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    Rooster & Owl

    4.5 (544 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American, Tapas/Small Plates
    Closed Closed

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    Recommended Reviews - Rooster & Owl

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    Kriss D.

    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.

    Vicky V.

    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

    Delicious deconstructed pumpkin pie and not too sweet. Lovely complimentary (pomegranate?) sauce on the bottom.
    Angela L.

    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.

    Jung Y.

    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!

    Tuna tartare
    srabani r.

    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

    Pasta 6/10
    Esy C.

    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!

    Duck tagliatelle
    Becca S.

    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.

    Ken A.

    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.

    SHIMA AJI CRUDO
    Lulu T.

    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.

    Tortellini
    Keval P.

    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.

    Entrees
    Shelby P.

    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.

    menu
    Sophia W.

    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.

    Crudo
    Shantal W.

    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!

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    Page 2 of 14

    Ask the Community - Rooster & Owl

    Whete do we park?

    There is street parking, but sometimes its hard to find parking on the street. If you go later in the evening there is high chance to get a spot but during rush dinner time mostly you have to walk a bit after parking.

    Are there heaters for patio seating during the winter?

    Yes. I was there last week and heaters outside.

    How long does the serving last usually 1hr or 2hr? Just trying coordinate after dinner plans.

    Is there bar seating available?

    Yes

    View All 5 Questions

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    St. Anselm

    St. Anselm

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    Had a great dining experience and will definitely be back…read more From the complimentary deviled eggs to the salmon collar, glazed carrots, mushrooms, carrot cake, chocolate cake, root beer float, and buttermilk biscuits, the meal was full of standout dishes. The recommendation to pair the honey with the cheese on the biscuits was excellent and took an already great item to another level. The broccolini, coffee, and espresso shot were not our favorites of the evening, but honestly, the other dishes were so good that we quickly forgot about them. Every course seemed to have something memorable to offer. The bartender service was stellar throughout the night, attentive without being intrusive, and helped make the experience even more enjoyable. We left full, satisfied, and already talking about what we'd order on our next visit. Looking forward to coming back.

    Finally got to check out St. Anselm and it did not disappoint! It's a cool vibe for dinner with…read morefriends or even a date night. The staff are super attentive to everything going on. They made sure to keep our table clean and gave us new silverware and plates before or entrees arrived. Any food that we did not finish was boxed up and put into bags for us. The manager was actively walking around the restaurant, making sure that every guest were enjoying their dinner. The food was good all around but there are some dishes that outshine the rest. The ribeye and New York strip were very good. The butchers steak I got for my son and he didn't really like it, it was lacking flavor. If you do anything when you go, please make sure to get the biscuits. Hands down THE BEST BISCUITS I've ever had lol. They are the most flaky and buttery biscuits, you can count each layer that these have. Pro tip is to ask for butter and the house made jam. The pimento cheese is good with them but it becomes a little too decadent. Overall I'm happy we made the decision to come here, we will be back soon.

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    St. Anselm
    St. Anselm
    St. Anselm

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    Unconventional Diner - Tip-Top Chop

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.4k reviews)
    1.2 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    Excellent and loved the sopa criolla! So many great brunch options. Clean, good service and good…read morelocation.

