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Categories: American (New), Asian Fusion
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Central (Red)
Mon-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mon-Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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All I have to say is WOW... my food here was beyond amazing. The environment was pleasant well light with no overly loud sounds. My type of place. I got a wonderful tuna salad w/ olive tapenade w/ steamed beans. I was in heaven with the dressing it had on it, and it had just the right amount on it. It was any olive fish lovers dream. Capers topped it with arugula and it was all on top of a cibatta roll. Beyond Yum. Great service, cute wait staff and warm n' cozy. Def going there again.
This is my go-to-without-fail-impress-anybody restaurant.
The food is incredible. The staff is delightful. The atmosphere is gregarious.
Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar. The servers are wonderful, but these are the best bartenders in the area.
You will roll home feeling full and full of love.
I came here for the first time last night and have to say I was pleased with the choice.
We were able to be seated immediately (glad we went on a Monday, though, as almost all tables were full) and the wait staff was attentive but unobtrusive. I particularly like the fact that they leave you a wine bottle full of water so that you're able to serve yourself, rather than having to ask for repeated refills.
Other reviewers have already mentioned the price issues associated with Central Kitchen and I have to admit, it gave me pause to consider spending $24 on chicken fricasse with mushrooms and pureed potatoes, but I was glad that I did. I think it's one of the best chicken dishes I've had at a restaurant. The chicken managed to be moist, flavourful and not too salty, which is an issue I have with most places. My companion had the pork chop and was fairly pleased, but found it a bit overdone.
We passed on dessert, but if it's any where nearly as good as the meal was, I'll have to try it sometime. I'll definitely be going back.
Scale of 1-10 (single visit):
9 Food
8 Service
9 Atmosphere
7 Value
Full disclosure: it has been quite some time since I have dined here, and I plan on going back and updating this review.
In the meanwhile, I will tell a little story. Part of the reason why I haven't been back in quite some time is some bad associations I have with CK. I came here years ago on a date with a guy named Crackpipe Johnny. Now, as far as I know, he was not actually a crack smoker (???) but the name should have probably tipped me off. Alas, there I was, all filled with my youth, naivete, bad self-esteem, possibly liquor, accepting a date with Crackpipe Johnny.
We had a really lovely meal -- I remember the mussels being delicious and some really lovely duck confit. I don't remember the main courses because this is when the shitshow began. We started with a very nice bottle of white wine. I paced myself because I am a lightweight (one of my recent reviews documents a long blackout after 3 glasses of wine). The bottle of wine was gone mighty fast and a new bottle was in its place. By the time the check came, both bottles of wine were gone and Crackpot Johnny was two sheets to the wind. He payed the $200 tab and we left.
We joined some of the motley crue of people I hung out with in those days somewhere sketchy in Fanuiel Hall, quite possibly The Place. Crackpipe Johnny was the most annoying drunk ever. So annoying that I got wasted in an attempt to make him more bearable.
I was way too drunk to get home so I crashed at Crackpipe's place, fully clothed, facing away from him. In the morning he drove me to my car and i was like "okaay baaai" and hauled ass out of there.
So, basically, Crackpipe Johnny spent $200+ on a date and didn't even get a kiss out of the deal. A couple of weeks later, I mentioned the fiasco of a date to a friend, who said "oh, you went on a date with Johnny?? He has a girlfriend!" PURE CLASS.
Hopefully, I will return to Central Kitchen soon, perhaps even on a more successful date.
Well here's a pretty sexy little number hidden betwixt McDonald's and Blockbuster, hmmm? I've been here twice, once on an accidental date and once with my stepmother, and both times I was surprised at how upscale and mahogany the whole experience was.
Some pointers, should you find yourself in the area:
-expect quality, not variety
-come with an intimate, because pushing together the two-tops are a pain.
-order whatever appetizer boasts olives. DAMN good olives.
-pack a PB & J for lunch tomorrow, because it'll be a lean spending day, ifyoucatchmydrift....
or
-make your stepmom take you.
The polenta I ordered was, in fact, quite delicious.
