Thyme Square Café

Thyme Square is a bit of a mess, but they do just enough to redeem themselves, kind of like the pain-in-the-ass friend you just can't write off. The service was barely passable, but the food was great. And they're the first restaurant I've noticed to have deliberately vegan and vegetarian offerings.

M- and I didn't really intend to go to Thyme Square. We had planned to get a cocktail at Juste Lounge on our way to Safeway (big Saturday night out!), but for some reason they weren't open yet. And it was so cold out that we ducked into the next open door we could find.

The restaurant is unpleasantly cavernous. We were greeted icily, and ignored for a few minutes after we made our own way to the bar, and desregarded by a waitress we tried to stare down for help, and finally helped by a tentative 18 year old waif of a bartender. Our martinis were watery (maybe she's never had one), and we had to ask for olives (maybe she's never seen one) and then we were each given two. (I've heard it should always be an odd number of olives for luck. Call me superstitious, and give me one or three.) And you'd think that $18-$22 an entree would throw off enough cash for cocktail napkins, but our drinks stood embarrassed and disheartened on dinner napkins.

With a grocery store and a martini between us and dinner, we decided to tide ourselves over with the Pumpkin Ravioli appetizer. A busboy delivered it to us before long, but we still had no place settings, so we helped ourselved at the service station—thank god for years of training—and everything actually changed after that. The ravioli was delicious and rich, served with asparagus and goat cheese and sundried tomatoes, so then we got the Vegetable Quesadilla with not-soggy grilled vegetables, and cheddar and jack cheeses and delicious guacamole and a side of nicely-dressed greens.

I've read that the food is inconsistent, and I'm not surprised to hear that. And the service has got to be incredibly frustrating when you're trapped at a table. But after two great dishes, and our teenaged artender warming up just a little, we decided we actually had a pretty good time, and all for just $45 (cheap drinks!). My advice? Go with low expectations and a small appetite, but try it. You might catch them on a good night and have some terrific food.

Oh, and beware the juicer. What a racket.

Thyme Square, 4735 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, 301.657.9077

Metered parking across the street; Bethesda Row Cinema next door.

Bethesda Magazine on Thyme Square ("30 Restaurants in 30 nights"); Washingtonian Online on Thyme Square; Food-Plan.org on Thyme Square; Bethesda in Vegetarian-Restaurants.net

Comments

I've dined at Thyme square several times (unfortunatly it's close to where i work)and I have to say that the wait staff is in dire need of improvement, I dread sitting in a server named Sarah's section. She is rude and honestly I don't think she's ever even heard of the concepts of bathing or deoderant. The food is passable but if there are ever any problems your on your own, the kitchen manager Micheal has no people skills whatsoever and doesn't even try to seem interested in fixing things

[Katie]

I have dined in Thyme Square a few times now. Coincidently my friends and I sat in a very cute guy's table named Ozan. The waiter is very professional and friendly. Our drinks were on time and we got a lot of compliments for our outfits. The waiter smelled so good I wanted to eat him. We ended up taking him to a lounge which is next door and was the best day of my life. Thyme Square has a lot to offer with their friendly staff and food. Definetely worth your time.

[CCFoodie]

How this place survives is beyond me. It must be location. It was quite good when it first opened, went downhill in a big way, improved a little bit, went downhill some more, and thus has been the pattern for years. We never had a serious problem with service but the food has been AWFUL about 80% of the time. With close to 200 restaurants in Bethesda, it is amazing how a place so dreadful can survive.

[Janet Kendall]

I love thyme square for years. Great food which has been healthy, gourmet and innovative.

Constantly accompanied by a great wine list, fresh juices, and teas.

The variety of food with its creativity and taste is exceptional.

The management for years has done a good job. This restaurant gets so busy at times that I don't know how they do what they do.

[Mark Knopick]

Thyme square has been the best in town for years.

I just realized it closed due to its lease running out.

It's been the best for years. Thanks for the great food and servce.

Bethesda won't be the same with out Thyme Square.

[Jack]

So sad to see Thyme Square Closed.

It was the best for almost a decade in Bethesda.

Original, healthy, tasty, gourmet with a sense of friendship and style.

Please reopen.