Phew, four courses - and you have to get the $15 extra dishes because, why not, you're already there - and I'm heavier, happier, and might have to say Rooster might be DC's best restaurant. Wild but all delicious offerings - roasted carrots with... ice cream? But it worked. Scallion oiled butter with Hawaiian sweet bread? Strangely addictive. Rabbit pate with... green strawberries? Hoppin mad! Thanks for the incredible service, and sorry you lost that bet that we wouldn't be able to finish everything (having ordered the full +2 for 2 courses). read more

Rooster & Owl - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We celebrated our anniversary at Rooster & Owl and ordered the caviar & champagne pairing followed by their preset four-course tasting menu. The absolute highlight was the Merolin Imperial Gold caviar-easily one of the best we've had. It was rich, buttery, incredibly clean, and completely free of any overly fishy taste. Paired with their fluffy, light caviar buns, it made for an exceptional start to the meal and set the bar very high. For the first course, we enjoyed the Cantaloupe Dan Dan and the Hamachi Crudo. Both were creative and beautifully presented, with the cantaloupe having a hot spice. It would be helpful if the servers had pointed out which dishes had a noticeable level of spice. Our second course featured the Sablefish Tostada and Crab Fritters. The tostada offered a wonderful contrast of textures, while the crab fritters were crispy on the outside with a tender, flavorful center. For the main course, we had the Steamed Bass and the Xi Tan Spiced Lamb Rack. The bass was delicate and perfectly cooked, while the lamb was tender, boldly seasoned, and full of flavor without being overpowering. Dessert consisted of the Basque Cheesecake and the Chocolate & Sesame dessert. Both were a lovely finish to the meal, with the Basque cheesecake being rich and creamy, while the chocolate and sesame combination added a balanced, nutty sweetness. One thing we especially appreciated was the pacing of the evening. The servers never made us feel rushed, allowing us to fully enjoy each course and celebrate our anniversary. Between every course, the table was thoughtfully reset with fresh plates and silverware, adding to the polished fine dining experience. While we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner, we expected the ambiance to feel a bit more modern and polished for a restaurant of this caliber. The dining room felt more casual than anticipated and didn't quite have the refined atmosphere we envisioned for a Michelin restaurant. read more

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Rooster and Owl's appealing Asian-fusion menu and one Michelin star led my wife and me to visit it for my birthday dinner. Despite the 1* rating, reservations are relatively easy to come by. We were sat immediately at our reservation time in the cozy, homey dining room. Our waiter introduced himself immediately and took our orders. The four course tasting menu here is the only option, and each guest chooses one option per course out of about four different dishes. Overall, the food was good and we did not experience any "dud" dishes. Some bites tasted more interesting and compelling than others. The meal starts with bread service, and I highly enjoyed the fluffy, sweet "pineapple" milk bread with a crackly, sugary crust. The rich scallion butter served alongside was addictive. For our first course, we opted for the crudo and the rabbit pate. The former was a well executed but gob standard coconut milk and fish raw preparation that most tasting menu restaurants in the city are serving in one manner or another. The rabbit pate was a bit more creative with a "choose your own adventure" style pairing of the pate with multiple house-made condiments such as pickled strawberries and whole grain mustard. The presentation on this one was a little "rustic" but the classic charcuterie flavors worked well enough. The second course brought two great dishes. We highly enjoyed the rich crab toast, a smart play on Chinese shrimp toast comprising a perfect slice of milk bread topped with generous, sweet crab. The toast itself arrived swimming in a deliciously rich crab bisque whose richness was smartly cut by a chili puree. The pork kebab comprised Vietnamese style shoulder and sausage paired with herbs and a nuoc cham dipping sauce. While the preparation was, more or less, true to form for a standard Vietnamese grilled meat dish, the flavors tasted authentic and punchy. Perhaps the nadir of our evening was the lamb rack. While tasty enough, we failed to detect any cumin-chili Xian spice. The chops themselves were additionally cooked too rare. In contrast, the mapo lobster cavatelli may have been the night's star. Homemade chewy cavatelli, made with silken tofu rather than ricotta, were paired with chunks of unctuous lobster and a slightly spicy mapo inspired ragu. This dish was a smart fusion of Chinese flavor and Italian pasta. Unfortunately, our dish had a small lobster shell in it, which is a bit inexcusable. For dessert, we opted for the blueberry corn basque cheesecake and the chocolate and sesame ganache. I enjoyed the sweet-salty flavors of the former, though the components of the dish lacked cohesion. The latter was rich and well composed, and we enjoyed the unique touches of yuzu and malted milk ice cream. Overall, for a fine dining restaurant with a Michelin star, the food ran a bit below expectations. While overall good, some execution errors and straightforward dishes don't make this the most exciting meal in town. That being said, the service and hospitality here are top notch. For my birthday, we were presented with personalized menus and essentially everyone I interacted with wished me a happy birthday. I even received a card signed by all the restaurant's staff, a nice touch. The staff themselves were warm and attentive without being overly fussy. Dishes were explained well without pretension. We felt welcome and left with a warm sentiment due to the service here. As such, I give Rooster and Owl a solid four stars. Whatever critiques I have for the food are more than made up for with an excellent hospitality culture, and while we have had better meals at the price point we have not experienced superior service. read more

