This is a review of Maison May both event spaces *Brownstone and cafe Maison May *brownstone and cafe are super cute and quaint. Perfect rustic homey feeling. I have been stalking this venue *(the brownstone) for a while and finally I got a chance to visit. Though I really like the atmosphere, the venue *(brownstone) has a inconvenient lay out. They host weddings all the time but I can't see how, with a large guest count, people won't be bumping into each other constantly. For a wedding, I think this place *(the brownstone) will need a little more decor to give it a little more opulence, But the space isn't huge so it won't break the bank. I will probably go back to try the food someday. The menu looks really good. *Just to be clear I visited both Maison May Vanderbilt cafe and Maison May Dekalb brownstone. read more

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This is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful spot to throw an event. I hosted a friends bridal shower here this past weekend and everything went extremely well! Working over email with the event coordinator, Kat, was very easy and the staff when we arrived were more than accommodating. Jen and Valeria made sure everything was perfect, whether they were assisting with decorations, dedicating a dessert table, or gently moving our timing along. The food was excellent and they made sure to take of the bride and make modifications to the menu for her due to a gluten allergy. I personally had the steak sandwich, which was excellent, and the sweet potato muffin. I don't make a habit of eating gluten free baked goods, because luckily it's not an issue I have to deal with, however that sweet potato muffin is still in my mind. It was superb. It came with a maple butter and a jam and was just so moist and delicious. The fact that it's a no tipping establishments is an added bonus. The only thing that left a bit of a weird taste in my mouth was that I was told they couldn't reserve a space in the garden for our party, because they didn't have a phone number to contact us with. Having been in contact via email, I would have readily responded to an emailed confirmation, had I received one, but it seemed strange that they would give up so easily. I suppose I should count myself lucky that it seemed like a slow day and there was plenty of space available in the dining room. read more

The original Maison May from ten years ago. (The new sister restaurant is on Vanderbilt around the corner.) Came here for Sunday brunch because Olea was too crowded, and didn't have to wait much for 3 and absolutely loved our choice. Service slightly slow since there seemed to be only one person waiting most tables, but we weren't in a rush and the meal was perfect. We asked for the most recommended baked goods and each got a GF sweet potato muffin. It was chewy but soft (not like a fluffy cake texture) and warm, just delightful. My friends got the omelette with market vegetables - looked super fresh and it's like an open faced omelette and they loved it. I got the oeuf cocotte with leeks and bacon. Had kale at the bottom as well and two eggs on top. It was freshly hot in a iron skillet and super tasty. The cheese, egg, bacon leek flavors were all perfect together. Would love to come back any day. read more

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As I understand, this place was formerly named ICI. Came here twice this week: once for drinks and the other for brunch. I'm more of a spicy/sour cocktail type, but I decided to try their blood orange margarita. I'm not sure if it was because it was my first drink and wasn't expecting anything or if it was because of the sun coming down from the sweltering heat of the day that made it so refreshing. The second round secured my vote. Great bartender. I came for brunch this afternoon and had the seasonal mimosa, Maison may omelette, thick cut bacon, and shared the thick cut brioche French toast with blueberries. We sat in the back patio area. Mimosa was a good balance-not too much champagne and not too much oj. The vegetables in my omelette were fresh, but I just wished they could make it with egg whites. The wonderful French owner, Catherine explained their kitchen wasn't set up at the time to make those substitutions..I'll live. The thick cut bacon was a little overwhelming (used to thin cut) but good. The French toast was perfect-brioche bread slightly crispy and not soggy with the blueberries. The cream on top (or marscapone?) had a hint of lemon-yum! The NY strip steak sandwich btw is fantastic! Another interesting thing-I may be late or this may be a new thing, but this was the second restaurant I'd been to in the past week which is "gratuity free" (already built into the pricing of the food and I assume the wages of the staff). read more

