I'm a little undecided about this place. 3.5 stars rounding to 4. To break it down.. FOOD: Lobster Roll Appetizer - This was definitely the highlight. Lobster meat is perfectly cooked without too much filler or mayo. You get 2 per order and it comes with a side of chips. Our server said it was a special so I'm hoping they still have it next time we go. Crabcake & Corn - Crabcake was good; it had jumbo lump crabmeat and not too much filler but it wasn't GREAT. Corn was really (really!) good though. Rack of Lamb - Loved the pecan crust but the meat itself lacked the gamey-ness that is expected of lamb. Maybe the sweet demi glace sauce overpowered it. I guess it's good if you don't like gamey flavors. Portions are large so be prepared. Thursday nights are also half-priced wine nights. SERVICE/AMBIANCE: Overall very good. Our server was very nice but a bit chattery. Clientele is a bit on the older conservative side. The menu looks really good so I'm curious to see what else the restaurant has on the plate. There's also a Sunset Dining Tasting Dinner offered on certain days/times of 3 courses for $30.
(4)
E W.
I've never had a bad meal there. Their early bird special is among the best in town. I'd never thought I'd say this, but their chicken liver pate is pretty tasty. It's a quaint little local restaurant. Among the best in the burbs... definitely a good place to go with another couple to share some wine. Commenting on the previous comment regarding reservations... a restaurant generally wants your name when you tell them you have a reservation so they don't end up holding a table that'll never be filled. It's common sense.
(5)
Pete D.
This was our first time here and I've heard many good things about this little cozy spot in Bethesda. Being that it was restaurant week, it told me to finally check this place out. Restaurant week wasn't even needed to get their special going on now, which is a 3-course meal, Sunday through Wednesday for $30. My assumption is they still serve their full menu, just that the portions might be a little smaller. When we arrived for dinner, which was just after they opened, the restaurant was empty and they sat us between two other tables in the middle of the "aisle." We felt as if were smashed between tables. Initially it was fine, but as our dinner went on, we felt kind of uncomfortable and the volume just got louder in the restaurant, due to the many conversations going on at once. The server came by and spoke about their specials and what their menu had to offer. Out came their bread and chicken liver pate spread. I didn't expect this, but it had a very interesting taste. Our water glasses were always topped off and the server always checked back on us. My meal consisted of: steak tartare w/ quail egg, pecan crusted rack of lamb, and a chocolate cream pie martini (as they called it). Steak tartare - I've had better. Each bite I took with the piece of toast it was served with, I lost the steak taste. I felt like it was a tad under seasoned and could've been better. Lamb - I enjoyed this dish and the lamb was cooked perfectly. Best of all, it was not game and I typically don't order lamb (but what the heck this time). The demi glace was a decent. I really enjoyed the potato au gratin it was served with. Chocolate cream pie (or whatever it was called) - This was basically chocolate pudding, served with delicious crumbled crackers of some sort, sitting on top was whipped (stiff) cream. Tasted pretty good, the crumbliness meshed well with each bite. The wife had the crab cake, served with bacon mashed potatoes, and a roasted corn mixture. The crab cake was a little bland and I took a bite of the bacon mashed potatoes and I couldn't taste any bacon. So I tried again, still couldn't find that taste. I did enjoy the roasted corn mix. Another companion started off with the braised short rib. This was excellent and I recommend this dish. Real tender and the meat was seasoned very well. Overall, a solid 3.5* in my books. I would visit this place again, as their special for $30 is a pretty darn good deal for what you get (don't know how long it'll last though). Service was good, couldn't complain and the food was presented nicely. Recommended if you're in the area.
(3)
Olivia L.
Came for Bethesda-CC Restaurant Week and left full and happy. You have to be ready for the Chevy Chase (e.g., country club) crowd, but if you can get past that (or bring your parents), the food can be reliable, tasty, and occasionally awesome. Basically, it would have been a three star, if not for the pate and the calamari appetizer, so +1 star for a total of 4 stars. For starters: I had the duck confit salad with fennel (which was just ok, the duck was pulled off the bone, so it didn't taste particularly ducky). He had the sauteed calamari thing which was fantastic. A bed of pureed white beans, a few capers, a few tomatoes, some fresh calamari, and a delicious crouton that went really well with the pate they serve instead of butter with the bread. I could eat his appetizer again and again. Mmmmm. For mains: I had the lamb chop (good, you get 3 meaty ribs), and he had the salmon, which was good, if you like salmon (I've been spoiled by the seared salmon belly at Kaz). For dessert: I had the berries and he had the chocolate cream pie in a martini glass. Both desserts were forgettable. The berries weren't quite ripe, and the chocolate cream part of the pie was (when you get down to it), a glorified pudding. The third dessert was a creme brulee, but the table next to us only ate 1/2 of theirs, so I didn't get it. I'm not sure if I would come back if it weren't Restaurant Week as the mains are pretty pricey (between about $20 to about $30). No complaints on the service, but would it kill them to refill your soda?
(4)
Jonathan M.
Restaurant Week Review (although they offer the same $30 fixed price menu from 5:30 to 6:30 Sunday thru Wed.) Absolutely solid meal. Well prepared, well seasoned, and good presentation. The atmosphere was mellow, not super noisy, but also not so quiet you feel like you have to whisper. Perfect for a date. Worth the trip up from the DC area. The fixed price menu is an amazing deal for the quality of the food. Even at full price you will easily pay more in this city for food that is half as good. Below is the breakdown of the meal. Starter: I had the scallop appetizer with the orange and fennel salad. The scallop with grapefuit sauce was amazing! I love the use of grapefuit as the citrus but it only came with one small scallop. Really Persimmon, one? The menu says "scallops" plural, and at the full price $14 I might have raised a stink. The salad was totally forgettable. Maybe you get more if you pay full price. My girlfriend had the mussels which were also wonderful. Plus it came with like 20 mussels. It was almost a meal. I think their lemon-garlic butter sauce is significantly better than Granville Moore's. This starter is the way to go for a couple to share. Entree: I had the pecan crusted Lamb. Well made, I cleaned the bones. Plus the greens were perfectly cooked. I mean, like, actually perfect. I don't think I have had haricots verts or spinach this well made before. The haricot verts had the perfect amount of snap left in them, and yet soft and cooked all the way through. Same goes for the spinach, it was bright green, soft but not mooshy. Not overly salted, you could really taste the freshness of both. The mustard potato-gratin was also very good. I prefer my gratin more cheesy/creamy, less dry, but that personal preference does not indicate a lack of quality in the dish. My girlfriend got the duck with sweet potato. It was tasty, but I don't think I was in the mood for duck. She really liked it. She did not give me a bite of the celery root galette and fois gras reduction which means it must have been good. I also overheard another diner behind her remarking on how good this dish was. Dessert: My girlfriend had the chocolate cake. Mehh...wasn't bad at all, just sort of like, whatever. You won't be disappointed, just not wowed. I had the toffee gingerbread pudding with ice cream. Forget the gingerbread pudding, it was really just crumbled up gingerbread in a toffee sauce. Again, you won't be disappointed, just not wowed. The ice cream though. OH MAN! That ice cream is really the star attraction. I big huge scoop of it sits on top of the dessert. This vanilla ice cream is the best I have ever had. No really, like greens, it was perfectly made. Not super sweet and a little salt. You can actually taste the fresh cream. If you order dessert just order the ice cream. I could have had two more scoops. I am frickin' dreaming about that ice cream, can't get it out of my head. I gotta go back.
(4)
G. L.
I was looking forward to persimmon's reopening, but it is nowhere as good as it once was. Our server was lovely, but extraordinarily slow and forgetful. More over the food didn't rise to the level of mediocrity. The arugula salad was old and tired looking and line shrimp that came with it were small and had no seasoning.
(1)
Jen J.
I'm torn about this place. The decor is HORRIBLE. Cobwebs in the corners, dirty carpet, drywall tape peeling at the corners, and was that mold on the wall? The old carpet gives off a funky smell. For a restaurant who charges $30 for an entree...these are real issues. That being said, the food was good, but not extraordinary (which I expected given all the good reviews). The fried oysters were good, but a bit fishy (from a can?)...the citrus soy sauce was actually the best part. The bouillabaisse was good, but lacking a bit of flavor. The sticky toffee pudding was yummy, though. my waiter was GREAT (and I considered 4-stars due to the service), but that wasn't enough to get past the so-so food and the bad decor.
(3)
Ben J.
My girlfriend and I went here for Restaurant Week (our first visit) and were very impressed with the food and service. I've been out for a few RWs at other restaurants and this menu is one of the better ones I've seen. Lots of quality options, some from their regular menu, others were put together just for RW. I got a tomato mozzarella soup, mussels in a garlic butter, and an AWESOME chocolate cake/mousse type of dessert. All were really good. Lots of mussels, and more food then you would expect. My girlfriend had the same soup, a fish dish (that was recommended by the waiter) and the creme brulee. Fish was great, creme brulee was so-so. Server was really good - not too intrusive but very helpful. The only negative I have was that even with a reservation the host took about 15 minutes to seat us. My girlfriend felt as if we were being ignored because we were younger (20s) than your typical Chevy Chase resident. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place - good food, good service, nice atmosphere.
(4)
Andrey C.
I really enjoyed my recent visit to Persimmon. The wait staff and host are really friendly and the atmosphere is very warm. Many of the other diners there were pretty casual, but you knew they were here for a fine dining experience. My party of five shared 3 appetizers to start, including the calamari (not friend), a mixed salad, and fried oysters. for my entree, i chose the crab cakes with huge lumps of maryland crab... which was delicious!! for dessert we had the bread pudding which was gooey and sweet and really put a great finish to our meal. Another fun thing about Persimmon is their wine flights for about $14+. I didn't get to try it but it's a nice addition to the menu!
(4)
Ina C.
The important thing about Persimmon is that it is awesome. Pretty much everything about our very special family celebration here was exactly how we hoped it would be. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we made some great memories. But the important thing about Persimmon is that it is awesome. The important thing about their service is that it is top-notch. It is fast, friendly, professional, and just about flawless. But the important thing about their service is that it is top-notch. The important thing about their food is that it is super tasty! There are plenty of fish options, lighter options, heartier options. The duck confit salad is superb, the lamb chops are extremely tender, and the strawberry-rhubarb sorbet is perfectly light and strawberry-y. But the important thing about their food is that it is super tasty! The important thing about the atmosphere is that it is upscale and relaxed. The persimmony colors on the wall and ceiling are both warm and cool at the same time. The restaurant is on the smaller side, but it doesn't feel cramped. The white table cloths make it feel elegant, but your chatty neighbors remind you that you can sit back and relax. But the important thing about the atmosphere is that it is upscale and relaxed. The important thing about the price is that it is somewhat reasonable. You'll pay $32 for lamb chops, $26 for peppered tuna and around $10 for a salad. Some may think that it's a bit pricey, but I think I'd rather pay a little more for my food here than pay less for the same food and spotty service. But the important thing about the price is that it is somewhat reasonable. The important thing about this review is that it is finished. I wrote a lot about our experience, the service, the food, the atmosphere and the value. But the important thing about this review is that it is finished. :) (Inspired by "The Important Book" by Margaret Wise Brown)
(4)
Lianne Z.
God I love this restaurant. A good friend took me here for my birthday and he sure as hell knows his food. This place is so classic and clean. I love white linen and minimal chic. The service was impeccable and the food is fresh. They have a wonderful selection: persimmonrestaurant.com/… . It's innovative without trying too hard. They take comfortable staples, mix it with fresh ingredients- managing to create delightfully tasty and light dishes. I had the duck with a sweet potato confit hash and a celery root galette and foie gras reduction. The wine was great and I remember leaving elated from the incredibly enjoyable experience. It's been awhile since I was at Persimmon but it's a rarity that a restaurant leaves such a positive lasting impression on me. Next time I'm home I'm definitely revisiting. Bellisimo.
we had a great experience here. food and service were both excellent. atmosphere was just so so (it's small) but apparently they rennovated.
(3)
Peter L.
Damian does a great job! The food is fantastic and just yummy. The Wasabi Crusted Oysters are unreal! I always take my friends and family to Persimmon...besides...Damian is like family...Persimmon is a place where I can see my old friend while eating a great meal...
(5)
Matt B.
Stuffed pork loin chop was excellent. Salmon was good. Pretty good scallop appetizer. Delicious ice cream dessert. Their signature cocktail was pretty good as well. Highly recommended, just be sure you want to spend the money.
(5)
Jessica F.
Reccomended for a date or small group dinner. Food is wonderful- the kind of place where I savor each bite. This is my favorite restuarant in Bethesda and I've reccomended it to others who have all thanked me for it. Portions are good sizes, So if you want to enjoy an entree and dessert you can.
(5)
Peter T.
Very nice place.
(4)
Susan G.
Came in late last night. The caesar salad was awful. Over dressed, tasteless, seemed like it had been dressed hours before. The fish taco was cold. Wine was good. Service good. Place used to be great - have had some good meals here. I've had better salads in chain restaurants.
(2)
Paul C.
So disappointing! We had heard how good a restaurant this was and reserved well in advance for 3 for Saturday night. When we arrived on time, a table for 2 had been set for our party of 3,hardly a workable eating arrangement. We were told that this was our only choice,despite anumber of empty other tables in the restaurant, and that another table might open up over time. Very curt, very cold, very dismissive. We promptly left for Jaleo and a wonderful meal. We will never go back to Persimmon.
(1)
Jill M.
I should mention first that I ate here during the Bethesda Chevy Chase Restaurant week, which might account for my 3 star experience (as opposed to the 4 or 5 others have had). It was crowded, very noisy, and the service was very slow, again maybe due to restaurant week. We ordered a half bottle of wine as soon as we sat down, and it took about 15 minutes just for the server to bring it over. Then they brought us a basket of bread with pate, and although the bread was slightly stale, the pate was very good and a nice alternative to butter. One really nice thing is that they offered their entire menu for restaurant week (a steal at $30). Our appetizers were perfectly cooked and very tasty - we ordered the fish taco and the scallops with orange fennel salad. For our main course, I ordered the pan seared dorade and he ordered the rack of lamb. The dorade and the lamb were both a little disappointing. They were well cooked, but not as flavorful as we had hoped. However, the sides were awesome - the dorade was served with with a tasty stew of asparagus, shrimp, and mushrooms served over a polenta cake, and the potato gratin that came with the lamb was amazing. Dessert was probably the weakest point of the meal - berries with cream and chocolate cream martini (chocolate pudding in a martini glass). They were good, but nothing special. I will definitely try to dine there again when it's not restaurant week, to get a better representation of their standard service and food.
(3)
W E.
The wife has been wanting to go to Persimmon's for awhile so we decided to go there for New Years Eve dinner. Parking wasn't bad, its got a metered lot right behind the building. The restaurant itself was a little cramped for my taste and the staff from the hostess to the waitress were not friendly. The restaurant is NOISY...i couldn't hear my wife and she was maybe 3 feet away from me. They were offering a 3 course meal as a NYE "tasting menu" which included soup/salad, entree and dessert for $50/each. We had the lobster bisque and tomato soup, duck and veal and chocolate devil cake .The food was good...but nothing special i felt....don't really think i need to go back there again.
(2)
Lisa W.