Great service, I don't know how many times my water was filled, but at least 20, 30 times. The menu had 4 choices each and some are Chinese fusion. The dishes are innovative, the service is excellent, the food is complex, multi-layered, and it's on point from both the Chinese and the western point of view. Everything from appetizer to main to dessert was excellent. The service is excellent. I appreciated the place and no wonder it's Michellin 1 start. The only problem is the parking police out patrolling while you are having dinner. read more

My first official Michelin star dinner experience in the city, believe it or not! The place seats a good amount of people, but some of the tables are admittedly closer than I would be comfortable with for vibe like this, haha. Luckily for us, we were right against the window and the only table there. Definitely appreciated the privacy! So it was a four course dinner -- a little over $100/pp. Each of the four courses had about multiple options, so my gf and I were intentional about getting different things so we could try each other's. I don't know where to start... We had some unexpected dinner rolls before the first course, and the way the butter with them was presented was beautiful -- look at that green swirl! And then I got the beets... I have to say I really love golden ones! And my gf got the ceviche... Loved the touch of passion fruit in there. Then I got the crab roe rice and tasted my gf's chawanmushi. Now, the third course... I think the sablefish was my favorite. Never had it before, and I loved the flavor! Loved the sweet potatoes and the curry. I loved the ricotta on my gf's duck tagliatelle -- that was a great dish too. The chocolate cake & toffee pudding were winners for dessert. And then we had these little surprise bites that reminded us of gourmet fruit leather. In between each course, plates and utensils were swapped, and the table was wiped down. When we would go to the bathroom, our napkins would be folded in the most elegant fashion (I should've taken a pic). This was definitely an elevated experience, and I think it's the coolest thing. I'm looking forward to having more outings like this... Oh did I mention I had a cocktail with tom yum?! What a unique experience. I gotta get my wallet right for more of this... By the way, I had just the right amount of food. read more

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Worth the wait worth the price. But be ready for date night that will be one of your best. Start with a cocktail, let me see you swizzle felt like it was not a gin drink and it went down smooth. Had the best lobster ragu that I have ever had. But besides all of the flavors, the machine that this place is, it's unmatched. You'll get every single attention to detail, and the staff works like no other. They are so focused and know exactly how to do it. Try this place and most definitely "she'll like it too". read more

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This was our first Michelin star restaurant. It did not disappoint. The service was top notch. They even gave us complimentary champagne and pineapple buns when they found out we were celebrating my husband's promotion. The food definitely fills you up. We didn't even have room for dessert. My favorite was the hamachi. My least favorite was the chicken. The waiter had suggested it but I felt like there wasn't anything special about it read more

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Overall a great experience - I went for my birthday dinner and while it was nice of them to write happy birthday on the top of the menu, they misspelled my name so my boyfriend had to ask for it to be reprinted. This was a bit disappointing as I expected a higher level of attention to details. The ambiance was more casual than expected, I even saw one of the diners wearing a baseball cap. The AC kept turning on and off throughout the entire meal, which was a bit uncomfortable. Whenever the AC was on, it would blast extremely cold air, then it would get warm when it turned off. The food, wine pairing, and service (Ginger was our server) were great except the chawanmushi, which I thought the dashi flavor overpowered the delicate taste of the egg, uni, and scallop. All in all, a pretty solid spot and I look forward to coming back. read more

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It was okay. The first dish was the most memorable for me. The squash with the salsa matcha was delicious, smoky and sweet. Such great flavor combinations. It set the tone for the rest of the meal and unfortunately I was just disappointed after. The salmon bread everyone raved about was just okay. The sauce made it better with the bursts of citrus but it was just okay. The fresh rolls and butter were in fact delicious, I'll take 14 of them. The main dish I got the fish, it was good. Dessert was meh. I got the pumpkin pie and it didn't say it would be deconstructed so it was surprising to see the presentation. The flavors were okay overall, nothing impressive. Giving them four stars because staff was amazing. Didn't go without water in my cup at all. The dishes were always presented and staff seemed all very knowledgeable. The ambiance is great for a date or just a casual dinner with friends. For the price and for the Michelin star I was kind of disappointed. read more

