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Name: Le Central Affordable French
Address: 112 E 8th Ave, Denver, CO, 80203
Telephone: (303) 863-8094
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.70

Le Central Affordable French

112 E 8th Ave, Denver, CO, 80203

(303) 863-8094
Store is closed

Le Central Affordable French Menu

Hors d'Oeuvres

Assiette de Charcuterie

Escargots Bourguignons

Escargots en Brioche

L' Ail Le Brie et Les Croutons

Petit Chêvre Fondu à la Provençale

Feuillete d'Escargots

Assiette de Fromage

Brandade de Morue
Les Soupes et Les Salades

Soupe du Jour

Soupe à l'Oignon

Salade Verte

Salade César

Salade Périgourdine

Salade de Champignons

Salade d'Epinards

Salade de Betterave
Les Viandes

Entrecote au Romarin

Poulet au Poivre

Cassoulet aux Quatre Viandes

Ravioli de Buf Bourguignon
Les Poissons

Bouillabaisse du Central

Truite Amandine

Coquilles St. Jacques

Salade aux Gateaux de Crabe
Les Végétariens

Pâtes aux Tomates

Salade Bergère
Les Hors d'Oeuvres

L'Ail et Le Brie

Salade Verte

Salade d'Épinards

Salade César

Salade de Betterave

Assiette de Charcuterie

Salade Périgourdine

Salade de Champignons
Soupes du Jour

Lamb Stew

Cream of Carrot

Soupe a l'Oignon

Seafood Bisque
Les Sandwiches

Croque Madame

Sandwich aux Légumes

Demi Sandwich Salade et Soupe

Panini du Porc

Monte Cristo
Les Grandes Salads

Salade Bergère

Salade Niçoise

Salade d'Onglet
Les Plats Principaux

Quiche Lorraine

Crêpe aux Lardons

Saumon Provençal

Poulet Forestier

Onglet et Frites

Porc Farçi

Omelette aux Epinards*

Pates aux Légumes
Moules et Frites

Basilic

Provençale

Pistou

À la Moutarde

Marinière

Midi

Normande

Safran

Portugaise

Italienne (Hot and Spicy)
La Special

L'Assiette de Fromage
Les Desserts au Chocolat

La Mousse au Chocolat

Gateau an Chocolat

Dessert du Jour
Les Desserts Classiques

Le Pain Perdu

La Creme Brulee

Iles Flottantes

La Creme Caramel

Le Central

Tarte de Pommes

Crepe aux Normande
Les Desserts Glaces

Le Profiterole

Healthy Meal suggestions for Le Central Affordable French

Hors d'Oeuvres

Assiette de Charcuterie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Escargots Bourguignons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Escargots en Brioche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

L' Ail Le Brie et Les Croutons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Petit Chêvre Fondu à la Provençale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Feuillete d'Escargots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Assiette de Fromage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brandade de Morue [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Soupes et Les Salades

Soupe du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soupe à l'Oignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade Verte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade César [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade Périgourdine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade de Champignons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade d'Epinards [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade de Betterave [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Viandes

Entrecote au Romarin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poulet au Poivre [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cassoulet aux Quatre Viandes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli de Buf Bourguignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Poissons

Bouillabaisse du Central [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Truite Amandine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coquilles St. Jacques [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade aux Gateaux de Crabe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Végétariens

Pâtes aux Tomates [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade Bergère [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Hors d'Oeuvres

L'Ail et Le Brie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade Verte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade d'Épinards [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade César [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade de Betterave [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Assiette de Charcuterie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade Périgourdine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade de Champignons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soupes du Jour

Lamb Stew [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cream of Carrot [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soupe a l'Oignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Bisque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Sandwiches

Croque Madame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich aux Légumes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Demi Sandwich Salade et Soupe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panini du Porc [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Monte Cristo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Grandes Salads

Salade Bergère [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade Niçoise [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salade d'Onglet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Plats Principaux

Quiche Lorraine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crêpe aux Lardons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saumon Provençal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poulet Forestier [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Onglet et Frites [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Porc Farçi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Omelette aux Epinards* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pates aux Légumes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Moules et Frites

Basilic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Provençale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pistou [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

À la Moutarde [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinière [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Midi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Normande [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Safran [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portugaise [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italienne (Hot and Spicy) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
La Special

L'Assiette de Fromage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Desserts au Chocolat

La Mousse au Chocolat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gateau an Chocolat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dessert du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Desserts Classiques

Le Pain Perdu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

La Creme Brulee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iles Flottantes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

La Creme Caramel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Le Central [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tarte de Pommes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crepe aux Normande [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Les Desserts Glaces

Le Profiterole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Claudia C.