Went there for an all girls b-day dinner. This was our first time dining here. We walked in and there were quite a few tables open. I thought uh uh why aren't they busier? We were immediately greeted and made to feel at home. We were not in a rush and our waitress was fabulous on giving us plenty of time. Within 30 minutes the place was packed. We ordered several appetizers to share (blue cheese ravioli, beet salad, and lobster rolls). The waitress asked if we would like to have a ravioli for each person in the party - Yeh bonus points for asking, most restaurants do not do this! Dinner was fabulous (rack of lamb, tuna, and salmon) The desserts are nothing to rave about. Great place, food and wine. Exceptional service!
(5)
Gui L.
I went on a thursday with my girlfriend and 2 Excellent pecan-crusted rack of lamb! ********************* (cont'd on 11/12/09) Been here maybe 5 times. They always start you off with a plate of bread and pate. Good start. If you go Sunday through Wednesday, they offer a $30 prixe fixe menu. The waitress may or may not tell you that the meat serving is half of what they would normally give if you don't do prixe fixe, but i've always found it plenty, along with the appetizer, dessert, and bread/pate. The wine list is very respectable - I'm not a wine snob, but most anyone should find something they like here, and they have a $15 tasting of 3 wines. Not bad. Every meat entree I've had is wonderful, with extra kudos going to the lamb and chicken. Can't go wrong with the fish either. This is top-notch cooking we're talking about. The only complaint I have is the lobster bisque... it had chunks of lobster, which is great, but it almost had a butternut squash thing going on (wouldn't be surprised if that was the base), but that made me like it less. Doesn't compare to the seafood bisque at Bobby Van's Steakhouse in DC. If you're looking for a nice date location though, with candles and great food (and great price on prixe fixe), definitely check this place out.
(4)
hoot k.
A very nice & cozy place - good service, friendly staff and enjoyed the food overall. i got the lamb and my date ordered the roasted chicken.. lamb was well cooked but the chicken was a bit on the dry side (i suppose w/chicken it's hit/miss..) a bit on the pricey side - dinner for 2 was ~$150 (with alcohol of course). i would return, but wouldn't be on the top of my list.
(3)
Emily W.
Went here with family to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. The restaurant is small, and very simple in terms of decor, but the food was pretty spectacular. The only dish I didn't absolutely love was the fish tacos I ordered, but I had the chance to sample around the table and everything was just amazing. The lobster rolls are to die for, and I really enjoyed the wasabi-crusted oysters. Mussels in the bouillabaisse were cooked just right, and all of the meat dishes were the perfect temperature. The birthday girl had the Dorade with shrimp and really the fish was quite exquisite...crispy skin and all. Would definitely recommend giving this place a try.
(4)
Stephanie D.
I have been here twice and must admit it's some of the best food I've had in the area. Like any place, there are some downsides, but overall, I'd say it's on of the areas best. It's low key and cozy, so it doesn't have the pomp and circumstance a fancier restaurant might. I've ordered the rockfish and beef tenderloin, both were superb, however hello holy portion sizes batman. They seriously load you're plate and I have yet to actually finish a meal here. Also, their soup comes in massive bowls and are almost a meals in themselves, so don't order them unless you are seriously famished. One other downside I found is their desserts are not as stellar as their main courses. While good for the most part, they just don't hold up to their entree courses. I would pass on the cupcakes, I've had one here before and not only was it incredibly dense (almost fudge-like in texture) but it was also super tiny and not as tasty as I had hoped.
(4)
Candace K.
We went back to Persimmon on Valentines Weekend for my birthday and had dinner, it was fantastic. Tried both the steak tartar and ravioli appetizers and both were delish. Hubby got the rack of lamb and I got the Rockfish with lemon gnocchi. Both were really succulent and flavorful. For desert we had the devils food cake and the pecan tart, of all of the things we ate these were the most disappointing. Good but not up to the standard that the other items set. Next time we'll do without desert. But it was a great evening and we'll be back.
(5)
Mary L.
So I have been to Persimmon twice now and have left feeling quite satisfied on both occasions with all of my food. The first visit was a couple of moths ago in March I think and the other was tonight. What I ordered: Appetizer: Lobster rolls with Old Bay Chips (first visit): the lobster was very sweet and cooked perfectly. There wasn't too much mayo in the mixture and the rolls were nice and sweet (a good combo for the lobster). You only get two small sandwiches with your order but it is plenty, especially with the sandwiches almost overflowing with yummy lobster meat. I will admit, I never tried lobster rolls while in Maine but to my naive tummy, it was delicious. Soup of the day (first visit): Lobster bisque: very good and different. It had a coconut milk based sauce and had a little spice to it. It was very good though. Roasted Portobello Mushroom and Blue Cheese Ravioli (second visit): smaller but adequate portion. Delicious, with a yummy mushroom filling and a scrumptious dark sauce. Main Course: Seared Beef Tenderloin (first visit): Tenderloin was cooked perfectly (medium) with just enough pink all the way through. The sauce that accompanies it was delicious. The spinach and mashed potatoes were the two sides for the dish. I don't eat spinach by itself all too often but I ended up finishing the spinach on my plate, along with the mashed potatoes. Oven Roasted Chicken (second visit): Chicken was cooked perfectly (no pink and tender). It was delicious accompanied with the sauce it was served in. Also, there were no boned except for the tiny wings, which made me happy because it let me be lazier in my eating process. The potato puree was good (bland but good). The vegetable ragout was also a nice combo when eaten with the chicken. Overall, awesome food experience both times, so I there probably will be future visits. Service both times was awesome (had the same lady both times). She was a very nice woman who always had a smile and didn't push for my companions and I to order dessert when we didn't want to (which I liked). My water glasses was never empty (I always get two because I drink A LOT of water~ my friends tell me I should be a fish). Again, overall good experience.
(4)
Sandy S.
The recently reopened Persimmon is now less a "fine dining" place and more of a bistro. White walls, black tables and chairs, open, airy, no table cloths. Bar is large and will soon have draft beer. They have a happy hour -- which is not our sort of thing, but it is worth mentioning. Contrary to several reviews in early 2013, its offerings are well prepared, very tasty, somewhat creative and well presented. Wife had wasabi crusted oysters (excellent), black bean soup (with a punch!) and salmon (dee-licious). I had tuna tartar with avocado (very good) and fish tacos (great). As with any place in Bethesda which is not a fast food joint, it is not inexpensive. But the prices are in line with restaurants in the DC area featuring similar quality and variety. The server at our lunch was somewhat young -- she got something wrong -- but she was pleasant and responsive. This is a place that past patrons should revisit (it was closed for six months!). As well, those looking for a good meal in a bistro kind of setting should try it out.
(3)
Joan K.
Went for my bday dinner with parents and bf a couple of weeks ago on a friend's recommendation. I should've written this review sooner because now I can't remember too much! We went on a Monday evening and only the RW menu was available. I was a bit disappointed at first since RW experiences are usually sub-par compared to dining at the restaurant during normal times. I was pleasantly proven wrong. In all, it was a very pleasant experience. It's a very tiny restaurant that was packed when we got there. It was a bit awkward being able to listen to the conversation of the couple next to us and vice versa. The service was quite friendly, if a bit slow-understandable considering that it was packed and it didn't seem as if there were too many servers. Wine list was decent and had a lot of good value-driven selections. I wish I could remember what specific wines we had...but all I remember was that it was two bottles-a Sauv Blanc and a Pinot. As far as the food goes....There was one consistent theme to our experience there- they do an AMAZING job with their sauces. I started off with the Blue Cheese Mushroom Ravioli. A really great dish, considering what a dominant flavor blue cheese is, I was suprised at how delicate-tasting and nuanced this dish was. It was served with some sort of dark stock based broth (veal maybe? i think there may have been some sort of wine reduction in it too) WOW it was good. I sopped all of the remainder up with my bread. I think Dad had the mussels. I can't remember anything outstanding about them but they were pretty good. BF had some sort of asian-inspired spring roll I think. It sounded really mediocre on the menu but turned out really well. Again, they nailed it with the sauce for that. My fish entree which I ordered because it was some exotic-sounding species was a bit disappointing. I probably deserved it for ordering an entree for it's side dish (gnocchi, in this case). I found the fish a bit off tasting, although no one at the table seemed to agree with me. The gnocchi's texture was disappointing as well- chewy and not fluffy. Bf had the duck confit with sweet potato which was fabulous! Especially so considering he doesn't really enjoy sweet-savory food. Mom had the crabcakes. I know they were really good I just can't remember any distinctive details about them now. Dessert was pretty good. There was only one real standout, some toffee bread pudding a la mode type thing. VERRRYYY GOOOD. We also had creme brulee, some passion fruit custard in a martini glass, and something chocolate. None of them were bad, they just didn't hold a candle to the first. I'm excited to go back!
(3)
Ashley D.
Very cute restaurant and brunch was really good. Service could have been more attentive and mimosas are way overpriced but overall a good experience.
(4)
Abe L.
Looking at some of the recent lack-luster reviews - I'm compelled to write something. I've been to Persimmon probably 15 times over the last couple years - and I've found the food to always be consistent. True - the menu has not evolved much from the first time I visited - but there have been a few things that are must gets. I lived in Boston for a number of years - and nothing compares to fresh lobster in New England. But when I can't make a trip to Maine - Persimmon's lobster rolls always hit the spot! The bread is lightly toasted, and the Lobster has just right balance so it's not drowned in mayo. The old bay chips are a perfect complement. The other dishes I've tried have always been solid, and the service is very good. I took an order to go just the other day and the waitress was very friendly and helpful. Compared to the boring tasteless chains around most of downtown bethesda - Persimmon is a spot I seek out when I come down from Baltimore.
(4)
Sean R.
Persimmon was somewhat of an odd dining experience. The decision to go there was random - we were in the district looking for somewhere for dinner and after finding Persimmon on the internet we decided to take the metro up to Bethesda. Unfortunately, I can't say that it was really worth the trip. Upon arrival the hostess was friendly and seated us. The first thing I noticed was the the decor of the place is rather underwhelming; a lot of bare walls and just a few pictures hanging up. Whoever decided how to decorate this place was rather uninspired. We ordered two cocktails, both of which were just average. While waiting for our food, they brought us bread, as is standard. What was not so standard, however, was what they gave us with the bread, liver pate. I didn't realize it until I almost took a bite and was completely disgusted by the smell. If you are going to give liver pate instead of the more traditional butter, at least give us an option, or a warning! I had the crab cakes entree, which was good, but not over the top great. One final note, their prices seemed a little high for the location/quality of the what was offered ($10-13 for a cocktail and $25-35 for almost all entrees) Overall, I would just consider this place average, not worth the trip for someone who doesn't live in the area. If you do live in the area, I'm sure there are probably better places...
(3)
Davis K.
The best restaurant in Bethesda, hands down. I have never had a bad or even slightly good plate. Every single item I ordered has been 10/10. I have been there at least 10 times in the last year and they never let me down. This may sound weird or nasty but, the first time I eat Persimmon, when I stood up to leave, my body seriously felt like I had just had sex. The food was so tasty that it released the same endorphins. It's a funny statement but, the food at Persimmon is organically delicious! Funny but true.
(5)
Greg D.
In DC for Barack Obama's Inauguration and we stumbled on Persimmon. Friendly staff - Colleen is the best - and good food. We all started with the Butternut Squash soup (soup of the day) and it was excellent. I had the Roasted Portabello Mushroom and Blue Cheese Ravioli which was very good. I'm not a Blue Cheese fan, so I was delighted that the blue cheese didn't overpower the mushroom, the flavors were just right.
(4)
Patrick T.
A pleasant meal & experience. A bit noisy that made it hard to have an intimate conversation at 8pm. Above average cost for a dinner for two. The cost of the meal made me like it all a bit less.
(3)
Allison W.
Ambiance=5, Food=3.5, Service=2.5 Cozy, old inn feel that makes you want to sit for hours. Excellent fish and meat options on the menu, but hardly anything there for vegetarians. I started with the trout spring rolls, which, although presented beautifully, had an unpleasantly fishy taste. My seared tuna entree was excellent. Fish was cooked perfectly, and went really nicely with the white bean and tomato puree. My dad said his bouillabase was the best he'd ever had, and while I didn't taste the actual dish, the cheesy garlic toasts on the side were unbelieavable. Only real issue was the service. Definitely slow, and even though I had called ahead to say it was my mom's birthday, and my dad mentioned it again to the server, no dessert came out. When we finally ordered one, there wasn't a candle. It would have been a nice touch. I'd go back, but perhaps not when celebrating a special occasion.
(3)
blowfly x.
UPDATE: Went again tonight. Paid $14 for a scallop appetizer - TWO SMALL scallops. Really? The entrees are quite generous, so why so cheap on the appetizers? TWO? SMALL? scallops? That's about $7 per scallop (did I mention they were small?). Might not go back. That was a serious ripoff. Revising my rating down to two stars. I went here years ago and wasn't too impressed - everything seemed smothered in cheese. We tried again last weekend and it was a completely different experience; maybe a new chef? I don't keep up on these things. In any event, the appetizers we had were excellent. We had the blue cheese/portobello mushroom ravioli appetizer, which was incredible (although on the small side), and I'll be going back just to eat that again. The calamari appetizer was also excellent. Sadly, the main dishes were not as exciting, but I have yet to find a restaurant where that isn't the case. Someday I will actually go through with my urge to just order appetizers. I guess because somebody feels main dishes have to have a protein, a veg, and a grain, they are almost always less creative and less delicious than appetizers. I had scallops with some spinach and squash or something - kind of plain. My husband had the tuna, which he thought was very good but I again found unexciting. We were too full for dessert. The service was very polite, friendly, and quick - of course, we did get there at around 6, before about 8 more tables filled up, but dishes seemed to be coming out of the kitchen at a good clip throughout the dinner. We're definitely going again and THIS time I'll be having that amazing ravioli as an appetizer and the squid as my dinner.
(2)
Peter L.
Ok...it is pretty simple...you take a local guy who loves to create great food combinations and then you have Persimmon. Damian Salvatore is a personable guy who really knows how to make people want to come back for more...Great restaurant and the people are great...wasabi crusted oysters...yum!
(5)
Katie E.
I love this place. We went there on Wednesday and their special appetizer was lobster rolls and they were excellent. I rate them right up there with NYC's Pearl Oyster Bar..and for foodies you know that means they were good. The food here is always good and the service is wonderful. This is my of my fave's in the area. Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Ian M.
Happy hour at persimmon is the best kept secret in Bethesda and I have mixed emotions about letting that secret out because I'm still able to find a seat at the bar for HH on Fridays. Let's start with the tuna tartar bites. A generous single serving of tuna tartar mixed with avocado on a crispy cracker served with seaweed salad. A great taste for 3$, I don't recommend sharing. Then comes the taco, julienned shrimp, house slaw, soft shell, and I'm guessing that was remoulade drizzled on top. I added a picture of, look at it then order it then show it off to your Twitter followers then eat it. You may have to get some Twitter followers before you order it. I've also had the blackened chicken sandwich, which comes on a dinner roll with bacon, onion tomato lettuce. This is a great sandwich, I'm pretty sure bacon makes the world go round, I just haven't proven it yet. For desert we got profiteroles, if you listen to the flight of the conchords song "hurt feelings" you'll realize that this dessert is under appreciated. Two puff pastries with ice cream in between, served over a chocolate and caramel syrup lattice. Still doesn't get the respect that it deserves. Almost forgot to mention the staff. Tim took great care of us at the bar, no issues with water/beer/wine refills. I highly recommend this HH, and I will be disappointed if they get too busy for me to be able to find a seat in the future.