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If you are thinking of having your wedding at ICI.... DO IT!!! I had my wedding there just over a month ago... it was the best night of my life! I honestly tear up every time I think about it. I'll start by complimenting ICI's event coordinator, she walked us through each step of the planning process and touched base with us frequently. She is so kind, organized and has the patience of a saint! I felt at ease throughout much of the planning process because I felt I could trust her to ensure everything was taken care of. The night of my wedding was more lovely than I could have imagined. I remember clearly walking out to the patio and seeing my husband/family/friends in this beautiful, elegant space for the first time and my breath was taken away. This venue held so much love and good energy, I really could feel it! After the ceremony, my family enjoyed an excellent meal. I originally chose to have my wedding at this restaurant because the food is so good. I am from NC and had family traveling to be at my wedding. With this in mind, I wanted to treat them to the best food in my Brooklyn neighborhood. They left dinner happy and full... they are still buzzing about the delicious food! After dinner, we DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY! I am happy the photographer left shortly after dinner, because we would have looked crazy in pictures. We sang and danced while enjoying dessert and plenty of beverages. I am grateful for all of the hard work that went into making my wedding so special. It was a night that my family and friends will remember forever! Thank you, thank you, thank you ICI for bringing passion to your business.... it is evident and appreciated! I will post some pictures! read more

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Fabulous little place. Came for brunch to check out their food and atmosphere, and will be having an event here in the future. Food was excellent, the truffle poached eggs and grits were a hit. The Rosemary lemonade was SO GOOD. Really nice decor and the perfect "vibe", love the outside seating. Service was friendly, great little neighborhood spot. read more

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Came back for that dinner, finally. I was not disappointed, but the experience didn't surpass my expectations. The pork dish I got was really delicious, despite the lack of presentation. The chicken was a tad bit overcooked, but the risotto side was so great that the slightly chalky bird was semi-forgivable. The tuna was neither spectacular nor bad. Service, admittedly, was really really really slow on a Tuesday night, the only WTC* aspect of our dining experience. * Our Ici experience was preceded by a screening of The Fantastic Mr Fox. read more

Maison May - That green stuff is SO good! Swiss chard au jus. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Beautiful space! Delicious food! We came here for a baby shower and was blown away with the rustic interior design! Love this place. The staff were friendly and welcoming. read more

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oooh but we went baaaa-aaack!~ First we went to celebrate their union over dinner. And then we returned for their delightful baby shower! If you haven't caught sight of the upstairs @ Ici, it truly is an ideal setup for any private party. The head to toe white decor is proper, classy, and as so, i'd say it's anything but a white flag. I sense a devotion and homage towards true gastronomy. For someone who is often intimidated before setting about to begin any painting, entering this room triggered a welcoming canvas. You first enter past the bar into what I consider the reception room which I'm quite sure could serve as a smallish but brilliant dancefloor with the proper music, drink, and evening attire. Then this opens up to a large room and long table, which on our sunny Sunday offered a pleasant VOILA glow to a lovely brunch/lunch hurrah. The food and the service paired with the overall simplicity and elegance of all things @ Ici continues to spell out CHARMING. Of the brunch selections that came out in lovely presentation, I have never tasted french toast that melted in my mouth, nor found myself staring with both wonder and fascination at such hearty, enticing slices of bacon. Seriously, even with the thick white sliver of fattiness staring straight at me, for once in my life I had NEITHER shame NOR doubt in wanting to try a slice. In fact, you just can't find, or expect to be tempted by bacon of this grade, so I was clearly NOT the only one to hesitate nor eagerly reach for a second helping. The quiche and the fruit salad were fresh and tasty, and in my head Ici shines in presenting fresh, fine, and local fare. After Round 2, I'll gladly submit an extra thumb as they truly make an easily average or overlooked dish into something to fuss over. And without question, our server / hostess was as bright and cheery- and attentive as the room. While night and day are hours apart, and both the downstairs and upstairs experiences give much room for contrast, I'd say our upstairs encore @ Ici was a solid winner. Smitten and adding on a 5th star! If you're looking for the perfect little venue for your soiree or celebratory brunch, not la, but Ici is your place. read more