Oh no! Oh no! It is with a heavy, broken heart, I say au revoir to Le Central. :( For the past 12 years, I've celebrated my birthdays here. Soo many memories, so many wonderful desserts, so many happy memories.. So I said good bye to one of my all-time favorite restaurants last Friday night to have my last bucket (ok.... 3 buckets, but who is counting) of Italienne mussels before they shut their doors for good. Good bye, Le Central.. You will be missed. :(
(5)
J K.

I've been here multiple times over the years, and have always had a good meal. That said, there are items on the menu I just do not enjoy at all. That also said, I always go for mussels and fries now. Big portion on the cheap, and I always leave happy.
(4)
Beth S.

Due to the announcement of the restaurant's upcoming closing, they were at 100% capacity. Still, our server, Scott, was attentive and gracious. One of the two moules we ordered lacked sauce, probably due to the overworked kitchen. The other was perfect. We ordered all three varieties of escargot and I would order each one again, all delicious and all very different from each other. For dessert, the Le Central, the Mousse au Chocolat and the Gateau au Chocolat were on point. A wonderful evening out with friends with perfect French Bistro atmosphere. The closing of these doors will be a heartbreaking loss for Denver.
(5)
Chris R.

I have to admit, I'm an absolute fan of Le Central and have been for the eight years I've been coming here, but today just felt off. Firstly, the bread, which is usually very fresh and a wonderful combination of fluffy with a crunchy outer crust and served with rich French sweet cream butter, was much less so this time. It tasted like pre-frozen mini loaves that were thawed the day of serving. Looking around, these loaves are kept in big plastic tubs at waiter stations. Hardly the pinnacle of proper bread. The butter was also a whipped, near-flavourless standard discount style for restaurants and lacked any French enthusiasm. Quite a disappointment. My mother started with the chacuterie, which featured really wonderful homemade sausage, but lacked the rillettes in favour of a lanky salad that dominated most of the plate. There was much less meat than the last time we came here. Her entree was the mussels in a mustard, bacon, and cream sauce, but they were recently changed to larger, much grittier mussels in lieu of the standard smaller, plumper, sweeter, and overall much more delicious stock. She was quite disappointed, as was I. I decided to go with the Chef's choice (Vietnamese and French fusion today) and started with a twist on the standard crÃ¨pe. Unfortunately what could have been a light and lovely starter turned out to be an overly thick, bland half-crÃ¨pe-half-pancake topped with pork, shrimp, and copious amounts of arugula. I had to add quite a bit more than a dash of salt to make it enjoyable. For my main dish, I went with the "Shaking Beef", and I presume the "shaking" part came from the incredible amount of salt already in the dish when it came. The sauce was too salty, presumably from caramelised soy sauce in which the meat and vegetables were drowning, and more for garnish. The ending dessert was a simple rice pudding, but it lacked imagination and the best part was a macaron placed on top. Thankfully the macaron was sweet and flavorful, contrasting a plain, under spiced rice pudding with bland chunks of fruit. We really do like this restaurant, and have for very long, but tonight wasn't a good experience for either of us. It feels as though new management stepped in and is trying to cut costs wherever it can. But when it comes to French food, the extra cost is more than worth it. This quirky little restaurant has lost its flavour, literally, and we would love to come back again, but not with the food as it stood.
(2)
Jake W.

I found this place while walking around downtown Denver, a little lost. The design of the building caught my attention so I checked out the menu and I was sold. I was in France for a month and this is the closest I have gotten to a real French restaurant in the states. Love this place. Moules et frites (muscles and fries) are amazing.
(5)
JT T.

I came here for an UYE and I'm so glad I did. The food was awesome but the company was totally awesomer! Ordered the bucket of mussels with frites. MariniÃ¨re (Parsley, white wine, shallots, and garlic) flavored. It was seriously a huge bucket of mussels but I did manage to finish. The sauce was outstanding, I loved dipping the bread into it and soaking up all the flavor. For $12.95, the bucket of mussels and frites was such a great deal.
(5)
Brian A.