(5)
Wanda F.
This was our first time at Persimmon, and we were impressed! It was a delicious meal from appetizers to desert. The meal presentation was beautiful and the service was great. The atmosphere was nice too--Cozy yet lively. We'll definitely be going back!
I was staying at the NIH and was in the need of a good meal before going home.I read the reviews and decided on this place. It was AWESOME!! My sister and I started with the lobster rolls which were very yummy, very soft bread and not overloaded with dressing. For dinner I had the rack of lamb!! Heaven!! The sauce and the pecan crust worked well together and it was cooked perfect.when I come back to the area I will definitely be back!
(4)
Angel W.
If you're in the Bethesda area, Persimmon is worth a try. I enjoyed the intimate setting although you are definitely on top of your "neighbors". There are very few seats, so reservations are recommended. The service was slow and spotty. I did not find the staff easy to interact with. I felt like my questions were bothering them and they had to research my gluten-free questions more frequently than is typically required at other restaurants. Their gluten-free menu for vegetarians is sparse with salad being the only option. My friend ordered some seafood based soup and some mussels or clams. I ordered the fennel and arugula salad with shaved ricotta cheese and lemon oil vinaigrette. All of the dishes were fine, but nothing special. Where Persimmon stood out was with their cocktails, which delivered a fantastic buzz! I had the Fruit in a Flute which is made with prosecco, passion fruit and Grand Marnier. It was a little "cough-syrupy" but it made me feel great. My friend had the Passion Fruit Martini with vodka, champagne and passion fruit. He thought it was pretty good and also had a mean buzz going on. So, if you are looking to take the edge off, I recommend Persimmon's cocktails.
(3)
Monte M.
We always enjoy eating here. Most excellent salads and a big emphasis on fresh ingredients. Nice sized portions as well, and a diligent and attentive, but not pushy, wait staff. Reasonably priced and a congenial atmosphere. Just a really nice place with high quality preparation and attentiveness. If you're looking for a nice neighborhood place while still getting a quality dining experience, this is your place.
(4)
Michael L.
We went to Persimmon for my wife's birthday with our daughter. I checked out the menu on line and it has a pretty extensive fish offering, which my wife prefers, so we decided to give it a try. There is ample parking right behind the restaurant, which is a big plus in Bethesda. The space is small-ish and noisy. It's a bistro, so that's what you should expect. We had reservations and were greeted and sat promptly. Our server was friendly and attentive. The wine list was good, with quality choices both by the bottle and the glass. We ordered a pinotage, which was not great. But that was my fault for taking a chance on a wine I hadn't had for a while. No demerits for that. My wife and daughter started with salads and I had the mushroom soup, which was a bisque. All good. For our mains, my daughter and I both had the braised short ribs and my wife had the scallops. All very good, The portions are large, so bring your appetite. The deserts were OK, not great. All I wanted was a scoop of vanilla ice cream with some chocolate sauce. Not on the menu, but they accommodated me without making it seem like I was a bother. The whole night was about $200, which was a reasonable price tag for the dining experience.
(3)
Ryan U.
I was impressed with this restaurant. The food was very good and the service was prompt and friendly. Will return next time I'm in Bethesda.
(5)
Kelly M.
We we there last night for Valentine's Day. We waited several minutes before a nice man came and greeted is and cordially took us to our table. After 5 minutes a waiter finally appeared to explain the menu and swiftly left. He did not provide a drink list, or even ASK if we would like anything to drink. I had to ask another waiter walking by at the time for a drink menu. On Valentine's Day! You would think he would've offered a bottle of wine or something which we probably would've indulged, instead I just ordered a cocktail (which took every bit of ten minutes to reach my table, we got food first) We started with the mussels that were bland, the empanadas were delicious, and the fennel/arugula salad was okay. For my meal I had the crab cake which lacked flavor as well, and the sauce was basically thickened butter with no seasoning. My boyfriend had the salmon which was delicious the sauce on the salmon being a lot better than the sauce on the crab cake although they seemed that they were both derived from the same cream base. Our sever did not check back one time through 3 courses expect at the very end. Overall the food was disappointing, the server (not service, the food runner and other staff members were great), and I would not return especially on a holiday (for the reservation was at 9pm so it was not peak time nor was the restaurant full, when we left there were only about 4/5 tables there.) Considering this restaurant is a block from my house, I would've loved to be able to say I would return.
Persimmon is a nice neighborhood restaurant with a great happy hour menu. Perfect for drinks and dinner after work.
(5)
Biga T.
Dinner here At least 6 Times and It has always been really Good. We also love the fact that it's not loud and noisy so you can actually enjoy a normal conversation with your friends! This gives them an extra star.
(5)
Ja Y.
A group of us went there for Easter dinner and were disapponted with the service. The food was good, although the portions have been reduced and the prices have increased. The do not provide any bread even when ordering a salad, and despite asking 3 times for some, and being told it would come, they did not give us any bread or crackers. Our server mixed up our dessert orders and never apologized. They no longer serve cappachino, saying that machine broke over a year ago. Don't think we will go back.
Rude and poor service! Over-priced food. Vegetarians beware that bread spread was/possibly still is duck pate! I came to this restaurant back when living in Maryland. The bread basket came with what looked like whipped butter. It tasted funny so I asked about it. As a person who doesn't eat meat (at least not purposely), I normally ask about entrees but hadn't thought to ask about bread (I will moving forward). I suggested politely to the server that they inform folks. In response, I got a lecture instead of any apology. Consequently, I got sick since my system wasn't used to meat--which was especially bad since I was pregnant at the time and normally very careful about what I would intake. Wish I could give this place negative stars.
(1)
Seleyn D.
Persimmon was recommended to us by a fellow foodie and it delivered. The smoked trout spring roll was delicious! My husband and I are both a bit high maintenance - me being gluten-free and he being vegan plus fish. But the wait staff and kitchen superbly responded to our needs and delivered a very tasty meal to us both including a special sauce for my husband's dish. They also switched out the fish for scallops on the risotto for my dinner. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Max W.
Having dinner, we kept asking ourselves why did it take us so long to return to Persimmon after it was closed for 6 months while it was being remodeled. The cooking was as good and memorable--wasabi fried oysters, bouillabaisse, pecan-crusted lamb, flourless chocolate cake have no comparables in the area, and reasonably priced for such distinctive dining. The menu has expanded to include a wider range of lunchtime fare, available throughout the day, that would be suitable for families to dine.
(5)
Leon W.
Had dinner here with my wife and another couple. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The duck confit salad, beet salad and black bean soup were very good. The women had the Rockfish special which they enjoyed very much. The men had the beef short ribs. The ribs were fork tender and very tasty. Portions are large and should not leave you hungry. The wine list was diverse both in varietals and price. One should be able to find an enjoyable selection. Given the quality and price, I would say Persimmon is a good value. My only suggestion is that the wood benches in the booths could be more comfortable. All four of us agreed we would definitely return.
(4)
Jim M.
UPDATE March 2014: Downgraded from 4 to 3 stars: Some neighbor friends who go there frequently popped in for the Bistro menu. There's a new manager, was told it was the owners brother, who was amazingly rude and told them not to come back. It was over getting a booth that was handled poorly. So word has spread in the Town, and locals are avoiding it. Hate to diss a neighborhood place, but when they chase out locals (e.g. walking distance) who have been going there for years, that's just not acceptable. ---- Previous review--which would still apply if you don't encounter the rude manager----- Went to Persimmon for the first time since it reopened, we've been going there for 13 years. The renovation was one of economy, pedestrian woodwork, white walls with big weird paintings of fruits and vegetables, but the booths in the back are nice. The menu is essentially the same, except they've added sandwiches and salads. So now you can have a casual meal for two for around $50, if you want. The food is great. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was really really good. It was close to perfect. My wife had the wedge salad with chicken, also very good. We also had the mushroom ravioli appetizer, which was on the old menu: we've always been addicted to it. I'm assuming that all the old menu appetizers and dinner menu items are still good, however I would never ever recommend the boliabaise - it's always been bland. Surprised that they left it on the menu. Three problems: 1) now that they are serving bistro food, they really need to offer some more interesting beers on tap or in the bottle. Very pedestrian assortment of beers. 3) They don't offer bread at all, which leaves you wanting something to savor the wonderful sauces on their dinner entries. 3) for some unfathomable reason, as in the past, they don't have half/half or cream for coffee. So we passed on coffee and dessert. In the past, we've brought our own half/half to the restaurant. It's really stupid. So if you go there, and don't get chewed out by the manager over your table location, enjoy the great food, bring your own bread, half and half, and see if you can sneak in a good hefeweizen.
(3)
David T.
We had lunch. Fish tacos. Crab cake sandwich and salad. All excellent. Service wonderful. Coming back often.
(5)
Dick S.
Very poor. The good fish dinners that were the hallmark of the place were nowhere in sight. I ended up eating a so so hamburger. Service was poor. We had to ask several times for the same thing which often never arrived. The new decor is bland and the noise level still too high. We will not return. Dick
(1)
K Sera S.
I will definitely go back here to see if I might be able to add another star to this. But for now... Solid service; kept the orders at a large table (like, 15) straight, even when a couple of us swapped seats. Water glasses kept full, wine at the ready. This is unusual for me to say, but I found the menu overly adventurous. Some of the combinations sounded weird on paper and turned out that way IRL. I think that my experience was tainted by the fact that it was a work event and so I was a bit on my guard overall. The beet and arugula salad was very nice, although the beets were cut into rather big chunks. Was nice to see that they were, in fact, chunks, though, not slices out of a can. Followed this with the rockfish on steamed spinach with lemon gnocci and eggplant puree. See what I mean about too adventurous? The flavors worked together, but there was a little too much competition. I think skipping the eggplant and upping the lemon gnocci content would have done the trick. Didn't have dessert, and was sorry to have to pass it up. Again, I will definitely return here to try again.
(3)
J. A.
I was going through my old e-mails, and I stumbled across a review I had written for Persimmon on OpenTable regarding a dining experience in March of last year. I can't believe I didn't Yelp about it because it was such a terrible experience. Here it is: Our dining experience was blemished right at the very beginning when the hostess gave me a dumbfounded look when I told her we had a reservation for 2 people at 6pm. There were only 3 tables filled in the entire restaurant, so I'm not sure why she needed our name in order to seat us. To top it off, it didn't even register that we showed up for our reservation on Opentable (as I came to find out a few days later). She wouldn't seat us unless I told her my name. She also did not seat us at a 4-top table like we requested because she said parties of 4 would be sitting there later on. As the night went on, couples of 2 (just like us) were seated at 4-top tables. The food was better than the service (the waitress laughed at me while I was ordering a glass of wine) but we'll never go back to Persimmon ever again. Maybe we would have been treated with more courtesy if we were 40 years older (more wrinkles = more important), wore mismatched outfits with our pants above our waists, shat in Depends, and had a Chevy Chase address on our driver's licenses.
(1)
Keith B.
My wife and I had a pretty good meal here before going to the Strathmore for a concert. The chicken liver pate was a good pairing with the crusty sliced baguette. A little different than the butter and bread combo. The meal itself was pretty good. I had a very well executed beef tenderloin and wife had wasabi crusted fried oysters that she liked. A very good meal if not out of this world. Service was competent, but decor was pretty bland. They also had a good selection of wines. If you are in Bethesda, give it a try.
(4)
Liz K.
Been to Persimmon 3 times so far. The food was always fantastic. Server was very nice and polite, but he seemed like he doesn't know much about the menu. also, you must leave in the middle of your meal to feed the meter (if you find a spot nearby) you can avoid the parking trouble by parking half an hour away. It makes you feel better because it's nearly impossible to find something less than 5000 calories on the menu!
First impressions are hard to shake .. and my first impression of this place was that the decor was uninspired and tired. The menu ... same thing. And quite frankly, so was the wait staff - uninspired with a touch of brusque-ness. Ahh, but how did the food taste? Well, it was uneven. The bread basket was slices of white bread, nothing tempting - although the pate that was served along with the butter was a nice touch. A delish fennel & arugula salad with shaved ricotta and fresh cracked pepper was good. The mussels in a white wine broth .. not tasty and I left half in the bowl (which is sooo not like me as I adore mussels). My dinner mates all enjoyed their meals - amongst them - they ordered the crab cakes and rockfish. And they all said they would come back. So, in the end, perhaps its just me - perhaps I'm too picky, I want too much, I want it to have it all - the atmosphere, the service, the food, the wine to all be extraordinary.... And well .... if that's the case, I'll keep my extraordinary standards and let you know when a place is fabu enough to have 5 stars!
(2)
Ellen L.
mmm! I came here yesterday for Restaurant Week and I'm really glad I came. First of all, this restaurant is ridiculously close to where I live. Second of all, their menu for Restaurant Week is pretty much the same as regular menu (except no lobster rolls! *sad!*), which is pretty nice for the $30 deal. I did see that they have a Sunset Menu offers the full menu for $30 as well, but since I wouldn't make it back from work to Bethes on any day other than Sunday, it'd be hard for me anyway :) Maybe just for those lobster rolls... :) Contrary to a lot of other reviewers that were upset with Persimmon's service, I think Persimmon's service was pretty good. We were a troublesome crowd - we couldn't quite nail down our party size. There was a lot of: "First, 8. No wait, 10. I mean, 8. Actually...12. Or, 10. No, no it's 10. Shoot, it's really 12, etc." They were very accomodating and helped us piece together enough tables. My only beef was that they didn't want to accept more than 3 credit cards, and with 12 people, that's always tough. I do understand that we should have prepared more on our part. The food was quite yummy. I listened to Yelp! reviewer suggestions and got the scallops with salad + grapefruit sauce, rack of lamb, and the toffee bread pudding. The scallops were good but surprisingly, the salad and grapefruit sauce stole the show. The rack of lamb was also very tasty, although mine could have been a touch more raw. The toffee bread pudding was rich and sinfully good. The chocolate martini (my friend's) was arguably better though :) I had a great time and I'd love to come back and try those lobster rolls! (Yes, I love lobster :P)
(4)
Stephanie T.
A neighborhood hidden gem, away from all the chaos of Bethesda Row and Norfolk Ave. The boneless braised short ribs seems to just melt in you mouth. Oh an the roast magret of duck is so scrumptious. The server told me that they have a special course menu offering for $30 Sunday to Wednesday 5pm to 6pm. I'm not too sure what it comes with. Maybe call ahead to check or just email them through opentable.
(5)
Arthur K.
It was restaurant week. Mind you I avoid restaurant week. Based on my experience, the lower prices aren't really worth how badly a lot of establishments slim down their fare. But we had already made reservations weeks in advance and found out about Restaurant Week after the fact. The fish tacos were really good. Correction "taco". Not to be nitpicky, but the menu stated "tacos"; implying multiple things. It was a fish taco. It was good. Taco. Note the missing "s". Ok, so I got a little less than what I thought. But at least my entree was coming.. Unfortunately the main dish dissapointed. I got the pork. FAIL. I've seen more meat on a 6" Subway sandwich. I understand it was restaurant week and really was expecting smaller portions, but these portions were tiny. I watched as my fellow diners munched away on their much more reasonable portions while I nibbled on the seemingly vegetarian version of the pork dish.
(2)
N S.