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Made a reservation here for two to try our first 1 star Michelin restaurant and it brought so much joy to my taste buds! Only street parking is available to make sure you account time for that. Service was quick and attentive. Plates came out quickly and reasonably between each course. We sat at the bar and the waitress/bar folk were informative and still gave us our space to chit chat. We were celebrating a special occasion and they originally brought out prosecco (neither of us drink alcohol) and they were so kind to notice and offer a non-alcoholic alternative!! This gesture shows just how attentive and exceptional their service is. Ambiance was okay -- while I enjoyed the rooster and owl decorations and the intimate setting -- there was a continuous draft of cold air blowing against our legs which made it a bit uncomfortable. The food was delicious! The starter buns and scallion oil butter made such a strong impression that I'm still salivating about it a week later. The ahi crudo was ok. I've had quite a bit of sushi in my day so this did not stand out to me. The duck was lovely -- one piece was juicy and tender which the other was crispy. The deconstructed pumpkin pie was a great, not-too-sweet dessert. read more

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Overall, it was a good experience. Service was great, and the food was very good as well. Some of the food tasted a bit over-seasoned for my taste, but nothing that stood out as bad. I guess it didn't feel like a 5-star experience, as I may have had a bit of an exaggerated expectation from it being a Michelin-starred restaurant. Again, the whole experience was pretty good. read more

Food: 10/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 Service: 10/10 Tips: make reservation in advance! Everything was up to perfection and the food was amazing. We got extra dish for it an extra $15 on top of the fixed menu and there was totally worth it. Each of the dish combines ingredients that you wouldn't imagine possible- but coordinated so nicely and palatable. They are so-called Asian fusion which I really don't care for but this is one of the few fusion places I want to go back! read more

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FABULOUS MEAL! 4 courses for $125 is a great deal, and all the dishes tasted phenomenal. I really enjoyed the Asian fusion elements in the various dishes, along with the overall creativity and beautiful presentation of each dish. Some favorites included Octopus Ceviche, Chicken Liver Mousse with scallion mochi waffle, cranberry, and za'atar, "Bahn Mi" with bacon, foie gras, carrot, and coriander (deconstructed bahn mi), and Sablefish with Thai yellow curry, Okinawa sweet potato, and horseradish. The entire meal was truly delicious and fun! Staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I was impressed with the service, attention to detail, and overall experience. I felt like I was on a good adventure. I went for my anniversary and we greeted with complimentary champagne (alcohol free because we don't drink) and a personalized menu. Our server guided us through the menu and you order everything upfront. After ordering, the adventure begins. It is quite the experience. While it seems silly, my stand out favorite was the bread with the scallion oil butter. The other favorites were the bbq carrots, duck tagliatelle, and the sticky toffee pudding. I enjoyed being able to share everything with my husband. I only take off a star because for how highly ranked it is, Michelin stars, and all that you expect it to be, it wasn't worth the hype to me. It seemed somewhat standard farm to table. Delicious, but expected something more. read more

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Really enjoyed this dinner with a couple of small caveats. First, every dish was wonderful. No complaints whatsoever about the food. Overall service was very good and our waiter was very personable. However when you are at a one star Michelin restaurant, every detail counts. That's why you have a star. We got the $145 supplement caviar set. The caviar was extremely good as were the accompaniments. We were supposed to get champagne with the caviar and they forgot to bring it out. That said, they realized their mistake and gave us extra champagne - more than the glasses we were due so I appreciate the "make up". Timing was off on some dishes too. My son went to the bathroom and instead of waiting to present the next dish, they just went ahead and did it without him there. Which again, isn't what I expect from a Michelin starred place. And the only dish I was somewhat disappointed in was the mango sticky rice pavlova. Meringue was too chewy and difficult to bite into. But taste and flavors overall were very good read more

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Really cool to be able to try a Michelin starred restaurant in an affordable price point. We got sat outside and thank goodness they had bug spray because otherwise I would've been eaten alive. We had 4 people so it was the perfect amount for us to share all the items on the menu which I highly suggest. Two favorite dishes - lamb entree- so pull apart tender with amazing flavor - pea ravioli entree- wow such a nice compliment throughout the dish. Perfectly cooked and ample amount of raviolis Two of my least favorite dishes - baba ganoush- I just didn't even want to eat this. The top part was way too bitter for me - key like dessert- just not good. I think it was creative but so sweet that I wasn't interested. Really appreciate how well spoken our waitresses were and how attentive. read more