The only reason I don't score Central Kitchen higher is that it is really, really expensive (at least by my scale), and it is completely un-vegetarian friendly. I ordered the polenta because on that particular night that was the only thing I *could* order.
But like I said, it was very delicious. And the atmosphere is swanky by not so upscale I felt uncomfortable.
This place is really good. It's a little pricey but I think its worth it if you want a date worthy atmosphere with a very special menu. The food pairings are very different and refreshing.
The mussels come with fries!!! am i in heaven? I got a porkchop entree and it was delicious and good portions, not tiny and pretentious. Their bread was delicious and comes with hummus. They also have a great selection of wine.
The highlight of the night was the flourless chocolate cake that you have to order 20 minutes ahead since they make it to order and yes it does take that long. I've had many overly sweet flourless chocolate cake but theirs was not too sweet and amazingly delicious.
My friends and I were nearly scared away by other Yelpers' mixed reviews and compliants of priciness. But I have to say, this place was pretty great! To be fair it was a little bit on the pricey side for Cambridge but had the quality to back it up. I had the Artichoke and Tomato Ragout with Polenta and it was absolutely delicious... the veggies were perfectly done and the Polenta was creamy and buttery (I have never had polenta before so I don't know what it is supposed to taste like, but this was pretty darned good) and the whole thing was a wonderful meld of flavors. My friends both had the mussels which were cooked just right and complimented with frites and a nice broth. An added bonus, they had CBC's Pumpkin Ale on tap.
Went here last night for the first time with two others. Overall, we thought the food was delicious, and will definitely return. We ordered:
Duck Rillette ($8): This was essentially a duck spread (consistency similar to a mix of hummus and pate) to be slathered over toasted bread. This dish was good, but a little on the bland side. Nothing special, wouldn't order again---there are better dishes on the menu.
Mussels (can't remember price--$17?): The mussels were perfectly cooked. Too often I've had mussels that are overcooked and rubbery; not these. The broth was good, but I wouldn't rave about it as others have---it definitely needed more garlic and could have used a touch more lemon as well. However, despite its shortcomings, I would still consider ordering the mussels again if I'm in the mood for a lighter meal.
Chicken Fricasee ($21): This dish was excellent. Chicken was crispy on the outside (wasn't expecting that, but it definitely worked); mashed potatoes were absolutely delicious---smooth and creamy (but not overly so), rich yet not too buttery tasting so it still tasted like potato, and perfectly seasoned; sauteed mushrooms were very tasty but a little too salty (I happen to love salt, so it was fine for me but it was too salty for my companions). The dish was drowned in a wonderful gravy/creamy stew sauce that perfectly complemented the flavors of the dish. I would order this dish again in a heartbeat.
Apple Crisp (wasn't paying attention to dessert prices--sorry!): Apple crisp was good, but not great. Could use more brown sugar/crisp topping; oatmeal was a little too chewy.
Belgian Chocolate Fallen Cake: Flavors were good, but it was undercooked and was essentially a bowl of chocolate batter/syrup. Ultimately, while neither dessert was bad, I would pass on the desserts next time because the entrees are much better.
The restaurant is small and fills up quickly, so I would definitely recommend making a reservation (we went on a Tuesday night, and there wasn't an empty table the entire night). The ambience was cozy, crowd was a mix between young professionals and older professor types. Overall, it was a great time, great food, and will definitely be returning.
I've been here twice, and left completely satisfied each time. You're in another world when you step into Central Kitchen, and it feels that way because its true. Directly outside you have the melange of Central Square with its awesome music-infused but (at points) crack -littered surroundings, but inside its quiet, dim and serene. The staff feels neither rushed or lazy and it feels like they know the exact moment to come and attend to you so you feel neither bothered nor ignored.
The food- amazing. I've sampled their oysters (to die for), pate (their grainy mustard is killer) omelet, and most recently the filet mignon tartar. This came with a quail egg (won't lie, was hesitant), and a cornichon that was small but had such complex flavoring of sweetness and vinegar. Yum. The tar tar was sooo incredibly delicious but it was rich and I could not finish the appetizer sadly.