Maison May - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Walking in, I could see how people choose this place for weddings. The decor is serene and romantic . Very warm and cozy ambiance. Felt like we were dining in someone fancy living room. Out of the 3 appetizers we picked, I really liked the kunick cheese and shishito peppers. Very slim selection of wine but I was satisfied with the Red I chose. As entrees I had the swordfish while my husband had the hanger steak. The food overall tested very fresh and organic but overall was not majorly impressed. The hubs and I were dining on a gift certificate he won. They acknowledged it but I also felt it might have impacted our poor service. We were given one piece of bread with our Kunick cheese while we witnessed more was given at other tables. There was lots of lag time where no one peaked on us to check on our order or whether we were enjoying our meal. Lastly, I was given a cardboard box for my swordfish leftover without a bag. The sauce from the dish leaked inside my bag on my way home. Little incidents but they all add up. And for a place like this that seems to value gastronomy I feel service should be held in the same standard. I was glad that night we were dining on a certificate because the high price was not worth the food. read more

Sister had her wedding here and it was great. They wanted an intimate affair with immediate family and a few close friends. This venue was perfect for them as it offered the ceremony and reception in one space. More than half of the 30 guests were from out of town so it made it very easy for everyone. The owner was very nice and just exuded French elegance. She made sure everything was as smooth as possible. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. As the Matron of Honor I was by my sister's side downstairs waiting for all the guests to be seated up in the parlor room before she would make her grand entrance. As we waited, I asked the bartender for a drink and he quickly made me one. Wow...it was delish...I didn't taste the alcohol at all. Oh man...this could be dangerous. I had two more before the ceremony because some of the guests were running late. Everyone needed to be seated so the parlor doors could be closed prior to the start of the ceremony. Probably shouldn't have had three drinks on an empty stomach as I wasn't able to eat most of the day since we were busy earlier with hair, makeup and photo shoot. Don't worry...I still managed to walk down the aisle in a straight line...LOL. Ceremony was quick and sweet. Afterwards everyone was escorted out to the patio for appetizers and cocktails while the staff setup up the reception table in the parlor room. The few items I managed to eat were tasty before I had to scamper back to help the bride. Dinner was served promptly family style with all the guests seated at one long table. The food was great and my favorite was the Seared Hangar Steak with Charred Kale and Brown Butter Sauce. Sister and brother-in-law wanted everyone to get a taste of NYC as many of the guests had never been so they had a dessert table with some of the city's most popular items in addition to their wedding cake. Everyone had a great time and I'd recommend this place to other people looking for a wedding venue. read more

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The first time I had Ici, everything was good-verygood. It all came falling down on the second visit. Both times, we came during brunch and the second time around, we waited a bit to be seated, which we didn't mind at all. Once seated, I decided to order something different. I got the shirred eggs and everything just overwhelmed me. The cheese and bacon in the dish was a little too heavy for me during brunch, and caused my stomach to feel a little queasy. I also got the thick cut bacon because the first time we had it, it was so AH-MAZING! But the second time, I couldn't even finish it because of the bacon overload (had bacon in my stirred eggs as well!). Not to mention the bacon side I got was full of fat, like 85% fat and 15% meat. I just couldn't eat it. read more

I really wanted to give this place 4 stars, considering they were nice enough to donate $100 gift certificate to a local organization, for which I won Don't get me wrong, the food was stellar all around and we had the restaurant to ourselves until around 8:30 on a Saturday night (it filled pretty quickly after that) Without gift certificate, we splurged on wine, apps, dinner, and dessert The Kunick cheese and the homemade ricotta were grand. Our dinner (Hanger Steak and Swordfish), although I felt less than ideal temperature, were unlike any other. The goat cheese cheesecake was the perfect top off and the wines matched perfectly. My biggest gripe was the service. I was highly dissatisfied with the fact we got one measly piece of bread to go with out Kunick (cheese). The table next to us actually dropped her bread all over the floor, and the wait staff rushed out to bring her another bowl. On top of that, our waitress forgot to serve us our duck fat fries. I do not believe they were attentive us very much in pouring water and asking how our meal was. And lastly, we had food to go, they gave us the folded up cardboard box (which is not leakproof BTW) with out a bag (we figured since they don't offer the bag, the container must be leakproof...I would fund out later that, that assumption was dead wrong). And of course, when the mrs stored the box in her bag, the juices leaked all over the place, leaving her belongings reeking of sword fish parts. In the end our bill came to 127, 150 with tax. Thankfully we had our gift certificate (perhaps the reason why our experience was unpleasant) to cover most of the charge, but, had I spent that kind of money in reality, I would like to think the experience was well worth it. I do not believe this experience was worth $150. read more

