Still searching for acceptable tarte flambé / flammkuchen in the DMV - Central’s version is definitely not acceptable. Chewy crust topped with cold crème fraiche is just wrong on a number of levels - imagine baking a plain pizza crust and then topping it with cold tomato sauce. Crust is supposed to be thin and crispy like a cracker. Still searching! For the prices, service could be far more attentive - we waited quite awhile and had to flag down a waiter to make our order.
We came for “Linner” after seeing the cherry blossoms. It was delicious. We had the hamburger and the shrimp burger (yum!). For dessert, we had profiteroles—amazing (wish I knew how to post the picture?♂️). Service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Profiteroles, Shrimp Burger
Martin Dieu
Was at Central late yesterday afternoon for Happy Hour with about 15 friends. There is very little room for a group trying to enjoy happy hour. The beers and wine were fine though expensive. Most concerning was the bartender's statement that he wouldn't take our drink orders. He was working on drinks at one end of the bar and told me to talk to my wait staff at the other end of the bar. There were not other wait staff, and eventually the same bartender walked to our end of the bar and took care of our drink orders. I think he was on his own and needed more help, but the whole thing was confusing and off-putting. The rest of the restaurant looked very nice, and was not crowded, and might be fine for dinner, but would not bring a group for happy hour!
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 2
canuck
Our meals were delicious. It would be great if they had more vegetarian or vegan options. The chocolate mousse for dessert was fantastic. Service was great although they first sat us in the first table by the front door. They moved us to a better table upon request. Prices are a bit high but that seems to be the norm everywhere.
Alphonse MacDonald
Not the place it used to be. Expensive, the menu is not great, and the food is so-so. I think it is staying afloat with tourist business.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Yasmine Assadipour
We were 13 minutes late when this AWFUL RESTAURANT wouldn’t seat us bc the “kitchen was closed”. We got there at 9:13, no host in front. Then by the time he comes out it’s 9:18 and he tells us kitchen is closed. DONT HAVE A SEATING AT 9 if your kitchen is closing. ABSURD.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
WashingtonDCdiner
Prices have gone up! I don't care much for the current lunch menu, not so much because of the higher prices, but because there was very little that a person who is allergic to dairy products and doesn't eat red meat can have. The menu should have, in my opinion, better variety. At lunchtime, the noise level makes it hard for someone who has a hearing loss to hear someone right next to me.
Haru하루
Although it is a French restaurant, it had a strong fusion feel and it was interesting that there were menu items that cannot be found in France. I had Crab Cake and Profiterol for dessert. The Crab Cake was a bit salty, but the bisque sauce was delicious, and the chocolate sauce for dessert was a little disappointing because it felt like the chocolate flavor was a bit diluted, but it wasn't bad for French food in the US!
The food and service was outstanding! The waiter kept checking on us to ensure we were okay. They continued to refill our water and our food came within 8 mins. The environment was extremely professional. I definitely recommend this restaurant.
kenner
As usual, the experience at Central was wonderful. I love Michel's (RIP) play on American classics such as cheese puffs and the Kit Kat Bar. He beautifully integrates his creativity with such comfort foods while adding French refinement. The chef was a true artist and a truly needed pioneer during the initial years of DC's much needed culinary transition. Central by Michel Richard will forever be an institution in DC's culinary landscape. Something that is somewhat different from when I initially frequented there were the mussels. I've always loved the mussels here. Tonight was different though. If I may ask Central to cook the mussels in the manner they used to. There was quite of bit of garlic while missing other elements of the mirepoix, which made it quite bitter. Hopefully this evening was an off night. The mussels this evening were my only complaint but thank you Central for always delivering a terrific experience.
Albany P.
I feel like this place is trying way too hard to be something they're not. They're priced like an airport restaurant and the food matches it. I visited on a Monday evening and sat at the bar. My bartender was not friendly, never smiled or made me feel welcome. After I ordered a drink and one app, he took both my menus away without asking. I had to ask for them back as I was planning to have my whole dinner there. The Sunset 75 cocktail was very good but I made sure to come during happy hour so it wasn't so expensive. I had the tarte Alsacienne, which was good but not amazing. I'd heard good things about the French onion soup but I've had better in my small Maine hometown than what I had here. Too sweet and just not right. Then for my main, I had to order the famous michels fried chicken. My first issue was with the watercress: it needs to be chopped or cut into smaller bite size pieces. I was unable to even remotely gracefully eat it without looking like a cow chewing my cud. The chicken itself comes with a breast and a drumstick which is nice. It was super crispy but the meat itself wasn't super flavorful. The mashed potatoes were good but nothing to write home about. HOWEVER: the BEST thing that I had that I can't stop thinking about is Michel's chocolate bar. I'm giving Michel's 3 stars instead of 2 ONLY because of the dessert. It's literally like a homemade hazelnut Kit Kat bar. Please get it if you go. It will make it all worth it. I sadly would not come back here- the prices just don't match with the food but I might consider getting a chocolate bar to go. I will also say that the woman who was the hostess that night (2/5) was so friendly and welcoming. Just wish my bartender had a bit of her attitude. Would have potentially made the experience more pleasant.
Assets 4.
No one from this establishment reached out to me or my staff. They never gave a reason why they would not accommodate 20 professionals. And, they had not than enough space to do so.
