The Sofitel Lafayette Square recently reopened its Cafe 15 space, with a new design and a new name: Ici (or here, in French). Modeled after a contemporary French bistro, the 1,200-square-foot restaurant pops with deep red (in the floral carpet and paintings on the walls) and black (in the seats and marble floors).
The staff uses words like simple and clean to describe the decor and layout, which offers a variety of seating options, from the tall red upholstered variety to short black leather and wood options. The design also mixes round and communal tables with flanking banquettes. A large bookshelf displaying wines and glass vases divides the room, while tall windows brighten the space during the day, with large curtains available for privacy.The restaurant has hosted private events for T-Mobile and British Petroleum, and can hold as many as 57 guests. The center high communal table is ripe for displays and buffets but would be a challenge to move. (It's solid steel and marble.) For smaller functions, a sheer curtain along the bookshelf creates a semiprivate space for 24.
The menu, from chef Philippe Piel, offers a medley of French hits—mini croque monsieur in brioche, lamb ragoût à la Provençal, and crème brûlée—with special requests available.
The staff uses words like simple and clean to describe the decor and layout, which offers a variety of seating options, from the tall red upholstered variety to short black leather and wood options. The design also mixes round and communal tables with flanking banquettes. A large bookshelf displaying wines and glass vases divides the room, while tall windows brighten the space during the day, with large curtains available for privacy.The restaurant has hosted private events for T-Mobile and British Petroleum, and can hold as many as 57 guests. The center high communal table is ripe for displays and buffets but would be a challenge to move. (It's solid steel and marble.) For smaller functions, a sheer curtain along the bookshelf creates a semiprivate space for 24.
The menu, from chef Philippe Piel, offers a medley of French hits—mini croque monsieur in brioche, lamb ragoût à la Provençal, and crème brûlée—with special requests available.
Ici has modern decor with red accents.
Photo: BizBash
A large bookshelf divides the main space of Ici, with an optional sheer curtain for privacy.
Photo: BizBash
The steel-and-marble communal center table offers high dining with red upholstered chairs.
Photo: BizBash
The design features seating options ranging from high to low, round or square.
Photo: BizBash