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We returned to Rooster & Owl for a second visit. Our first visit was over four years ago, and we were hoping that the memories of our prior visit weren't inflated due to the years that had passed. No fear, it was exactly the way we remembered, although the portion sizes seemed bigger this time around. We added a cabbage dish and an eggplant dish to our prix fixe and realized that was a lot of food. It's tough to sort through the menu when everything looks and tastes so amazing! I've got to say that the short ribs and the cabbage were a highlight of the evening. That said, every dish was unique and flavorful and I would order them all again. Shame on us for waiting so long to return. read more

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Their menu changes every 6 weeks so I can only post about the Winter/January 2025 menu specifically. My friend and I came for my birthday dinner. I arrived a few minutes early and the hostess had me wait back near the entrance, which was unfortunate since it was quite drafty and cold as the doors to the outside kept opening as other people entered. The food was great! The birthday dessert that came out was like a mini ice cream sandwich with sprinkles. I normally hate sprinkles but it was a delicious dessert and I even enjoyed the sprinkles (I assume they make them in house since they didn't taste anything like regular sprinkles). read more

What a lovely dining experience - Rooster & Owl definitely deserves its Michelin star! We had the 4-course tasting menu, and since we were a party of four and there were four options for each course, we got to try every dish on the menu. Every dish was unique and interesting, and the flavors complemented each other so well. My favorites from each course include the Korean Melon Elote, the Seared Scallop, the Grilled Short Rib, and the Chocolate Tart. Everything else was also fantastic. The service was amazing. The staff cleared our plates and wiped the table after each meal, and they checked in on us frequently. The food arrived quickly. Overall, I only have good things to say! I recommend a try if you're looking to celebrate a special day, or just to splurge on a classy culinary experience. read more

Rooster & Owl - menu - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wow wow wow! What an experience! And experience is key anywhere you go. Definitely a great date night spot or place to catch up with friends. It's intimate, the servers are excellent, and the flavors are extraordinary! I ordered the wine pairing with my dinner and my server was so knowledgeable and thoughtful with each wine. All of them complimented the food very well and I loved the range in the wines that they had. From a sparkling wine to start and finished with a delicate pear wine for dessert. I'm posting the crudo because I didn't love my first course, the cucumber salad. Nothing wrong with it, but the flavors didn't jive for me. After mentioning my feelings about the salad, they brought me the crudo. Mind you... this was the first course of 4 and I only mentioned it close to dessert! How thoughtful and kind! The cheesecake was out of this world! Not overly sweet and melts in your mouth. I wanted 14 of them stat! You won't regret your experience here. Try to make reservations in advance and enjoy! read more

Rooster & Owl - Crudo - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Our evening was spectacular. We visited Rooster & Owl with a party of eight (reserved via email) and were seated right on time. Service was attentive without being intrusive, and each dish was clearly explained and well paced. The restaurant dimly lit to be inviting but still modern. The wine pairings were delicious and absolutely worth it. While the luxury add-ons are fun, the chef's menu stands on its own--creative, well-seasoned, and satisfying. I preferred the delicious pumpkin pie to the toffee pudding, as it was a bit overly sweet. We'd definitely return for a special occasion. read more

Rooster & Owl - SHIMA AJI CRUDO - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food 4.5/5.0 Service 4.0/5.0 Value 3.0/5.0 Decor 4.0/5.0 Overall 4.5/5.0 Food was very good. Unfortunately, yours truly showed up on a not-that-empty-stomach. May have to go back to get a fuller experience (mind you, I didn't not eat... probably just didn't fully comprehend how good it was). read more

We took advantage of Parents Night Out and dined here with another couple. Since there were 4 of us, we went with the dine-in menu since there were 4 dishes across each course (To Start..., ...Then..., ...And Then..., To Finish). The shared tasting menu was fun and encouraged us to try every dish. The presentation was thoughtful and the flavors were creative without feeling overly experimental. They also offered a wine pairing along with the dine-in menu but we opted to try their cocktails instead. Standout dishes included the tuna crudo (the wasabi avocado was such a great touch!), lamb shank (literally fell apart once we cut it), and milk chocolate tart (I welcome the charred marshmallow gelato!). The menu changes seasonally and there are some choices that may stay the same, but most dishes are rotated for the most part. The service was attentive and well-paced, and the ambiance struck a nice balance between upscale and intimate. Overall, I thought it was a unique dining experience that's worth trying, especially for a special night out or a date night. read more

