This was like a blast from the past, 80's style. I found this place off an Eater list and after looking at the menu, I was pretty excited to try it. Yelp reviews were great and the food pics confirmed that this would be good. The atmosphere was very dated. Looked like a cafeteria with all the tan going on. We walked in to a busy host stand, the bar and several tables were covered in dirty dishes, and the restaurant was probably 40% full. We were greeted warmly, and service was attentive, but the food was just us exciting. We ordered the risotto croquettes and the chicken nuggets as an appetizer. The nuggets were warm, at best, obviously cooked in batches. The risotto was good, the risotto rice a bit hard in areas, and then covered in truffle oil. I ordered the rotisserie chicken, which was heavy on the herbs, which I didn't care for, daughter got the fish and chips, which she said were bland, son got the burger, and wife got the fried chicken. The later two enjoyed their meals, but said they weren't very exciting. The fries that came with the burger and the fish also came out barely warm and they cooled quickly. I wouldn't come back here. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't worth the time when there are so many other places to try. read more

Stopped in with a friend for dinner on a weekday and the experience was just okay. The service was really not great and the food was just slightly above average. Okay, so things I did enjoy: - they have a decent happy hour and I love a good discount. The following items we had were simply average: - wedge salad - spaghetti bolognese - mussels - fries Additionally, our waitress forgot about us several times, forgot our drinks, slow to bring the bill. Def didn't help. Will I stop back in...if someone invites me out. But probably not on my own. - read more

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Great go-to for work lunches. The shrimp burger is quite good. Well-cooked and not greasy. The French onion soup is also a must-try, especially on colder days. Fries, of course, are fantastic. Service is always attentive and kind, vibes business casual. read more

Nice lunch options here! Conveniently located to the downtown area so it's pretty popular for the lunchtime rush. Very lively. The last time I was in, I had the goat cheese caesar and it was really tasty. The vibe is upscale and you'll see many suits all around during the lunch hour. The waiters are responsive and the service is pretty quick and friendly. read more

Decent French/American restaurant. 3 of us ordered salad, oyster, Truffled Risotto Croquettes, Bronzino, pork cheek, a fried chicken entree, and 3 dessert. I really liked the Truffled Risotto Croquettes, Bronzino, and the chocolate bar dessert. But the pork cheek and fried chicken were just ok. Nice service and drinks. read more

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My mother and I visited Central on our trip to Washington. We started with the Cheese Puffs. Really good, but they could have used a stronger cheese flavor. I like the texture of the puffs. They were super tender and delicate. I ordered the Tuna Burger, basically because of how the sandwich is featured in a book I read - "Dirt" by Bill Buford. If you read the book, you learned that the burger does not use egg as a binder for the express reason that having to cook the egg would overcook the tuna. In reality, this thinking created a perfectly cooked tuna burger. Delicious! I paired the Tuna Burger with the salad. The salad was just ok and I would order fries if I wasn't trying to make a healthier choice. My mother ordered the Lobster Burger and it was even better than the tuna sandwich. Big chunks of lobster are topped with a delicious aioli. If we return to Central, I think I would order this sandwich. I have to admit, I stole a few of my mother's fries. They were quite good. I ordered Michel Richard's Chocolate Bar for dessert, and it was one of the best dessert's I've ever had. It's like a Kit Kat on steroids. The filling between the crispy layers is a praline cream. So good! My mother ordered a pistachio tart. If you are someone who doesn't like overly sweet desserts, you might like this one. The pistachio flavor is pronounced, as are the accompanying raspberries. Intense flavors - Not something I would order because I love rich, sweet desserts. read more

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Wow! I was extremely impressed with everything about this restaurant. The Chicken nuggets were the best I ever had, and the prime burger and fries was outstanding. Since the entrees were so spectacular we got desert which was well worth it. Vanilla Ice Cream with a special request of chocolate syrup. Also, the chocolate bar with hazel nut desert was recommended by our attendant and it was well worth it. Well done, Chefs! The staff went over and above the call of duty to make sure our meal was very pleasant. I wanted a 'root beer' and the waiter found a bottle of the best root beer I ever drank. The staff were so very friendly and easy going while being very helpful and attentive. The restaurant both outside and inside was clean and very nicely decorated with a great environment. This was definitely the most delicious food I've found while visiting Washington DC area along with the best dining environment and staff. Well done, Owner/managers. Highly recommended! read more