Erin McIntyre
Lovely, French bistro style restaurant. Service, food and atmosphere has great vibes. Outdoor seating is very nice as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seared Salmon, Michel's Chocolate Bar, French Onion Soup, Grilled Branzino Nicoise, Profiteroles, Pistachio Creme Brulee, Fish and Chips, Chicken Schnitzel, Gougeres Cheese Puffs
Still searching for acceptable tarte flambé / flammkuchen in the DMV - Central’s version is definitely not acceptable. Chewy crust topped with cold crème fraiche is just wrong on a number of levels - imagine baking a plain pizza crust and then topping it with cold tomato sauce. Crust is supposed to be thin and crispy like a cracker. Still searching! For the prices, service could be far more attentive - we waited quite awhile and had to flag down a waiter to make our order.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Delicious, fairly healthy food selection. Excellent service.
The pork cheeks it’s good!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came for “Linner” after seeing the cherry blossoms. It was delicious. We had the hamburger and the shrimp burger (yum!). For dessert, we had profiteroles—amazing (wish I knew how to post the picture?♂️). Service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Profiteroles, Shrimp Burger
Was at Central late yesterday afternoon for Happy Hour with about 15 friends. There is very little room for a group trying to enjoy happy hour. The beers and wine were fine though expensive. Most concerning was the bartender's statement that he wouldn't take our drink orders. He was working on drinks at one end of the bar and told me to talk to my wait staff at the other end of the bar. There were not other wait staff, and eventually the same bartender walked to our end of the bar and took care of our drink orders. I think he was on his own and needed more help, but the whole thing was confusing and off-putting. The rest of the restaurant looked very nice, and was not crowded, and might be fine for dinner, but would not bring a group for happy hour!
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 2
Our meals were delicious. It would be great if they had more vegetarian or vegan options. The chocolate mousse for dessert was fantastic. Service was great although they first sat us in the first table by the front door. They moved us to a better table upon request. Prices are a bit high but that seems to be the norm everywhere.
Not the place it used to be. Expensive, the menu is not great, and the food is so-so. I think it is staying afloat with tourist business.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
We were 13 minutes late when this AWFUL RESTAURANT wouldn’t seat us bc the “kitchen was closed”. We got there at 9:13, no host in front. Then by the time he comes out it’s 9:18 and he tells us kitchen is closed. DONT HAVE A SEATING AT 9 if your kitchen is closing. ABSURD.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Prices have gone up! I don't care much for the current lunch menu, not so much because of the higher prices, but because there was very little that a person who is allergic to dairy products and doesn't eat red meat can have. The menu should have, in my opinion, better variety. At lunchtime, the noise level makes it hard for someone who has a hearing loss to hear someone right next to me.
Although it is a French restaurant, it had a strong fusion feel and it was interesting that there were menu items that cannot be found in France. I had Crab Cake and Profiterol for dessert. The Crab Cake was a bit salty, but the bisque sauce was delicious, and the chocolate sauce for dessert was a little disappointing because it felt like the chocolate flavor was a bit diluted, but it wasn't bad for French food in the US!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
The food and service was outstanding! The waiter kept checking on us to ensure we were okay. They continued to refill our water and our food came within 8 mins. The environment was extremely professional. I definitely recommend this restaurant.
As usual, the experience at Central was wonderful. I love Michel's (RIP) play on American classics such as cheese puffs and the Kit Kat Bar. He beautifully integrates his creativity with such comfort foods while adding French refinement. The chef was a true artist and a truly needed pioneer during the initial years of DC's much needed culinary transition. Central by Michel Richard will forever be an institution in DC's culinary landscape. Something that is somewhat different from when I initially frequented there were the mussels. I've always loved the mussels here. Tonight was different though. If I may ask Central to cook the mussels in the manner they used to. There was quite of bit of garlic while missing other elements of the mirepoix, which made it quite bitter. Hopefully this evening was an off night. The mussels this evening were my only complaint but thank you Central for always delivering a terrific experience.
I feel like this place is trying way too hard to be something they're not. They're priced like an airport restaurant and the food matches it. I visited on a Monday evening and sat at the bar. My bartender was not friendly, never smiled or made me feel welcome. After I ordered a drink and one app, he took both my menus away without asking. I had to ask for them back as I was planning to have my whole dinner there. The Sunset 75 cocktail was very good but I made sure to come during happy hour so it wasn't so expensive. I had the tarte Alsacienne, which was good but not amazing. I'd heard good things about the French onion soup but I've had better in my small Maine hometown than what I had here. Too sweet and just not right. Then for my main, I had to order the famous michels fried chicken. My first issue was with the watercress: it needs to be chopped or cut into smaller bite size pieces. I was unable to even remotely gracefully eat it without looking like a cow chewing my cud. The chicken itself comes with a breast and a drumstick which is nice. It was super crispy but the meat itself wasn't super flavorful. The mashed potatoes were good but nothing to write home about. HOWEVER: the BEST thing that I had that I can't stop thinking about is Michel's chocolate bar. I'm giving Michel's 3 stars instead of 2 ONLY because of the dessert. It's literally like a homemade hazelnut Kit Kat bar. Please get it if you go. It will make it all worth it. I sadly would not come back here- the prices just don't match with the food but I might consider getting a chocolate bar to go. I will also say that the woman who was the hostess that night (2/5) was so friendly and welcoming. Just wish my bartender had a bit of her attitude. Would have potentially made the experience more pleasant.
No one from this establishment reached out to me or my staff. They never gave a reason why they would not accommodate 20 professionals. And, they had not than enough space to do so.
Lovely, French bistro style restaurant. Service, food and atmosphere has great vibes. Outdoor seating is very nice as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seared Salmon, Michel's Chocolate Bar, French Onion Soup, Grilled Branzino Nicoise, Profiteroles, Pistachio Creme Brulee, Fish and Chips, Chicken Schnitzel, Gougeres Cheese Puffs