Image: Winner, winner….
Last Updated: March 2026
Overview:
A great politician appeals to multiple audiences while retaining a core sense of identity. Central is located between the White House and the Capitol and pulls off a similar feat. It pleases tourists, expense accounts, and sophisticates at the same time – the burger and fried chicken are standouts, but each shows something beyond what is usually done with these staples. The food can be decadent and delicious, but less kitschy and frantic than Le Diplomate.
Michel Richard was a treasure to D.C. When the city was awash in steakhouses, he staked his claim to avant-garde French cuisine in a Georgetown subterranean temple. That temple, Citronelle did not survive an incident of water damage or the Great Recession. Central, his homage to classic French and Americana (the burger immediately was one of the city’s best) did survive. One of Richard’s great gifts to D.C. was an impressive list of those who worked his kitchens and now run several of their own places in the area, including David Deshaies who took the lead after Richard’s death and went on to open Unconventional Diner and L’Ardente. Deshaies still keeps a hand in Central.
The menu is a combination of greatest hits – fried chicken, gougeres, flatbread with onions and bacon – plus a rotating choice of fish, veggie, or meat dishes. The burger variations (classic, tuna, shrimp) retain a place of privilege. It is the best comfort food of France and America spruced up. The depth of decadence is highlighted by the fried chicken. One large deboned piece of breast, and a chicken leg wrapped in additional meat before dipped and fried. Served on a bed of butter-infused mashed potatoes and a side of creamy sauce for an extra arterial challenge. Not every dish is so over-the-top. The salmon came atop veggies, including lightly-pickled cucumbers and there are several salad choices, though lardons are common.
Desserts are mostly Richard classics (hist take on the kit kat, Napoleon) or French standards (crème brûlée, profiteroles, chocolate mousse), though an All-American banana split is a cargo ship worth of calories. The wine list leans French and American and hovers below and above $100 (as of this writing).
The décor seems to be modern restaurant by way of Sweden with bright, sandy wood tones creating a warm feel. The staff carry forward the playful and professional mixture that was Richard’s hallmark. There is a long bar separate from the dining room where downtown professionals gather for a drink after work (or at least they did in the before times).
Other Guidance: Located at street level with slight ramps to the bathroom. GF can do ok, but vegetarians have limited options. No need to dress up.
Summary:
Cuisine: French
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC
Website: http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/
Reservations: Opentable
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Tom gave it 3 stars in fall 2016, downgraded to 2.5 in 2017, but still lots of praise.
Washingtonian: The 2021 re-boot write-up with a new chef and a promise the lobster burger would never leave the menu. Alas, time does not stand still even for the lobster burger. Made many a Top 100 list in the before times.