From January 2006 100 Very Best Restaurants
THE SCENE. One of a handful of Bethesda spots with fine-dining ambitions, Persimmon has a loyal following and is one of the area's most likeable date spots. The pumpkin-painted dining room, outfitted with Americana, is convivial and warm. Chef/owner Damian Salvatore's cooking has its moments.
WHAT YOU'LL LOVE. Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere plus cheerful and capable service.
WHAT YOU WON'T. No matter how much you want to love the place, what comes out of the kitchen is uneven. And there's a downside to a small dining room–when a tipsy diner screeches to her waitress, "Can you bring me my wine in a sippy cup?" you hear it, too.
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
