Central Michel Richard

Review summary

1. L

   Laurie

   San Francisco

   15 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   15 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great service. The food was delicious. The cocktails were great.
   

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2. P

   Peg

   Baltimore

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Had a great casual dinner before heading to the Warner Theater. The shrimp burger was delicious — as was the cosmo! Save room for dessert, too!
   

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3. J

   John

   Washington DC

   78 reviews

   5.0

   78 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was our fourth or fifth visit to Central in the last couple of months, and every meal has been wonderful. The wine selection includes delicious reds at reasonable prices. The food is top notch and innovative, and the service is impeccable. On three of the trips, we've had the same waiter, and he is incredible. When the weather is nice, the terrace overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue is easily one of the best places to drink and dine in DC.
   

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4. I

   Ileana

   Washington DC

   14 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   14 reviews

   Dined on 16 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Everything was delicious except my salmon which I requested to be medium was most definitely well done. The flavor was ruined. I will say that the goat cheese Caesar was great and the crème brûlée was the best one I’ve had in a long time.
   

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5. R

   Ron

   New York City

   45 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   45 reviews

   Dined on 16 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent food and service. Knowledgeable server.
   

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6. J

   John

   Washington DC

   35 reviews

   5.0

   35 reviews

   Dined on 13 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great lunch spot. Very consistent over the years.
   

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7. M

   Martin

   Washington DC

   10 reviews

   4.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on 12 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I haven't been to Central for a few years and thought it was good place to go with family with a 5-year-old. It is child friendly because it is loud and there is little chance of a child being heard above the din. That was certainly true. I was surprised that Open Table wouldn't let me increase the size of my party initially, I had to message the restaurant, and they accommodated me. The restaurant was half empty when we got there and when we left at 8:30 pm. I ordered mussels and they were lukewarm, and I sent them back and they were replaced by ones that were hotter but not piping hot. The server had such a heavy accent I couldn't understand the specials, and we should have been told the specials when we were handed the menus, not when we were ready to order. I thought management has gotten lazy with the menu offerings. Mixed in with the onion soup, burgers and fried chicken there used to be menu items requiring more skill like mushroom risotto. All that being said, the cooking is still very good. My wife's salmon was delicious and the crabcake appetizer in lobster bisque was a great combination. The pear cocktail was fruity but not too sweet. Everybody appreciated the free sparkler on the dessert, especially the little boy. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone, it still retains enough of the talent of its namesake, he was one of the best chefs that ever worked in DC.
   

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8. D

   David

   New York City

   7 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 10 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The best Grougeres, fried chicken, and profiteroles. Never change the recipe! But the restaurant is too bright. Turn down the lights.
   

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9. R

   Rachel

   Washington DC

   3 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 5 November 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Our server was terrible. We had to ask for refills and when our dessert came out all our dining dishes were still all over the table. We had to ask for spoons and we shifted all the dishes over to one side. They never cleared them. The manager walked by several times but was too busy training another manager ( or someone in a coat) and didn’t bother looking over to check on tables. He was totally single focused. I know restaurants are hurting for good help, but sheesh, I felt like I shouldn’t leave a tip but I did the full 20%… he didn’t deserve but 5%. Our bill was $300 plus tip for lunch for 4 people.
   

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10. M

    MaryLee

    Washington DC

    72 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    72 reviews

    Dined on 2 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Central has been a favorite of ours for years and it continues to serve delicious food, at prices that are more reasonable than most high end places in DC. Our server last night was super professional, and funny without being intrusive. We had the branzino (outstanding) and the bolognese (very good). Started w the chicken liver pate w a variety of artisanal toast….perfect starter w drinks. Finished w the Lemon Eggsceptional dessert…anyone who loves lemon cannot miss this one. Beautifully presented and one of the best desserts we’ve had in a very long time. Highly recommend Central for dinner in DC!
    

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