I have often found that places with a short menu often have the best food and that is true for here. I came in September for my birthday and started with the three cheeses, which were amazing. Then I had the hanger steak which was also super tasty. The location is cute and inside is beautiful. There are so many restaurants in the city it is hard to make it back to good spots, but I will definitely make the effort here. read more

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Had a great dinner here thanks to some yelp reviews. Service was stellar. LIke seriously better than most restaurants. Food was solid. Pork shank: don't be scared. Soooo good. My date had a perfectly cooked steak. Lovely oyster app. A great neighborhood experience. read more

Maison May - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The venue refuses to return our deposit after they had to cancel because of COVID. We offered Maison May many repayment options, however they refuse to send payment or provide a firm date when funds will be returned. I spoke with my bank to file a fraud claim and they said that because the payment was as a check- which the venu required as the payment form, the bank could not assist and this is a tactic that is used often in fraud cases to prevent bank assistance. read more

The bacon comes in sticks! It's the juiciest, thickest, fattiest, most amazing, to-die-for thing ever. Delicious, delightful, and delovely. The coffee sucks beyond the telling of it, and it comes with 2% milk and sugar in the raw, neither of which are ingredients in a decent cup. Distasteful, diluted, and disgusting. Everything else falls into that spectrum between one and the other. Good and bad. Bacon and coffee. Most of it is awesome, though. Coffee aside, you really can't go wrong. The place itself feels like someone's kinda boring house, except with a whole mess of tables and nothing else. The simplicity is appealing, and I was kind of amazed at how many people they could fit in there. All in all, a solid brunch choice, but get there at a decent hour. Even though they have lots of seating, it fills up and the line that formed after we got there Saturday was considerable. read more

My husband and I recently held our wedding at iCi. We had our ceremony and cocktail hour in the garden and then a sit-down dinner for 40 in the upstairs private room. From the initial stages of our planning to our last minute anxiety-ridden panic, the manager Catherine handled our affair with the utmost professional, friendly, accommodating finesse. Our wedding was small, elegant and memorable. The food was wonderfully fresh and delicious. The entire staff was responsive and good natured. Our positive experience was augmented by the reasonable prices. Merci, iCi! read more

I went to a wedding here and it could not have been more intimate and picture perfect. This place is what pinterest dreams are made of! And the FOOD... made with love for sure. The ceremony and cocktail hour was held outdoors. The staff did a great job making sure everyone was happy. We were escorted to the private dining room upstairs for the reception. It can get very tight and tough to move around once everyone is seated, but once the food and alcohol started flowing, everyone was family! Dinner was served family style and everything was de-li-cious! It's like going to your best friend's house and having their French grandmother whip up a feast of all her favorite things. Everything was fabulous! ICI is understated, but super rustic chic. I would definitely come back here for a romantic date night! read more

Heard good things from a few friends and knew it was only a matter of time before I came here myself. We ventured out on a freezing cold night, but were ushered inside by the warm hostess. ICI is a wonderful farm to table seasonal type restaurant. We ordered a bottle of wine and to start we had the shrimp appetizer. It was baby shrimp which are very cute to look at but not quite as tasty as full grown shrimp. But the mains were where we really hit the jackpot. I had the smoked duck breast and my husband had the braised short ribs. Both dishes were perfection. We kept switching back and forth and couldn't decide which one we liked better. The atmosphere is simple but they take their food seriously! read more

