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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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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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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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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Devastatingly disappointing--borderline inexcusable at this level. This was, without question, the worst experience we've had from the 2025 Michelin Guide, and one of the most poorly executed meals anywhere in the DMV this year. Service didn't just falter--it unraveled. We were left waiting outside for 15 minutes past our reservation with no real acknowledgment, an early signal of what was to come. From there, the evening devolved into a masterclass in broken pacing: a major stall between the first and second courses, followed by nearly two hours before the third arrived. At several points, we were left wondering if the kitchen had simply forgotten us. What's harder to forgive is how it was handled. When we raised the issue, the maître d' responded with a rehearsed line about "optimizing for 20-22 minutes between courses"--a statement so detached from reality it felt almost insulting, given we had been waiting 35+ minutes consistently. It wasn't just poor service; it was an attempt to redefine it in real time. There was a brief window early on where it seemed the team might recover. Instead, the opposite happened. No urgency, no ownership, no meaningful attempt to correct course as the night slipped further off track. The eventual "make-good"--two 2oz pours of Champagne--read less as hospitality and more as a perfunctory afterthought. At this tier, timing, awareness, and accountability are not optional--they are the entire experience. This wasn't a near miss; it was a fundamental failure. read more

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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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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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

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

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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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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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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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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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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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

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 was expecting high quality because this place was a Michelin starred restaurant but I was unfortunately let down by the food and atmosphere. The night we went it was pretty packed and hard to find parking nearby. I've been to a few other Michelin restaurants which were definitely more high end but this place didn't even seem to match the taste as some other, much cheaper places. The food was okay, but I don't think the price was worth it. 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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Best food I've had in DC in a long time. We celebrated our anniversary and the restaurant did a lot of small little touches to commemorate like bubbly and personalized menus. Food and drinks were excellent and inventive. Nothing I've had anywhere else. And the price was very reasoanable. 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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As good as it gets, though not a value eating experience. Food, atmosphere, service are top notch. Shout out to Johnnie, our server, who enhanced the evening! I'm attaching photos of the menus and our food. Every item imaginative, fresh, expertly conceived and prepared. The menu is constructed assuming a party of four splits and tastes all dishes. This a four-course price fixed meal, and each course has four dishes. In our case there were dietary restrictions, so some dishes would not work. So we ordered individually, duplicating some dishes and not tasting others. I loved the experience. When price is considered, however, it comes to almost $150 per person, and we did not order cocktails or wine. So with drinks it would approach $200 per person. I am a good cook, not remotely as competent as this professional, and can prepare a healthy, satisfying, delicious home-cooked meal for far less, with outstanding wines. It was wonderful to be served and to have 100% of our time to concentrate on conversation, and to experience imaginative food and a top-of-game chef! read more

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Came here with two other friends. We ordered basically everything. 4 course meal. Restaurant is decently sized for the area. The bathroom music was too loud and was on the darker side which was fine. Servers were on it with picking up dishes, replacing silverware, and cleaning table once done with each course. Constant drink refill. My friend's only comment: I wish the big dumbass white puff thing was better but the yuzu was good. Gnocchi pear dish was delicious. I think great food quality for your money. Overall I would eat here again - great dining experience with a group. read more

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This was a delicious birthday dinner! They started with this amazing bread & butter combo I can't explain any of the flavors just trust me. We had to ask for more which we typically don't do with our bread! First course we did the "Caesar salad" and the squash. The squash might've been my favorite dish of the evening, the Caesar salad was also so good but I was so curious why they'd even compare it to Caesar salad. The sesame crunch was such a good touch. Third course we did an extra so got the gnocchi, the "loaded baked potato" with sunchoke, and the shrimp toast. The sunchoke was incredible! And the shrimp toast was so unique and yummy, the gnocchi was a little too potato-y for me. Then we did the duck & short rib (the latter prepared sous vis style), both delicious. The dessert we had the sticky toffee & the "pumpkin pie." The quotes on their dishes are so funny to me. The dirty martinis absolutely worth mention here as well, & the wine!! We sat at the bar - service was great (everyone knew their stuff!!!) but it was a little chilly is my only complaint! read more

