Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien

As a newly featured restaurant in the 2024 Michelin Guide and a dark horse on the 2025 North America's 50 Best Restaurants list, Chef Kevin Tien is completely redefining Asian cuisine with his imaginative creativity. Here, you won't find extravagant piles of caviar; instead, everyday ingredients are elevated into astonishing poetic flavors through masterful techniques. 🍽️ Tasting Menu Highlights Opening Act】 Crispy Oysters with Shiso Plum Foam Featuring Blue Point oysters harvested daily from the Chesapeake Bay, lightly fried in rice paper crust, served with airy foam made from self-fermented plums - a refreshing awakening for the palate Signature】 Wagyu Rib Char Siu Bao Miyazaki wagyu replaces traditional pork, slow-cooked for 48 hours and torched to create a caramelized crust, served in Taiwanese gua bao with pickled daikon - the perfect marriage of Eastern and Western flavors Elevation】 Chawanmushi 2.0 with Lobster Canadian lobster meets duck liver mousse in Japanese steamed egg custard, drizzled with truffle-kombu dashi - each spoonful is a symphony of land and sea Surprise】 Mapo Tofu Pasta A creative deconstruction of the chef's childhood memory: handmade pasta coated with freshly ground Sichuan peppercorns, served with homemade fermented bean curd and minced pork - an astonishing fusion of Sichuan and Italian flavors 💫 Dining Experience Analysis Ambiance: Moon-gray color scheme with hanging ceramic rabbit installations that echo the restaurant's name, creating a serene yet imaginative atmosphere Service Excellence: The sommelier's natural orange wine recommendations perfectly complement Southeast Asian flavors, while the service team demonstrates deep knowledge of each dish's inspiration Value Assessment: The $165 tasting menu featuring 9 courses offers exceptional value for Michellin-level dining, though the charcoal-grilled pork chop portion is slightly large and somewhat tough 📝 Practical Guide Reservations recommended 3-4 weeks in advance via Tock Vegetarian menu requires 48-hour notice Shortened tasting menu available Sunday evenings Don't miss the signature cocktail "Moon Rabbit Elixir" with sake base From deconstructed pho soup gel to French-technique Taiwanese braised pork, each dish here is a culinary footnote to the chef's personal journey. When the final "Molecular Mango Pomelo" explodes in your mouth like caviar, you'll understand why food critics call this "the ultimate expression of East Asian diaspora cuisine." #MichelinGuide #DCfoodie #ModernAsianCuisine #CreativeDining #FoodPilgrimage #NorthAmericaTop50