THE WEEKLY DISHTOM SIETSEMA

WAIST NOT, WANT NOT: The owners of the good-for-you Rock Creek restaurant (4917 Elm St., Bethesda; 301-907-7625) are expanding their waist-watching philosophy this spring with a second location, in the District, and they've hired the former chef of 1789 in Georgetown, Ris Lacoste, to be their consultant.

"I like the concept: mindful cuisine," says Lacoste, who agreed to help restaurateurs Tom Williams and Judy Hammerschmidt launch Rock Creek at Mazza Gallerie (5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW) before she opens a yet-to-be-named place of her own in the West End this year. Lacoste will help interview chef candidates. Rock Creek offers an American menu displaying calorie, fat, sodium and fiber levels and featuring dishes that are healthful without being obvious about it -- and flavorful to boot. Its chef works in consultation with a nutritionist.

The forthcoming restaurant will remain true to the concept of the original, says Williams, though the second will be double the size (160 seats) and will offer more variety, such as small plates to lure patrons of the cinema in the building.

Is the project a sign of more Rock Creeks to come? "If demand continues," Williams coyly replies, "this is my desire in life."

RISE AND SHINE:"I'm a super-early riser, so it's no chore for me" to get up and cook breakfast, says Ann Cashion, co-owner of Johnny's Half Shell (400 North Capitol St. NW; 202-737-0400), who is now doing just that, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9:30.

Picture scrambled eggs with creamy stone-ground grits; yogurt and fresh fruit with granola; spinach-Gruyere quiche with a citrus salad; medallions of beef with a Creole-style gravy emboldened with rosemary, beef jus and cayenne. ("But not too spicy," says the chef, "because it's breakfast.")

The last dish reminds us of Cashion's Southern roots, as do her homey biscuits, crumbly corn muffins and pillowy, warm beignets dusted with sugar. As with so much of Cashion's work, the details are luscious: real maple syrup and fresh applesauce for the pancakes, fresh-squeezed orange juice in your glass and house-made granola. All that -- plus sunlight streaming through the windows and toe-tapping piano music in the background -- make it easy (well, easier) to roll out of bed.

Breakfast dishes $7 -$12.