Go here. Go here now. And yelp if you love.
had steak frites here the other night.
good: great flavors, cool decor. great cheese plate.
mediocre: service, not very comfortable seating. weird little cups, seems to try a little hard to be trendy.
bad: horrible cut of meat for $27-- main reason for rating. LOVE salt but fries absolutely too salty. friend also disappointed with their entree.
Oh Central Kitchen, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. This has been one of my favorite spots for years but only now have I gotten the chance to voice my praises properly.
It was beautifully empty summer evening but had filled out nicely by the time we departed. Not that we noticed: The super dim lighting adds just the right touch of swanky NYCish elegance. We sat at the bar perusing the super underpriced bottle-list - steals of a deal as far as the eye could see. Colin, the bartender was perfectly attentive, and well versed in his wines. As great as the glass pours were, the Slovenian Tocai was not to be missed.
We opted for an appetizer smorgasbord, The devilled eggs were divine, the sweetness of lobster offset by the earthy aromatic tarragon. The ceviche was served in an adorable little tumbler and the marinade was as delectable as the sea bass and shrimp, brimming with citrus and herbs. The arugula salad was a perfect mid-course palate cleanser, with the classic prosciutto parm pairing offering just enough substance. We ended with the cod cheeks in romesco sauce: the meat was delicate but firm and the sauce just hearty enough to offer a killer contrast.
The last course was the splurge-o-rific fried chicken basket, accompanied by the cutest little can of Budweiser this side of the Rockies. Unable to finish we saved the fennel seasoned slaw and perfect potato salad for this weeks lunch. Thanks for a perfect Sunday dinner, CK!
This is a serious date place. The lights are all down low, there are sweet wine-bottle light fixtures on the wall, and there are oysters on the menu. Too bad I wasn't here on a date.
Oysters on the half shell came with 2 different kinds, of which I cannot remember the names (of course), and had an interesting "salsa" type of sauce to put on them.
With Franziskaner on tap, how could you seriously go wrong after drinking 5 large shot glasses of water out of an old wine bottle. The bread comes with some sort of humus butter that was fabulous.
The special of the day was the burger, and all three of us got it. It was on a special roll, had a slaw on it and was cooked perfectly. While the pickles on the side were a bit odd tasting (not in a bad way), the fries more than made up for it.
Service was quick and attentive. I'm definitely coming here again - next time I hope I'm on a date!
Now serving lunch M-F 11:30am - 3pm!
We walked in at noon as the first customers of the day. On a windy day, it was great to walk into somewhere warm and cozy like Central Kitchen, and it was even better that we didn't see anything on the menu over $15!
I ordered the mussels and frites, which I'd heard were the best in Boston. Were they the best? If I'd had mussels elsewhere in the Boston area, I might've known, but all I can say is that they were delicious. They were pretty plump and fresh, the butter/garlic/herb broth was rich, and the frites were really flavorful! For the last 10 minutes of the meal, I used the tiny shell of my last mussel to scoop up the delicious broth into my mouth - why didn't I use a spoon?? :)
She ordered the inside-out chicken pot pie. Pretty good! It looked like the cream sauce and chunks of chicken and vegetables exploded out of a pot pie and surrounded themselves around a flaky biscuit.
The only dessert they were offering was a French vanilla creme brulee, which was probably one of the better creme brulees I've had. The torched top layer was thick and crispy and the custardy stuff underneath was really rich -- perfect!
I would definitely come back to Central Kitchen for any lunch occasion. It's cozy, clean, spacious, not too chatty, and, most importantly, the delicious food is a great value!
I went here on a Wednesday night around 7pm, no reservation necessary. There were only two other tables taken when we arrived. I found the space to be really beautiful and sleek, almost like I'd want certain aspects of my apartment to be like the interior of this restaurant, if that makes any sense.
Service was prompt, and our server checked on us multiple times.
I ordered the Arugula Salad (not called that on the menu..) that had prosciutto or something under it, and the Filet Mignon tartare. This was all fabulous. The Filet Mignon tartare was seriously amazing, and came with 2 big halves of toasted buttered decliciousness in the form of bread.
