Ici Urban Bistro - Innovative traditional French cuisine next door to the White House

Ici Urban Bistro's Lamb Shoulder Tajine 

Washingtonians have witnessed a recent revitalization of DC area hotel restaurants. The mind-set that hotel restaurants are not up to par to other high-end restaurants no longer exists. Ici Urban Bistro, is an excellent example - located inside the stylish Sofitel situated in the historic LaFayette Square, the building erected in 1880; just blocks away from the white house. The clean, crisp, and modern dining room features brightly colored artwork set against a backdrop of rich jewel tones. The swanky leather dining chairs are situated at an angle at the table to complete the look. This is not your customary French restaurant - Ici Urban Bistro offers a fresh and contemporary twist on traditional French cuisine. The Executive Chef, Olivier Perret who is a native of Burgundy, France has been on board just a few months and is already captivating DC diners with his innovative and contemporary approach to traditional French cooking. The new Chef comes to the chic French restaurant by way of Café des Architectes, a modern French brasserie housed in the Water Tower neighborhood of Chicago. He received his culinary training at the Ecole Hotelière Isle d'Abeau in Isère, France. He then honed his craft at the acclaimed Restaurant La Tassée in Lyon, France and later worked at French restaurants in Canada and the United States, including Restaurant Renoir at the Sofitel Montreal.

Crepes

The menu is comprised of wonderfully tempting options. Diners have the opportunity to create their own tasting menu of 'petits plats' like Chicken and Mushroom Crepes, Crab Salad, and Burgundy Escargots. The appetizers offered on the current menu range from $11 to $15. The Chicken and Chanterelle Mushroom Crêpes are scrumptious and resemble a thin ravioli - as crêpes are a type of very thin, cooked pancake. These are very well-seasoned and beautifully presented in a fragrant tarragon sauvignon blanc sauce (see photo above on left). Tarragon is evidently one of the four 'fines herbes' of French cooking and particularly suitable for chicken dishes like Chef Perret's crêpes. The portion size shown in the photo above is smaller than the actual appetizer portion provided - the photo above is from a special 'tasting' menu.

Crab Salad with Pink Lady Apple

The Crab Salad appetizer is what Chef Perret considers his rendition of a crab cake. It is deliciously fresh Chesapeake lump crab meat with julienned radish, sitting atop a brightly colored piquant red pepper sauce, adorned with a dried thin slice of a sweet pink lady apple. On the side is a dallop of transparent apple gelee (see photo on the right). This is a perfect summer dish; it's light and refreshing - nothing says summertime better than Maryland Blue Crabs. (The portion size shown in the photo is smaller than the actual appetizer portion provided - the photo above is from a special 'tasting' menu).

Burgundy Escargots with Chorizo

Escargots are a French delicacy and Ici Urban Bistro's Burgundy Escargots with Chorizo, fennel and cream are no exception. As many restaurants as I have been to all over the US, I don't believe that I was ever bold enough to try an escargot (French for snails) - until tonight. The snails are served out of their shell in a creamy yellow fennel sauce - from which it gets its color. The snails are spongy in texture but not slimy - with the spicy flavor of the chorizo sausage, it's quite delicious. For someone who has never been brave enough to try escargot - this is an excellent dish for one's first entrée to this delicacy.

Halibut a la plancha

Main courses offered include a range of meats, poultry, fish and seafood  - there is something for everyone. Vegetarians would enjoy one of Ici Urban Bistro's salads or pastas, such as the Tagliatelle and Chanterelle with spring asparagus. The Halibut à la plancha or Grilled Halibut is delicious flaky and moist. Chef Perret prides himself on using fresh, local, organic ingredients. In addition, the Alaskan Pacific Halibut is considered a 'Best Choice' according to Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Guide which is considered an environmentally friendly seafood. The fish is beautifully presented with bright aubergine octopus, red cherry tomatoes, fresh green herbs, and grilled calamari.  

The Lamb Shoulder Tajine with artichoke and fresh English peas is exquisite. It is incredibly tender, moist, and delicious - due to the fact that it was slow cooked for over an hour and a half in a cast iron 'Cocotte' - which is French for casserole. (see feature photo above)

Georgia Peaches & Cream Tart

Pastry Chef Beverly Bates who has crafted desserts at Citronelle Michel Richard and Bistro Bis, who is now at Ici Urban Bistro offers decadent desserts including chocolate mousse, a flourless chocolate torte, or her made from scratch seasonal Georgia peach and cream tart with vanilla bean ice cream.

Ici Urban Bistro has a lovely outdoor patio - perfect for outdoor dining on a summer evening. In addition, guests may unwind with a cocktail inside the hotel's "Le Bar" - it's hot and trendy lounge with bright colors and chic furniture. 

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