Central Kitchen

(617) 491-5599

567 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA | Directions   02139

42.364700 -71.102487 View Website
  • Hours

    Monday To Sunday From 05:30 PM To 11:00 PM Monday To Friday From 11:30 AM To 03:00 PM
  • Menu
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Recommend this business?
?
62% 100 30
26 Votes

Central Kitchen view & upload
photos
Neighborhoods:
Area IV

Categories:
Restaurants
Cuisine:
New American, Traditional American, Eclectic & International, Greek, Mediterranean

Price:
$$$

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Restaurant Special Features:
Group Dining, Romantic Dining
Payment Methods:
American Express, Debit Card, MasterCard, Visa

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At a Glance ?
100% ambiance
“The decor is cool, with wine bottles and equations adorning the walls.”
95% drinks
“Ultra cool wine and food joint”
90% food quality
“The waitstaff was indifferent and the food was mediocre to say the least.”
75% menu variety
“Special occasion dinner was the setting, nice modern spot interesting menu, the food was as good as the wine selection.”
100% overall
“However, if you're looking for a nice place around MIT, try the Blue Room or Legal Seafoods instead.”
66% return potential
“The wait staff and management were so extremely rude that I will never go back, if you love red wine, STAY AWAY!”
88% service
“would recommend reservations but the staff is always very helpful trying to squeeze you in when they can.”
32% value
“Excellent atmosphere & service, the food was interesting and very good, the prices were appropriate.”
50% wait time
“The inviting buzzy atmosphere and warm, cozy feel of the place kept me coming back to hang out at the bar after a long day at work.”

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Central Kitchen

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Tips for Central Kitchen

2.0
March 22, 2010

Not worth it. just because you are better looking than most places in central, does not mean you can overcharge and fool people about food quality with your wanna be french glass water bottles. just not good enough. sorry.

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1.0
September 02, 2009

Overpriced; rude; amateurish. In short: Overpriced, rude, amateurish. The details:

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.

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1.0
October 22, 2008

Avoid lunch at all costs. A tough call, dinner here is good but run run run away when it comes to lunch. I rarely write reviews, but after being served an inside out chicken-pot pie with semi-cooked frozen vegetables and an overabundance of parsley (incidentally they seem to want to add this to everything during lunch) I should have learned my lesson. When I suggested they not use frozen veg. They hostess seemed perturbed and then responded that it wasn't her problem. Dinner good, lunch run away.

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5.0
June 16, 2008

Best in Central Sq!!. Went there last night for father's day. Excellent service, good wine, and great food. My steak was as good or better than Morton's. Also, the portions aren't tiny, so you get what you pay for. My only quibble was that the caesar salad was fairly generic, it would have been neat if they'd made it more fun.

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1.0
March 10, 2008

pay more and get less quality. 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.

0
1.0
January 21, 2008

Arrogant to the Extreme. In trying to be hip, the servers just succeed at being rude. The wine list is exceptional, food so-so.

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4.0
September 19, 2007

A simple place with big flavor.. I have to give the exact opposite review of that below. After an entirely unsatisfactory evening at Rendezvous the first thing I thought was "I should have gone to Central Kitchen." I have never had a dissapointing meal here. The cheese plates are always an option and the mussels are excellent. I loved the pork tenderloin and the seared halibut when they were options. The menu, though small, is inventive and changes often. It can be expensive but the prices match the meals. The wine list is definitely not your usual "house red" and the staff can readily suggest something if you are less than a connoisseur.

Inside it is small and dark but not stuffy. It's very relaxed and warm and it actually provides a sense of closeness. Almost like you're out dining with your neighbors. I've had to wait a few times for a table but never for long. It's a great place for a low key evening out with a few close friends.

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2.0
May 09, 2007

Good Wine, Dreadful Service. I've been to Central Kitchen a number of times, for drinks and dinner, and every time it dissapoints. While the wine list is impressive, and the staff knowledgable about it, the negatives far outway the positives. Food is overpriced and poorly done- the frites with my mussels were placed directly in the bowl, resulting in a soupy mess. My date's steak, ordered rare, came well done, and when we asked about it, nothing was done. Also, I have never had such poor service in a restaurant of this supposed caliber. Rude and inattentive bartenders are strictly unacceptable, particularly when I am paying $100+ for dinner. I won't be back- Rendezvous, across the street, beats this place by miles.

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5.0
March 29, 2007

fabulous local eatery. When you wlk into this place, it's dark and warm..very neighborhood-like atmosphere. The food price isn't too chep, but it's absolutely worth it! People, try this place. The place was packed, and I could see why - prompt service, nice wine, very excellent food in every aspect. Absolutely no complaint. Bravo!

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4.0
January 25, 2007

food good to absolutely exquisite, drinks excellent, noise level excessive. The food varies but is generally lovely, better than Oleana, for example. Steak-frites and creme brulee better than Paris; had a brook trout meal last night that was simply exquisite. Drinks excellent; knowledgeable, pleasant staff. My problem is the noise level. I'm not asking for silence, but seems to me that food of such high quality deserves an atmosphere in which one might be able to converse without having to shout across the small, rather intimate tables as if one were in a sports bar during a Patriots' game.

Generally,when I ask, the person in charge will turn the music down a little. But at least twice (once just last night) the (same) person hosting has been dismissive and even derisive about such a request--this is part of the image, we can't please everyone. ..Hmm do I detect ageism? Certainly, the younger crowd did not vacate the place when the music was turned a tad lower.

0

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