Felt like a threw away $40 last night and I'm still not over it. BTW, I was dining alone. Started with the Safeway quality baguette slices, onto the bland mushroom ravioli, and ended w/ some type espresso chocolate cake that didn't hit. At all. I'd eaten here a few years ago and it didn't stick out then. Perhaps I'm going for the wrong dishes, but I probably won't return to find out. The dessert menu didn't seem to have anything appealing on it either and seemed (save for the citrus cake) more like a winter dessert menu. I wished I had just continued onto Addies...
(3)
Bill S.
This was my fourth visit to Persimmon, I would give it a five but we had two unpleasant experiences with the service. The food and wine selection are great. Their wine list is very pricey and this may be a consideration for some. We wen there this New Years Eve with an 8:00 reservation. When we arrive (at 8:00) the restaurant is practically empty. We had a reservation for two and there where six empty tables for two lined up in a row. We where promptly seated at the table nearest the door. Our menus arrived immediately etc. About five minutes seated we became aware that whenever some came in we go a blast of the cold outside air. Not very pleasant. We asked the receptionist, I won't deem her a title of maitre d' as that would really denigrate Persimmon. You may get the clue that she pissed us off. Remember the place is almost empty, we asked if we can be moved away from the door. She tells us if she moves us we will have to leave by 9:05 (????) WHAT!!!! There are five identical tables empty and waiting, what is this none sense? This is a gourmet restaurant, and for News Years the only choices are three or five course meals. No way to done in an hour an enjoy it. We sit for another minute and then call her back. I make it clear this is not acceptable and she moves us without condition. I can not imagine a reason fro her behavior accept just being lazy and or rude. OK we order two great meals, they ask for the entire order including desert up front. This not pretty standard with fixed menus. OK we order drinks, they arrive, then our entirees arrive..ahead of the first courses (!!??). We point this out to our waitress and she tells us we brought theses dishes to the wrong table, their not yours sorry. We get our yummy first courses, order another drink and the entrees arrive. The same ones they said where for some one else. Nothing like a lying waitress. I had ordered a pork medallion and it was great but a teeny bit dried out on one medallion from sitting. If I was paranoid I might believe that the "mistake" was an attempt to get us out in the hour. The place filled up at 8:30. Our bill was $150.00 for two people. They should be ashamed of the service. I do recommend Persimmon and hope their owners take note of a potential problem.
(2)
Mike S.
I freaking love this place! I have been here quite a few times with my parents (I can't really afford to go here on my budget) and every time it has been fantastic. The mushroom and blue cheese ravioli is delicious and the lobster rolls are great. It is an appetizer but comes with two thick lobster rolls and home made potato chips. If you are not that hungry, you could easily eat this and another appetizer as a meal. I have never had the fish tacos but I have heard that they are pretty good too. Also, try the beer tenderloin or the short ribs. Both are very rich and just delicious. Also, if it is in season (aka summer), they may have a soft shell crab special. I highly recommend it. I find it very interesting that they bring pate to put on your bread. I am not a big pate person but I will definitely eat it (and enjoy it) with the bread. Sometimes they bring you a sample of the soup of the day compliments of the chef, which is always a nice touch. I have noticed a lot of reviews saying that it is a little cramped in the restaurant. Here is a hint: sit at the bar. Okay, so it's not at as intimate as a table but even when the restaurant is packed, usually the bar is open and usually you will have room to spread out too
(5)
Erica T.
Wonderful food, laid-back elegance. What a lovely, lovely place for a date or an evening out with friends. The cognac and creme brulee we had for dessert has been the home screen on my iphone for weeks, such a fond memory of a delightful evening.
(4)
Jason K.
My wife likes this place very much - says it was her favorite date so far in DC. And we don't, but if you like Pate, they give it out by the bucket.
(5)
Michael S.
Food = 4.5 Ambiance = 3 Service = 3.5 Total = I'll give it a 3.5...but really, it's closer to a 4. It's good. Came here for Restaurant Week like everyone else. Three course menu for $30 is a steal, especially for this place, I think. I had the trout spring roll to start. This was really good and presented really well. It was so good that, in fact, I had no idea what I was eating. It was literally a flavor overload. I think the peanut sauce thing kind of overshadowed everything else in the dish. And what is trout supposed to taste like? The flavors kind of masked the trout. Regardless, it was very good, though a bit messy to eat. Yummy. I got the beef tenderloin (my standby whenever I come to a "New American" restaurant that happens to have it). This was also very good., and was also presented very nicely (though the patterned dish was a little "eh"). I don't know what they did with the spinach but it was like the best spinach I've tasted, no lie! The potatoes were tasty but not the best, but they were all swirled and not just "plopped" on the dish, which was a nice touch. The beef itself was just the right size and temperature, and was one, if not the best, beef tenderloin I've tasted. The fried onions were also good, though they did kind of mask the taste of the potatoes. Overall, it was very good. I would definitely recommend it. I was a little disappointed at the scant dessert choices for Restaurant Week, but I got the chocolate pudding martini thing. This was also very good and nicely presented (do we sense a pattern here?). Very chocolate-y, creamy, and the cookie-thing layer in the middle was the best part. Wish they had more of it. I was stuffed to the max at this point so I couldn't finish it, but I definitely would have if I had the room in my belly! I didn't like how cramped the restaurant felt. It might have been because it was pretty packed (we were there around 6:30-ish on a Sunday in Restaurant Week), but the tables are also really close together. My friend described the interior as looking more like a "store" than a restaurant, and I agreed. I didn't really like the "feel" of the restaurant, either, but maybe it was just the "Bethesda-Chevy Chase attitude" (maybe I'm too used to the lax DC 'tude). It was definitely an older crowd. The service was OK, nothing to write home about. Not too back, but also not something I'd call "excellent". Also, on here it says the attire is "casual"...I KNOW it said "dressy" a while before, sometime last year. It's definitely more on the "dressy" side. I was wearing dark jeans and I felt a little out of place--and these were not cheap jeans. A nice shirt and slacks will definitely not hurt, though a jacket might be too much. It wasn't that the food and ambiance seemed like it was a "dressy" place, but it was more of the people and "aura" there, if that makes any sense. Regardless, it's definitely on the "dressier" side of a restaurant. But not as dressy as some other "New American" places.
(3)
Jerry L.
Disclaimer: This place has been on the girlfriend's hit-list for awhile now as one of her all-time favorites in the DC metro area, so despite myself, I had unusually high (you might even say unreasonable) expectations for Persimmon. I then came on Yelp and skimmed through some glowing reviews and the hype-meter went up even more. I expected to be blown out of my seat... ...and I was not. Don't get me wrong, there are some admirable qualities about Persimmon. But enough deficiencies for it not to quite get 4 stars. We'll start with the good and end with the bad: + The sauteed sea scallops with orange and fennel salad was a good appetizer and prepared very well. I just wish there had been more than two (to be fair, pretty large) scallops. + It's been well documented, but the pecan crusted barbecued rack of lamb is a great entree. The girlfriend ordered it and I was immediately jealous when it arrived at the table. I'll just add that a.) the portion is very generous and b.) the wonderful combination of sauces and herbs led me to discretely reach over and not-so-discretely gnaw through most of the bones she left on her plate. Thanks for putting up with me, gf. + Half off all their wine bottles on Thursday nights. Persimmon's wine list is pretty extensive with some great selections. It's also fairly pricey (not a bottle under $36). We had a nice Riesling which was perfect with the scallops. + Their bread is served with pate instead of butter. This was my first time experiencing this at a restaurant and even though I'm not a big pate fan, I thought this was neat and worth noting. + My medium rare roasted marget of duck was cooked very well, which is not easy to do... - ...but the sauce and the sides seemed off, which was disappointing. Maybe it's just my palate, but the sweet potato and duck confit hash didn't match the meat very well, and the celery root/foie gras reduction sauce didn't complement either the duck or the hash. Certainly sounded good on paper, but didn't taste very good at all in my mouth. - The restaurant definitely flirts with the line between cozy and crammed-like-sardines. Although the other patrons were pretty quiet in their conversations on the night we were there, I was a little concerned that my dining companion was going to elbow the gentleman at the next table (about two inches next to ours) in the head while she was carving her rack of lamb. For a fine dining experience, it was a tad claustrophobic. - Service was just OK. Our waitress was very nice, but seemed to be gone for a few minutes every time we needed something. Considering how small the restaurant is and the prices they are charging, I was pretty underwhelmed. - Overall, with the exception of the tasty rack of lamb, I just think that you can do better for a $120/dinner for two in Bethesda. * Final note to management: if you want to really annoy one of your customers (particularly a young, price-sensitive Chinese guy with his date), make sure you serve a little special something "compliments of the chef" to every single table in the restaurant except for his. This will particularly get under his skin if the other customers in the restaurant are all older, affluently-dressed white people.* Come on now, Persimmon! Foul! Bad form! How do you think this looks? There are few things worse in life (to me, anyway) than knowing that everyone else is getting good FREE food except for you. I don't care if it was ice cubes sprinkled with kool-aid powder in those little cups. If you're going to make a big show of a nice freebie, you better make sure everyone gets some.
(3)
Nolan R.
I don't take my girlfriend out to eat very often but when I do I usually like to choose a "nice" restaurant. This place was perfect in almost all aspects. We had a reservation so we were quickly greeted at the door by friendly staff member and shown to our seats. The menu was quaint and delightful. Our waitress was also extremely friendly without being over pursuant of us which I really liked. I ordered the prince edward mussels which where absolutely the best muscles that I have had in the last few years. I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great date spot in Bethesda.
Walking up to this restaurant, I was not sure what to expect as the restaurant is in a rather simple space in an older building. To the food, the starters were all amazing! The lobster roll is best in DC. Short ribs and scallops were also excellent. The main courses were equally impressive. The rack of lamb could serve two and was very good. Overall, food is great but the ambiance needs to be improved to make the overall experience 5 stars.
(4)
James N.
SUNDAY BRUNCH me and my girlfriend went here on valentines day. it wasnt THAT busy but the service from our waiter was quite bad. when we first got there we were greeted at the front. the girl remembered me from our phone conversation from when i made reservations. i was booking it on opentable.com and the only time they had on there was 1:30pm. she said they had a 1pm spot open. i asked her if i could just book it on opentable to get my points and come in at 1pm. she was very pleasant and said yes. after we had been seated, our server took a VERY long time to get to us. we even flagged her down and she said hold on. then we waited another 5+ minutes after that. when she came over she didnt even say sorry or anything. other than that. the meal was great. i had the eggs benedict with smoked salmon and my girlfriend had the crabcake sandwhich. both items were very good. i like the atmosphere. it was quite cozy. so all in all i would recommend this place to anyone. there are so many places in bethesda so i am glad that i tried this one. its locally popular but i had never heard of it before i looked on yelp.
(4)
Alex P.
The duck and the lamb are excellent, as are the bouillabase and creme brulee. This is consistently Bethesda's highest rated restaurant so you go with high expectations, which will be initially dashed when you see the rather old/stodgy building/decor. Either way, the food is quite good, and it's really the only restaurant in Bethesda that I consider "fine dining," and Ruths Chris/Morton's don't count. I'd give it 5 stars, but it didn't knock my socks off given expecations based upon the price and critical acclaim. Go here and you probably won't be disappointed.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Angela C.
I'm a little undecided about this place. 3.5 stars rounding to 4. To break it down.. FOOD: Lobster Roll Appetizer - This was definitely the highlight. Lobster meat is perfectly cooked without too much filler or mayo. You get 2 per order and it comes with a side of chips. Our server said it was a special so I'm hoping they still have it next time we go. Crabcake & Corn - Crabcake was good; it had jumbo lump crabmeat and not too much filler but it wasn't GREAT. Corn was really (really!) good though. Rack of Lamb - Loved the pecan crust but the meat itself lacked the gamey-ness that is expected of lamb. Maybe the sweet demi glace sauce overpowered it. I guess it's good if you don't like gamey flavors. Portions are large so be prepared. Thursday nights are also half-priced wine nights. SERVICE/AMBIANCE: Overall very good. Our server was very nice but a bit chattery. Clientele is a bit on the older conservative side. The menu looks really good so I'm curious to see what else the restaurant has on the plate. There's also a Sunset Dining Tasting Dinner offered on certain days/times of 3 courses for $30.
(4)E W.
I've never had a bad meal there. Their early bird special is among the best in town. I'd never thought I'd say this, but their chicken liver pate is pretty tasty. It's a quaint little local restaurant. Among the best in the burbs... definitely a good place to go with another couple to share some wine. Commenting on the previous comment regarding reservations... a restaurant generally wants your name when you tell them you have a reservation so they don't end up holding a table that'll never be filled. It's common sense.
(5)Pete D.
This was our first time here and I've heard many good things about this little cozy spot in Bethesda. Being that it was restaurant week, it told me to finally check this place out. Restaurant week wasn't even needed to get their special going on now, which is a 3-course meal, Sunday through Wednesday for $30. My assumption is they still serve their full menu, just that the portions might be a little smaller. When we arrived for dinner, which was just after they opened, the restaurant was empty and they sat us between two other tables in the middle of the "aisle." We felt as if were smashed between tables. Initially it was fine, but as our dinner went on, we felt kind of uncomfortable and the volume just got louder in the restaurant, due to the many conversations going on at once. The server came by and spoke about their specials and what their menu had to offer. Out came their bread and chicken liver pate spread. I didn't expect this, but it had a very interesting taste. Our water glasses were always topped off and the server always checked back on us. My meal consisted of: steak tartare w/ quail egg, pecan crusted rack of lamb, and a chocolate cream pie martini (as they called it). Steak tartare - I've had better. Each bite I took with the piece of toast it was served with, I lost the steak taste. I felt like it was a tad under seasoned and could've been better. Lamb - I enjoyed this dish and the lamb was cooked perfectly. Best of all, it was not game and I typically don't order lamb (but what the heck this time). The demi glace was a decent. I really enjoyed the potato au gratin it was served with. Chocolate cream pie (or whatever it was called) - This was basically chocolate pudding, served with delicious crumbled crackers of some sort, sitting on top was whipped (stiff) cream. Tasted pretty good, the crumbliness meshed well with each bite. The wife had the crab cake, served with bacon mashed potatoes, and a roasted corn mixture. The crab cake was a little bland and I took a bite of the bacon mashed potatoes and I couldn't taste any bacon. So I tried again, still couldn't find that taste. I did enjoy the roasted corn mix. Another companion started off with the braised short rib. This was excellent and I recommend this dish. Real tender and the meat was seasoned very well. Overall, a solid 3.5* in my books. I would visit this place again, as their special for $30 is a pretty darn good deal for what you get (don't know how long it'll last though). Service was good, couldn't complain and the food was presented nicely. Recommended if you're in the area.
(3)Olivia L.
Came for Bethesda-CC Restaurant Week and left full and happy. You have to be ready for the Chevy Chase (e.g., country club) crowd, but if you can get past that (or bring your parents), the food can be reliable, tasty, and occasionally awesome. Basically, it would have been a three star, if not for the pate and the calamari appetizer, so +1 star for a total of 4 stars. For starters: I had the duck confit salad with fennel (which was just ok, the duck was pulled off the bone, so it didn't taste particularly ducky). He had the sauteed calamari thing which was fantastic. A bed of pureed white beans, a few capers, a few tomatoes, some fresh calamari, and a delicious crouton that went really well with the pate they serve instead of butter with the bread. I could eat his appetizer again and again. Mmmmm. For mains: I had the lamb chop (good, you get 3 meaty ribs), and he had the salmon, which was good, if you like salmon (I've been spoiled by the seared salmon belly at Kaz). For dessert: I had the berries and he had the chocolate cream pie in a martini glass. Both desserts were forgettable. The berries weren't quite ripe, and the chocolate cream part of the pie was (when you get down to it), a glorified pudding. The third dessert was a creme brulee, but the table next to us only ate 1/2 of theirs, so I didn't get it. I'm not sure if I would come back if it weren't Restaurant Week as the mains are pretty pricey (between about $20 to about $30). No complaints on the service, but would it kill them to refill your soda?