My friend ordered the Cheeseburger that was a special that night. But... when it came, it was the Steak Frites.... although this was very quickly remedied by our server, with numerous apologies. When the burger finally came out, it was big, with a fluffy fresh bun, cooked to order.
We noticed on the dessert menu a Belgian Chocolate Fallen Cake that was noted to take 30 minutes, and should have been ordered pre-dinner... when I told the server after our meal that I wished he'd told us about it before we ordered dinner, as is customary in other restaurants with similar desserts, he assured me that if we really wanted it, it would be ready sooner than 30 minutes and could certainly be done.
I don't know that I would come here again, as the menu was smaller than I imagined, and didn't have as many things that I like or would ever try... but I am happy that I went and can check it off my list.
This is one of my absolute favorites in all of Cambridge. Love the dark, cozy atmosphere, the long bar, and the great wine list. CK is always the bfriend's and my "go to" place when we cant think of where we want to go and know we will have a great meal. I have a hard time not ordering the steak frites every time as it is the best. We always find an amazing zin and manage a great date night.
I'm not sure what the "Chicken Fricassee" had to do with Fricassee. Because it was a brined and pan fried breast/thigh with pan gravy. The "pomme puree" was also just mashed potatoes.
I appreciate that they carried farmed sea bass instead of chilean. Mussels were also of the white variety, which I find better tasting.
We had a larger group of 8 that was accommodated beautifully with the attentive staff and ample kitchen. Could have done 12 without a hitch.
Asides from a chef that should get a culinary dictionary, and tone down his/her menu ego, the good food and atmosphere were awesome.
Great food, great value.
I've been here twice, and both times I was underwhelmed.
First, if you haven't been here be ready: The menu is small. Only around 4 items in the appetizer and main course section. Usually I don't mind this since it typically means the items are made very well.
I had the steak frite which wasn't cooked nearly as well as I would have liked it. The steak was very chewey. My boyfriend got this seafood dish in which the lobster was undercooked. How can you undercook lobster?! It takes only a second to cook it.
The food both times was good, but not 20-30 dollars a plate good.
On 2.28.09 I was in Central Square with my boyfriend to see a show at the Middle East. We had come early to make sure we got tickets and decided to have dinner in the area. I had seen Central Kitchen on the way in and suggested we go there.
I walked in not expecting something quite so....fancy...or expensive for that matter. In any event, I liked the lights reflecting off the copper-topped tables. There was a really warm glow to the place.
Our waitress started us off with some bread and butter. The butter had a texture to it that was slightly odd. Almost panna cotta-ish but not quite.
We began the meal with an order of the traditional moules mariniere (mussels, white wine, butter, garlic and hand cut frites) The mussels were pretty tasty but not as good as Grafton Street (see also: http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
I had the chicken fricassee with mushrooms and very creamy, buttery mashed potatoes for my entree. I LOVED it. The chicken was so freakin' moist!! The top of the chicken also had a very delightful and crispy topping for lack of a better word. I didn't finish all of the chicken meat, but I did manage to eat all of the crispy business.
Josh had the steak frites (house aged angus rib eye and hand cut frites) that was served with greens and lemony vinagrette. Not too much lemon. Just right. He also really enjoyed the greens with the beef.
Once I had decided on the chicken I thought that I'd like to pair it with a white wine. I inquired about the chardonnay by the glass and the waitress was able to tell me it was most likely from a steel barrel as opposed to the oak I wanted. I got the sangria instead. It was tasty but certainly not strong enough. And there weren't enough fruit bits to munch on. Josh had two beers and they were both very good. One was from the Cambridge Brewing Company and the other was hard to spell and pronounce. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the beer as well.
The desserts looked sooooooooo good but we ran out of time and belly space.
The dinner came to $87 before tip. I can't wait to go back for lunch (if they have it) and eat something smaller so I can get to the dessert. I'd definitely recommend this place.
