Rock Creek

My husband and I were startled to read Tom Sietsema's recent review of Rock Creek. For several years we have returned again and again--most recently last night--to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, to entertain family, friends and out-of-town guests, and any other time we want a wonderful meal in a relaxing atmosphere. We are never disappointed. more

We read Tom Sietsema's reviews and while he is often on target, ofttimes his lack of familiarity with a restaurant hampers his judgment. Such was the case with his recent review of Rock Creek. Rock Creek was a breath of fresh air when it opened several years ago. Its owners took great pain to bring a new concept to our area. The waitstaff is friendly, knowledgeable and always eager to please. The room offers diners a quiet, comfortable respite from the rigors of the day. The menu has options for vegetarians, carnivores, and everyone in between. The preparations are generally well above average, as attested to by a loyal customer base. Maybe Tom should review the place again and give it a far shot. He just might be surprised. more

Wow. Talk about unduly harsh. And way off the mark. I generally like Tom's reviews but this one has me scratching my head. I've been eating at Rock Creek practically since it it opened and have never had a bad meal. It's a gem. Service, atmosphere all top notch â?? but I keep going back for the food. In my opinion, some of the best in the area. While I confess, I miss the smoked fish plate from the early days ( bring it back!), I'm still a big fan. The portions are perfect, seasoning and flavor spot on. It's always on my list of top places to go when friends are visiting from out of town. And who can argue with their creative cocktails. I'm never disappointed. more

My husband and I are regulars at Rock Creek and we were very surprised to read Tom Siestema's recent review. We honestly wondered whether he ate at the same restaurant we frequent. We both think the food is wonderful and love how the chef creates such delicious food without relying on added fat and salt (as far too many chefs do). We have brought family and friends to Rock Creek and all have loved it and gone back on their own. We will continue to go to Rock Creek and encourage others to do so. You won't be disappointed. more

I've been reading Tom's reviews for sometime now and have found them informative and helpful. The reviw of Rock Creek, however, was very much off the mark. My wife and I have been going to Rock Creek on a regular basis for the last few years and love the place. The food is wonderful and healthy and the service is first rate. I do a great deal of travel around the world and find Rock Creek to be one of the best places for a great dinner. more

The recent review of Rock Creek, (Bethesda, MD) by Sietsema reminds one of why we dismiss reviews of most movie critics: myopic views; esoteric tastes and idiosyncratic preferences. Rock Creek is a different dining experience. Hallelujah. In the menu, calories, fat and sodium content for every menu item are posted and many of the entrees are gluten free. My friends and I are health conscious and dining at Rock Creek makes sense. And the service and food are great! Yellow fin tuna tartare, heirloom tomato salad, grilled halibut with cauliflower puree and â??right-sizedâ?? beef all rock; and the wines picked by Tom Williams, the proprietor, are ideal. Rock Creek provides a great experience, wonderful food and itâ??s kind to your health. more

I've dined at Rock Creek many times and have never been disappointed. My family is amazed healthy dining can be so scrumptious. This Post review of RC reads like Gotcha!-an off night at a good restaurant. Rather than be swayed by one critic describing one dinner, I value breadth of reviews at reservation sites. Over 120 diners offer compelling reasons to enjoy RC in Bethesda. The restaurant is rated a Diners' Choice Winner. I urge readers to visit Rock Creek and form unique opinions of how pleasurable mindful dining can be. more

Rock Creek is not only one of my favorite restaurants, it is also one of my most successful clients. My company runs the largest dining rewards program in the country (for all of the airline dining programs: United, USAirways, Southwest etc) and Rock Creek has some of the highest ratings from our members in the entire country! Mr Sietsema is just one person; please give this website a look based on 193 responses! http://www.idine.com/rockcreekbethesda more

We have dined at the restaurant for some time. Because we enjoy the food, setting and service so much, and because of the focus on "mindful cuisine," we have brought a number of friends there and they, too, have enjoyed the restaurant a great deal. We feel sure that they will return on their own and, in turn, bring friends of their own. While we no doubt lack Tom Sietsmea's background, knowledge and expertise in reviewing food, we happen to be travel journalists. Reporting on our dining experiences as we travel around the country and the world is part of what we do. Therefore, we probably focus on what we're eating, the setting, etc., more than many casual diners do. And we enjoy Rock Creek very much! Its consistently excellent! more

By Tom Sietsema Sunday, May 23, 2010 When the owners of Rock Creek opened their doors in Bethesda five years ago, their intention was to serve "mindful cuisine" that didn't stint on flavor. With calorie and other counts listed on the menu, the happy surprise was discovering a lovely lobster bisque that only tasted creamy (its smooth texture came from pureed Yukon Gold potatoes and basmati rice) and finding appealing entrees that weighed in with fewer than 500 calories. Go now, and you get a warm welcome at the door, a well-made margarita (pink with pomegranate) if you choose, and gratis multigrain bread with garlicky chickpea dip instead of the usual butter. Beyond that, you'll also find a lot of food leached of flavor. Take the once-pleasing Mediterranean sampler -- "please," as Henny Youngman used to crack about his wife. Wet eggplant dip and mushy stuffed grape leaves take a back seat to the big green olives sharing the plate. A supposedly seasonal soup served this spring floated a few bits of pink tomato and asparagus in a golden broth that tasted like punishment at a spa. The beef filet comes in two sizes (nice touch), and it's cooked the way we ask, but I wouldn't call a few green peppercorns on the plate a "sauce," as this restaurant does. We can smell the cod coming our way; it's unpleasantly fishy and bedded on Israeli couscous that's about as exciting as reading a phone book. By not eating it, I saved 285 calories. The autumnal palette in the small dining room is soothing, and so is the noise level, which allows for easy conversation. Mine included this aside from a pal: "Thank God for alcohol." more

The Owners made a terrible business decision years ago, trying a second restaurant when they were not ready and in the end letting one of the best young chefs in DC, Fred P (Ardeo/Bardeo, re-opening of Kennedy Center), go! Fred was the REASON the food was a hit, originally, now they are just trying to copy with less talent in the kitchen? Unfortunately, it won't be long! more

Each to their own taste. After eating in NYC restaurants half a week (Le Bernardin, Babbo, etc.), I return to D.C. starved for equally good food. I am not disappointed at Rock Creek (forget the Mazza Galerie one). A quiet oasis in the middle of bedlam on restaurant row. Always had a surprisingly excellent palate of tastes there, and my companions never have had to utter what yours did. Minibar (since El Bulli is phasing out), Komi, the Japanese kaiseki at Makoto, Citronelle - perhaps a handful more (I can't eat the huge feast at the Inn anymore and forget the off-shoots of out-of-town chefs like Vongerichten, Puck, or NY outcasts like Chemel)are certainly a cut above, but I don't think that Rock Creek rates a 1.5 from your reviewer. more

At 7;30,were out of crab-cakes,charged $5 above menu price for substitute, out of potato-purée also. Had asked for hanger-steak medium rare... came overcooked. No apologies from unprofessional waiter. Wine at $12 a glass was brought to me without showing the bottle .! Service was hyper-slow, unpleasant, pretentious. Expensive for the quality of food served, not to be repeated . Not even one star should be given. more

A complete waste of money. Food mediocre and the owner/proprietor is unbearably rude. Saw some unsanitary... more

A complete waste of money. Food mediocre and the owner/proprietor is unbearably rude. Saw some unsanitary conditions. Stay away! more

I've visited this restaurant twice for special occasions - absolutely wonderful and healthful. No guilt... more

I've visited this restaurant twice for special occasions - absolutely wonderful and healthful. No guilt after eating this meal. more