eager to order as we had plans after dinner we wanted to get to. The waiter did not return for another 15 minutes after that. We then asked for a wine menu that took another 10 minutes to show up.
Prior to attending we confirmed the advertised menu as including a «welcome drink» as part of our set-​course menu for $ 125. The waiter said he was not aware of it and would look into it. While bad enough not being aware of the menu, he did not bother to look into it an ignored our inquiry all together.
We were asked by the assistant manager if we would like our meal served family style in order to speed up service for our group of 7. Our group clearly indicated we would rather not. However our apps came out family style. We raised the issue with the assistant manager who said it would be rectified for the rest of the meal.
There was clear breakdown in communication within the staff as all of the remaining courses were served family style ie they piled the food on one big plate and we had to serve ourselves. This was an issue for our entrée particularly because the waiter did not bother to bring us plates. When we asked for plates, he brought us little side plates and we were left to attempt to cut our overcooked steaks on an undersized dish.
We ordered a bottle of wine which was not brought to our table until after we completed 90% of our entrée. Really no point in wine after the meal.
The waiter was not only inattentive, but grew to be rude and patronizing after I asked the assistant manager that our meal not be served family style. He commented on our group of 30 – 35 year olds as «the gang» and «crazy kids». While this may not have been a big deal ordinarily (but one would think that in a place that is supposed to be one of repute there would be some more formality), these comments were clearly passive aggressive indicating he didn’t like how we raised some concerns with the assistant manager.
We were not offered coffee or tea after the meal. There were several errors on our bill that including charges for things we didn’t order. This took some time to rectify. And while realizing we were in a rush, the waiter proceeded to clear empty tables rather than bring us the bill to sign.
I will say aside from an overcooked entrée the food itself wasn’t bad, but nothing to write home about either.
Overall, I was shocked to the point where it actuslly ruined my night. And I am not one who is overly picky or easily upset. With so many other amazing options in this city, don’t waste time with this one.

WOW! I can not compliment the Chef and kitchen people for creating an amazing taste experience. Been there twice in the last 1.5 months and can’t wait to go back. We did the wine paring with our selections and it was a great. If you can swing it you have to check this place out!