Had brunch here for the second time and loved it! The poached eggs over grits in truffled sauce is superb! And the bacon pieces are wide, thick slabs of pork perfection! My friend had french toast and said it was the best she's ever had! My boyfriend was less than happy, however, because they didn't have steak and he really wanted steak and eggs. You can't be too upset at these things though, knowing how dedicated they are to supporting local farmers and meat that's free of hormones and other yucky things. If they're out of something it just means that they're not willing to settle for anything less than top quality! check it.... read more

The signage out front might be deceiving. At least it was for me. I had no idea how lovely the interior or how pleasant the back garden area would be. For the past 3 years, I assumed this place would be 'eh', just based on the sign alone. It's actually very romantic inside. Shows me not to judge a book by its cover! So a friend suggests we meet at Ici. We pull up to a table in the garden and stick w/the Wednesday prix fixe selection, after placing an order for cocktails - which were delicious! My chilled beet soup was refreshing, but slightly under seasoned for my taste. The housemade pasta dish was also fresh, cooked al dente with beautiful fresh squash and zucchini. Flour-free chocolate cake - also yum. The gentlemen chose the hanger steak option. The meat was cooked perfectly medium rare and deliciously seasoned, though a bit chewy. It was served atop a fabulous heap of sautéed veggies. There was also a kale salad which was a generous plate of crisp chopped kale tossed w/ parm and anchovy dressing. Refreshing, though my companion found the fish overpowering after several bites. While the service was great and the meal was good, I think I prefer Roman's for flavor, although the dining room ambiance at Ici can't be beat! read more

I think this may be my new favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. First off, the decor is awesome. Its perfectly homey, candlelit, exposed brick walls, open kitchen etc. The second I walked in I knew I was going to have a good meal. Second, the entire menu is seasonal and is completely remade every month. I love that. One of the biggest problems I have with restaurants is when their menu stays the same, over and over again (I'm looking at you Olea). We started with a cheese platter, which at 8$ was reasonably priced and sized. Three small wedges, a peach chutney, some toasted nuts and enough crostini to devour it all. For an entree, I went with the braised short ribs. Immaculately cooked, the succulent, slightly fatty meat dripped off the bone. It was rich, and the meat was as soft as butter, quite literally melting with each bite. It was laid over a bed of farro (my favorite grain) and a fall slaw. The slaw was nicely acidic, balancing out the rich heartiness of the short rib. Ariel K. got the Cavatelli, which is a thick, rich pasta similar to gnocchi in both consistency and flavor. It was perfect. Each bite was fluffy and perfectly balanced and cooked. Tossed in a pork ragu and bitter greens (a mix of broccoli rabe and something else, I didn't have enough to discern), it was one of the best dishes I've had in quite some time. About a week later we returned for brunch. Ariel K. had the poached eggs, which were expertly made. After six or seven brunches in a row of over poached eggs, she finally got a fantastically runny yolk, which broke onto a bed of grits, melting into a sea of creamy flavor. I had the shirred eggs, baked to perfection. The thick lardons of bacon and the perfectly braised collard greens underneath another perfectly runny yolk was inspiring. Since then I've been making all my eggs in a ramekin with butter and cream. Also of note, I felt the need for something crusty to mop up my shirred eggs, and when asked, my waitress gladly acquired me a hunk of fresh crusty baguette, for free. I liked that. Coffee = A+ and constantly refilled. Great food, good service, beautiful interior. Will go again and again and again. read more

Dunno. If I had another $160 and an evening with friends, it wouldn't be spent here again. A very pretty place with what seems like career waiters (i.e. practical, fast, knowledgeable or can fake it) and ambiance. Though it was one missed opportunity after another. We went on Wednesdays for their $25 set menus, some sides, a bottle of wine, a perch entree. All for about $160 for 3 people. There was something almost great about everything, but it always fell short. The cod was seared, a favourite from other restos, but this was pink and gelatinous--had to send it back for an edible texture. The perch entree cost as much as the $25 cod set, but without the app and dessert--and had no special redeeming qualities, which made it pointless. Also, there was something frozen fillet about it--tasteless, cooked in a way that didn't differentiate it from the white fish of everyweek. We had like, deep fried zucchini blossoms, which were a neat concept, but then just tasted like regular tempura, only pricey. The wine menu is extensive, until they "sorry, out of that" you into 2 choices. Organic wines are cool, but without the full body, watery purple for $48 a bottle is just an added bummer. Everything is priced just so that you can't really afford seconds, so we just went across the street and loaded up on beers. There is only one toilet on the ground floor, and it did not flush. But, this anxiety at the end of this restaurant experience was fitting. read more