Food is not worth the price. I've been here a few times (mainly for lunch) and nothing has jumped out as spectacular. I typically order the goat cheese Caesar salad with grilled chicken. More often than not there is too much dressing. My boyfriend and I typically each get a salad with chicken, split one side of Mac n cheese, and each get one cocktail. Even considering DC prices, that order was not worth $120. On top of that, we always have to flag down our server to get more water or the check. It's a good location for work lunches/meetings but not worth going out of your way for. We did wait awhile and they brought us cheese bread for the table, very nice! read more

Central Michel Richard - Goat Cheese Caesar Salad - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Central Michel Richard has been a staple spot in DC that consistently delivers great food for many years. You can never go wrong with the line-up I've displayed. The cheese puffs are light and airy. A good "bread" bite without feeling full. The wedge salad consists of iceberg lettuce, bacon, tomato, and blue cheese dressing. An entree of fried chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, watercress, and Dijon sauce is divine. Finally, the lava cake makes for a strong finish. I have never had a bad time at Central Michel Richard. It's definitely a must try! read more

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A frustrating dinner at Central on 1/27/25. We had dinner before seeing a show at The National Theater. We had onion soup, salads lyonnaise, a burger, the rotisserie chicken and the KitKat Bar for dessert. Total cost ended up $187 with tax and tip. While some of the dishes were properly cooked, there were problems. First ,everything was VERY UNDER SEASONED, especially the onion soup and the chicken. In addition, the soup was covered with a very soggy piece of bread and tasteless cheese that was not fully browned. With such a lack of seasoning, the soup had very little taste. The gratin of vegetables served with the chicken was also covered with too much of the same cheese and again very under seasoned. Finally, the dessert was dense and didn't feel fresh. It was also served in a plate that made it pretty, but also difficult to eat, especially because it was so dense and hard to take spoonfuls of. The frustration is that in general the food was well prepared. Chicken skin was crisp and the chicken was beautifully cooked. The burger was a perfect medium rare. Without proper seasoning , however, the taste was underwhelming. The poor quality of cheese made the soup and gratin stodgy. The dessert felt not fresh. This restaurant, with its history, not to mention the price, should be serving better dishes. I hope the executive chef sees this and does some quality control. This was a birthday celebration, which makes it even more disappointing. read more

I enjoyed a quick lunch stop between DC strolling today. The service was second to none. The staff checked in several times confirming I had everything I needed and offering to top off my wine. I sat in the front window at the bar so I could people watch, and it was lovely. I opted for a class of red, the French onion soup, and the goat cheese Caesar salad. The French onion soup was the best I've had since our trip to Paris. The proportions of onions, broth, and cheese were just right, and the flavors were spot on. The goat cheese Caesar offered a fun spin on the classics Caesar salad. The presentation was fun with good proportions of greens to dressing. The lettuce was fresh and crisp which is always appreciated! read more

All of the food items we ordered were wonderful, but the fried chicken stole the show! The bed of mashed potatoes that the chicken were so creamy and flavorful. Melts in your mouth! We started with the yellow gazpacho, crab cakes, French Onion Soup, cheese puffs, and truffle risotto croquettes. The yellow gazpacho truly was one of the best gazpachos I've ever had. It was thin, fresh, not acidic, had small cubes of yellow tomatoes, and very thin slices of radishes. Refreshing! The crab cakes (two) were served over a spoonful of lobster bisque which acted as a sauce for them. They were good, but not exceptional. The tablespoon of bisque was better than the actual crab cakes. Loved the French onion soup! It comes in a very manageable size (maybe a cup or so) and was piping hot. The cheese puffs are a must! Little bites of heaven. The banana split is massive! Share with one or two of your friends. The chocolate ice cream served with it also contains chocolate mouse and you've never tasted better strawberry ice cream! Will definitely go back. Note that they are currently only open until 7:30pm due to a staffing shortage. The staff that's there is exceptional though! read more