My wife and I will miss your wonderful restaurant, good luck on the next phase of your life!
(5)
Melissa C.

Came here with a group of Yelp friends to try out the variety of mussels. Well, what a variety there was! I think there were 8 of us and we each got a different flavor of mussel, each served in a HUGE pot, and I think only 1 of us finished it all by themselves. Delicious! My favorite part was dipping the amazing, fresh bread into the cooking sauce in the pot - why must you be so filling, bread?!?! And the price for this gigantic vat of wonderful? like 12 bucks or something....yeh. I hate the parking situation, and the service was meh, but the food is totally worth the trip downtown.
(4)
Chris S.

Le Central is "La Bombe" Le Central is one of my favorite restaurants ... anywhere ... and I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the 39 countries I have visited. I was in India a week ago, but found out that my mom was hospitalized and dying, so I made my way over a 72 hour period to be by her side in Colorado Springs when she died on February 12th, 2015. Long story short, I was taking my wife to the Denver airport so she could return to work and we decided to stop at Le Central for their Happy Hour menu. We have been gone for seven years, but the place has not changed except for the being open in the afternoon with a limited, but exceptional menu. They offer a $3 glass of wine, escargots, crepes, their fabulous mussels and French fries (moules frites). I has a glass of pinot noir ($3), which was excellent, the escargots in brioche ($7), and the moules Portuguese ($12.95). The pinot noir was dry, a deep red, and robust. The escargots were superb as usual and I mopped-up every last drop with the wonderful French baguette. The Portuguese mussels were excellent with slices of chorizo and chunks of fresh tomato in the white wine based broth infused with garlic although the broth was not as plentiful as I would have liked as was the case in years past. The frites were excellent, perfectly salted and hot, but by the time I de-shelled all of my mussels, they were not as hot as I would have liked ... DRAT! The prices have gone up a bit since we were there last, but Le Central is still an outstanding value. The service is always excellent, the food sublime and very reasonable, the wine list extensive, and the ambience country French. If you have not tried Le Central, you do not know what you are missing! CombatCritic Gives Le Central the Coveted 10 Out of 10 Bombs ... Plus Y'A De Bombes, Mieux C'Est! (The More Bombs, The Better - Correct Translation Courtesy Of Mel A From Austin, Texas)
(5)
Steve M.

I don't know if they still refer to themselves as "the affordable French Restaurant," but that's why we started coming here about 15 years ago. It's still one of our faves - they never disappoint. Memorable French fare and incredible service, for a reasonable price. Highly recommended!
(4)
Dave H.

A long time favorite, the portions are generous, the food is well done, and the wine list is lovely. Service felt a bit slow this visit, 2.5 hours for dinner, but we enjoyed ourselves and will be back.
(4)
Wanda C.

I really wasn't too sure how I would fare with mussels, as I have had a mixed response with eating mussels in the past. I met up with a group of Yelpers to enjoy mussels & frites. It turned out to be a fabulous experience and no stomachache the next day. Yay! Cyn and I arrived a little early and had a chance to peruse the drink and mussels menu. I ordered a white wine cocktail (something with wine, lemonade, & lime juice) which was a perfect accent to the meal and not too sweet. I decided to order the mussels pistou, which is a a basil pesto, shallots and parmesan. Of the 8 people there, almost everyone ordered something different, which was nice, because we all got to share and try some of the other varieties. I was very happy with the pistou and could not finish it. Man, the broth was ridiculous. The frites were good, but I could only eat a few and then I put all of my concentration into those mussels. I didn't finish the bucket of mussels and passed mine down to another lady who seriously killed her bucket of mussels. I was impressed. I really can't wait to go back, b/c I do still want to try their crÃ¨me brulee. Super yummy and a great deal at $12.95!
(4)
Rachel B.

Delicious French restaurant that lives up to its name: very reasonable prices. I've been here a few times and every time I come, it seems to only get better. I love their escargot in bleu cheese sauce. Yum! Also the mussels with french fries are delicious. The patio area is a really nice place to dine, as it feels like you are outside, but it's completely enclosed. Definitely make reservations. We came in on the spur of the moment once on a random weekday and they gave us exactly 45 minutes before a reservation was going to take our table. I'll never make that mistake again. For a frequent visitor of France herself, I can say that I feel the French would be proud. This is a very good French restaurant.
(4)
Ashley K.