oh no no no. granted, i have only been to ici once but i think maybe once was just one time too many. we were a party of 5 or 6 very hungover and hungry people for brunch. we were roundly ignored when we first walked in. it took forever to get sat. once we were our server acted like we had just collectively defecated on her new shoes. she was beyond snotty and reacted with violent vitriol to even the simplest of requests. the brunch selection wasn't exactly inspiring and everyone seemed to sorta settle on something to eat. no one was particularly excited by the menu. the portions were small. things were cooked wrong. things were overpriced (someone had an egregiously expensive hot tea, i recall). and nothing tasted good. bleah. read more

Maison May - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Dear self: this review should serve as a reminder to go here more often. I know you often forget about Ici because they're not the hot new gal in town, but they're better than that. They're the mature, beautiful wife, the woman who stands by your side, year after year, supporting you and feeding you awesome food on the days that you're dog tired. Great service, great food, great backyard. Marry me, Ici. Oh yeah: $25 prix fixe on Wednesdays, yes please. read more

Update: To their credit, Ici refunded the extra charge and, as a courtesy, also refunded my meal. I really do appreciate that. But since I wasn't thrilled with the food to begin with, I think the best I can give them is two stars. That shouldn't keep you from trying them--other people seem to have had good experiences--but I just wouldn't go there again myself. read more

Really fantastic brunch to be found here! Prices are average for brunch ($10-14 a person for food). Really cute and quaint atmosphere. I felt like I was in a French country home! The coffee was so, so good too! Just be aware: it's cash only. read more

I just attended my dear friend's baby shower last night, Oct. 21st. It was held upstairs on the second floor. The venue is elegant and cozy, the food, was absolutely amazing! The pulled pork, I wish I had some right now! The mushroom pappardelle, goat cheese quiche, roasted veggies. Everything was so delicious! The zipper on my dress was about to explode! There was so much food and all of them, you could not pass up! The staff was always available to refresh your beverage, get you what you needed, without feeling intrusive. The staff and the event was very well run! I will highly recommend this place to family and friends who are looking to hire special event venues. We all had a lovely time! Congrats again, Lisa Kunizaki Choliy! read more

One star off for a wine list that wasn't as great as the food-- otherwise this is a perfect 10. Hangar steak was perfectly medium, the bass was seared to my liking and had the proper amount of crust without overcooking the insides, it was a great little gem after viewing a performance of The Seagull at BAM. The produce was immensely fresh, the tomatos in the salad tasted as if they were just picked. Service was great too. If only the wine list could measure up! risk: the bathroom door is tricky- be careful, otherwise you will lock yourself in! reward: billy bass-- has got some class read more

When I'm asked what my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn are, Ici has and likely will continue to be at or near the top of the list. I've lived in this part of Brooklyn for almost seven years now, and ever since discovering Ici I've been making a point to stop in whenever I want to guarantee a good experience. I took my fiancée here on our first real date, as well as bringing hr parents here the first time I took them out. The food is always great, the wine is amazing, and the service is consistently good. It's almost never totally packed, and the back yard is wonderful when the weather is nice. Why four instead of five stars? My one meh experience here was on Valentine's Day, where the menu wasn't nearly as good, it seemed overpriced, the service w below par, and everyone was packd in like sardines. So don't go on Valentine's Day. read more

