Central Michel Richard

One of my all time fav restaurants. It looks high end, the food is amazing but the vibe is casual and enjoyable. The Chicken is the best Chicken meal I've ever eaten and I'm from the south. You will not be disappointed with this choice!

Portion sizes have gotten smaller,m and the food isn't quite on par with the way it was a few years ago. But still a great meal each time and a long time favorite lunch spot. Will continue to go here until it closes (which hopefully won't be anytime soon!). Highly recommended!

This is a great restaurant for people visiting from out of town or getting dinner before the theater. The menu includes both French bistro and American Classics, something for everyone! Excellent french fries and cocktails and don't pass on the gougières

Went to Central for a date night. My wife had their onion soup a few years back and was craving a return. We both had the pre-theater special that included an appy, an entree, and a dessert. We both had the onion soup and were not disappointed although not a surprise that a french restaurant knows how to make delicious "french" onion soup. For the entrees, we got the friend chicken and a burger. Sounds basic but they were not. The fried chicken has been called the best fried chicken in DC by some. I will say, it was a huge boneless breast and a chicken leg that were crispy and delicious. Came with various sauces, mashed potatoes, and fairly large bowl of watercress salad. We had plenty of leftovers. I had the burger that was cooked perfectly with a delicious saucje and "crisps" that I would simply call great french fries. For dessert, i had three scoops of ice cream (pistachio, chocolate, and vanilla) and my wife had the "chocolate bar" that was basically an enlarged, and improved kit kat bar (with vanilla ice cream). Probably one of the better chocolate desserts I have ever had. We both had one cocktail that were well made (and strong). Would recommend the Manhattan (which was made with amaro instead of vermouth) and quite good. Will definitely be back.

Central is one of our favorite restaurants, and while the food never disappoints, the service did for the first time in our many years of dining there. Our server was very visibly wearing a very racist bracelet that a restaurant of Central's caliber should not allow its staff to wear at work - especially customer-facing ones. The service started off OK but we have been to Central so many times and have never had to pack my own leftover food before. And the server disappeared before our meal ended. Maybe her shift ended... we don't know, because she didn't have the professionalism to inform us...

Always good. And, lobster burgers are back! Love them. We've been going there since they opened. Always a treat!

We love Central and go almost every time we visit DC. Everything is top notch without being too fancy. The frisée salad is amazing. I had the special snowman dessert and it was delicious and fun!

It was one of the best casual to fine dining dinners we've had in some time. We are not only going to come back but we can't wait to. At first, the initial walk in is a little underwhelming with maybe some questionable art of plates at the front desk and restaurant seemed very small perhaps will be cramped. But not at all once we were seated. Very cosy and comfortable to enjoy sitting down and socializing. We had every stage of the dinner from apps to desert and every bit was absolutely delicious. The Napoleon surprised us so pleasantly that my wife wants me to pick up on the way home regularly now. I've walked past this restaurant so many times over the years and so glad we finally sat down to enjoy all the wonderful courses of dinner we've had. Also, thank you for not making such a strong onion soup as is the case in most places — it is just right.

Great food in a very nice environment. Even though the restaurant was pretty full, it was quiet enough for a nice conversation over dinner.

Highlights: Duck Confit special, oysters, paté du campagne, bok choy red curry, chicken schnitzel, margaritas. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and perfectly attentive and unobtrusive.

To start with very few restaurants get five stars from me. But I do try to give readers a solid context of my review. I had asked for a quiet table. They got it spot on - so we were in the far back in a small area of maybe six tables of two. Perfect! We were there prior to the theatre and it was quiet and calm. So while some reviewers have complained about noise it was perfect for us. Frankly knowing Central has a space like this I would always ask to be seated there. The food was good though not necessarily amazing. It is fine for pre-theatre, a weekly date night or a mid-week meal, but if you wanted something really special the old magic, once held in this kitchen, is not quite as it was some years ago. That said the food was well executed and served without waiting, and wasting away, under a heat lamp. I would definitely eat there again. I had considered Cafe Fiorello for a pre-theatre dinner but their OpenTable reviews are peppered with issues about service. I find poor service can ruin an entire evening and if you need to leave at a certain time, say to make the curtain for the theatre, poor service resulting in a late meal will ruin the evening. Here Central Michel Richard excelled - they provided wonderful service. We waited perhaps a few minutes longer than I would liked for our server to take our order, but again we were in the far back. Once our order was taken however everything went smoothly. Definitely a place to remember prior to the theatre.

I have 3 words: amazing, amazing, amazing! Onion soup perfect, the ahi tuna burger an unexpected, nice surprise and the tartar sauce of the fish and chips one of the best ever. Our server, she was super helpful, kind with a really nice smile. Thanks for the experience. Definitely, we are coming back!

Our food was delicious and Emily, our server, was exceptional. She was available when we needed her, but did not hover. I had the tuna sandwich, and it was amazing. As were the green beans. Also, we were in a nice, comfortable corner where we could enjoy our conversation.

Our Server was excellent! We were going to a show so she made sure that everything came out on time. The food was absolutely delicious and would definitely come back. Highly recommend.

Always a favorite. Only note is that the frisée salad is better when the shallot mince is fine. Too big, and the flavor can overpower.