My mom and my boyfriend and i went to Central Kitchen on a whim one tuesday night.
As we walk in the place is packed (good sign for a tuesday night). We sit at the bar and I get a glass of their house sangria. delecioussss! really one of the best i've had.
The atmosphere is great, very modest but funky at the same time. We got seated at a sweet little table with a view of Mass Ave.
We all decided to split different meals and sides. The grilled squid was AMAZING. a must! Stake frites was great and large portion. Also a warm goat cheese salad with potato around the goat cheese- i'm not explaining it correctly but it was so rich and comforting.
Fantastic!
There is an undeniable trend spreading through urban areas of the city: bars are becoming as famous for their food as they are their drinks. These aren't gastropubs or taverns; these are full-out bars. Dim lighting, no tables larger than a 2top, music too loud for anything but intimate conversation. Though not as ridiculous as the Enormous Room, Central Kitchen certainly falls into this category.
Wisely, the décor is kept quite simple. Dark wood tables with glowing candle votives and a deep, long black bar. I settled up to the bar between a pair of women casually gabbing and sharing a plate of appetizers and another lone diner reading a book. Unfortunately, the lighting was too dim to read without squinting, so I was left to sit in and soak up the surroundings. Across from me, a set of old wooden shelves held the extensive but accessible wines by the glass. A Trimbach Pinot Gris, a few wines from France, some of the typical players from California. I started with a glass of the Pinot Gris. It was crisp, zippy, and easy-drinking...perfect for a summer night.
The bartender quickly poured me a water glass and dropped off a dinner menu. The choices were limited but they seemed well thought-out. I was hungry, but I chose to go for just an entrée and indulge in the bread. Upon taking my order, the bartender took out a piece of chalk and wrote down my order in a square in front of me. A basket of warm rolls and a small dish of garlicky hummus was placed in front of me. I leaned back in my bar stool and ripped off small pieces of the bread. The hummus was a nice alternative to butter or oil. It had a nice depth of flavor and added more substance to the bread.
I finished off my glass of Trimbach and asked the bartender for a suggestion on a glass to go from with my lamb. He offered a knowledgeable presentation of the reds by the glass and pointed me toward an Argentinian Malbec. It was nothing special but it was sappy and spicy; it did go very well with my lamb.
The lamb came sizzling hot in three large pieces on a skewer. There were large pearls of couscous, a tangy Greek yogurt sauce, and "tangine roasted" carrots. If I had to guess, I would say that the carrots likely never saw a tangine, but they were well spiced and that was good enough for me. The lamb was incredibly tender and I happily alternated bites between lamb with yogurt sauce and lamb with Malbec. The couscous was delightfully fluffy and was a better-than-expected vessel for the wonderful juice that dripped from the lamb. To finish the plate, a swab of bread with the remains of the hummus and the detritus of the entrée was perfectly satisfying.
My inability to do any reading left me uninterested by the idea of dessert. The food had been good, and the atmosphere comfortable, but one can only sit and ponder for so long. The bartender quickly helped me with my tab and had me on my way. I walked down the street for a quick bite from Toscanini's before heading home. If nothing else, Central Kitchen helped to buck my fears that food must be served in the proper setting. I would never have expected to have great lamb and red wine at a bar in the middle of Central Square, but I was proven wrong. Next time, with company in tow, I plan to see what else Central Kitchen has in store.
Ate at the bar here the other night. It was pretty good. I guess I have heard so many people rave about it for so long that I was expecting something out of this world. Don't get me wrong - the food was definitely good. It just felt like so many other places I've been too recently.
I started with the bar bite - ricotta gnocci which comes in a pea sauce. It was a tasty little pre-meal snack. For dinner, I had the grilled tuna. I would definitely get both again. My friend had the liver mousse and lamb - and liked all the flavors in both.
I was shocked at how busy it was here on a Wednesday night. The place was completely fill and no spots at the bar by 8pm. This seemed like a good place to go for dinner if you wanted to chill out , have a glass of wine, and take in the ambiance.