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Not worth the price at all. Ambiance and service were amazing. However, my wife and I decided to do the Valentine's Day prix fixe menu, and I think it's important to flag that specifically. One very shady part of how this was handled: the restaurant never released the menu ahead of time, so we went in blindly. Almost none of the main staples that make this place so well known were included, aside from the rolls and butter. I truly don't understand how this restaurant got away with charging a premium for this menu, considering there was absolutely nothing special on it. The protein choices were cheap and clearly a cost cutting measure. For a place charging far more than its normal menu, I expected higher end options. One course was literally a pile of sautéed mushrooms, some of which were so chewy they weren't even edible. Another was a single, basic piece of pasta with gamey meat stuffed inside. The main protein of the entire menu was quail stuffed with chicken. It was very average. Nothing about this menu felt like it was worth almost $180. At $100, I could understand it. At $180 to $220, this was actual robbery. I hated every single dish. The price compared to the food quality and quantity was just terrible. There are so many amazing Michelin star restaurants in this city. If you're looking for a Michelin star experience based purely on service, you'll get it here. If you're looking for food that matches the value of what you're paying, avoid this place at all costs. I blame nothing on the servers. The service was great. But the kitchen and whoever set this menu completely missed the mark. The food, the quality, and the flavors were all so subpar. I left this meal extremely depressed and regretful that I chose this place to spend Valentine's Day. I truly don't understand why this place has a Michelin star. I've been to plenty, and this was by far the worst. There's a reason this place doesn't make any top 20 lists, and it should never come close to yours. What a horrible waste of money and an evening. Avoid unless you're looking for nothing but good service. read more

Rooster & Owl - Tortellini - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I don't think it's possible to explain how much I love this restaurant in one review. I tried it for the first time in 2024 when visiting my best friend and it was my one request when I made my visit again this weekend -- so you're getting an updated write-up. After a pretty horrendous travel day (3 hours sitting on a runway) and panic texts unsure if we were going to make it, walking in and being able to have the dining experience I had been dreaming of all week made up for it. From the hostess to our bartender/server Nick, everyone who works there is top notch and makes you feel like a regular. And the food. My god this food. We ate so much and I would recommend everything but please do not leave without having the lamb that's crusted in falafel (yes, you read that right), that made my part Middle Eastern heart melt. Dessert you also need to get the cheesecake and the olive oil cake and the chocolate tart. All three. Don't skip one but also I listed them in my order of top top to next top in case you are too full. If I lived in DC I would have a standing monthly reservation here. read more

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Reasonably priced Michelin star that serve a four course prix fixed American menu. You have a choice of four items for starters, appetizers, main entree and dessert. We fortunately came as a party of four so was able to try everything on the menu. Service was great - one of our servers heard my daughter liking the blueberry in her drink and then bought out more blueberries! Love the thoughtfulness! Certainly enjoyed the food and it's presentation. read more