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I don't know how anybody can mess up a grilled chicken sandwich, but this place definitely did. Apparently it's some sort of shredded chicken with the consistency of canned tuna. To that, they added some sort of lemon peel. Yuck. It was terrible. And wildly over priced. The brioche bun that came with tasted like it was from the brioche museum. It must've been at least a week old. It fell apart while I was trying to eat the sandwich. Didn't finish my meal. The fries that came with or not fresh. VERY disappointing all around. read more

This restaurant hits all the marks. Get: mushroom soup; French onion soup; gougères; Michel's fried chicken; and crème brûlée Avoid: not making a reservation The appetizers were INCREDIBLE! We started with the gougères - they were ~12 and they were perfectly cooked! We also got very nice margaritas. Then the soup du jour (mushroom soup) was perfect - it was the perfect size and had amazing flavor. The French onion soup was also superb. The real star of the show is the Michel Fried Chicken - this was truly superb!! They meat was fried to perfection with an incredible crust. Then the mashed potatoes were unique in the flavor profile and smooth. I would get this every week if I could! For dessert we got the crème brûlée and it was very nice. Can't wait to go back!! read more

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The time to investigate a potential restaurant for lunch is before you go... don't just rely on memory. Had I followed the advice, I'll never know if I would have eaten at Central a few weeks ago. I have a memory of the fried chicken getting high praise, so that's what I was getting - decision made. I will keep this short and sweet. Don't bother getting the fried chicken at Central... $30 for chicken that was flavorless and totally unremarkable, forgettable garlic mashed potatoes and now I know I do not like watercress salad. If you are in the mood for a tasty fried chicken breast... go to Chick-fil-A. I'm sorry if that sounds catty or insulting, it's just my honest opinion. The mussels were again, unremarkable. The service was pretty on point, except we were only asked about water once and that's when we initially got our glasses filled. Lunch on a Saturday - the restaurant was completely empty except for us. There were a couple of tables occupied on the patio. The restaurant itself was quite lovely. Restrooms were nice. No, I can not recommend Central and I will not be returning. read more

DC has a good food scene so stand outs are few. Central has a nice atmosphere with an open kitchen and view of house aged meats. The menu is tight and offers a nice variety without being overwhelming. I was with a large party, I think collectively we ordered just about everything on the menu and there wasn't a person who wasn't disappointed and all had really good things to say about their choice. In our group we had vegans, gluten free, and carnivores, all felt as they were represented. read more

LOVE IT!! This was my birthday meal. I got a perfectly sized burger and this beautiful yummy chocolate dessert read more

Central Michel Richard - Chocolate bar - YUM!! - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went with a couple of my coworkers to this restaurant for a going away lunch for one of the ladies in the office. I ordered the fried chicken and the creme brûlée for dessert. Everything tasted very good and the portion size was great. I will definitely have to check out this restaurant for takeout since it is close to my office. The server did a great job as well. read more

Great food and lovely atmosphere at Central Michel Richard! The oysters were delicious and the mussel entree is flavorful, yet light. read more

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Really impeccable service! My friend got to taste test her wine even though she only ordered a glass. The cosmo came in a tiny carafe that could be poured into the drinking glass. The presentation of the mussels was impressive and they were good quality. I liked the shrimp burger and was able to get a lovely little green salad instead of fries. Only complaint was that it's extremely loud, at least during happy hour, but I would go back. Maybe just not good for big groups during the busy time periods. read more

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I messed up by not reading the Yelp reviews first. Had I done so, I would have known to order the fried chicken... cue dramatic sadness. A friend booked Central's private room for an intimate surprise birthday dinner. I'm not sure if the pre fixe menu was hand selected, or this is what is usually offered, but the menu featured three course options from some of the house favorites. I tried the goat cheese caesar, hanger steak and Michel's kit kat: - Goat cheese caesar: not an iceberg salad fan, and it was overdressed, only well-presented 2/5 - Hanger steak au poivre: tasty, but small option for dinner 4/5 - Michel's kit kit: very rich, almost too decadent to eat and definitely too much to finish 4/5 I saw a friend's order of the fried chicken arrive and instantly felt remorse about making the 'wrong' selection. Lesson learned for next time. As for their private room, it's more so a section in the back than a "room." A sliding glass door separates the space from the rest of the restaurant, but otherwise it is open layout, much like their kitchen. read more