(4)Jonathan M.
Restaurant Week Review (although they offer the same $30 fixed price menu from 5:30 to 6:30 Sunday thru Wed.) Absolutely solid meal. Well prepared, well seasoned, and good presentation. The atmosphere was mellow, not super noisy, but also not so quiet you feel like you have to whisper. Perfect for a date. Worth the trip up from the DC area. The fixed price menu is an amazing deal for the quality of the food. Even at full price you will easily pay more in this city for food that is half as good. Below is the breakdown of the meal. Starter: I had the scallop appetizer with the orange and fennel salad. The scallop with grapefuit sauce was amazing! I love the use of grapefuit as the citrus but it only came with one small scallop. Really Persimmon, one? The menu says "scallops" plural, and at the full price $14 I might have raised a stink. The salad was totally forgettable. Maybe you get more if you pay full price. My girlfriend had the mussels which were also wonderful. Plus it came with like 20 mussels. It was almost a meal. I think their lemon-garlic butter sauce is significantly better than Granville Moore's. This starter is the way to go for a couple to share. Entree: I had the pecan crusted Lamb. Well made, I cleaned the bones. Plus the greens were perfectly cooked. I mean, like, actually perfect. I don't think I have had haricots verts or spinach this well made before. The haricot verts had the perfect amount of snap left in them, and yet soft and cooked all the way through. Same goes for the spinach, it was bright green, soft but not mooshy. Not overly salted, you could really taste the freshness of both. The mustard potato-gratin was also very good. I prefer my gratin more cheesy/creamy, less dry, but that personal preference does not indicate a lack of quality in the dish. My girlfriend got the duck with sweet potato. It was tasty, but I don't think I was in the mood for duck. She really liked it. She did not give me a bite of the celery root galette and fois gras reduction which means it must have been good. I also overheard another diner behind her remarking on how good this dish was. Dessert: My girlfriend had the chocolate cake. Mehh...wasn't bad at all, just sort of like, whatever. You won't be disappointed, just not wowed. I had the toffee gingerbread pudding with ice cream. Forget the gingerbread pudding, it was really just crumbled up gingerbread in a toffee sauce. Again, you won't be disappointed, just not wowed. The ice cream though. OH MAN! That ice cream is really the star attraction. I big huge scoop of it sits on top of the dessert. This vanilla ice cream is the best I have ever had. No really, like greens, it was perfectly made. Not super sweet and a little salt. You can actually taste the fresh cream. If you order dessert just order the ice cream. I could have had two more scoops. I am frickin' dreaming about that ice cream, can't get it out of my head. I gotta go back.
(4)G. L.
I was looking forward to persimmon's reopening, but it is nowhere as good as it once was. Our server was lovely, but extraordinarily slow and forgetful. More over the food didn't rise to the level of mediocrity. The arugula salad was old and tired looking and line shrimp that came with it were small and had no seasoning.
(1)Jen J.
I'm torn about this place. The decor is HORRIBLE. Cobwebs in the corners, dirty carpet, drywall tape peeling at the corners, and was that mold on the wall? The old carpet gives off a funky smell. For a restaurant who charges $30 for an entree...these are real issues. That being said, the food was good, but not extraordinary (which I expected given all the good reviews). The fried oysters were good, but a bit fishy (from a can?)...the citrus soy sauce was actually the best part. The bouillabaisse was good, but lacking a bit of flavor. The sticky toffee pudding was yummy, though. my waiter was GREAT (and I considered 4-stars due to the service), but that wasn't enough to get past the so-so food and the bad decor.
(3)Ben J.
My girlfriend and I went here for Restaurant Week (our first visit) and were very impressed with the food and service. I've been out for a few RWs at other restaurants and this menu is one of the better ones I've seen. Lots of quality options, some from their regular menu, others were put together just for RW. I got a tomato mozzarella soup, mussels in a garlic butter, and an AWESOME chocolate cake/mousse type of dessert. All were really good. Lots of mussels, and more food then you would expect. My girlfriend had the same soup, a fish dish (that was recommended by the waiter) and the creme brulee. Fish was great, creme brulee was so-so. Server was really good - not too intrusive but very helpful. The only negative I have was that even with a reservation the host took about 15 minutes to seat us. My girlfriend felt as if we were being ignored because we were younger (20s) than your typical Chevy Chase resident. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place - good food, good service, nice atmosphere.
(4)Andrey C.
I really enjoyed my recent visit to Persimmon. The wait staff and host are really friendly and the atmosphere is very warm. Many of the other diners there were pretty casual, but you knew they were here for a fine dining experience. My party of five shared 3 appetizers to start, including the calamari (not friend), a mixed salad, and fried oysters. for my entree, i chose the crab cakes with huge lumps of maryland crab... which was delicious!! for dessert we had the bread pudding which was gooey and sweet and really put a great finish to our meal. Another fun thing about Persimmon is their wine flights for about $14+. I didn't get to try it but it's a nice addition to the menu!
(4)Ina C.
The important thing about Persimmon is that it is awesome. Pretty much everything about our very special family celebration here was exactly how we hoped it would be. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we made some great memories. But the important thing about Persimmon is that it is awesome. The important thing about their service is that it is top-notch. It is fast, friendly, professional, and just about flawless. But the important thing about their service is that it is top-notch. The important thing about their food is that it is super tasty! There are plenty of fish options, lighter options, heartier options. The duck confit salad is superb, the lamb chops are extremely tender, and the strawberry-rhubarb sorbet is perfectly light and strawberry-y. But the important thing about their food is that it is super tasty! The important thing about the atmosphere is that it is upscale and relaxed. The persimmony colors on the wall and ceiling are both warm and cool at the same time. The restaurant is on the smaller side, but it doesn't feel cramped. The white table cloths make it feel elegant, but your chatty neighbors remind you that you can sit back and relax. But the important thing about the atmosphere is that it is upscale and relaxed. The important thing about the price is that it is somewhat reasonable. You'll pay $32 for lamb chops, $26 for peppered tuna and around $10 for a salad. Some may think that it's a bit pricey, but I think I'd rather pay a little more for my food here than pay less for the same food and spotty service. But the important thing about the price is that it is somewhat reasonable. The important thing about this review is that it is finished. I wrote a lot about our experience, the service, the food, the atmosphere and the value. But the important thing about this review is that it is finished. :) (Inspired by "The Important Book" by Margaret Wise Brown)
(4)Lianne Z.
God I love this restaurant. A good friend took me here for my birthday and he sure as hell knows his food. This place is so classic and clean. I love white linen and minimal chic. The service was impeccable and the food is fresh. They have a wonderful selection: persimmonrestaurant.com/… . It's innovative without trying too hard. They take comfortable staples, mix it with fresh ingredients- managing to create delightfully tasty and light dishes. I had the duck with a sweet potato confit hash and a celery root galette and foie gras reduction. The wine was great and I remember leaving elated from the incredibly enjoyable experience. It's been awhile since I was at Persimmon but it's a rarity that a restaurant leaves such a positive lasting impression on me. Next time I'm home I'm definitely revisiting. Bellisimo.
(5)Gary M.
Went to Persimmon at the invitation of a business associate. Great spot on busy Wisconsin Ave. in DC for people-watching! Parked in a large lot behind the restaurant (metered parking up to 3 hours) which was better than trying for on-street parking in front. Anyway, the service was quite friendly and attentive. Not terribly busy at lunch made for an unhurried experience. Tried a salad with grilled chicken that was adequate, not spectacular. My friend ordered the rockfish with corn and black bean relish. As a feature of Restaurant Week in DC, we also got a first course (soup) and dessert -- I elected for Creme Brûlée. THAT was the hit of the meal, for me! If you visit Persimmon, do order that and enjoy its creamy decadence! On the whole, an enjoyable lunch but nothing to write home about. I'll probably go back just to validate (or not) the first visit.
(3)Jonathan P.
we had a great experience here. food and service were both excellent. atmosphere was just so so (it's small) but apparently they rennovated.
(3)Peter L.
Damian does a great job! The food is fantastic and just yummy. The Wasabi Crusted Oysters are unreal! I always take my friends and family to Persimmon...besides...Damian is like family...Persimmon is a place where I can see my old friend while eating a great meal...
(5)Matt B.
Stuffed pork loin chop was excellent. Salmon was good. Pretty good scallop appetizer. Delicious ice cream dessert. Their signature cocktail was pretty good as well. Highly recommended, just be sure you want to spend the money.
(5)Jessica F.
Reccomended for a date or small group dinner. Food is wonderful- the kind of place where I savor each bite. This is my favorite restuarant in Bethesda and I've reccomended it to others who have all thanked me for it. Portions are good sizes, So if you want to enjoy an entree and dessert you can.
(5)Peter T.
Very nice place.
(4)Susan G.
Came in late last night. The caesar salad was awful. Over dressed, tasteless, seemed like it had been dressed hours before. The fish taco was cold. Wine was good. Service good. Place used to be great - have had some good meals here. I've had better salads in chain restaurants.
(2)Paul C.
So disappointing! We had heard how good a restaurant this was and reserved well in advance for 3 for Saturday night. When we arrived on time, a table for 2 had been set for our party of 3,hardly a workable eating arrangement. We were told that this was our only choice,despite anumber of empty other tables in the restaurant, and that another table might open up over time. Very curt, very cold, very dismissive. We promptly left for Jaleo and a wonderful meal. We will never go back to Persimmon.
(1)Jill M.
I should mention first that I ate here during the Bethesda Chevy Chase Restaurant week, which might account for my 3 star experience (as opposed to the 4 or 5 others have had). It was crowded, very noisy, and the service was very slow, again maybe due to restaurant week. We ordered a half bottle of wine as soon as we sat down, and it took about 15 minutes just for the server to bring it over. Then they brought us a basket of bread with pate, and although the bread was slightly stale, the pate was very good and a nice alternative to butter. One really nice thing is that they offered their entire menu for restaurant week (a steal at $30). Our appetizers were perfectly cooked and very tasty - we ordered the fish taco and the scallops with orange fennel salad. For our main course, I ordered the pan seared dorade and he ordered the rack of lamb. The dorade and the lamb were both a little disappointing. They were well cooked, but not as flavorful as we had hoped. However, the sides were awesome - the dorade was served with with a tasty stew of asparagus, shrimp, and mushrooms served over a polenta cake, and the potato gratin that came with the lamb was amazing. Dessert was probably the weakest point of the meal - berries with cream and chocolate cream martini (chocolate pudding in a martini glass). They were good, but nothing special. I will definitely try to dine there again when it's not restaurant week, to get a better representation of their standard service and food.
(3)W E.
The wife has been wanting to go to Persimmon's for awhile so we decided to go there for New Years Eve dinner. Parking wasn't bad, its got a metered lot right behind the building. The restaurant itself was a little cramped for my taste and the staff from the hostess to the waitress were not friendly. The restaurant is NOISY...i couldn't hear my wife and she was maybe 3 feet away from me. They were offering a 3 course meal as a NYE "tasting menu" which included soup/salad, entree and dessert for $50/each. We had the lobster bisque and tomato soup, duck and veal and chocolate devil cake .The food was good...but nothing special i felt....don't really think i need to go back there again.
(2)Lisa W.
Went there for an all girls b-day dinner. This was our first time dining here. We walked in and there were quite a few tables open. I thought uh uh why aren't they busier? We were immediately greeted and made to feel at home. We were not in a rush and our waitress was fabulous on giving us plenty of time. Within 30 minutes the place was packed. We ordered several appetizers to share (blue cheese ravioli, beet salad, and lobster rolls). The waitress asked if we would like to have a ravioli for each person in the party - Yeh bonus points for asking, most restaurants do not do this! Dinner was fabulous (rack of lamb, tuna, and salmon) The desserts are nothing to rave about. Great place, food and wine. Exceptional service!
(5)Gui L.
I went on a thursday with my girlfriend and 2 Excellent pecan-crusted rack of lamb! ********************* (cont'd on 11/12/09) Been here maybe 5 times. They always start you off with a plate of bread and pate. Good start. If you go Sunday through Wednesday, they offer a $30 prixe fixe menu. The waitress may or may not tell you that the meat serving is half of what they would normally give if you don't do prixe fixe, but i've always found it plenty, along with the appetizer, dessert, and bread/pate. The wine list is very respectable - I'm not a wine snob, but most anyone should find something they like here, and they have a $15 tasting of 3 wines. Not bad. Every meat entree I've had is wonderful, with extra kudos going to the lamb and chicken. Can't go wrong with the fish either. This is top-notch cooking we're talking about. The only complaint I have is the lobster bisque... it had chunks of lobster, which is great, but it almost had a butternut squash thing going on (wouldn't be surprised if that was the base), but that made me like it less. Doesn't compare to the seafood bisque at Bobby Van's Steakhouse in DC. If you're looking for a nice date location though, with candles and great food (and great price on prixe fixe), definitely check this place out.
(4)hoot k.
A very nice & cozy place - good service, friendly staff and enjoyed the food overall. i got the lamb and my date ordered the roasted chicken.. lamb was well cooked but the chicken was a bit on the dry side (i suppose w/chicken it's hit/miss..) a bit on the pricey side - dinner for 2 was ~$150 (with alcohol of course). i would return, but wouldn't be on the top of my list.
(3)Emily W.
Went here with family to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. The restaurant is small, and very simple in terms of decor, but the food was pretty spectacular. The only dish I didn't absolutely love was the fish tacos I ordered, but I had the chance to sample around the table and everything was just amazing. The lobster rolls are to die for, and I really enjoyed the wasabi-crusted oysters. Mussels in the bouillabaisse were cooked just right, and all of the meat dishes were the perfect temperature. The birthday girl had the Dorade with shrimp and really the fish was quite exquisite...crispy skin and all. Would definitely recommend giving this place a try.
(4)Stephanie D.
I have been here twice and must admit it's some of the best food I've had in the area. Like any place, there are some downsides, but overall, I'd say it's on of the areas best. It's low key and cozy, so it doesn't have the pomp and circumstance a fancier restaurant might. I've ordered the rockfish and beef tenderloin, both were superb, however hello holy portion sizes batman. They seriously load you're plate and I have yet to actually finish a meal here. Also, their soup comes in massive bowls and are almost a meals in themselves, so don't order them unless you are seriously famished. One other downside I found is their desserts are not as stellar as their main courses. While good for the most part, they just don't hold up to their entree courses. I would pass on the cupcakes, I've had one here before and not only was it incredibly dense (almost fudge-like in texture) but it was also super tiny and not as tasty as I had hoped.
(4)Candace K.
We went back to Persimmon on Valentines Weekend for my birthday and had dinner, it was fantastic. Tried both the steak tartar and ravioli appetizers and both were delish. Hubby got the rack of lamb and I got the Rockfish with lemon gnocchi. Both were really succulent and flavorful. For desert we had the devils food cake and the pecan tart, of all of the things we ate these were the most disappointing. Good but not up to the standard that the other items set. Next time we'll do without desert. But it was a great evening and we'll be back.