This is a great spot both for a casual meal, but it's really the private room upstairs that I'm writing to. We had my friend's wedding shower here this weekend and everything was superb. The interiors of the rooms, a small bar area, and then the dining room, are all whitewash white with minimal accents. It was the perfect size for our group of about 14. The food and drinks were outstanding, with a variety of choices. I had the arugula salad, curried chicken salad sandwich, and had tastes of both the panna cotta and the chocolate pudding (two great tastes that tasted great together: the light vanilla of the panna cotta with the deep rich chocolate). The BLT also looked amazing, and I had some major food envy when I saw how piled-high the bacon was in the lightly toasted country bread. We did feel a little rushed that we only had the room for so long, but that turned into a good motivator to keep the party moving. The waitstaff was very good; there were a lot of hens clucking at once and that can't be easy to take people's food orders for. Katherine, the owner, was very sweet; she let us add our own decorations, and the small vases of flowers already decorating the table and bar were just the right touch of chic. read more

Entering iCi is like walking into someone's brownstone home in Brooklyn. Directly in front of you is a staircase (leading up to their coat check, and I'm sure offices or something), and to the left is the dining room. We had a table near the kitchen, which was great because it was slightly isolated from the rest of the crowd (and noise) in the dining room. The only negative point here is that my chair was bumped constantly as the wait staff rushed back and forth from the kitchen. Slightly annoying, but nothing that ruined my evening. We were there with another couple. We started with 2 lovely bottles of wine, a white and a red, and we loved them both, although since I didn't order, I can only tell you they were both from the Loire region. For starters, we shared the generous olive plate and the baked brie, which has toasted sliced almonds and honey drizzled over, and is served with a few pieces of toast. Delicious and rich, but a very small portion. We all ordered different appetizers, which was fun. There was the chicken liver schnitzel, the arugula salad with shaved fennel, the beet and watercress salad with blue cheese, and the butternut squash soup. All of these were hits, particularly the creamiest, smoothest butternut squash soup I've ever tried. With just a hint of nutmeg, this had "cozy" written all over it. My bf said he would have picked up the bowl and licked it if that were socially acceptable! The salads were both fresh and light, a perfect start to a meal. For entrees, 2 of us ordered the striped bass, which was nice and simple, with a crisp skin on top. The other couple ordered the duck and the baked cod. All of these were presented the same way, with the main protein set on top of the sides/veggies. Funny. Everyone enjoyed their food, it was all delicious, but I can't say it knocked my socks off. Again though, it was good. For dessert, we had the rice pudding, the butter brioche bread pudding, and the chocolate pot de creme, which was delivered with a candle for my birthday. The rice pudding had a sprinkle of toasted coconut on top, which I'm not a fan of, but I ate around it. The bread pudding was very heavy on the butter, and therefore extremely rich. The chocolate pot de creme was rich, chocolatey and smooth, truly decadent. Mmmm mmmm good! Service was good, we didn't feel ignored or overly interrupted, so they seemed to understand when to come over and when to let us enjoy each other's company. Overall, a very cute, cozy restaurant with good food and service. I hope to come back in the warmer months and sit outside. read more

In a word, graceful. The harmony of fresh & flavorful food and beautiful space made for a wonderful brunch that puts itself in the running for best in BK. Food. I ordered a kale burger that was hearty, chock full of leaves sans breading or filling (thank goodness), and brilliantly seasoned. My friend had the shirred eggs that were nicely layered in flavor: bechamel + collard greens + bacon. We accompanied our meal with cheddar grits and topped it all off with mimosas. Simply heavenly. Space. Gorgeously converted brownstone with a serene garden area in the back. Since we arrived at 10:30 a.m., there was no wait to sit outside, despite the fact that they were setting up for a small bridal shower in the back. Still, everyone seemed to keep the conversation low so as not to disrupt the garden's tranquility. Being on the lower level, the indoor area seemed slightly claustrophobic due to the low ceilings, however I imagine it would be quite cozy at night or in the colder seasons. I was very curious about the private room upstairs after seeing photos on their website, but it was also being occupied by a private party/breakfast, so we weren't able to check it out. Service. At first, I sensed a hint of judgement and a dash of irritability from the waitress, but she gets a free pass because I enjoyed everything else. Very affordable for brunch, but it's cash only. I remember floating merrily out of there feeling sunny and inspired ...nicely prepped for a morning at the Brooklyn Flea. read more

