Central Kitchen, Cambridge

The menu featured a "Lobster Clam Bake": Lobster tail, little neck clams, potato (fixed some fancy way) for $27. The dish arrived: a miniature lobster tail (2 inches long at most, 1 inch wide); 3 little neck clams; 3 slices of potato. I called the waiter back: “Please tell the owner that this meager portion for $27 is an embarrassment to the restaurant.” The waiter apologized, said he’d take it off the bill (so far, so good) and then proceeded to remove the plate! He asked if I’d like to order another dish. “No!” A few minutes later he returned to inform me that “Lobster is an expensive dish. This same meal at another restaurant would be more than $30.” I informed him that the market price of lobster is currently at a low point – lobstermen get $3 per pound these days. Have I mentioned I won’t be eating there again and that I’m letting as many people as I know not to eat there either?

I will keep this simple and to the point . My friend and I both had the veal and after a few bites we looked at each other and said this tastes exactly like beef stew from a can, at best. Since you are paying over $100 for dinner, there are too many better restaurants in the area, go somewhere, anywhere, else.

This has been an excellent place every time. The food is excellent, the interior is pretty chill, with copper top tables and low light with lit wine bottles on the walls. The font area in the summer time is nice with the windows that open up to the street side. The service is impeccable. Their sister lounge is upstairs at the Enormous Room, which has an excellent interior and great drinks, but the wait up there is somewhat long. Its worth it to stay downstairs and really enjoy the culinary and libation experience. They also serve Franziskaner Dunkel Weiss on tap! A favorite... a must experience!

The atmosphere is sexy, the staff is smart and not snooty, the food is exquisite. The steak frite is especially lovely, as are the oysters on the half. Desserts are scruptious. It can get noisy in there at night- but worth it, I think.

An absolute delight from entrance to exit. Long-term waitstaff and host-staff are friendly, eclectic, and a pleasant switch from daily routine and mass-produced 'hip'. The prices are affordable by anybody that has elevated themselves past the roadside pretzel stand, and the french selection of cuisine is surprisingly original. Whether you're a burgermeister, a faux-selectique wine grinner, or a full-on food critic, the Central Kitchen is a delight to wrap into your evening plans. - Eric Mumford Stamford, CT

Is it gentrification? Is it urban revival? good: food, wine, vibe, location bad: lack of veggie entre with protein, price Service is slower than I like, but friendly.

great atmosphere...fantastic food...a bit loud, but overall great excellent wine list, as well

Very bad place to eat. The Chef is not flexible at all - We went there on father's day. The place was empty - after getting the food and service, we could understand why? Place is very dark with very limited (only five) dinner choices. The chef was not willing to make any requested accomodations. The owner was very unfriendly. Food was served unprofessonally. Good luck Central Kitchen ?

Central Kitchen is a warm, cozy Central Square favorite. It's the gem of the neighborhood. Consistently amazing. Make a dinner out of fresh appetizers - oysters, olives, back bar cure, cheese. Or go for the full meal - roasted chicken, steak frites, cod cakes. It's a Mediterranean feast for the sense. It's small though so get there early or wait up to 2 hours for a table on the weekends.

Great atmosphere, if a bit crowded at times. The menu offers some unusual and interesting choices - all well executed.