(5)Mary L.
So I have been to Persimmon twice now and have left feeling quite satisfied on both occasions with all of my food. The first visit was a couple of moths ago in March I think and the other was tonight. What I ordered: Appetizer: Lobster rolls with Old Bay Chips (first visit): the lobster was very sweet and cooked perfectly. There wasn't too much mayo in the mixture and the rolls were nice and sweet (a good combo for the lobster). You only get two small sandwiches with your order but it is plenty, especially with the sandwiches almost overflowing with yummy lobster meat. I will admit, I never tried lobster rolls while in Maine but to my naive tummy, it was delicious. Soup of the day (first visit): Lobster bisque: very good and different. It had a coconut milk based sauce and had a little spice to it. It was very good though. Roasted Portobello Mushroom and Blue Cheese Ravioli (second visit): smaller but adequate portion. Delicious, with a yummy mushroom filling and a scrumptious dark sauce. Main Course: Seared Beef Tenderloin (first visit): Tenderloin was cooked perfectly (medium) with just enough pink all the way through. The sauce that accompanies it was delicious. The spinach and mashed potatoes were the two sides for the dish. I don't eat spinach by itself all too often but I ended up finishing the spinach on my plate, along with the mashed potatoes. Oven Roasted Chicken (second visit): Chicken was cooked perfectly (no pink and tender). It was delicious accompanied with the sauce it was served in. Also, there were no boned except for the tiny wings, which made me happy because it let me be lazier in my eating process. The potato puree was good (bland but good). The vegetable ragout was also a nice combo when eaten with the chicken. Overall, awesome food experience both times, so I there probably will be future visits. Service both times was awesome (had the same lady both times). She was a very nice woman who always had a smile and didn't push for my companions and I to order dessert when we didn't want to (which I liked). My water glasses was never empty (I always get two because I drink A LOT of water~ my friends tell me I should be a fish). Again, overall good experience.
(4)Sandy S.
The recently reopened Persimmon is now less a "fine dining" place and more of a bistro. White walls, black tables and chairs, open, airy, no table cloths. Bar is large and will soon have draft beer. They have a happy hour -- which is not our sort of thing, but it is worth mentioning. Contrary to several reviews in early 2013, its offerings are well prepared, very tasty, somewhat creative and well presented. Wife had wasabi crusted oysters (excellent), black bean soup (with a punch!) and salmon (dee-licious). I had tuna tartar with avocado (very good) and fish tacos (great). As with any place in Bethesda which is not a fast food joint, it is not inexpensive. But the prices are in line with restaurants in the DC area featuring similar quality and variety. The server at our lunch was somewhat young -- she got something wrong -- but she was pleasant and responsive. This is a place that past patrons should revisit (it was closed for six months!). As well, those looking for a good meal in a bistro kind of setting should try it out.
(3)Joan K.
Went for my bday dinner with parents and bf a couple of weeks ago on a friend's recommendation. I should've written this review sooner because now I can't remember too much! We went on a Monday evening and only the RW menu was available. I was a bit disappointed at first since RW experiences are usually sub-par compared to dining at the restaurant during normal times. I was pleasantly proven wrong. In all, it was a very pleasant experience. It's a very tiny restaurant that was packed when we got there. It was a bit awkward being able to listen to the conversation of the couple next to us and vice versa. The service was quite friendly, if a bit slow-understandable considering that it was packed and it didn't seem as if there were too many servers. Wine list was decent and had a lot of good value-driven selections. I wish I could remember what specific wines we had...but all I remember was that it was two bottles-a Sauv Blanc and a Pinot. As far as the food goes....There was one consistent theme to our experience there- they do an AMAZING job with their sauces. I started off with the Blue Cheese Mushroom Ravioli. A really great dish, considering what a dominant flavor blue cheese is, I was suprised at how delicate-tasting and nuanced this dish was. It was served with some sort of dark stock based broth (veal maybe? i think there may have been some sort of wine reduction in it too) WOW it was good. I sopped all of the remainder up with my bread. I think Dad had the mussels. I can't remember anything outstanding about them but they were pretty good. BF had some sort of asian-inspired spring roll I think. It sounded really mediocre on the menu but turned out really well. Again, they nailed it with the sauce for that. My fish entree which I ordered because it was some exotic-sounding species was a bit disappointing. I probably deserved it for ordering an entree for it's side dish (gnocchi, in this case). I found the fish a bit off tasting, although no one at the table seemed to agree with me. The gnocchi's texture was disappointing as well- chewy and not fluffy. Bf had the duck confit with sweet potato which was fabulous! Especially so considering he doesn't really enjoy sweet-savory food. Mom had the crabcakes. I know they were really good I just can't remember any distinctive details about them now. Dessert was pretty good. There was only one real standout, some toffee bread pudding a la mode type thing. VERRRYYY GOOOD. We also had creme brulee, some passion fruit custard in a martini glass, and something chocolate. None of them were bad, they just didn't hold a candle to the first. I'm excited to go back!
(3)Ashley D.
Very cute restaurant and brunch was really good. Service could have been more attentive and mimosas are way overpriced but overall a good experience.
(4)Abe L.
Looking at some of the recent lack-luster reviews - I'm compelled to write something. I've been to Persimmon probably 15 times over the last couple years - and I've found the food to always be consistent. True - the menu has not evolved much from the first time I visited - but there have been a few things that are must gets. I lived in Boston for a number of years - and nothing compares to fresh lobster in New England. But when I can't make a trip to Maine - Persimmon's lobster rolls always hit the spot! The bread is lightly toasted, and the Lobster has just right balance so it's not drowned in mayo. The old bay chips are a perfect complement. The other dishes I've tried have always been solid, and the service is very good. I took an order to go just the other day and the waitress was very friendly and helpful. Compared to the boring tasteless chains around most of downtown bethesda - Persimmon is a spot I seek out when I come down from Baltimore.
(4)Sean R.
Persimmon was somewhat of an odd dining experience. The decision to go there was random - we were in the district looking for somewhere for dinner and after finding Persimmon on the internet we decided to take the metro up to Bethesda. Unfortunately, I can't say that it was really worth the trip. Upon arrival the hostess was friendly and seated us. The first thing I noticed was the the decor of the place is rather underwhelming; a lot of bare walls and just a few pictures hanging up. Whoever decided how to decorate this place was rather uninspired. We ordered two cocktails, both of which were just average. While waiting for our food, they brought us bread, as is standard. What was not so standard, however, was what they gave us with the bread, liver pate. I didn't realize it until I almost took a bite and was completely disgusted by the smell. If you are going to give liver pate instead of the more traditional butter, at least give us an option, or a warning! I had the crab cakes entree, which was good, but not over the top great. One final note, their prices seemed a little high for the location/quality of the what was offered ($10-13 for a cocktail and $25-35 for almost all entrees) Overall, I would just consider this place average, not worth the trip for someone who doesn't live in the area. If you do live in the area, I'm sure there are probably better places...
(3)Davis K.
The best restaurant in Bethesda, hands down. I have never had a bad or even slightly good plate. Every single item I ordered has been 10/10. I have been there at least 10 times in the last year and they never let me down. This may sound weird or nasty but, the first time I eat Persimmon, when I stood up to leave, my body seriously felt like I had just had sex. The food was so tasty that it released the same endorphins. It's a funny statement but, the food at Persimmon is organically delicious! Funny but true.
(5)Greg D.
In DC for Barack Obama's Inauguration and we stumbled on Persimmon. Friendly staff - Colleen is the best - and good food. We all started with the Butternut Squash soup (soup of the day) and it was excellent. I had the Roasted Portabello Mushroom and Blue Cheese Ravioli which was very good. I'm not a Blue Cheese fan, so I was delighted that the blue cheese didn't overpower the mushroom, the flavors were just right.
(4)Patrick T.
A pleasant meal & experience. A bit noisy that made it hard to have an intimate conversation at 8pm. Above average cost for a dinner for two. The cost of the meal made me like it all a bit less.
(3)Allison W.
Ambiance=5, Food=3.5, Service=2.5 Cozy, old inn feel that makes you want to sit for hours. Excellent fish and meat options on the menu, but hardly anything there for vegetarians. I started with the trout spring rolls, which, although presented beautifully, had an unpleasantly fishy taste. My seared tuna entree was excellent. Fish was cooked perfectly, and went really nicely with the white bean and tomato puree. My dad said his bouillabase was the best he'd ever had, and while I didn't taste the actual dish, the cheesy garlic toasts on the side were unbelieavable. Only real issue was the service. Definitely slow, and even though I had called ahead to say it was my mom's birthday, and my dad mentioned it again to the server, no dessert came out. When we finally ordered one, there wasn't a candle. It would have been a nice touch. I'd go back, but perhaps not when celebrating a special occasion.
(3)blowfly x.
UPDATE: Went again tonight. Paid $14 for a scallop appetizer - TWO SMALL scallops. Really? The entrees are quite generous, so why so cheap on the appetizers? TWO? SMALL? scallops? That's about $7 per scallop (did I mention they were small?). Might not go back. That was a serious ripoff. Revising my rating down to two stars. I went here years ago and wasn't too impressed - everything seemed smothered in cheese. We tried again last weekend and it was a completely different experience; maybe a new chef? I don't keep up on these things. In any event, the appetizers we had were excellent. We had the blue cheese/portobello mushroom ravioli appetizer, which was incredible (although on the small side), and I'll be going back just to eat that again. The calamari appetizer was also excellent. Sadly, the main dishes were not as exciting, but I have yet to find a restaurant where that isn't the case. Someday I will actually go through with my urge to just order appetizers. I guess because somebody feels main dishes have to have a protein, a veg, and a grain, they are almost always less creative and less delicious than appetizers. I had scallops with some spinach and squash or something - kind of plain. My husband had the tuna, which he thought was very good but I again found unexciting. We were too full for dessert. The service was very polite, friendly, and quick - of course, we did get there at around 6, before about 8 more tables filled up, but dishes seemed to be coming out of the kitchen at a good clip throughout the dinner. We're definitely going again and THIS time I'll be having that amazing ravioli as an appetizer and the squid as my dinner.
(2)Peter L.
Ok...it is pretty simple...you take a local guy who loves to create great food combinations and then you have Persimmon. Damian Salvatore is a personable guy who really knows how to make people want to come back for more...Great restaurant and the people are great...wasabi crusted oysters...yum!
(5)Katie E.
I love this place. We went there on Wednesday and their special appetizer was lobster rolls and they were excellent. I rate them right up there with NYC's Pearl Oyster Bar..and for foodies you know that means they were good. The food here is always good and the service is wonderful. This is my of my fave's in the area. Will definitely be back soon!
(5)Ian M.
Happy hour at persimmon is the best kept secret in Bethesda and I have mixed emotions about letting that secret out because I'm still able to find a seat at the bar for HH on Fridays. Let's start with the tuna tartar bites. A generous single serving of tuna tartar mixed with avocado on a crispy cracker served with seaweed salad. A great taste for 3$, I don't recommend sharing. Then comes the taco, julienned shrimp, house slaw, soft shell, and I'm guessing that was remoulade drizzled on top. I added a picture of, look at it then order it then show it off to your Twitter followers then eat it. You may have to get some Twitter followers before you order it. I've also had the blackened chicken sandwich, which comes on a dinner roll with bacon, onion tomato lettuce. This is a great sandwich, I'm pretty sure bacon makes the world go round, I just haven't proven it yet. For desert we got profiteroles, if you listen to the flight of the conchords song "hurt feelings" you'll realize that this dessert is under appreciated. Two puff pastries with ice cream in between, served over a chocolate and caramel syrup lattice. Still doesn't get the respect that it deserves. Almost forgot to mention the staff. Tim took great care of us at the bar, no issues with water/beer/wine refills. I highly recommend this HH, and I will be disappointed if they get too busy for me to be able to find a seat in the future.
(5)Wanda F.
This was our first time at Persimmon, and we were impressed! It was a delicious meal from appetizers to desert. The meal presentation was beautiful and the service was great. The atmosphere was nice too--Cozy yet lively. We'll definitely be going back!
(5)Carolyn C.
I came here during Bethesda's restaurant week. Decided to go with the three-course option and wasn't disappointed. My entrée was salmon and it was cooked to perfection. Their regular menu was very extensive and shows that their chefs have a wide culinary background. If I came back I would want to try their "Sunset Dining" option which is a three course tasting dinner available every Tuesday night through Sunday. It would be perfect to pair this dinner with their "Wine Down" 1/2 bottle of wine on Tuesday night--just a helpful thought! Please note that they are not open on Mondays at all and are closed on Saturdays for lunch. I believe they serve Saturday Dinner. Brunch is on Sunday's from 11:00am until 2:00pm.
(4)Karen T.
I was staying at the NIH and was in the need of a good meal before going home.I read the reviews and decided on this place. It was AWESOME!! My sister and I started with the lobster rolls which were very yummy, very soft bread and not overloaded with dressing. For dinner I had the rack of lamb!! Heaven!! The sauce and the pecan crust worked well together and it was cooked perfect.when I come back to the area I will definitely be back!
(4)Angel W.
If you're in the Bethesda area, Persimmon is worth a try. I enjoyed the intimate setting although you are definitely on top of your "neighbors". There are very few seats, so reservations are recommended. The service was slow and spotty. I did not find the staff easy to interact with. I felt like my questions were bothering them and they had to research my gluten-free questions more frequently than is typically required at other restaurants. Their gluten-free menu for vegetarians is sparse with salad being the only option. My friend ordered some seafood based soup and some mussels or clams. I ordered the fennel and arugula salad with shaved ricotta cheese and lemon oil vinaigrette. All of the dishes were fine, but nothing special. Where Persimmon stood out was with their cocktails, which delivered a fantastic buzz! I had the Fruit in a Flute which is made with prosecco, passion fruit and Grand Marnier. It was a little "cough-syrupy" but it made me feel great. My friend had the Passion Fruit Martini with vodka, champagne and passion fruit. He thought it was pretty good and also had a mean buzz going on. So, if you are looking to take the edge off, I recommend Persimmon's cocktails.
(3)Monte M.
We always enjoy eating here. Most excellent salads and a big emphasis on fresh ingredients. Nice sized portions as well, and a diligent and attentive, but not pushy, wait staff. Reasonably priced and a congenial atmosphere. Just a really nice place with high quality preparation and attentiveness. If you're looking for a nice neighborhood place while still getting a quality dining experience, this is your place.
(4)Michael L.
We went to Persimmon for my wife's birthday with our daughter. I checked out the menu on line and it has a pretty extensive fish offering, which my wife prefers, so we decided to give it a try. There is ample parking right behind the restaurant, which is a big plus in Bethesda. The space is small-ish and noisy. It's a bistro, so that's what you should expect. We had reservations and were greeted and sat promptly. Our server was friendly and attentive. The wine list was good, with quality choices both by the bottle and the glass. We ordered a pinotage, which was not great. But that was my fault for taking a chance on a wine I hadn't had for a while. No demerits for that. My wife and daughter started with salads and I had the mushroom soup, which was a bisque. All good. For our mains, my daughter and I both had the braised short ribs and my wife had the scallops. All very good, The portions are large, so bring your appetite. The deserts were OK, not great. All I wanted was a scoop of vanilla ice cream with some chocolate sauce. Not on the menu, but they accommodated me without making it seem like I was a bother. The whole night was about $200, which was a reasonable price tag for the dining experience.
