I absolutely agree. If my memory serves me correctly, it was the first Google app to feature "cards" -- which has obviously made its way to almost every other IP that Google owns. The UI is slick, and it felt very fresh when it debuted.

I like the UI for G+, especially for the posts and comments. I don't like the design of the menus though. On a comparative scale, Facebook is ugly and mostly cluttered.

Tying up all Google services together with G+ really put me off the entire platform, and the reversal in some parts may be a bit too late. On the privacy front, I also trust Google a bit more than I trust Facebook.

Perhaps if they allowed it to grow organically rather than trying to shove it down everyone's throats, it may be a different story.