Central Michel Richard

Frommer's Review

This place makes you feel good as soon as you walk through the door. It's a French-American brasserie with a joie de vivre ambience and a menu full of precociously re-created American and French classics: A lobster burger is layered with scallop mousse, macaroni and cheese is creamy with sour cream as well as cheeses, the fried chicken is an ungreasy version lightly dusted with bread crumbs, and on and on, the names of French dishes ping-ponging with American, hanger steak and onion soup to apple pan dowdy and banana split. The French fries, a country unto themselves, are perfection. Michel Richard is the chef of Citronelle, the city's best restaurant, and he opened Central in early 2007 to entice younger diners with smaller budgets. The Frenchman, who has lived in the U.S. for 30 years, has a special fondness for his adopted country and it shows -- and not just in the menu. The bistro is half dining room, half bar and exhibition kitchen, and there's an actual television in the bar. Richard wants you to have fun and, from all appearances, Central's succeeding on that score.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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