(3)Ryan U.
I was impressed with this restaurant. The food was very good and the service was prompt and friendly. Will return next time I'm in Bethesda.
(5)Kelly M.
We we there last night for Valentine's Day. We waited several minutes before a nice man came and greeted is and cordially took us to our table. After 5 minutes a waiter finally appeared to explain the menu and swiftly left. He did not provide a drink list, or even ASK if we would like anything to drink. I had to ask another waiter walking by at the time for a drink menu. On Valentine's Day! You would think he would've offered a bottle of wine or something which we probably would've indulged, instead I just ordered a cocktail (which took every bit of ten minutes to reach my table, we got food first) We started with the mussels that were bland, the empanadas were delicious, and the fennel/arugula salad was okay. For my meal I had the crab cake which lacked flavor as well, and the sauce was basically thickened butter with no seasoning. My boyfriend had the salmon which was delicious the sauce on the salmon being a lot better than the sauce on the crab cake although they seemed that they were both derived from the same cream base. Our sever did not check back one time through 3 courses expect at the very end. Overall the food was disappointing, the server (not service, the food runner and other staff members were great), and I would not return especially on a holiday (for the reservation was at 9pm so it was not peak time nor was the restaurant full, when we left there were only about 4/5 tables there.) Considering this restaurant is a block from my house, I would've loved to be able to say I would return.
(2)Bob S.
This is my first time going here since they remodeled. I personally prefer the more formal old version. I think when the bar gets hopping it could get difficult to have an intimate conversation. Started out with the oyster wasabi. Not bad, but not a lot of oyster or wasabi taste. I would not order it again. Orders the sea scallops and lamb entrées. Both were very good. The scallops were fresh and cooked to perfection. The accompaniment was also good. The lamb was also cooked exactly as ordered and was very flavorable. Nothing on the dessert menu caught my interest. So why four stars? The main courses were very good. The atmosphere was pleasant. Not sure I would come on a Friday or Saturday when the bar might be busy. There are other appetizers that look interesting and I don't really need to be eating dessert, so not being tempted is a good thing.
(4)Myra D.
Persimmon is a nice neighborhood restaurant with a great happy hour menu. Perfect for drinks and dinner after work.
(5)Biga T.
Dinner here At least 6 Times and It has always been really Good. We also love the fact that it's not loud and noisy so you can actually enjoy a normal conversation with your friends! This gives them an extra star.
(5)Ja Y.
A group of us went there for Easter dinner and were disapponted with the service. The food was good, although the portions have been reduced and the prices have increased. The do not provide any bread even when ordering a salad, and despite asking 3 times for some, and being told it would come, they did not give us any bread or crackers. Our server mixed up our dessert orders and never apologized. They no longer serve cappachino, saying that machine broke over a year ago. Don't think we will go back.
(2)Lou K.
Love this place. Partially because they have a half price bottle of wine night, partially because its a great bar to eat at, but really everything I have tried s awesome. I usually start with the Empanadas of the day. Yesterdays were duck confit and so very tasty. The fish tacos are a favorite but I can't seem to control myself from getting the Wasabi Crusted Oysters. If you ask they will give you that appetizer as an entrée which I highly recommend. On a side note, I stopped in for brunch and tried their red sangria and must say it is one of the best I have had. So, all in all, this little spot is truly a neighborhood gem.
(5)Pamela S.
Best restaurant in my neighborhood! Megan, Robinson, Phil and Mike are all great. Amazing chef whois always so accommodating!
(5)Suzanne G.
finally tried what some consider a little gem. My lobster roll ($20) on brioche was superb (actually 2 mini lobster rolls) -- generous amt of lobster meat, and minimal but sufficient mayo, celery and lettuce. I asked for them to substitute something for the "Old Bay fries" as I'm not a FF fan -- and they basically asked what veggie I'd like, and cheerfully said "fine" when I asked about the Brussels sprouts (which accompanied one of the other entrees on the menu, the tuna or red snapper, I think, so I'd noticed the available veggies on the menu when perusing for options). Brussels sprouts sautéed or maybe broiled with olive oil were cooked to perfection, and although they were a tad salty for my taste, my SO liked them so we shared those. SO loved his rack of lamb with sautéed spinach & fingerling potatoes (substitution gratis as he didn't want the au gratin potatoes which is offered as he doesn't like cheese). Vanilla bean crème brulee was as good as the ones I've gotten in French restaurants in North Carolina, San Fran & NYCity -- truly one of the better ones I've ever had. Came in taller, stouter ramekin than I'm accustomed to, which meant greater proportion of custard versus caramelized crust -- for me, preferable so wonderful. We went for lunch on a DC snow day (4" of snow shut down the federal govt & the school system) so was deserted, but when I pass by this restaurant on a weekend evening, it's standing room only. Persimmon is a keeper. Highly recommend.
(4)Lauren V.
Rude and poor service! Over-priced food. Vegetarians beware that bread spread was/possibly still is duck pate! I came to this restaurant back when living in Maryland. The bread basket came with what looked like whipped butter. It tasted funny so I asked about it. As a person who doesn't eat meat (at least not purposely), I normally ask about entrees but hadn't thought to ask about bread (I will moving forward). I suggested politely to the server that they inform folks. In response, I got a lecture instead of any apology. Consequently, I got sick since my system wasn't used to meat--which was especially bad since I was pregnant at the time and normally very careful about what I would intake. Wish I could give this place negative stars.
(1)Seleyn D.
Persimmon was recommended to us by a fellow foodie and it delivered. The smoked trout spring roll was delicious! My husband and I are both a bit high maintenance - me being gluten-free and he being vegan plus fish. But the wait staff and kitchen superbly responded to our needs and delivered a very tasty meal to us both including a special sauce for my husband's dish. They also switched out the fish for scallops on the risotto for my dinner. We will definitely go back.
(4)Max W.
Having dinner, we kept asking ourselves why did it take us so long to return to Persimmon after it was closed for 6 months while it was being remodeled. The cooking was as good and memorable--wasabi fried oysters, bouillabaisse, pecan-crusted lamb, flourless chocolate cake have no comparables in the area, and reasonably priced for such distinctive dining. The menu has expanded to include a wider range of lunchtime fare, available throughout the day, that would be suitable for families to dine.
(5)Leon W.
Had dinner here with my wife and another couple. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The duck confit salad, beet salad and black bean soup were very good. The women had the Rockfish special which they enjoyed very much. The men had the beef short ribs. The ribs were fork tender and very tasty. Portions are large and should not leave you hungry. The wine list was diverse both in varietals and price. One should be able to find an enjoyable selection. Given the quality and price, I would say Persimmon is a good value. My only suggestion is that the wood benches in the booths could be more comfortable. All four of us agreed we would definitely return.
(4)Jim M.
UPDATE March 2014: Downgraded from 4 to 3 stars: Some neighbor friends who go there frequently popped in for the Bistro menu. There's a new manager, was told it was the owners brother, who was amazingly rude and told them not to come back. It was over getting a booth that was handled poorly. So word has spread in the Town, and locals are avoiding it. Hate to diss a neighborhood place, but when they chase out locals (e.g. walking distance) who have been going there for years, that's just not acceptable. ---- Previous review--which would still apply if you don't encounter the rude manager----- Went to Persimmon for the first time since it reopened, we've been going there for 13 years. The renovation was one of economy, pedestrian woodwork, white walls with big weird paintings of fruits and vegetables, but the booths in the back are nice. The menu is essentially the same, except they've added sandwiches and salads. So now you can have a casual meal for two for around $50, if you want. The food is great. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was really really good. It was close to perfect. My wife had the wedge salad with chicken, also very good. We also had the mushroom ravioli appetizer, which was on the old menu: we've always been addicted to it. I'm assuming that all the old menu appetizers and dinner menu items are still good, however I would never ever recommend the boliabaise - it's always been bland. Surprised that they left it on the menu. Three problems: 1) now that they are serving bistro food, they really need to offer some more interesting beers on tap or in the bottle. Very pedestrian assortment of beers. 3) They don't offer bread at all, which leaves you wanting something to savor the wonderful sauces on their dinner entries. 3) for some unfathomable reason, as in the past, they don't have half/half or cream for coffee. So we passed on coffee and dessert. In the past, we've brought our own half/half to the restaurant. It's really stupid. So if you go there, and don't get chewed out by the manager over your table location, enjoy the great food, bring your own bread, half and half, and see if you can sneak in a good hefeweizen.
(3)David T.
We had lunch. Fish tacos. Crab cake sandwich and salad. All excellent. Service wonderful. Coming back often.
(5)Dick S.
Very poor. The good fish dinners that were the hallmark of the place were nowhere in sight. I ended up eating a so so hamburger. Service was poor. We had to ask several times for the same thing which often never arrived. The new decor is bland and the noise level still too high. We will not return. Dick
(1)K Sera S.
I will definitely go back here to see if I might be able to add another star to this. But for now... Solid service; kept the orders at a large table (like, 15) straight, even when a couple of us swapped seats. Water glasses kept full, wine at the ready. This is unusual for me to say, but I found the menu overly adventurous. Some of the combinations sounded weird on paper and turned out that way IRL. I think that my experience was tainted by the fact that it was a work event and so I was a bit on my guard overall. The beet and arugula salad was very nice, although the beets were cut into rather big chunks. Was nice to see that they were, in fact, chunks, though, not slices out of a can. Followed this with the rockfish on steamed spinach with lemon gnocci and eggplant puree. See what I mean about too adventurous? The flavors worked together, but there was a little too much competition. I think skipping the eggplant and upping the lemon gnocci content would have done the trick. Didn't have dessert, and was sorry to have to pass it up. Again, I will definitely return here to try again.
(3)J. A.
I was going through my old e-mails, and I stumbled across a review I had written for Persimmon on OpenTable regarding a dining experience in March of last year. I can't believe I didn't Yelp about it because it was such a terrible experience. Here it is: Our dining experience was blemished right at the very beginning when the hostess gave me a dumbfounded look when I told her we had a reservation for 2 people at 6pm. There were only 3 tables filled in the entire restaurant, so I'm not sure why she needed our name in order to seat us. To top it off, it didn't even register that we showed up for our reservation on Opentable (as I came to find out a few days later). She wouldn't seat us unless I told her my name. She also did not seat us at a 4-top table like we requested because she said parties of 4 would be sitting there later on. As the night went on, couples of 2 (just like us) were seated at 4-top tables. The food was better than the service (the waitress laughed at me while I was ordering a glass of wine) but we'll never go back to Persimmon ever again. Maybe we would have been treated with more courtesy if we were 40 years older (more wrinkles = more important), wore mismatched outfits with our pants above our waists, shat in Depends, and had a Chevy Chase address on our driver's licenses.
(1)Keith B.
My wife and I had a pretty good meal here before going to the Strathmore for a concert. The chicken liver pate was a good pairing with the crusty sliced baguette. A little different than the butter and bread combo. The meal itself was pretty good. I had a very well executed beef tenderloin and wife had wasabi crusted fried oysters that she liked. A very good meal if not out of this world. Service was competent, but decor was pretty bland. They also had a good selection of wines. If you are in Bethesda, give it a try.
(4)Liz K.
Been to Persimmon 3 times so far. The food was always fantastic. Server was very nice and polite, but he seemed like he doesn't know much about the menu. also, you must leave in the middle of your meal to feed the meter (if you find a spot nearby) you can avoid the parking trouble by parking half an hour away. It makes you feel better because it's nearly impossible to find something less than 5000 calories on the menu!
(4)Marisa F.
Persimmon was voted the best overall restaurant in Bethesda Magazine. This was my first visit there but I was not that impressed. The service was good, but the decor is pretty lackluster as someone has mentioned in a previous review. I can forgive a boring interior if the food was spectacular, but it was not. The bread was delicious but they had some strange looking pate that they brought out with it before they brought out butter. I'm pretty picky about my crabcakes and maybe that is overall why I didn't care for this place that much. The crabcakes sounded interesting on the menu: Sautéed Lump Crab Cakes with Bacon Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Corn Hash and Sweet Corn Sauce $26 But were very uninspired and not very flavorful. The bacon mashed potatoes sounded amazing but when I got them they kind of looked like instant potatoes and didn't have that much flavor. If you want some great mashed potatoes, try the lobster mashed potatoes at the American Tap Room. The crabcakes weren't bad, but they weren't anything to write home about either. The corn sauce that was all over the plate didn't really add much of a flavor to them either. I did order dessert and it was a pumpkin cheesecake and that was delicious. My cousin is not a cheesecake fan but even she liked it and commented that "it's like eating a creamy pumpkin pie." My cousin got the Rockfish, which isn't on the menu online for me to copy, but she thought it was delicious. She also ordered the mousse for dessert and liked it. I think the best thing about Persimmon was the wine menu. They had a great Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. I might go back, but there are a lot of other restaurants around Bethesda that I would rather try.
(3)Laura G.
First impressions are hard to shake .. and my first impression of this place was that the decor was uninspired and tired. The menu ... same thing. And quite frankly, so was the wait staff - uninspired with a touch of brusque-ness. Ahh, but how did the food taste? Well, it was uneven. The bread basket was slices of white bread, nothing tempting - although the pate that was served along with the butter was a nice touch. A delish fennel & arugula salad with shaved ricotta and fresh cracked pepper was good. The mussels in a white wine broth .. not tasty and I left half in the bowl (which is sooo not like me as I adore mussels). My dinner mates all enjoyed their meals - amongst them - they ordered the crab cakes and rockfish. And they all said they would come back. So, in the end, perhaps its just me - perhaps I'm too picky, I want too much, I want it to have it all - the atmosphere, the service, the food, the wine to all be extraordinary.... And well .... if that's the case, I'll keep my extraordinary standards and let you know when a place is fabu enough to have 5 stars!
(2)Ellen L.
mmm! I came here yesterday for Restaurant Week and I'm really glad I came. First of all, this restaurant is ridiculously close to where I live. Second of all, their menu for Restaurant Week is pretty much the same as regular menu (except no lobster rolls! *sad!*), which is pretty nice for the $30 deal. I did see that they have a Sunset Menu offers the full menu for $30 as well, but since I wouldn't make it back from work to Bethes on any day other than Sunday, it'd be hard for me anyway :) Maybe just for those lobster rolls... :) Contrary to a lot of other reviewers that were upset with Persimmon's service, I think Persimmon's service was pretty good. We were a troublesome crowd - we couldn't quite nail down our party size. There was a lot of: "First, 8. No wait, 10. I mean, 8. Actually...12. Or, 10. No, no it's 10. Shoot, it's really 12, etc." They were very accomodating and helped us piece together enough tables. My only beef was that they didn't want to accept more than 3 credit cards, and with 12 people, that's always tough. I do understand that we should have prepared more on our part. The food was quite yummy. I listened to Yelp! reviewer suggestions and got the scallops with salad + grapefruit sauce, rack of lamb, and the toffee bread pudding. The scallops were good but surprisingly, the salad and grapefruit sauce stole the show. The rack of lamb was also very tasty, although mine could have been a touch more raw. The toffee bread pudding was rich and sinfully good. The chocolate martini (my friend's) was arguably better though :) I had a great time and I'd love to come back and try those lobster rolls! (Yes, I love lobster :P)
(4)Stephanie T.