I have always loved coming to Le Central and will sorely miss it when it's gone. As a high school French teacher, I took groups of kids for lunch to practice their speaking skills and they always listed that as the highlight of the school year. The mussels are always divine and I'm hoping I can find some place with a comparable menu + taste after Le Central is gone. Bonne chance !
(5)
Rob W.

Unpretentious French Food in a cozy downtown Denver spot. I've walked by Le Central for over a decade, but for whatever reason, never made it in. Decided to give it a try with my sweetie this evening and was not disappointed. The decor was quite simple. No undue fluffery or touristy French nonsense. Food was well prepared. I had the vegetable risotto. It was cooked beautifully and seasoning was perfect. A subtle dish, as I believe risotto should be. My wife had the chicken breast with balsamic strawberries, which was interesting and tasty. Nothing flashy here, just simple, well-executed dishes. I'm giving Le Central 3 stars because although the food was well executed, there wasn't anything that really wowed me. Still, I will likely return to further explore the menu and, perhaps, find my wow.
(3)
Amy F.

I am a fan,of the Mussels!! Really it's the main reason I go here. This place has been around a while, I remember going here with my family for my sister's birthday when we were younger, and just finally came back for a couple visits. The wine list isn't huge but there are some great french wines listed, and the few we tasted were wonderful. The bread and butter is hard to pass up, the french onion soup is fabulous, and the different flavors of mussels are fun to share with the the table. The wait times can be hit or miss depending on when you go, but service has always been wonderful. Space and seating can be a bit cramped on a busy night, but sometimes it's fun listening to your neighbors dinner conversation, ha! I love this place!
(4)
C. S.

Our second time here, and we wanted to make sure we started with the mussels. The menu said they were temporarily unable to serve them due to a supply issue, yet we saw at least SIX (6) little mussel buckets going from our side of the restaurant to the other side. We asked our waitress about it, told her what we saw, and she still maintained the "no mussels" malarkey. We even saw the empty shells going back to the kitchen afterwards. I don't know about you, but I don't appreciate being told my own eyes are lying to me.
(3)
mermaid m.

Excellent afternoon long french lunch. Moules frites so delicious. Service excellent. A lovely french waitress, well informed. Creme brÃ»lÃ©e is perfect
(5)
Jessica C.

Our Sunday happy hour meal at La Central was very affordably priced, and met expectations based on past Yelp reviews. We had the small Charcuterie and Fromages as an appetizer - both were a generous portion size. The charcuterie is home cured, and the prosciutto was the highlight of the plate. The cheeses were very good, but not as listed on the menu. My skepticism regarding mustard in mussels was banished - the A La Moutarde Moules were absolutely savory, decadent and I could not stop dipping my fries in the broth. All in all - delish. I appreciated the very reasonably priced happy hour Pinot Noir, too.
(4)
Amanda D.

Affordable french dining indeed. Everyone is raving about the Mussels. I came here for Sunday brunch. People were waiting in line for them to open. I love the B52 coffee they have. It's nice and strong... a little bit too creamy for me so I diluted with coffee. Vegetarian omelet is huge same with my friend's waffle. The setting is in an old but cute house.Le central is one of a kind!
(4)
Loralieh Laura N.

I had heard good things about this place but was truly disappointed. I ordered the Bouillabaisse , it was really bad - poor quality seafood. My friend got the mussels , they were simply okay. Honestly the fries served with them were the best part of the meal. The service was very very slow, so slow that I chose not to send my meal back because it would have made us late for the next event we had planned. The waiter was unpleasant, to be sure. When I payed in cash he asked if I wanted him to reserve any of it for his tip, a trend that I find to be rude. Needless to say, I won't be back.
(1)
Paul W.

I don't know, maybe we visited on an off night, or maybe it is my gigantic dislike for snobby French people, but my opinion differs greatly than most others. Five of us ate last night for a Valentine's Day dinner, so there was a set menu. No problem, lots of choices. I had the Bisque to start and the Filet as a main course. Yes, I consider myself a Filet connoisseur and have unbelievably high standards. Another in our party went with the Filet, one with Rabbit, and the remaining two have Salmon and Scallops over Linguini. I am told the Rabbit was pretty darn good and the Salmon and Scallops were to die for. However, I found the Filet and Bisque both lacking in depth and flavor. Meaning the initial taste was ordinary and shallow, not unpleasant, but not like a fine wine as its complex flavor hits the entire palate. I ordered my Filet medium and it arrived perfectly cooked. Definitely not a top 10 steak for me. The service was, well, just not good. Our reservations were at 8p and the restaurant was about half full and by no means busy. We had to track our server down several times for beverage refills, which is unacceptable. I like to food to arrive shortly after the previous course has been finished - we waited a minimum of 15 minutes between courses. I will return to give them a second chance, like I said, maybe they were having an off night.
(3)
Carrie R.