Central Kitchen is my favorite dining spot in Central Square (well, maybe it's a tie...I love Cuchi Cuchi as well but it's a totally different vibe).
Some of my favorite things there...
- The ambiance (tin tabletops, dim lighting, warm, cozy tables)
- The steak tartare, octopus, mussels, cioppino
- The nice and affordable wine list
The service is good and the crowd is low-key...Definitely a great find.
This is a quirky place with its own unique vibe. Just go with it... dont get stuck on what you think it should be... just have a good time and enjoy!
Have the mussels, the octopus, the tartar, and the steak frites!!
Ask about the burger too... umm delicious.. sometimes its not on the menu.
Service is friendly and casual, food is always delicious.
Thanks Central Kitchen.. you are my favorite!
This is a great bar with really friendly bartenders who know how to make a fantastic Dark n Stormy. I can't wait to try their food, as I'm always salivating over their specials board!
Well, the description on the sight, and the one that my friend got was American food. When I see that, I think things like burgers, fried fisherman platters, chicken wing/finger apps and hotdogs. I didn't see any of that on the menu. In fact the only trully American dish I saw was the Southern Style Fried Chicken, maybe the rib-eye steak and fries. This was more of an American-French fusion menu. That in itself is not all that big of a deal.
The atmosphere here is alright. Dimly lit and intimate, great for a date, but a bit off for a couple of guys meeting up for dinner, which was my case. The waitstaff was ok, and the bartenders were fairly alert (we waited a few minutes for our table to be bussed). The menu is tiny, which in itself is not necessarily a bad thing either. there were about a 1/2 dozen each of apps and entrees along with some salads. The prices were a bit higher than what I was expecting for a place on the main strip in Central Square, but it was pretty much packed on a Wed night.
Overall I thought it was an average meal at an above average price, and I'm not a big fan of drinking so the bar (whether it was good or bad, I don't know) didn't make any impact on me.
Onto the food:
Fried Octopus app - I forge the name they had on the menu, but it was alright. No fishy smell or taste that some places tend to have which is a big plus. But the octopus itself wasn't all that flavorful either. I actually like the seasoned potato cubes that came with the dish more than the octopus. I was expecting something different and larger for the $12 price tag.
Rib-eye steak and fries - Cooked just the way I asked. There were plenty of fires and it also came on a bed of slightly bitter tasting greens with what tasted like some type of vinaigrette. Normally I'm not a fan of bitterness, but it actually went really well with the steak. The fries however, were a bit bland tasting and they were clumped together despite being fresh cut shoe-string fries. But for $27, I've had much better tasting and slightly more tender steaks.
When I looked at the dessert menu, the first thing that popped out at me was the chocolate cake. I'm a sucker for chocolate cake. But this one apparently was baked to order and required 30 mins. Wish my server would have mentioned it to me or something...
I'm not sure why they charge the price they do for the food they serve. I don't care about paying a little extra for a dish I can get somewhere else, but you have to make it better than that other place to justify it. And this place just doesn't do that. Their dishes are ok, at a fancy price. And that effects my rating for this place. It would have been 3 stars,but spending over $100 dollars on just 2 people for an average dinner doesn't seem right.
Central Kitchen is okay but that is the extent of its goodness. They have a grilled chicken salad that is Greek style but with an American twist. I thought that it was decent but nothing remarkable. It wasn't cheap either which baffled me because the portion was small. I do love how they have bottled coca cola. Tastes better to me for some reason. Again, it's okay so give it a try if you aren't expecting some scrumptiousness.
Loved the ambiance and the mussels w/ frites. Wine flowed freely at our table of 10. Bottles of various reds kept appearing (great waiter!)and each bottle was better than the next. We waited well over an hour for our table, but we all felt it was worth it. Beautiful lighting, and a cozy, clean feel that left me wanting to return.
Ohhhhhh myyyyy god the food here is sinful. a minimal menu and everything is well executed. Probably the only place in the boston area with affordable food like this. It gets pretty crowded and its reaaaallly small. But its well worth it.
I think I am in the minority as I didn't love this place as much as the others. The menu is TINY and the place fills up fast, so reservations are a good idea.
