11 Central — Restaurant in Bangor

Dined for the third time tonight. Right off the bat the kitchen was short items on the menu - I admit, this already foreshadowed my overall experience. We ordered two drinks that were supposed to be based off a Mojito but were entirely flat and too sweet. I ordered SeaBass with the veggie option and my wife the mussels. I have no critique as far as the flavor, cooking technique, seasoning. The food tasted good, was the right temperature and was prepared to order. However, the fish was somewhere between 6-8oz and accompanied by about 2-3 oz of a side dish. Things may taste amazing but when I pay $27 for a dinner dish I would like it to constitute a meal. If you think that the final bill was $70 for two drinks, one dinner meal and one Appetizer, we were sorely disappointed. Also, both my wife and I agreed that the menu's changes since our last visit, for both drinks and food items, resulted in a rather carb-heavy and uninspired menu. Yes, the items are prepared well and if you are looking for comfort and repetition as well as molecular gastronomy portions (at least in reference to the Sea Bass with veggies) you are in the right place. This has not been our experience during the previous visits. My regards go to our server, who was very perceptive and accommodating. We did not ask for anything and she did offer a free desert. Her presence was just right and we had no complaints in that regard. If anything, she certainly softened the frustrating aspect of the experience.

The desert menu though ... and that is certainly a personal preference, is just another standard and boring example of how the devil is in the details AND the cumulative experience. There are items off the menu that cannot be made, drinks are flat, dinner plate the same size as an appetizer and the deserts offered are "chocolate" x3 and one lemon something. For one, "chocolate" deserts like this are a step away from Applebee's lava-cakes. They, more or less, all taste the same, look the same and are a staple on every mid-range restaurant menu. Second, do not call something "raspberry" if you put one single raspberry next to a slice of chocolate cake. Third, please, try harder ... maybe your customers would order something besides Cesar salad, surf&turf and a "chocolate lava cake" if your menu offered a little variety.

To sum it up, I was frustrated, hungry, had to supplement with bread and felt bored.

Kudos to a very good server D. who did her absolute best and more.

It will be a while before we will consider dining here again.

One of the best dining experiences in Bangor including amazing drinks will worth...

Brought my wife out for a special 31st wedding anniversary dinner, but we were made to feel anything but special. The hostess told us it would be a one hour wait, we just happened to ask about the couple of empty tables, she told us people already at the bar were taking those tables. Pretty much everyone at the bar left shortly thereafter, none of whom moved to those tables, which sat empty for over an hour. Then later some new people came in and were immediately seated at those tables. It would appear the hostess blatantly lied to us. Then, while we were seated at the bar, an elderly couple attempted to use the chair next to us, which had been empty for at least half an hour, but were told by one of the bartenders the seat was already taken. About 15 minutes later, a person who was clearly the bartender's friend came in and sat in the chair, displacing the elderly man leaning against it (he told us he had a bad back). So, it seems like when 11 Central says they don't take reservations, they mean they don't take reservations unless you're on their "A" list. Made us feel like 2nd class citizens. And the food was only OK, salads were miniscule, the rice severely undercooked, and the shrimp scampi bland. The lamb lollipops were good, as was the pork, so at least there's that. One of the three employees we encountered was nice and treated us well (Sinclair), the two others not so much. We will not be back, nor will we be recommending to any...

11 Central has become one of my go-to places for dining on Friday nights! Whether it's a romantic dinner, a gathering with friends, or any celebration, this restaurant never disappoints.

The atmosphere is inviting, creating the perfect setting for an enjoyable evening. On Fridays, there is usually a wait of 20-25 minutes, and if tables are unavailable, sitting at the bar is an option. Reservations are accepted for parties of six or more, and you can call ahead to check seat availability and wait times.

When it comes to the food, I highly recommend trying the "Dat's A Really Gouda Pizza" and the "Chicken Cordon Bleu - 11 Central Style." They are both exceptional. The menu offers a diverse range of options to cater to various preferences.

The bar at Restaurant 11 Central offers an impressive selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The skilled bartenders craft delicious cocktails that perfectly complement your meal.

The friendly and attentive staff, including the owner/manager who supervises the floor, contributes to the exceptional dining experience.

While parking can be challenging in the area, there is convenient paid parking available at Pickering Square Parking Garage, just a 5-minute walk away from the restaurant.

In conclusion, Restaurant 11 Central is a must-visit in Bangor, Maine, offering an inviting ambiance, delicious food, and friendly service. As a regular customer, I can confidently say that it never...