Sometimes Le Central is super delicious and straight-up magical. Sometimes you get stringy, nearly inedible mussels with hardly any broth and stale bread. That's the way it goes with Le Central. If I were to rate them on their best day, I'd shower them with stars; unfortunately, the food quality is just too inconsistent. On the positive side, the service is always good, their fries are yummy, the atmosphere is very warm and the prices are pretty reasonable. I'll definitely give them another chance in spite of their off days, in hopes of getting another magical night.
(3)
Kenneth T.

We live nearby and so have been here frequently. Mussels today were stringy and not plump at all- not the first time it's happened. It's real hit or miss-but I have to say for a place with half the menu listing mussel dishes you simply have to get this right every time. They have no quality control- anyone looking at the bowl of mussels we got should have been ashamed to serve them.yes it's a neighborhood spot which we want to like- but truth is it's simply unpredictable and often mediocre - you can do better and they need to up their game and not just live on their laurels.....
(2)
Liz F.

My new favorite restaurant. If you're into saving tons of money for delicious big portions then this is the place for you! We ordered the mussels with our choice of broth there were 40-50 gigantic mussels. For only $12! The fries and bread to dip in were equally amazing. That was a meal shared between two people and it was very filling. We also ordered two main entrees: duck breast with rice and the beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes. Best part: house wine flight for $6! Love this place. Will be back very soon!
(5)
Sam G.

Mussels: good to great Service: absolute crap Dining space: definitely eat on the patio (year round) I am addicted to their mussels and its become a staple of mine whenever I come back to Denver. I also love their intimate patio - even in the winter, you can sit in the covered and heated patio and bask in the intimate glow of soft lights and hanging plants. Their house red wine is tasty and the clientele is fairly unpretentious. All these things are great. The service kills me. At my last visit we were at the table for 10 full minutes without even a greeting or water. I watched as our waitress bantered with other staff (clearly on non-work-related matters) and then literally stood staring at nothing at the water station for a good minute or two. She looked bored and no matter how many times I set my best assertive yet puppy dog eyes full of hunger glance on her, she just looked around. Finally 10 minutes later she comes with water and apologizes for the wait as if circumstances were out of her hands. During our meal, she proceeds to interrupt me in the middle of conversation not once, not twice, but SIX times. Homegirl, I ain't talkin' about the weather. I am fully invested in this conversation. Let me finish my damn sentence before you interrupt with "is everything ok?" Of course, as with most poor service, they are there when you don't need them and they disappear when you do (like when you'd like a check, you've stacked the dishes in front of you, and placed the credit card on the table for them to see - the hint was not taken for 15 minutes). Sigh. Point being, if you're in absolutely no rush and have no penchant for attentive waitstaff, you will be just fine with a big bucket of mussels and a charming atmosphere.
(3)
Tara D.

Went here last night because we heard they were closing and my husband always raved about this place. Well...I was not impressed at all. We were sat right away and the 2 hosts were very friendly and kind. We ordered mussels because of all the rave reviews. They were cold, smelled very fishy and were not very flavorful. Then we waited and waited and waited. Our waitress never came back to get us water or see if we wanted more wine. This went on for 1 hour. We then got our food and the bouillabaisse was mushy. They ran out of mussels and had to get more and I believe my soup sat there till they got more mussels. The duck leg was very good. Very disappointing. It seemed as though they were surprised by all the people coming in. What did they expect when there was a story on 9news.
(1)
Alice G.