    A group of four of us went here for dinner after searching for a while. We had a tough group to…read moresatisfy-a picky eater whose isn't adventurous and just wants Taco Bell all the time, a self proclaimed foodie who likes to seek out the Michelin star restaurants but actually isn't as adventurous in trying new foods as he thinks he is (hopefully he doesn't see this post haha), another who is willing to try most things but is also happy just eating low key and doesn't like to spend money, and then there's me who wants to try new things, willing to spend a little to try it and is happy going with the flow too. Thankfully we ended up at the Unconventional Diner and it was perfect for satisfying everyone in the group!! We were all able to get tasty drinks- from n/a Hibiscus Citrus lemonade, white wine, a cinnamon toast old fashioned (what? A cereal inspired old fashioned, yes please and it was fantastic!), and a Bourbon basil smash. Then the crew settled on some food-the waiter was patient with the questions and contemplation from the table (thank you!). We started with the SKILLET CORNBREAD with Habanero Honey Butter | Sea Salt (v) And that was melt in your mouth cornbread. Damn. Real cornbread seems hard to come by any more and this is the real deal. And the honey butter and flake sea salt-can't go wrong. I'm a spice weeny-for reals-and this was incredible. It's a MUST get. Across the table we had two of the double cheese burgers (I warned, we have a lack of adventurous eaters) -and they both said the burgers were the best they've had. I had the Philly French double dip, with horseradish cream and caramelized onions-so fantastic-the roast beef was melt in your mouth and the broth was the perfect saltiness. Our fourth got the fried chicken sandwich and really loved the dill pickle slaw that came with it, and the chicken was not over cooked and not raw-perfect! We all had fries with our meals, the thinner kind with light seasoning and none of us could stop eating them, even when we were clearly full, the fries just kept disappearing.

    Photos
    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

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    The Hamilton - District Wings

    The Hamilton

    3.9(4k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I tried the Hamilton for the first time on a Saturday night around midnight, on the weekend of the…read moreUS's 250th birthday celebration. Despite this and the crowded bar area, my party of 3 was still seated immediately at a booth in one of the many dining rooms. The atmosphere was both lively at the bar area and calm in the dining areas. Despite how fancy and old-timey the building is, it seems like the vibe is casual. Our attentive waiter informed us that the kitchen closed at 12:30am, so we ordered quickly. I got the: Hamilton burger 4/5 sunny-side up egg, bacon, b&b pickles, tilamook cheddar, dijionaise, house-made brioche bun This tall burger had a thick, juicy patty that paired so well with the egg, bacon, and cheese. I opted to remove the pickles. Considering it was served with fries, this was a reasonably priced meal for a popular destination in the city. BIRD IS THE WORD 4/5 planteray '3 star' rum, smith + cross jamaican rum, daytrip strawberry amaro, demerara, pineapple, lime Sweet, fruity, refreshing cocktail! Nothing to write home about but was indeed a delicious experience.

    This was always my go to when I lived in DC and where I would send friends visiting…read more Sadly it isn't as good anymore. They used to bring complimentary bread with a delicious salty butter but they now charge $9 for that. They used to have a great happy hour for drinks and bites but now they only offer $5 off select sushi rolls during HH. The selection is kind of blah now, there wasn't much that stood out for me to order. The kids meals were also mediocre, especially the pizza.

    Photos
    The Hamilton - The bar and partial dining area.

    The bar and partial dining area.

    The Hamilton - Ragu Americana & Rigatoni - delicious, fresh pasta

    Ragu Americana & Rigatoni - delicious, fresh pasta

    The Hamilton - RAGU AMERICANA & RIGATONI

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    Yardbird

    Yardbird

    3.8(898 reviews)
    1.4 miDowntown
    $$$
    Full bar
    Gluten-free friendly

    Food was good service was good. Only issue is I wanted to order a meal with fries. The waitress…read moresaid she wasnt sure that the fryer they use to fry shrimp was the same as the one they use for fries. I had ask the kitchen to be sure as I have a shellfish allergy. She came back and told me that it wasnt the same fryer but they were close in proximity and she couldn't guarantee that there would be no cross contamination. Shellfish allergies are very common and I would imagine that the kitchen would have better precautions to insure that there is no cross contamination to ensure no one gets sick or a reaction.

    Tried Yardbird for brunch for the first time and had a great experience! I was seated right away…read morewithout a reservation, which was a nice surprise. My waitress was super friendly, bubbly, and really knew the menu. She gave some great recommendations. I ordered the American breakfast and the biscuit French toast. Everything was good! The sunnyside eggs were especially great, and both the sausage and bacon were cooked really well. Even the arugula salad that came with the breakfast stood out. It had a light lemon vinaigrette that I really enjoyed. The hash browns with a fried block delight. I wasn't sure what to expect with the biscuit French toast, but it tasted exactly like it sounds. biscuits turned into French toast. It didn't have that classic French toast flavor, but it was still really good and worth trying. The atmosphere was nice, pretty packed, but the noise level was just right. My waitress checked on me often, which I appreciated. I'll definitely be coming back for brunch!