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I wanted to take my parents to a 1-star and decided on Rooster & Owl after hearing positive review from a few people. We enjoyed a four course prix-fixe meal for 105 per person. We got started with complimentary, Cantonese-style dinner rolls (one per person) that came with a side of butter topped with scallion oil. The rolls with fresh, soft, and chewy. The butter was incredible! It was the perfect, "room temperature" texture, velvety, creamy, and the scallion oil really took it home. It reminded us of the scallion soda crackers that we enjoy snacking on at home. We liked the rolls and butter so much we got another order of it (+2.50 per roll). * TO START ... * BABY CARROTS The carrots were soft and sweet, which was well balanced by the acidity of the pickled vegetables. The labneh was creamy and tangy. Overall, lots of different flavors that went well together. Out of the three, this was our second favorite. TUNA CRUDO There were only four bites, but it was delicious. The tuna was fresh and went well with the avocado, orange (?) and serrano pepper, which was buttery, juicy, citrusy with a bit of spice. The blood orange ponzu was acidic and flavorful and nice to sip on after we ate all the tuna crudo. This was definitely our favorite! PÂTÉ EN CROÛTE The puff pastry was alright, but the pate wasn't very soft or creamy. On top of that, it was mixed with chestnuts and something reminiscent of raisins, so it was hard to enjoy the pate on its own. There was a side of spring mix that was topped with some grapefruit, which was refreshing. This was unique, but definitely last on the list. * ... THEN... * WHITE ASPARAGUS Each order came with four stalks topped with an elevated version of tartar sauce, surrounded by a few crawfish pieces around it and sauce américaine. The "tartar" sauce was rich and flavorful, going well with the delicate and lightly sweet stalks of white asparagus. I enjoyed sipping on the sauce with the tender bits of crawfish. It was good, but not our favorite. BABA GANOUSH BRÛLEÉ We were told to mix the baba ganoush thoroughly before spreading a generous amount of dip on the sourdough. It had hints of cocoa flavors, nutty, and a bit sweet with the texture similar to hummus. It was unique, but it didn't quite wow us as much as the other two. I also thought the sourdough was a bit too toasty. FRIED HADDOCK This was definitely our favorite. The piece of fried haddock was perfect. The fried layer was thin, yet crispy, coated in a layer of hot honey. The haddock was flaky and tender, which was elevated by the flavors of the sweet and lightly spiced fried batter. Truly chef's kiss. We loved it. * ... AND THEN... * SPRING AGNOLOTTI Our server recommended this over the lamb, so we went with it. This had some grilled (?) artichoke pieces, spring mix, peas, green-colored agnolotti (similar to ravioli, but longer) with a pool of foamy ricotta in the middle. The agnolotti was a bit doughier than I would have liked and the filling wasn't too flavorful. We enjoyed the greens and the ricotta. HALIBUT The halibut was topped with a rice paper cracker and sat on top of a bed of spinach and a creamy vegetable based sauce. The halibut itself didn't have much flavor, so we used as much sauce as we could to smother the fish with. Flavors were elevated, but nothing to go crazy over. IBERICO PORK PRESA Definitely our favorite, we would recommend it for the delicious Iberico pork. It was so tender and juicy, going well with the au poivre. I really liked the smash apricot jam on the side that was sweet. Wasn't the biggest fan of the green sauce that probably had some cilantro pureed in, but the spring mix helped hide some of those unpleasant flavors. * ... TO FINISH. * KEY LIME PAVLOVA The lime sorbet rolled over to the side of our plate as our server set it down on our table but didn't say or do anything about it... uh. The pavlova was harder than expected and didn't have the chewy, marshmallow-like texture in the middle. Overall, we thought it was too sweet and didn't end up finishing it. OLIVE OIL CAKE Probably the best out of the three, but still just OK. Olive oil cake is just a rich person's pound cake. It's dense with a rougher texture. I liked the fig preserves but thought it was too sweet. The Madeira diplomat cream was very enjoyable and went well with the cake. Still, its felt and tasted like a regular dessert. CHEESECAKE Personally, I don't like thin cheesecakes (as in, small cream cheese to crust ratio), and we were underwhelmed. The strawberry preserves on the side tasted a bit off. The strawberry hibiscus sorbet was tart and enjoyable, but again, a bit too sweet. We enjoyed the dishes we got from this season's menu (minus the dessert). My parents both thought the fine dining experience was worth it and were impressed with the variety we were able to try between the three of us. I'd be open to try a different menu in the future, but I'm not rushing to come back anytime soon. read more

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It was just ok. Our bill came out to $500 or so and it just wasn't worth it. The best was the bread, baked really well. The worst, people seated so close to one another. On our left was Mr.Cologne and on the right was Mrs. Powdery perfume. It triggered allergies, sneezing runny nose and my palate was disrupted. Awful. Please ask your guests not to wear fragrances. That just ruined the meal for me. Don't seat your guests so close that we can literally smell one another. read more

We had a wonderful dining experience at Rooster & Owl. You can tell their entire team takes pride in their work from the front of the house to the bar to the kitchen. The restaurant is a little bit on the smaller side so make sure you make your reservations in advance for this special, Michelin star four-course menu. The dishes are beautifully presented and well-balanced with flavors and textures. We enjoyed many of the options on the menu during our visit. The standouts were the tuna crudo (best singular bite of the night), the beautifully flaky halibut, the crispy and sweet fried haddock, and the just-the-right-amount-of-sweet olive oil cake. Overall, the meal was wonderful with the attentive staff and the innovative and balanced dishes. You can see why it is the acclaimed restaurant that it is. read more

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Very unique flavor combinations that were fun to try, but not my cup of tea. Speaking of tea.. we were not given a menu that provided prices for tea. One small cup of chamomile tea (only option) was $12. Service was alright. We will not be returning. read more

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I had a great time here! I went with my husband and mother, who is usually a picky eater, and even she had good things to say. The food was very unique and unlike anything I have had before. We went on a Thursday night, which is when their chef menu is $85 instead of the usual price. It comprised of 4 courses and the food came out promptly. Our waitress was very nice, checked up on us often, and would explain each dish as they came out. The cocktails were delicious and the wine pairing was also good as well. I really enjoyed this place and I'm glad that I went. read more

A very nice experience and a pretty good value overall. The space is larger than expected from the outside but surprisingly tight, and the service was very good. We shared everything and all was very good, to outstanding. Bread service was delectable! On our menu, the Japanese Yam was the hands-down favorite dish! I'd return just for that. Roasted Quail was great, and braised short rib delivered. Steak Tartare was nice, as was tuna crudo, but the latter just didn't wow us. Same with the mussels toast. The real miss was the Striped bass, which was a bit overdone and simply just boring. Desserts were good. It's definitely a nice dine in DC and I'd recommend. read more

