New American Restaurants in Bethesda, MD

“There are steakhouses that sell beef, and there are steakhouses that sell ritual. Medium Rare in Bethesda understands this distinction with the calm certainty of a Parisian waiter who has seen three revolutions and still refuses to split the check.

You arrive thinking you’re getting dinner. What you’re really getting is doctrine: bread warm enough to make diplomacy possible, a salad dressed with enough mustard to wake the dead, and then the famous procession — steak sliced thin beneath that green peppercorn sauce that lands on the table like artillery support. The fries arrive in impossible abundance, followed shortly by the second helping, because Medium Rare subscribes to the old French principle that restraint is for Calvinists and people with no appetite.

The room hums with Bethesda ambition: lobbyists, exhausted consultants, first dates, silver-haired couples who’ve been arguing since the Carter administration. Everyone united beneath the banner of red meat and clarified butter. Glasses of wine appear and disappear with military efficiency. Somewhere a server announces “second round of fries” with the moral gravity of a cathedral bell.

But the restaurant’s greatest flourish may be hidden in the bathroom, where French lessons adorn the walls like graffiti from a civilized empire. You stand there memorizing useful phrases while washing peppercorn sauce from your hands. “Où est la bibliothèque?” “Je voudrais un café.” It is perhaps the only restaurant in Maryland where you can leave knowing both how to order steak frites and how to ask directions in Lyon.

And somehow it works. The whole enterprise feels faintly absurd, deeply confident, and unmistakably charming — like an American trying very hard to become French and accidentally succeeding for two hours at a time.

Medium Rare does not pretend to be subtle cuisine. It is abundance, repetition, butter, noise, and confidence. In Bethesda, that may be the closest thing to authenticity there is.“

“We hadn't been to Persimmon since they renovated the space. It was definitely different -- more casual than before. That being said, we had the sunset dinner ($49 for 3 courses) and the food was outstanding. It was just the right amount of food since the portions are a little smaller than the regular menu but this way we had appetizers and dessert and weren't too stuffed by the time we left. We would definitely go back.“

“Yep:P it was very good the food the ppl and the reset urs for“

“I had the local strawberry and watermelon salad and it was the most original and delicious thing I've eaten all summer. Combines sweet and juicy with crunchy and savory, with a great house-made dressing. I wish I'd tried this place sooner.“

“I "cried" when my fave VEGAN or VEGETARIAN "GO-to" eat-in place closed all their locations around Boston. That was sadly & formerly GrainMaker .. (gone now) However DiG has grown on me as their deFACTO replacement for all FRESH VEGGIES and otherwise ALL FRESH MEAL VEGAN or VEGETERIAN eats and eat-in place! This is becoming my greatly reccomended "hidden vegan and veggie gem" in Boston with LOTS of locations. They have 3 locations thus far in Boston and 2 in Cambridge. I hav ONLY visited their downtown location thus far! Just as formerly with GrainMaker, DiG is as close to authentic home cooked! & genuinely HEALTHY! AND fresh meals that you can get to. Always fresh veggies, steamed & otherwise. --(they also serve a variety of proteins, as in variety of meats and fish, but i stay vegan. I have NEVER tried any of their meats or fish here.. ONLY their veggies and seasoned TOFU on occasion.. more oft than not, i do not even get their TOFU as a protein and opt to feast on JUST their steamed or boiled or baked veggies, bases. like rice and excellent mixed veggie salads sides!) Have been frequenting it for about 2 years since 2023 now, but held off on reviewing it until i was SURE of my experiences here. Decided to review it today bcs "it's time". I spoke to the very customer service oriented and responsibve supervisor here at this location, his name is DiJuan and was served by Adonis today and he was also very accommodating (after i explained i eat vegan) and on showing me my MANY fresh veggie choices, bases, proteins (including delish prepared Tofu) and PLENTY of heavenly veggie sides, all preped like you'd expect to find in a Thanksgiving grand day family meal. (AND they do this EVERY DAY!! ) This is HEALTHY eats and quite tasty and delish! See my posted pic w this review of my choice of eats today. In short, just today, i started with very little brown rice as my base and added 2 types of their fresh salad, Cannellini Beans w dill & greens along with their steamed or boiled Kale greens and added also a sweet potato that had been steamed & also steamed brocolli. I LUV eating fresh, healthy, TASTY and "homemade style" (as in NOT processed!!). I added their Garlic dressing to top it off. It came to something like 10+ bucks (B4 tax)! Unheard of !! for a BIG & FULLY portioned full veggie plate like this! BIG PORTION of a FULL PLATE! -- i declined, as usual to get any protein with my meal today, is why, STiLL i got a HUGE portioned plate! ( I normally HAVE2 order 2 - 3 separate orders and combine them, at HoneyGrow, anuther fave local "vegan" franchise in Boston, in order to get filled up if i'm only eating OMAD, as in One-meal-a-Day, in order to get full elsewhere usually!). They have a FAMILY (feeds4) option after 3pm every day that feeds 4-5 people (adults not kids) for like $43. QUITE A BARGAIN for something like this. AND it look like a Thankgiving day meal to top it off! --(formerly anuther non-vegan place "had this", now gone, called Boston Market. However they LOADED their side protions and even base meal with SO MUCH SALT, yuck! so that was ALL you could taste. THEY supposedly made home made, but found out NOT SO!!, theirs was loaded with processed sh*t, like their supposedly home-made mashed potatoes were the powder kind, loaded with pseudo milk and SALT, YUCK!!) NOT SO ! with this place.. DiG is 180 degrees fr tht.. This is truly GREAT tasting REAL and "home-prepped" veggies. They are winning me over from my other 2 "go-to's" "vegan-ish" franchises in Boston whcih have steadily been declining for various reasons, those being Bon-Me (their employees, over at Bon-Me for last 2-3 years it seems at ALL locations i have tried, simply do not undertsand nor speak english for the most part, their food WEN i can get it ordered the way i want it, is generally good, oft times its taken over 2 returned plates in order to get it prepared the way i orderd it.. v“