    Photos
    Yardbird - 32oz Porterhouse

    32oz Porterhouse

    Yardbird - Lobster Mac & Cheese

    Lobster Mac & Cheese

    Yardbird - Y.B.G.M.

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    Ted's Bulletin 14th

    Ted's Bulletin 14th

    4.0(2.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$
    Large group friendly
    Happy hour specials

    5/5 dining experience. High top tables were great for seating 4. Both the server and the hostess…read morewere very nice. Recommend making a reservation because it gets busy! Chicken and waffles meal was really delicious! The farmer's scramble was really nice as well, and it had a ton of vegetables. Really loved the vegetarian options! Breakfast is available all day. Pop tart was so delicious that we got two more to go. Enjoyed the blueberry, peach, and cherry. These are rotated out seasonally! The strawberry milkshake was a nice portion and they even brought out the extra in another glass.

    We were in the area for an errand, but the shop didn't open until 12pm, so I had about 15 mintues…read moreto kill. I had not had coffee yet that morning, so I was on the hunt for my coffee fix. Google led me to Ted's, which is both a sit-down restaurant, but also a cafe/bakery in the front. I had an iced Americano, and asked for a tiny, tiny splash of half & half. I also had a strawberry "poptart". The "poptart" was pretty good. When my coffee came out, it was white. Literally, white. It was whiter than the iced chai latte with whole milk that my husband had gotten. I had to send it back. I asked for it just black this time around, because I just didn't trust them to get "a splash" right. They were willing to do it, which was nice. The coffee was good, but it just wasn't what I had originally wanted.

    Photos
    Ted's Bulletin 14th
    Ted's Bulletin 14th
    Ted's Bulletin 14th

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    ChurchKey - Tots, fries, mushroom flatbread and a glimpse of chicken sando

    ChurchKey

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    0.9 miLogan Circle, Downtown
    $$

    Great local bar with large rotating craft beer selection. Highly recommend for any beer…read moreenthusiast. They have wine and cocktails as well. They are happy to recommend beer for your taste, and let you sample. It can be very busy and difficult to get a seat at the bar or get a table on a Friday or Saturday evening. We ordered food, and were expecting elevated bar food. The tater tots were a huge disappointment- they were very large squares , bland, and not crispy. The wings were okay. The cheeseburgers were the best- from the restaurant downstairs- mallard. Huge burger, done perfectly medium.

    Here's a review written as part of a visit to both Churchkey and Birch & Barley (the downstairs…read morerestaurant -- together they form the "2 Enjoy Everything" concept by Neighborhood Restaurant Group): A DC Gem That Delivers on Every Level If you haven't made it to Churchkey on 14th Street yet, move it to the top of your list. I visited as part of the full experience -- dinner downstairs at Birch & Barley, then up to Churchkey for drinks -- and honestly, it's one of the best evenings I've had in DC. Churchkey itself is everything a great bar should be. The beer selection is absolutely unreal -- hundreds of carefully curated labels spanning every style, region, and flavor profile you can imagine. What sets it apart is that the staff actually knows the menu. Our server walked us through a few options based on what we liked and landed us on perfect picks both times. That kind of genuine expertise is rare. The tavern pizzas from the wood-fired oven were a wonderful surprise -- thin, crispy, and the perfect companion to a cold draft. The smash burger also deserves a mention: simple, well-executed, and hits the spot. The vibe is warm and lively without being overwhelming. Great for a date, a group, or even just sitting at the bar solo with a good beer and good conversation with the bartender. This place has earned its reputation as one of the best beer bars on the East Coast -- and then some. Highly recommend making a full night of it with both floors. You won't regret it. Feel free to adjust the tone or add any personal details from your actual visit!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Photos
    ChurchKey
    ChurchKey
    ChurchKey - Stairs

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    Stairs

    Rooster & Owl - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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