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I was looking forward to this dinner during a recent visit to DC. Unfortunately, I have to caveat my impressions of this visit as I got increasingly nauseous (due to my travels and not anything I had here) as the evening wore on. I was unable to enjoy my dinner fully. I must credit the staff for trying to make my evening comfortable. There was a line at the restaurant when I arrived: couples, families with babies, friends, all enjoying an evening out. There was so much to look forward to: an innovative menu with creative use of ingredients and an elevated yet relaxing atmosphere. Here, for a fixed price, you choose a course from each category, basically two appetizer-sized starters, a main, and a dessert. You can also select any additional dish for an added price. Oh, happy days. I love this type of menu where the only tricky aspect is selecting from amongst some stellar choices. Before the first dish, we were all treated to freshly baked pineapple buns, a favorite dim sum offering. The pineapple bun is so named not because pineapples are incorporated into the bread but rather for the cross-hatched cookie baked directly onto the tender, sweet bread. Such a fun surprise to start a meal. (Of course, for me, pineapple buns are a dessert, so it was a bit disconcerting to have it as a starter.) For the first course, I was undecided between the Asian pears and beets. Both are favorites and lovely. I went with the former only because I rarely see Asian pears on menus at home. And what a choice. I loved the crisp, thinly sliced pear in a soy-tahini sauce, topped with mint and feta crumbles. The pairing of feta and tahini offsets the sweetness of the pears. Next up, I had the scallops from Hokkaido, seared and served with toasted almonds, sliced Concord grapes, and crème fraîche. What can I say but grapes and scallops are a delightful combination. And the almonds added a nice nutty note and crunchy texture to the dish. For my main, I was looking so forward to the short rib-filled tortellini, with bone marrow no less. However, I just did not feel well and after two bites had to take a break from the meal. I asked the server to box up dessert, the hummingbird cake, in the event I felt better later on in the evening. And indeed, the tender, deconstructed cake with pineapple chunks was a nice snack after I took a nap. The service was fantastic. Servers brought out and explained each course, patiently answering my many questions, and my water glass was never empty - and I drank a lot of water. I only wish I was in better shape to enjoy the meal. read more

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My partner and I came for our anniversary and it was a great experience. Rooster & Owl is a four course menu, with an option to add any other dish for an additional $15 each. Each course has four choices to pick from. We also opted for the wine pairing. We were started with their chive oil butter and bread. I enjoy chives so I was a fan of the butter. I would say most dishes were executed well, some that had minor hiccups, and a few that were ok. Our favorites were the cacio e pepe, parisian gnocchi, and maple cake. I enjoyed the "pot roast" however it was a little overly salty. The shrimp toast was our least favorite, quite oily and not a fan in general. The staff surprised us with a card for our anniversary and it was signed by the staff. Our server was wonderful and knowledgable. The wines from the wine pairing were great, however at least one course we felt like the pairing could have been better. There was a mix up on one course, so they just gifted us with the dish, and then gifted us another course dish. Overall, very good and I would definitely come back again. read more

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One of the most flawless and thoughtful dining experiences I've ever had. We went for my wife's birthday and from the moment we walked in - everything went great. The GM greeted her by name and wished her a happy birthday, the menu had her name on it, and they even comped us a few dishes along the way when we couldn't make up our minds on which amazing dish to choose from. So many things stand out - but the shrimp toast was so good we ordered a second dish before the end of the night. Overall, such a perfect mixture of creativity, quality, and intentional hospitality. Worth every penny and would absolutely recommend this place for special occasions! Also, we sat at the bar and got excellent guidance from Nick that really helped us choose the best path through the menu thanks for everyone R&O team! Menu recs: "Cacio e pepe" = my favorite Shrimp toast with lemongrass aioli = order 2x Gnocchi Pretty much anything & everything... read more

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Rooster & Owl delivers a dining experience that feels worthy of all the praise it receives. The tasting menu is creative, beautifully executed, and full of unexpected flavor combinations that somehow work perfectly together. Each course showcases incredible attention to detail, while the service strikes the ideal balance of knowledgeable and approachable. For a special night out in D.C., Rooster & Owl is one of the city's standout restaurants and a meal you won't soon forget. read more