“Cafe X is by far our favorite breakfast spot. The food is incredible and the staff are absolutely lovely. It used to be a weekly tradition until we moved a few states away. When visiting, we always make it a priority to stop by! Don’t skip out on this gem!“

“First try of cuisine from Lebanon - nice one!
We went there for dinner on Saturday evening, and find the atmosphere of the place really nice, with very professional service. The server was not checking on us every 5 second, which we particularly appreciated, and they offered us a free dessert at the end.
The food was good - we really liked pita bread with the oil, eggplant dip was a nice mix of flavors and falafel was good as expected.
My husband took a lamb and minced beef dish, served on the rice - it was good but the meat seemed boiled. To be fair, we have no idea though, if this is how this dish should be served.
I took chicken shouk, the meat was really juicy and tasty but not sure if a chicken breast, some rice, 2 mini tomatoes and a bit of garlic yogurt are worth 25$. One star less therefore for the mains.“

“The Maryland Crab dip was the 💣!!!! Everything we tried was delicious!!! Server was fantastic!!! Great atmosphere!!!“

“The grilled chicken sandwich with guacamole comes with french fries. It was delicious.“

“Great dogs and beer selection. Cheese fries were also delicious. Would recommend to try this spot if in Bethesda, MD.“

“Food was good. Lemon ricotta pancakes didn't even need syrup. My friend asked for more coffee midway through the meal and the server never brought it. More attentive service would have been appreciated. But overall it was a good experience.“

“Griffin is an outstanding waiter. He served us on .Thanksgiving. He is gracious, kind and top notch. One od the nicest people I have met.“

“The food here is sooooooo good. The best food on base in my opinion. (But the galley is pretty awesome and way cheaper). You pay a bit more here but the quality is great. They also do private event catering. (just don't get the cake, it's meh). The only downside and I wish I could give 4.5 stars is the fact that all of their iced tea is by default sweet tea. Pretty ableist for a restaurant that caters to wounded warriors.“

“nordstrom cafe is one of the places that I enjoy a lot because the food is super delicious and let me tell you that there is nothing special because absolutely all the food is super delicious, and I can't leave out the coffee is always fresh with a spectacular flavor for those of us who are lovers of a good cup of coffee with a spectacular aroma and flavor this is a place where you can taste this is very important🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣I love a good cup of ☕️, good food, excellent service from everyone, I love the atmosphere it is very familiar and quiet to enjoy with family and friends, the perfect combination. Highly recommend this place!“

“14OCT.2021 I stayed in the Mariott a month ago and didn’t have the time to check out this lovely, refined restaurant. My experience was beautiful, professional, kind, easy going, pleasant, welcoming,inviting and amazing! The atmosphere was the same. My waitress was very kind and attentive. The food was super delicious. I had the Ollie's meat trio flatbread (Pepperoni, Calabrese, Toscano, fresh mozzarella, sweet basil)for a snack and then I devoured the Black Bass(local carrot trio, heirloom fingerling potato, French beans, citrus veloute)for dinner. The restaurant is spacious, clean, and very organized. Best experience ever. Best pre birthday dining festivities. So glad I was in the area and stopped by. I love, love, love, love this place. The bathrooms are no hand entry(wave hand in front of sensor, door gradually opens)and very clean. Apparently the transition from lunch to dinner, the lights are dimmed.“