Central Park Bistro — Restaurant in San Mateo

I eat out a lot all over the world. During the hundreds of dinners, I don't think I've ever had to give one star. Valentine's Day was that exception. Interesting that the restaurant managed to remove my review from Opentable which explains why their rating is high on OT. Waiter / service was so bad that we had to get up and leave after our two welcome drinks had arrived and before we had even ordered dinner. The issues was their reaction after I pointed out that nowhere had they explained that the only option was a 3 course fixed price dinner. Not on their website, not on opentable. The smart way would have been to acknowledge that they should have informed the customers in advance, and either: Offer a welcome drink on the house or allow us only to pick two dishes and maybe deduct $20. The issue was not the 3 course dinner or the money. It was the attitude and complete lack of customer understanding and flexibility. As always, it comes down to the individual waiter. But his behavior is a function of...

A recent dining experience at Central Park Bistro left me utterly enchanted! We kicked off with the Living Butter Lettuce Salad, a delectable shareable delight. The Bosc pear added a sweet touch, perfectly complemented by the Champagne Vinaigrette.

For a communal feast, we delved into the Charcuterie for 3, and it did not disappoint. The generous portions made it an ideal choice for sharing among friends. Moving on to the main course, the Seafood Linguine pasta was a burst of flavors. A must-try! In consideration of dietary restrictions, the restaurant graciously substituted lobster with Salmon in the dish, showcasing their flexibility and commitment to customer satisfaction. The Paella was equally praiseworthy, a symphony of tastes that left a lasting impression.

Central Park Bistro is a must-visit in the area, offering a culinary experience that transcends expectations. From the thoughtful presentation of salads to the flavorful main courses, each dish is a testament to the culinary excellence found...

We had a private group (17 people) event here. Had the Gardenia room, which was about right for our group (it can accommodate more people). The food was very good - 2 salads, a duck middle course, 4 main entrees & 2 dessert choices. The chocolate mousse cake could have been more dense & dark chocolate, but it was acceptable. Service was attentive, and the room provided sufficient standing room for the circulating hor d'oeuvres.

Because another large(r) group called in to book the same night (about 2 weeks before the event, and 1 month after we had already booked), the restaurant tried a couple times to get us to agree to a smaller room (here would have been no standing room given our group's size) or be seated in the main dining room where the bar was (separate tables would have made the event awkward). We had already booked & paid the down payment, and since the alternatives were unacceptable, we didn't agree. While we got the room we wanted, this back-&-forth should never...