Central Michel Richard - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food here was fresh and hot. I love how quick they were and they even complimented us with the cheese puffs! The workers were friendly and polite. The restaurants ambiance was excellent creating a serene and peaceful environment. It wasn't too crowded and it was a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a delicious meal. The cheesecake and crème brûlée was full of flavors! I love how they toasted the raspberry sauce adding an extra crunch to it. read more

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We had an amazing dinner at central last night. Inwas really impressed with every aspect of our visit from being seated until we left, it felt very inviting and the energy was unmatched. Our server Choi Mei A (the name on the reciept), others who were checking in on us, filling waters whenever they got below half, checked on to make sure we were good and Boris, the GM that stopped by multiple times to make sure we were well taken care of and taking the time to discuss the dessert menu with obvious passion about the product he is representing!! Service: 11/10, honestly probably the best service I have had in years. Food: Cheese Puffs 10/10; French Onion soup 9.5/10; Goat Cheese Caesar 9/10; Fried Chicken all white with small upcharge 11/10 could honestly feed 2 people on this meal; Hanger Steak and fries 9.5/10; Candy Bar dessert 10/10; Napoleon 10/10 and personally recommended by Boris, so thank u Boris!! Food was served at perfect temp, tasted fresh and was delivered promptly to the table. Atmosphere: 9/10 was a little loud with the speaker above us. Wine selection was huge, beer menu was a little lacking, but that's understandable at a French restaurant. I will definitely be visitng again, and I would even go out of my way to eat here again! read more

Excellent food, comfortable seating, quiet (no music playing), attentive service, great place. Will definitely return.

Wow, it's been seven years since my last review. So sad when Michel Richard passed away. Been a big fan of his since his Citronelle days in Georgetown. Very happy they still have this restaurant and kept most of his famous dishes that made Central a hit when it opened. I even have two of his cookbooks. For lunch, their three course express lunch for $29 is a great value. The Goat Cheese Caesar salad is a great way to start. His classic fried chicken breast is still great especially with those mashed potatoes and finished it with an awesome creme brûlée. Other popular dishes I enjoy are their burgers and hanger steak. Don't leave without eating dessert as Michel Richard was also a famed pastry chef. Love Michel's chocolate bar. read more

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Had not been there in several years. Still good! My fried chicken was very good & so was my wife's fish. Dessert excellent.

The hubs and I came here for our first DC meal. Having woken up at 3:45 am to catch our flight, we were exhausted and hungry by the time we landed. The staff was incredibly friendly and prompt which made for a really nice experience. And then the food was awesome. I had the rotisserie chicken which had perfectly crispy skin and juicy chicken. The chicken was nestled into a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and offered a brightly dressed side of greens. I ate the whole plate it was so good. The hubs got the chicken burger with fries and he ate it down faster than I could snag a bite. A perfect start to our DC vacation. read more

I visited Central Michel Richard with my wife for our mid-day date (and off day). When we are unsure about a place for our date Central Michel Richard is always our first pick because of both exceptional service and outstanding dishes. We are always excited to try the seasonal meals and also indulge in our favorites dishes. The highlight of this date was the pumpkin dessert as recommended by Boris, the general manager. I'm not a fan of pumpkin but oh boy this dessert was 10 out of 10 *chefs kiss*!!! Also, Central Michel Richard has the best cosmopolitan in the DMV - no competition. Again, we love speaking with Boris and staff. It's always a remarkable experience. It's very rare in the DMV area that you have a general manager that visits your table and also makes note of a regular patrons. read more