A neighborhood hidden gem, away from all the chaos of Bethesda Row and Norfolk Ave. The boneless braised short ribs seems to just melt in you mouth. Oh an the roast magret of duck is so scrumptious. The server told me that they have a special course menu offering for $30 Sunday to Wednesday 5pm to 6pm. I'm not too sure what it comes with. Maybe call ahead to check or just email them through opentable.
(5)Arthur K.
It was restaurant week. Mind you I avoid restaurant week. Based on my experience, the lower prices aren't really worth how badly a lot of establishments slim down their fare. But we had already made reservations weeks in advance and found out about Restaurant Week after the fact. The fish tacos were really good. Correction "taco". Not to be nitpicky, but the menu stated "tacos"; implying multiple things. It was a fish taco. It was good. Taco. Note the missing "s". Ok, so I got a little less than what I thought. But at least my entree was coming.. Unfortunately the main dish dissapointed. I got the pork. FAIL. I've seen more meat on a 6" Subway sandwich. I understand it was restaurant week and really was expecting smaller portions, but these portions were tiny. I watched as my fellow diners munched away on their much more reasonable portions while I nibbled on the seemingly vegetarian version of the pork dish.
(2)N S.
Felt like a threw away $40 last night and I'm still not over it. BTW, I was dining alone. Started with the Safeway quality baguette slices, onto the bland mushroom ravioli, and ended w/ some type espresso chocolate cake that didn't hit. At all. I'd eaten here a few years ago and it didn't stick out then. Perhaps I'm going for the wrong dishes, but I probably won't return to find out. The dessert menu didn't seem to have anything appealing on it either and seemed (save for the citrus cake) more like a winter dessert menu. I wished I had just continued onto Addies...
(3)Bill S.
This was my fourth visit to Persimmon, I would give it a five but we had two unpleasant experiences with the service. The food and wine selection are great. Their wine list is very pricey and this may be a consideration for some. We wen there this New Years Eve with an 8:00 reservation. When we arrive (at 8:00) the restaurant is practically empty. We had a reservation for two and there where six empty tables for two lined up in a row. We where promptly seated at the table nearest the door. Our menus arrived immediately etc. About five minutes seated we became aware that whenever some came in we go a blast of the cold outside air. Not very pleasant. We asked the receptionist, I won't deem her a title of maitre d' as that would really denigrate Persimmon. You may get the clue that she pissed us off. Remember the place is almost empty, we asked if we can be moved away from the door. She tells us if she moves us we will have to leave by 9:05 (????) WHAT!!!! There are five identical tables empty and waiting, what is this none sense? This is a gourmet restaurant, and for News Years the only choices are three or five course meals. No way to done in an hour an enjoy it. We sit for another minute and then call her back. I make it clear this is not acceptable and she moves us without condition. I can not imagine a reason fro her behavior accept just being lazy and or rude. OK we order two great meals, they ask for the entire order including desert up front. This not pretty standard with fixed menus. OK we order drinks, they arrive, then our entirees arrive..ahead of the first courses (!!??). We point this out to our waitress and she tells us we brought theses dishes to the wrong table, their not yours sorry. We get our yummy first courses, order another drink and the entrees arrive. The same ones they said where for some one else. Nothing like a lying waitress. I had ordered a pork medallion and it was great but a teeny bit dried out on one medallion from sitting. If I was paranoid I might believe that the "mistake" was an attempt to get us out in the hour. The place filled up at 8:30. Our bill was $150.00 for two people. They should be ashamed of the service. I do recommend Persimmon and hope their owners take note of a potential problem.
(2)Mike S.
I freaking love this place! I have been here quite a few times with my parents (I can't really afford to go here on my budget) and every time it has been fantastic. The mushroom and blue cheese ravioli is delicious and the lobster rolls are great. It is an appetizer but comes with two thick lobster rolls and home made potato chips. If you are not that hungry, you could easily eat this and another appetizer as a meal. I have never had the fish tacos but I have heard that they are pretty good too. Also, try the beer tenderloin or the short ribs. Both are very rich and just delicious. Also, if it is in season (aka summer), they may have a soft shell crab special. I highly recommend it. I find it very interesting that they bring pate to put on your bread. I am not a big pate person but I will definitely eat it (and enjoy it) with the bread. Sometimes they bring you a sample of the soup of the day compliments of the chef, which is always a nice touch. I have noticed a lot of reviews saying that it is a little cramped in the restaurant. Here is a hint: sit at the bar. Okay, so it's not at as intimate as a table but even when the restaurant is packed, usually the bar is open and usually you will have room to spread out too
(5)Erica T.
Wonderful food, laid-back elegance. What a lovely, lovely place for a date or an evening out with friends. The cognac and creme brulee we had for dessert has been the home screen on my iphone for weeks, such a fond memory of a delightful evening.
(4)Jason K.
My wife likes this place very much - says it was her favorite date so far in DC. And we don't, but if you like Pate, they give it out by the bucket.
(5)Michael S.
Food = 4.5 Ambiance = 3 Service = 3.5 Total = I'll give it a 3.5...but really, it's closer to a 4. It's good. Came here for Restaurant Week like everyone else. Three course menu for $30 is a steal, especially for this place, I think. I had the trout spring roll to start. This was really good and presented really well. It was so good that, in fact, I had no idea what I was eating. It was literally a flavor overload. I think the peanut sauce thing kind of overshadowed everything else in the dish. And what is trout supposed to taste like? The flavors kind of masked the trout. Regardless, it was very good, though a bit messy to eat. Yummy. I got the beef tenderloin (my standby whenever I come to a "New American" restaurant that happens to have it). This was also very good., and was also presented very nicely (though the patterned dish was a little "eh"). I don't know what they did with the spinach but it was like the best spinach I've tasted, no lie! The potatoes were tasty but not the best, but they were all swirled and not just "plopped" on the dish, which was a nice touch. The beef itself was just the right size and temperature, and was one, if not the best, beef tenderloin I've tasted. The fried onions were also good, though they did kind of mask the taste of the potatoes. Overall, it was very good. I would definitely recommend it. I was a little disappointed at the scant dessert choices for Restaurant Week, but I got the chocolate pudding martini thing. This was also very good and nicely presented (do we sense a pattern here?). Very chocolate-y, creamy, and the cookie-thing layer in the middle was the best part. Wish they had more of it. I was stuffed to the max at this point so I couldn't finish it, but I definitely would have if I had the room in my belly! I didn't like how cramped the restaurant felt. It might have been because it was pretty packed (we were there around 6:30-ish on a Sunday in Restaurant Week), but the tables are also really close together. My friend described the interior as looking more like a "store" than a restaurant, and I agreed. I didn't really like the "feel" of the restaurant, either, but maybe it was just the "Bethesda-Chevy Chase attitude" (maybe I'm too used to the lax DC 'tude). It was definitely an older crowd. The service was OK, nothing to write home about. Not too back, but also not something I'd call "excellent". Also, on here it says the attire is "casual"...I KNOW it said "dressy" a while before, sometime last year. It's definitely more on the "dressy" side. I was wearing dark jeans and I felt a little out of place--and these were not cheap jeans. A nice shirt and slacks will definitely not hurt, though a jacket might be too much. It wasn't that the food and ambiance seemed like it was a "dressy" place, but it was more of the people and "aura" there, if that makes any sense. Regardless, it's definitely on the "dressier" side of a restaurant. But not as dressy as some other "New American" places.
(3)Jerry L.
Disclaimer: This place has been on the girlfriend's hit-list for awhile now as one of her all-time favorites in the DC metro area, so despite myself, I had unusually high (you might even say unreasonable) expectations for Persimmon. I then came on Yelp and skimmed through some glowing reviews and the hype-meter went up even more. I expected to be blown out of my seat... ...and I was not. Don't get me wrong, there are some admirable qualities about Persimmon. But enough deficiencies for it not to quite get 4 stars. We'll start with the good and end with the bad: + The sauteed sea scallops with orange and fennel salad was a good appetizer and prepared very well. I just wish there had been more than two (to be fair, pretty large) scallops. + It's been well documented, but the pecan crusted barbecued rack of lamb is a great entree. The girlfriend ordered it and I was immediately jealous when it arrived at the table. I'll just add that a.) the portion is very generous and b.) the wonderful combination of sauces and herbs led me to discretely reach over and not-so-discretely gnaw through most of the bones she left on her plate. Thanks for putting up with me, gf. + Half off all their wine bottles on Thursday nights. Persimmon's wine list is pretty extensive with some great selections. It's also fairly pricey (not a bottle under $36). We had a nice Riesling which was perfect with the scallops. + Their bread is served with pate instead of butter. This was my first time experiencing this at a restaurant and even though I'm not a big pate fan, I thought this was neat and worth noting. + My medium rare roasted marget of duck was cooked very well, which is not easy to do... - ...but the sauce and the sides seemed off, which was disappointing. Maybe it's just my palate, but the sweet potato and duck confit hash didn't match the meat very well, and the celery root/foie gras reduction sauce didn't complement either the duck or the hash. Certainly sounded good on paper, but didn't taste very good at all in my mouth. - The restaurant definitely flirts with the line between cozy and crammed-like-sardines. Although the other patrons were pretty quiet in their conversations on the night we were there, I was a little concerned that my dining companion was going to elbow the gentleman at the next table (about two inches next to ours) in the head while she was carving her rack of lamb. For a fine dining experience, it was a tad claustrophobic. - Service was just OK. Our waitress was very nice, but seemed to be gone for a few minutes every time we needed something. Considering how small the restaurant is and the prices they are charging, I was pretty underwhelmed. - Overall, with the exception of the tasty rack of lamb, I just think that you can do better for a $120/dinner for two in Bethesda. * Final note to management: if you want to really annoy one of your customers (particularly a young, price-sensitive Chinese guy with his date), make sure you serve a little special something "compliments of the chef" to every single table in the restaurant except for his. This will particularly get under his skin if the other customers in the restaurant are all older, affluently-dressed white people.* Come on now, Persimmon! Foul! Bad form! How do you think this looks? There are few things worse in life (to me, anyway) than knowing that everyone else is getting good FREE food except for you. I don't care if it was ice cubes sprinkled with kool-aid powder in those little cups. If you're going to make a big show of a nice freebie, you better make sure everyone gets some.
(3)Nolan R.
I don't take my girlfriend out to eat very often but when I do I usually like to choose a "nice" restaurant. This place was perfect in almost all aspects. We had a reservation so we were quickly greeted at the door by friendly staff member and shown to our seats. The menu was quaint and delightful. Our waitress was also extremely friendly without being over pursuant of us which I really liked. I ordered the prince edward mussels which where absolutely the best muscles that I have had in the last few years. I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great date spot in Bethesda.
(5)Mickey L.
UPDATE: We went to Persimmon for the third time (in six days) to try the Crab Cake as a dinner entrée. Unfortunately, the crab meat was thready compared to the one we enjoyed at brunch and overall tinier in size (compared to the two we had been expecting as alluded to us this past Sunday, only one is served for Restaurant Week or Sunset Dining entrée). On two tries, the Crab Cake seems to be inconsistent. While I liked the corn hash and corn sauce, the bacon mashed potatoes were salty and very drying. Fortunately, there were major saving graces. First, the Rack of Lamb was bigger and juicier while being more cooked than the medium my dining companion ordered on Friday. Also, the Scallops and Braised Beef Short-Ribs were as delicious as ever. Plus, they provided ample berries upon request for my Crème Brulée. --------------------------------------------------Â---------- My dining companion and I went to Persimmon on the spur of the moment on Friday night to take part in Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week. Since this was the first time we came without a reservation, we were worried there may not be a seat. When we arrived, the dining room was packed (justifiably so since Chef Salvatore is so generous during restaurant week offering the entire menu of divine delights), but as luck would have it, there was one table for two remaining for us in the front of the dining room! As always, we ordered the Sautéed Sea Scallops with Orange and Fennel Salad, Grapefruit Sauce--refreshing as usual. Next came the Pecan-Crusted Barbecued Rack of Lamb with Mustard Potato Gratin, Haricot Verts, Spinach and Horseradish Demi Glace. The lamb was nice and tender, and the ample green veggies balanced the rich, mustardy potatoes. Our pleasant surprise (for Persimmon) was dessert: Fresh Berries with Sabayon and Mint. While the Chocolate Cream Pie Martini with Mint was rich and indulgent, the Berries were fresh and delicious paired with the lightly torched-top custard cream. We enjoyed dinner so much we came back for Sunday Brunch, which also happened to an all-RW menu ($15 for entrée+dessert) with the added choice of adding a light appetizer for only $5. Despite being tempted by the Smoked Salmon plate from the appetizers, we both went with 2-courses. For entrées, we ordered Chilled Poached Salmon with Tarragon Cream, Mixed Green Salad, and Toasted Baguette as well as Crab Cake Sandwich with Fries and Asian Slaw. The salmon was a tad under-seasoned but just perfect when combined with the zesty sauce, crispy baguette and lightly dressed salad--an excellent composition and pretty presentation on a wide rectangular plate. The crab cake shows Chef Salvatore's understanding that a minimalist touch is all that is needed for the divine crustacean, bringing out the natural sweetness with little taste distractions. I ate the crab by itself to enjoy the delicate meat, and the bun with the lettuce/onion/tomato and slaw. The fries were nice as well. I will have to try the crab cakes for the dinner (two instead of one cake, plus Bacon Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Corn Hash and Sweet Corn Sauce)! For dessert, we went with Friday's winner (Berries with Sabayon) and Crème Brulée with special request of berries. The bounty of fresh berries made dessert a refreshing and virtuous conclusion to a delightful Sunday brunch! If you have not yet tried, definitely go to Persimmon for brunch--especially B-CC Restaurant Week which they will be participating for an additional week!
(5)Mike T.
Walking up to this restaurant, I was not sure what to expect as the restaurant is in a rather simple space in an older building. To the food, the starters were all amazing! The lobster roll is best in DC. Short ribs and scallops were also excellent. The main courses were equally impressive. The rack of lamb could serve two and was very good. Overall, food is great but the ambiance needs to be improved to make the overall experience 5 stars.
(4)James N.
SUNDAY BRUNCH me and my girlfriend went here on valentines day. it wasnt THAT busy but the service from our waiter was quite bad. when we first got there we were greeted at the front. the girl remembered me from our phone conversation from when i made reservations. i was booking it on opentable.com and the only time they had on there was 1:30pm. she said they had a 1pm spot open. i asked her if i could just book it on opentable to get my points and come in at 1pm. she was very pleasant and said yes. after we had been seated, our server took a VERY long time to get to us. we even flagged her down and she said hold on. then we waited another 5+ minutes after that. when she came over she didnt even say sorry or anything. other than that. the meal was great. i had the eggs benedict with smoked salmon and my girlfriend had the crabcake sandwhich. both items were very good. i like the atmosphere. it was quite cozy. so all in all i would recommend this place to anyone. there are so many places in bethesda so i am glad that i tried this one. its locally popular but i had never heard of it before i looked on yelp.
(4)Alex P.
The duck and the lamb are excellent, as are the bouillabase and creme brulee. This is consistently Bethesda's highest rated restaurant so you go with high expectations, which will be initially dashed when you see the rather old/stodgy building/decor. Either way, the food is quite good, and it's really the only restaurant in Bethesda that I consider "fine dining," and Ruths Chris/Morton's don't count. I'd give it 5 stars, but it didn't knock my socks off given expecations based upon the price and critical acclaim. Go here and you probably won't be disappointed.
(4)