Central Michel Richard

United States District of Columbia WashingtonCentral Michel Richard

Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI

Plan your stay

hotel

Pet-friendly Hotels in Washington

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

hotel

Affordable Hotels in Washington

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

hotel

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

hotel

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Washington

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Posts

Get more from Wanderboat AI

Nearby Attractions Of Central Michel Richard

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

4.8

(19.7K)

Click for details

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

4.6

(15.9K)

Click for details

National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

4.8

(11.2K)

Click for details

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

4.7

(10.5K)

Click for details

Nearby Restaurants Of Central Michel Richard

Old Ebbitt Grill

Old Ebbitt Grill

4.6

(7.5K)

$$

Click for details

Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - DC

Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - DC

4.8

(4.5K)

Click for details

The Hamilton

The Hamilton

4.5

(4K)

$$

Click for details

Zaytinya

Zaytinya

4.5

(3.7K)

$$$

Click for details

Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI

Address

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

Map

Phone

(202) 626-0015

Call

Website

centralmichelrichard.com

Visit

Overview

Description

Convivial bistro offering riffs on tradition, from New American to French food.

This is fundamentally our favorite restaurant in DC. We've been here six or seven times in the last few years alone, and it absolutely never disappoints. It's our Thanksgiving ride-or-die, our special occasion must, and the epitome of our perfect brunch. We've found a way to work Central into many different occasions over the past several years, and we'll enjoy going back for years to come. Dining service is excellent, and starts and ends with a French bistro comfort that avoids much of the pretentiousness so common for the cuisine. The Google blurb for the restaurant calls it "convivial"...I'm not sure I've ever heard the word used in a sentence before, but it is absolutely suitable for Michel Richard's Pennsylvania Ave masterpiece. Central absolutely crushes what you'd hope for, and surprises in places you might not expect. There is an apparent degree of care in the creation of the restaurant's signature cocktails, and it's beer list has a variety of both local and far-flung draughts. Its signature dish is the Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, and rightfully holds it's place as the quintessential meal for a first-time visitor. However, it's often-rotating retinue of truly wonderful dishes means you could throw a dart at the entrees and end up with your highlight of the month or year. Dishes sporting lamb and pork shank define excellence, and the Saffron Bouillabaisse has a downright frightening depth of flavor. Oh, and it's got legit wine, don't you worry. Patio (++) and brunch (+++) give alternative dining options to test the limits of Central's perfection. It is, after all, right on Pennsylvania Avenue. Service is very, very good (shout out to Boris!) and they'll be more than happy to help you find your happy place on the menu. Speaking of happy places, don't skip the small plates and appetizers! The gougeres (cheese puffs), bacon and onion tart, and tartare of filet mignon are sublime. You will find yourself magically transported to a Parisian bistro at some point in time during the meal, that is without a doubt.

Kyle Mansfield

00

I finally visited central Michel Richard for brunch during winter restaurant week 2019. I've had my eye on their brunch menu since winter restaurant in 2018 and summer restaurant week 2018 so when 2019 came around I booked immediately. It didn't disappoint! First and foremost the service was incredible. The servers were professional and very attentive. We didn't do the bottomless mimosas option... but if we had I'm confident that the service would have still been prompt and my glass would not ever have been empty :) also management came around a few times during the brunch to check in on us. To start, I ordered the buttermilk blueberry marscapone pancakes... they stole the show. Beautiful and even better tasting. My friends ordered the creme brûlée French toast and then the Caesar salad and French onion soup. The soup was served with fresh bread that allowed us to soak up alll the goods in the soup! For our entrees we ordered the eggs Benedict, fried chicken and waffles (my go to always) and then the butternut squash. I think my friends egg was slightly over cooked but what can you do... no biggie. My chicken and waffles with a maple Butter was to die for. I cleaned the plate. The butternut squash was a great option for more savory options after our sweet starters! For our 3rd course My friends all ordered the central cinnamon bun and they gobbled it up. I opted for Michel chocolate bar: think fancy kit kat that even more dense and even more fabulous. Overall, I'm so happy I brunched here. I will be back (regardless for restaurant week) and this time I will indulge in the bottomless mimosas. I also want to try it for dinner.

Abby Grant

00

This place is chic. The food is extremely well plated. The setup of the location is open transparency in the kitchen. The people working here all seem to be happy and helpful. The flavors of the food are so rich. I ordered a shrimp burger as my main course with a light salad. The salad was perfect with a very light dressing. The shrimp burger could use a little more flavoring like an xfactor to it, but it is a creative option, just needs a bit of a flavor adjustment. I started off with the soft shell crab and it was perfect. I tried the other apps my team ordered and the flat bread item was amazing. Lastly, we finished up with sweet treats. The banana split had a fascinating twist and the sorbets were amazing. The cake inside of the chocolate covering was a wonderful treat, and the eggtastic (name may be wrong) was very creative. It actually looked like egg yolk, but was a wonderful lemon meringue flavor. The wine selection is amazing here. Definitely a place for a first date or a great evening out.

Drea Dawson

00

Central is an amazing establishment in the heart of the National Mall area. A place to enjoy the creative menu of Michel Richard while working or exploring the historic area. A place for power lunches and making deals or just enjoying amazing food while people watching on the outdoor terrace. My first time here and though I could have ordered most of the dishes. I chose to go with two of the most popular.. The French onion soup and the "Michel’s” Fried Chicken. The soup was rustic and flavorful with all the familiar characteristics of a classic French onion soup. The chicken... well that was simply the best fried chicken I've ever had. It's Unique preparation involves being sous vide before being battered and a crispy and white coating that complimented the tender cooking process of sous vide. Add mashed potato puree in the microgreen salad and this dish was comfort food elevated to the next level. I highly recommend this place and very convenient while exploring the National Mall

Kevin Russo

00

The restaurant was not too packed during the lunch hour. Nice cocktails and nice food - just the staff was not too helpful sometimes.

Roy Chan

00