Central Michel Richard
1001 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-626-0015
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter/Chinatown, Downtown
Cuisines: Modern, French, American
Opening Hours:
Open Monday through Thursday 11:45 AM to 2:30 PM and 5 to 10:30 PM, Friday 11:45 to 2:30 PM and 5 to 11 PM, Saturday 5 to 11 PM, and Sunday 5 to 9:30 PM.
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Nearby Metro Stops: Metro Center, Federal Triangle
Price Range: Expensive
Noise Level: Rowdy
Reservations: Recommended
Website: http://www.centralmichelrichard.com
Best Dishes:
Oysters; mussel chowder; “faux gras” terrine; Gruyère gougères; corned-beef sandwich; grilled cheese with a three-cheese béchamel for dipping; fried chicken; cheeseburger with cheddar and bacon; macaroni and cheese; coconut Pavlova; hazelnut-backed riff o
Price Details:
Starters, $6 to $18, entrées $16 to $30.
Special Features: Wheelchair Accessible, Valet Parking Available
It’s easy to take this six-year-old bistro for granted—to lose sight of its exuberance and steady excellence as new restaurants explode on the scene. And then you pop a perfect cheese puff into your mouth or lap up the magnificent banana split like a giddy five-year-old and you remember why you fell in love with it in the first place.
The kitchen may not be as exacting as it once was, but it nearly always manages to make its marriage of the American diner and the rustic French bistro feel natural and unaffected.
Don’t miss: “Faux gras” terrine and country pâté; bacon-and-onion tart; deviled eggs with boquerones; lobster bisque; cavatappi Bolognese; fried chicken; 48-hour braised short ribs; chocolate mousse; napoleon.
Open: Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner. Expensive.