The food is undeniably delicious and thoughtfully put together. The flavors are rich and complex, and the portions are filling without being too much. However, the service and ambiance leave a bit to be desired for a Michelin-starred restaurant. More pressingly, they don't warrant the high price tag. The restaurant itself had a trendy vibe with a somewhat loud kitchen (especially the woman barking orders at the cooks). There are a ton of people working the restaurant floor and constantly circulating, but the service lacks a personal nature. While our primary server was friendly and nice, every interaction with the staff felt rushed. Highlights: we loved the desserts! read more

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This was a 2.5 for me, rounded up because it wasn't outright bad as much as disappointingly mediocre. I've always wanted to try a tasting menu, and I've heard a lot about Rooster & Owl and love their sister restaurant Ellie Bird, so a friend and I went here to experience their new spring menu. Unfortunately, it ended up not being what we had hoped. I'll start with the positives: I thought our waitress was lovely, the patio was a great space on a spring night, and everything was plated beautifully. Unfortunately, neither of us ended up being impressed by the food, which was the reason we'd come. We started off fairly well with the bread, which is a classic dinner roll (they say it's inspired by pineapple buns, but I have to say it would have been significantly better if it had actually had that classic crust on top; as it was it was just a regular dinner roll). For the next round, we had the pate en croute and the smashed cucumbers. I didn't mind the jelly texture of the pate, but the flavor of chestnut didn't come through at all, and the pastry didn't taste particularly good and was denser than I expected (and not in a good way). It ended up feeling like a lot to eat because it was the same not-too-flavorful pate all through with the same jelly texture - it just didn't work for us. My friend felt the smashed cucumbers were like something she would make quickly to snack on more than a dish. I was very excited for the baba ganoush brulee, which was described as baba ganoush and muhammara under a layer of brulee sugar topped with cacao dukkah. Sounds amazing! But there was so little dip under the sugar and cacao that you couldn't taste it at all. I'm not exaggerating: I could barely see any layer under the sugar, much less a layer of eggplant dip and a layer of walnut red pepper dip, and I could taste neither of their (usually wonderful) flavors; everything just tasted like the cacao dukkah. I like the idea and I think I'll make my own version at home; all that was needed to fix it was actually including a good layer of each dip so that you could taste them. The sourdough was lovely, though! The star was the fried haddock; we loved every part of it. If every dish had tasted that good, we would have left happy. We both loved the sound of the lamb and were excited for it. I liked the apricot chutney on it a lot, but the texture wasn't great and the flavors on the plate as a whole just didn't work together. I actually really disliked the salad and the puree (a bit bitter?), and they didn't taste good when I combined them with the lamb. The lamb/apricot combo itself I really liked, though, and on the whole this was my third favorite dish, but the salad/puree part really just wasn't working with it. It didn't feel like a showstopper of a dish, and while I always clear my plate it felt like a bit of a chore here. The desserts were much better! I really liked the chocolate tart, although I have to say that the toasted marshmallow was maybe a bit too toasty and not enough marshmallow (it actually tasted like when I toast milk powder for baking). I loved the sesame caramel; it was so delicious and such a great flavor combo. My friend liked her pavlova, which was filled with calamansi curd and paired with a lovely tart sorbet. Portions were good and I certainly didn't leave hungry, but the food just didn't taste very good or interesting as a whole. All in all, when the bill came and I saw I'd been billed $10 for water on top of paying $105 pre-tax for food that was less creative/well-made than many of the casual spots around me and that didn't feel like it had been tested or fully thought through, I was pretty unhappy. We both left feeling we'd spent our money poorly, so that's a life lesson for us! I wouldn't return, though other seasonal menus may be better. I really needed to be wowed by the food at the cost, and honestly I've had much (much, much, much) better dishes for a fraction of the cost ordering a la carte at places like Tail Up Goat or Padaek or Albi - or, for that matter, Ellie Bird. An expensive mistake, but at least I know now! (I'm still not over the water, though. That physically hurts me.) read more

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I hadn't heard of the Rooster & Owl prior to going for a friend's birthday and what an amazing experience I have been missing out on. We had awonderful staff from arrival to departure, as they were courteous, attentive, and considerate. Equally impressive, was each dish and drink we had. We were fortunate to try the full menu for the evening and there was nothing I wouldn't order again. Props to the chef! The environs are inviting and it wasn't too noisy or cramped. Look forward to making a return visit soon. read more

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