I came in with pretty high expectations because it was Michelin rated and because so many people rated this place so highly. I know my review is a bit harsh, but if you're spending over $100+ per person (before tax, tip, etc) it should've be more worth it to me. I've been to a few Michelin restaurants and this didn't really feel on par to the ones at similar price point. I really enjoyed my experience but I think this menu was a bit of a let down. I also didn't have an issue with parking but two other women were seated way before their partner arrived after parking. I appreciated how casual the restaurant was and how they encourage sharing dishes instead of getting the same experience as everyone else like other Michelin restaurants. The service was good and I didn't have any issues with that. The size of the table was a really consistent thing for me that made me conscious. I felt like the utensils, glasses and serving plates were all too big/too much for the size of the table and every time they brought out food I had to move stuff around or accidentally bumped something when eating. I really enjoyed the pineapple bread starter because I personally love pineapple bread but to be honest, it was like a Kings Hawaiian roll with the pineapple crust on top. Although I loved the shrimp toast and "pot roast". I think those two dishes were the best course of our meal together. Unfortunately for me, the main courses is what threw me off from this experience. We ordered an extra entree because we wanted to try three dishes. The bass was too much of a fishy flavor for me (my bf liked it more than me). The braised short rib was not balanced enough. I hoped to have more of the congee underneath and the broccolini was wayyy too salty. I really enjoyed the pavlova dessert because the sweet meringue contrasted with the tartness of the yuzu really well. There were a few other dishes that were alright but didn't stand out to me. Maybe this menu just didn't match my tastebuds but there weren't many things that made me experience something I never have before. read more

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This was one of the best Restaurant Week meals and experiences I've had in a long time! We came for RW dinner and were seated outside on the patio, which is covered. We opted for the four course menu for $80- there was also a three course option for $65. Two things I really appreciated about their RW offerings: 1) you could choose to add on any course to your menu for $15, which I thought was really cool if you can't decide or if there's another plate you wanted to share with your table; 2) the RW menu is the same as their tasting menu (which is $125 for four courses), with I think one fewer option per course. I really appreciate when the RW menu actually matches what you would get normally! The first two courses were absolute standouts for us (after the really delicious complimentary pineapple buns!). We both had the Korean melon elote (small pieces of melon with elote-style toppings), which was so interesting and creative- the puffed sorghum added nice texture too. I really can't think of anything similar I've had anywhere else. For the second course, I had the Parisian-style gnocchi and my friend had grilled cobia with romesco sauce. I love gnocchi and I've never had anything like this- it was so light and fluffy and the flavor of the whole dish was incredible, it was such a perfect summer option. The cobia was also excellent! We both had the rigatoni as a main, which was the only dish that was a bit of a letdown for us- it was still very good, but didn't have as much flavor as we were expecting. But the Dubai chocolate sundae was a perfect way to end the meal! The crispy "nest" was so delicious and the miso fudge sauce was really flavorful. Our service throughout the whole meal was outstanding. Our server, John, was so fun, friendly, and attentive- he really added to the experience for us, but everyone who stopped by was great. I haven't always had the best service for RW so this was a real standout. It was also my friend's birthday, and they brought over the cutest little vanilla ice cream sandwich with a candle in it for her, which was a really nice way to commemorate the occasion. Can't recommend this restaurant enough, especially during Restaurant Week! read more

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After some extensive research, I decided to celebrate my birthday at Rooster & Owl this year. This was a first time Michelin restaurant for three of the four in my dinner party. We were all impressed and enjoyed the entire dining experience! We tried things we had never had before and the service was very good! My table was sort of in the middle of the restaurant but the space is small and there is outdoor seating, when weather permits. So, that's no biggie. For the price, I feel that we all got our money's worth. The menu has four courses with four items to pick from. Since there was four of us, we chose every single item on the menu within the pre-fixe list. There was a lot of food and we were full by the end of the night. I was ready to tap out by dessert but I couldn't pass up trying everything! The atmosphere is a very relaxed vibe. The drinks were good and we even received a complimentary glass of sparkling at the end of dinner. I was also gifted a birthday card signed by the staff and a fancy ice cream sandwich! This Michelin experience will never be forgotten for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and I'm so glad that I did! I even tried tartar for the first time (it was amazing btw), even though I love carpaccio and eat my steaks medium rare. So, I'm happy to have this night as a core birthday memory forever! I was originally worried about parking but it's a distance away from U street. So, my party was able to find street parking easily. Pricewise, I think everything is on par and I would definitely come back again to try new dishes by the chef! Thanks for making my birthday a great one!!! read more

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Being big fans of Ellie Bird, my wife and I decided to try Rooster & Owl for our anniversary, and it was the perfect choice. The staff went above and beyond, signing a card for us and making sure it was a truly special evening. The food and service was incredible. Honestly this place in my opinion is even better than the The Inn at Little Washington, which is saying a lot! Rooster & Owl made our anniversary memorable, and we're already looking forward to celebrating many more special occasions here. Highly recommend! read more

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