Ici captures perfectly the specific type of upscale Brooklyn restaurant that all the gentrified neighborhoods in the borough have at least one example of. It is the most typically French of this group that includes The Good Fork, Applewood, Dressler, Saul, and others that traffic in seasonal, sophisticated food in a casual setting. I took my parents there for my dad's birthday. It's the perfect "nice" restaurant to take your parents if your budget is around $200. It's Brooklyney without being super hipsterish... The outdoor patio is lovely on a warm night, and the service is friendly if a tad frantic. The chef uses a liberal amount of butter in pretty much every dish I tasted, which I like but many people might find a little rich. My skate was flaky and bursting with butter, and the sweet corn doused with lime was sour and crunchy and perfect. The wine list is offbeat, a lot of Alsatian and Loire stuff, no Burgandy or Bordeaux if I remember correctly. Definitely "The" restaurant to go to in Ft. Greene. read more

I read the other reviews and I am pretty surprised frankly. I thought the food was magnificent. All fresh, all delicious! I went for a late dinner date on a Friday night and the place was rather empty so I was initially concerned. Once we looked at the menu, we were pretty certain we picked the right place. My date ordered the grits with shrimp and coriander-the shrimp was tender and perfectly cooked and the grits were just buttery goodness! I had the crunchy gazpacho and the seasonal squash and both were so rich with flavor. Our drinks were perfection-a cucumber and gin drink for him that smelled as fresh and green as it looked and a rhubarb muscadet for me that days later I am still dreaming about. We topped it all off with the peach cobbler drenched in blueberry sauce. Again, all fresh and delicious. The service was unbeatable and the ambiance was perfection (I was seeking a quite comfortable night that evening and got just that). I will go back again for sure! read more

This review is mostly for service but also food. We went to ICI for brunch on a relatively busy Saturday morning. I had made a reservation for 10-15 but our group ended up being much bigger than that. Staff at ICI were so nice and accommodating that I couldn't believe it. They immediately added additional tables and managed to sit everyone pretty quickly - and they made no fuss about it! I'm sure any other NYC restaurant would have given us a ton of attitude - speaking as a truly jaded NYC restaurant-goer! Oh and yes the food was delicious too! Thank you so much ICI and sorry again for all the trouble I caused you that day! read more

We held our wedding at ICI a few weeks ago and had the best experience. Everything was perfect, down to the very last detail. ICI was very easy to deal with and detail oriented when planning the wedding. On the day of, everything went smoothly, the waitstaff faded into the background, everything was perfectly timed and pulled off without a hitch. The food and drinks were outstanding, the private dining room looked gorgeous, and the waitstaff was so friendly and professional. ICI does a lot of private events so they really know how to run a wedding. We had a 40 guests, our ceremony and cocktail hour in the garden, and a dinner and dance in the private room upstairs. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a small wedding venue in Brooklyn. The best! read more

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I went here for a Saturday brunch. I really enjoyed the food. I had the kale veggie burger and a side of grits. I also had jasmine green tea. The food was very, very tasty. Usually I get the dressing on the side but the salad was lightly tossed which was great. Also, I liked the texture and seasoning of the grits. The service was average which is why I gave it a 3 star instead of a 4. The food took a long time but it might be because the amount of time put into the food. I would suggest ordering an appetizer if you're really hungry. Definitely try this place out. read more

Maison May - Kale veggie burger with an egg and side salad - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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A true story for you, Sam! We walked past in search of brunch. Checked the menu and headed in. Walked in... all the way to the back where someone finally noticed us and told us we can't sit outside in the back garden. (Uh, okay, we just want to sit down.) Sat down at a table in the front. Scanned the room and noticed, not one, not two, but THREE, THREE tables in the front all waiting to be served, all looking towards the back where all the servers congregated. No glasses, no water, no menus. Someone from another table finally got up and grabbed their own menu. Everyone at the other two tables were staring... STARING towards the back waiting to order. My companion and I looked at each other. We walked out and headed to Loulou's. Maybe we'll try again when they get their act together. read more