We sat at the bar and started with drinks. I had the sangria which was fantastic. My friend had the bordeaux wine. We both liked our drinks. We were also given some fantastic bread to start with.
For dinner we decided to go for the appetizers. So we ordered filet mignon steak tartare,mussels, cod cheeks and the goat cheese salad.
I did not like the goat cheese salad at all. The flavors made me gag. I did like the cod cheeks a lot. So delicious. I also liked the mussels which came with fries. My friend liked her steak tartare, but it did not compare to the version in Paris. What could, though?
We got some more drinks: I had the pinot gris and she had the pinot noir. We split the creme brulee. The dessert menu had a nice selection of desserts. We could taste the burnt topping on the brulee, so it really lived up to it's name.
Total for 2 people, sans tax and tip, was 107. It was a pricey night!
Lion, Wizard, Dorothy, Toto, Courage enough to write a review and reveal my haven spot or not.. Central Kitchen does it all.
Trust me.. I was always an avid Green Street fan over this place but then things changed. Once forced into that corner curved nook at the bar- some cava- some oysters-REPEAT-cava&oysters.... and that's that. Whether it's a good life or miserable life at the moment.. my good friend and I always find time for some cava and oysters here..maybe 3-4 visits a week. OOPS. Smaller options: Cheese plate or Mussels never fail either.
GET YOURSELF TO THE PATIO BEFORE IT GETS TOO COLD!
They are now serving lunch till 3PM! Some people get really disturbed about the thought of eating outside in Central Square (daytime) .. but grab a seat at the corner and relax. The green and bamboo look really changes things once you sit and get the service you sought out for.
Plus the open sandwiches.. I'm talking seared tuna.. heirloom tomatoes... some avocado... angus burger bomb... some eggs... anything and everything.. delicious..
Tons of wine options. Super personable staff has without fail.. given us tips and winks for new specials and old favorites.. plus they have stories and jokes like no other. Think Spain with American flare vibe.. fernet... nice websites.. lounge upstairs.. one of the better real to itself options around.
The food at Central Kitchen is amazing. The menu is very small and the place is tiny and crowded, but none of it matters once you take your first bite. The Red Wine Braised Octopus is highly recommended! I've never had anything quite like it. Warm Goat Cheese Salad is also delicious, and I tasted the Steak & Frites - the steak was cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. Can't wait to go back and try something else.
From the minute we walked in the vibe was a little weird. It was 5:30pm on a Friday evening and we were the only ones in there. We decided to sit at the bar for dinner and drinks. When we sat down it took a few minutes for the bartender to ask us if we wanted a drink. No one really went out of our way to greet us even though we passed a few employees. There were a couple waitresses behind the bar drinking red wine-we all like to have fun but I thought it was unprofessional drinking in front of guests.
The menu was very small, about 6 appetizers and entrees very high priced. Didn't think anything of the high prices cause most good places have them. We decided on the smoked salmon and duck confit appetizer. The smoked salmon was over salted and hard, after a few bites we sent it back and a gentleman came out to explain they over salted the fish and would take care of it. I still didn't understand why it was so hard to cut into.
The duck on the other hand was fantastic. Fell right off the bone, nice and moist. Nice presentation. All around very nice starter.
We split a CK burger which was the only entree option under $20 on the menu. The bartender told us it was big and he was very right. It was very good. Juicy with some great toppings.
The decor was stark. Besides the wine bottles on the wall there wasn't much to look at.
The dessert menu looked good but we passed.
By the time we were finishing up, the place started filling up and the bar was almost full.
Overall it wasn't that great for the price. The menu could use more of a variety and a few options under $20. It is Central Square and its definitely the highest priced option on the strip.
DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF THE FUTURE
is what my friend whispered to me, in the alley, after we finished spray painting our love letters to our girlfriends. he gave me a sincere challenge, a challenge, i felt, i needed to accept. i stared at him solemnly and nodded and he gasped in astonishment! and i stood up and said, "later on dude, it has truly been real", and i made my way to the front door.
the interior of this restaurant was amazingly decorated and the very sight of it caused me to pass out. luckily, i was immediately revived by the smelling salts administered by "will", an android or lesser daemon, the keeper of the entrance, the black gate. "what are your intentions?", he whispered to me, through forked tongues. "i wish to descend to the belly of the beast! and plant my fork in it's heart!" i shouted!
and with that! i was whisked away and seated at a very clean and nicely ordered table, near the window. i heard a poof and in my peripheral vision i caught a cloud of smoke, and with that, will had vanished-- but trust me when i say this dear reader and most loyal of loyal friends-- while i couldn't see HIM, i was most positive that his gaze was upon me... watching...
i heard a crow or a lion maybe? to my right, and i was momentarily distracted, and then SUDDENLY, a server appeared! as if... from... no where. she was wearing black, and her hair was tucked back in a pony tail, and her lips were as shapely as the mona lisas face!
she calmly recited the days specials and then, with a certain amount of creative flare made her suggestions, and, let me tell, you most closest of closest friend-- her eyes were ice cold. ice cold icicles! and they penetrated my sour facade right to my dead heart! and she knew EXACTLY what i wanted to eat, and i went with her suggestion-- the dry aged steak, and before-- and before! i promise you!, before i bought the ribeye to my lips she KNEW i would find it DELICIOUS!
and, she was absoultely right. her clarivoyance is only surpassed by her beauty and unearthly charm.
and after eating, i put on my cap and settled in for a long winters nap, and when spring came, "will" appeared again, like a gentle breeze, just as the leaf buds on the trees began evolving into butter fly wings he gave me the bill, and i must say i tipped them HEAVILY, because one cannot be too careful when dealing with sprites and wood nymphs and lesser food daemons and secretaries of secretaries and so on.
everything in this review was true, and the only thing i can find fault with this eatery is their payment options. i would have EASILY given them six stars if they had only accepted my discover card.
Came here for drinks last night before the Junior Boys show at the middle east last night. I really dug the vibe and wished I had skipped rendezvous for dinner across the street to try some of the moules frites here. Anyway, good service and good drinks.
This place is great. Small menu of artfully prepared food, all of it good.
Central Kitchen takes the elements of great location, friendly staff and an elegantly simple menu and wraps it all up in an inviting, yet intimate atmosphere to give you and your dining companion(s) a very enjoyable and tasty experience. Try the Pan Seared Cod Cheeks - accompanied with a killer Romasco sauce - and let your tastebuds thank you for the pleasure! CK offers a well rounded wine selection and boasts a full bar as well. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates quality and value without having to think about it!
Well first the good. My chilled potato and leek soup was divine. The sprinkling of chives over the bowl was irritating. It seems like everyone and their grandma is sprinkling chives over every damned dish! I get it already, next fad.
The Veal cutlet was huge and sprinkled in cherries and peppercorns. Not a bad dish if the Israeli cous-cous hadn't been cooked to mush.
Fillet mignon-tartar was well done and very tasty.
And onto the bad. Sardines on crustini hadn't been scaled. The flavor was pretty good but I spent way too much time picking out tomato rinds and sardine scales.
The mussels and crab in tomato sauce were way over powered by the lavender in the dish. Meh.
I was disappointed. It wasn't a bad meal, I just usually expect better from Central Kitchen. On top of the food issues they also got our order wrong three times! This time the meal wasn't worth what we paid.
I'm a fan of Central Kitchen. Great atmosphere, small candles on metal plated tables. Good… Read more »
They know how to pull off Rustic American. This is really my go to "where should we go to eat" destination. No matter how tempting it is...don't eat too much bread. I always do and end up rolling out the place. If you are going to order anything the first time around I would go with the muscles. They are topped with frites and some nice aioli. And sit at the bar if you can. The friendly bartender will shuck some fresh oysters for you. They're good for the libido and they are quite tasty too.
Enjoy
Neighborhood: Central Square
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Central Square
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Central Square
Category: Lounges
Cambridge, MA
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Central Square
Category: Nightlife
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