665204 Fri Nov 06 09:56:00 -0800 2009 6 19 Outer Boroughs 0 5161085 I was torn between Ici, No. 7 and General Greene. I'm a vegetarian but my husband will eat anything. I have never been to any of these places. We are trying to expand beyond our Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill/Park Slope standards. Anything extra special about one over the others? Signature dishes? Anything to avoid? Thanks! Fri Nov 06 09:56:00 -0800 2009 127218 Olive123 1 5161514 Of those three, iCi is the best restaurant by far, in my opinion. General Greene is ok, but unless you order just right you can be disappointed. No. 7 has a very limited menu, and tries a little too hard to be weird. You can have a good meal at all three, for sure. But iCi is the most professional and reliable. Every meal I have had there has been delicious. Fri Nov 06 12:11:10 -0800 2009 5161085 1111129 chorosch 2 5161851 ICI is a good stylish but traditional formal restaurant and we have had good dishes with seasonal vegetables and fish; they are interested in wine too and may offer something new to you. We had a fine meal a month or so ago at General Greene - totally different style with a small plates format. they have a relatively new chef and there are a fair number of interesting vegetarian (as well as meat) choices, for example a very good grain salad and a crisp, surprising beet salad,and their own very good housemade icecream. They bring the dishes out one by one in some kind of order. No bread is served unless you ask, and you would need 4 or 5 dishes for 2 people. unless you are huge eaters. More of a focus on craft beers and exotic drinks (some pretty interesting but how food oriented???) buzzy and very successful - you wont feel comfortable sitting as long here.. Totally different options, both worth trying. Hope you report back. Fri Nov 06 13:50:07 -0800 2009 5161514 11130 jen kalb 1 5161880 Maybe we"ll stick with Ici tonight and try General Greene next week. Both sound pretty good, and I think my husband likes the sound of that candied bacon. Fri Nov 06 13:59:40 -0800 2009 5161085 127218 Olive123 2 5161921 I think General Greene is more fun with friends. Last time I went we each picked out 3 things, and just all ate together as the food came out, everybody eating a little of everything. The food comes out very randomly. I think it's kind of overrated, but some people really like it. iCi is a more formal place, better for a couple.... or at least for a proper dinner. No. 7 is ok, but I don't think I'd leave the neighborhood for it. Fri Nov 06 14:11:39 -0800 2009 5161880 1111129 chorosch 1 5162024 Keep your res, for sure. iCi is great. I also quite like No. 7, as much for the ambiance as for anything else--thought the tempura broccoli is really amazing (and great for a veggie). Keep branching out! There's lots of good stuff in Ft Greene! Fri Nov 06 14:43:18 -0800 2009 5161085 547189 chowbie 1 5168242 We had a wonderful dinner at Ici, and Ft. Greene is always charming. The service was a little slow at times, but very pleasant. There was a function upstairs that I think pulled the servers away quite a bit. I enjoyed the kir cocktail, and my husband had the martini that isn't called a martini. Bread was of the delicious, crusty variety. I wished it was warm, but it was good either way. The polenta appetizer was fantastic, and we loved the cheese plate. We don't care for goat, so they were kind enough to substitute something else. Husband had and very much enjoyed the swordfish, and I had the veggie plate. The mushroom portion was a little tangier than I would have liked, but otherwise it was very good. We both had - and really really enjoyed - the celery root puree. We're going to try to replicate it at home! We were too full for dessert. Sitting by the fireplace and enjoying a quiet dinner at Ici made for a lovely Friday night. By the way - when we left around 10 the place was hopping. We will definitely be back to Ici, and to Ft. Greene generally to try some other spots. I had great luck at Luz last time, so 2 for 2. Mon Nov 09 14:58:06 -0800 2009 5161085 127218 Olive123