Ok.....this restaurant did it AGAIN! Central has a new Chef's menu with four courses and it was out of this world. The meal started off with an amuse bouche of a gougeres with pate. Yum!!!! The blintzes were stuffed with truffled goat cheese and golden beets with arugula. The main was a braised beef short rib sitting on top of ancient grains. Lord have mercy that was delicious. And dessert was a sweet potato cheesecake. All for $70! Well worth it!! Heavens! This was one of the best news I have had in a long time. The chef's menu for some reason is not on their website. I just happened to see it on Instagram at @centralmrdc. Do yourself a favor and enjoy this meal. read more

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If you love that French Bistro like I do,this's the place for you! You must try the lobster burger before the summer end if you like seafood, for appetizer get the gougeres puffs, as well the fried chicken, overall I would give this place a 10/10 read more

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Fabulous meal. Our 6th or 7th time here -- love the energetic vibe and professionalism of the staff. Manager spent a lot of time chatting with us on the specific dishes and drinks we enjoyed -- really appreciated that. The house Cosmo is wonderful -- just a hint of orange in it. Steak tartare -- my husband said it was delicious and very bright with a little kick of Tabasco and lemon. Chopped salad was fantastic -- perfect amount of ingredients and dressing. Branzino Nicoise was fabulous - lovely char on the edges and tender and meaty fish. Mushroom Bolognese was wonderful -- I did not expect the mushrooms to be chopped and sauce served alongside pasta, but both worked beautifully. And the profiteroles are NOT to be missed for dessert -- generous serving -- perfect for two to share. read more

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I had to write this review solely for the Bok Choy Red Curry. It was delicious! My two dining companions said it was the best item that night. I am so glad I took a risk and tried something I wasn't sure about. The manager Scott really made our visit pleasant. read more

Central Michel Richard - Bok Choy Red Curry - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food was good, but I didn't think it was anything special to write home about. No kids menu means kids must eat adult fare, but they do have burgers and chicken nuggets. Cost wise though you must pay the adult price, which is expensive. read more

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Prompt service, very good bourguignon. Food: The short rib bourguignon was wonderfully flavorful and a great interpretation of classic beef bourguignon. The carrots and mushrooms were perfectly cooked and flavorful. The wine reduction gravy was perfect. Added decadence from bacon and dehydrated Asiago cheese. But the mashed potatoes were overly buttery. The potato to butter ratio must have been 50/50. Drinks: Excellent straight up Manhattan made with Knob Creek Bourbon Service: Good, quick service but I dined on a night with few patrons. DC had a weather alert over snow and ice, and the downtown was practically empty. Ambiance: tasteful decorated and classy Overall cleanliness: above average Bathroom cleanliness: average read more

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Really cool place with lightning fast service in the heart of DC . Very close to the Capital read more

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Girls night out consisted of Cute outdoor dining, nice food & friendly server! Extensive wine list and great cocktails read more

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Great food and nice Ambiance I had the prime burger. Shirley temple and cheese poofs. The service was prompt and professional read more

Eh.. food decent.. extremely over priced.. I went there because I hadn't been there.. the food was prepared well and flavorful... but again.. I think they price that food a little high read more

Service was excellent. We were able to move our reservation up 30 minutes with ease. The staff was polite and attentive and the food came out quickly (although there were not many people in there). As for the food, it was delicious. The shrimp burger was flavorful and the lettuce was the perfect lettuce for the burger. The hanger steak was superb and the fries were high quality. However, the star of the meal had to be the side of mac and cheese. 10/10 recommend getting. It was perfectly gooey, cheesy and delicious. Great portions as well. I wish that I could only say positive things about this place, but unfortunately the Vanilla and Raspberry Cheesecake did not meet expectations. The flavor was a bit artificial and the raspberry taste was overwhelming. Personally would not get again. Otherwise, nothing but positive things to say about Central Michel Richard. Definitely stop by if you are in the DC area!! read more

Central Michel Richard - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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AMAZING! Food are service were both impeccable! Can here for my birthday lunch and the team there made sure every single person in our group of 11 feel special and catered to. I so highly recommend Central Michel! Please do yourself a favor and order the fried chicken!! I don't like dark meat, so they gave me 2 breasts instead ($2 up charge, but worth it!) read more

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