This is a good restaurant, solid. Nice French flair. A little attitude, some accents, hot flavorful food. Two major points detract stars for me and those are parking (you have to pay $5 for the attached lot or deal with a meter), and the place is just a little shabby: Sticky vinyl table clothes, beat up chairs, and old paint and decor job from 1982. The food however was nice, and they paced the meal like the Europeans- slow, easy- plenty of time to talk. We enjoyed the menu of the evening: $29 for 4 courses consisting of a soft shell crab appetizer (fresh tarragon popped!!), a stuffed chicken breast (the chic airplane cut), a salade, and a blueberry cobbler for dessert. The chicken and crab were absolutely delicious. The salad and cobbler were just ok. We had a nice time, and the soufflÃ©s walking past looked amazing!
(3)
Abbey B.

I can't say enough about this cute little place. On Saturday mornings my friends, usually a group of 8-12 people, head somewhere for brunch. Most places in Denver would laugh at you if you asked if they could accommodate a group that large. Le central always seats us and takes excellent care of us after a long Friday night. Their service is awesome, the food is delicious and affordable and they actually put up with us. They usually put us in a room away from the rest of the patrons which I can appreciate and I'm sure everyone else does as well. You guys are great! Thanks so much! My favorites....the mussels, their Belgian waffles and the NiÃ§oise salad.
(5)
Brittany B.

Ah, le Central... I always look forward to my mom's birthday because she absolutely adores coming here for a few glasses of wine, a couple buckets of mussels, and a couple baguettes to sop up the delectable sauce. (Yes, fries come with but they just don't soak up much... just not the same...) The mussels are solid in May. We've come off season when the mussels aren't as good quality, but the success are all pretty good. I've tried an actual plate of food before and it was... fine. Definitely didn't blow me away. Service has always been quite good, attentive while allowing for a leisurely meal. And the atmosphere corresponds, laid back & loud. Tables are a touch close (I was bumped in the back a few times during tonight's meal) though it does lend to the quaint charm. Come during mussel season & you'll get a great meal for a pretty great price in a pretty adorable place with pretty good service.
(3)
Lauren J.

This place has been around forever and I can't tell you how many times I've eaten there. It's always good and it's always affordable.
(4)
Bradley C.

Wake up call to Le Central owners. Your amazingly wonderful establishment has taken a turn for the worst. We made a reservation for their special whole lobster meal. I had a selection of melted cheeses on toast which was great however it was on a bed of salad that had clearly been sitting in a refrigerator at least 24 hours. It was wilty and some pieces had even begun to turn brown. The dressing was amazing but the bed of greens was an old mush. Very disappointing. My husband had onion soup. Their wonderful delicious onion soup. He enjoyed it thoroughly as he worked through the crusted cheese on top but when he got down to the soup it was closer consistency to warm brown water. Clearly there was an ingredient missing? We told the waiter (a nice enough person) that there was something wrong with the soup and he dutifully studied it and shook his head but did nothing. So I didn't bother to discuss my salad - "let's just wait for the lobster" I said. We are not the type of guests who go the restaurants to complain. We go to enjoy. But that was difficult in this case. Well the lobsters come out. I won't talk about the size as this is Colorado and not Maine but the split open lobster meat was chewy (overcooked?) which was bad enough but when I was chewing I could actually TASTE AQUARIUM WATER in the meat like the poor thing had been dead floating amongst his fellow death row inmates. It was sooo disappointing and I really just wanted to get out of the place. ----------------------------------- Le Central. We love you. But something has really gone south lately. I'm going to blame the kitchen as clearly no one quality checks the food anymore. It is such as shame to watch this slow death occur.
(1)
Danielle L.

This is a great place for a romantic dinner. Great selection of mussels and the different sauces. Plus they all come with a side of French fries. I personally enjoyed the sauce with the chorizo-the Portuguese more then the Moutarde. It had large pieces of chorizo along with more dimensions in their sauce.
(4)
t l.

Classic goodness. The place has been here a while so sometimes it gets looked over for that reason. You shouldn't. This and Z Cuisine (which is higher end) do the best French food in town. Not even close. Brunches are great here with good drink specials and I've had great mussels, frites, steak, cassoulet, lamb and salmon here. The best thing is that it is very reasonable. It's like being in a smaller French towns local top eatery. The back area is a nice place to sit for brunch. Get the tartare if they are serving it.
(5)
Randy R.

The food and service were outstanding. The mussels and fries are the best I've had in the US. My wife had the salmon and said it was great. Desert (Profiteroles) was heavenly. We timed our arrival perfectly, only waited about 15 minutes (on a Saturday evening), and 1/2 hour after we were seated the waiting area was full. Our server was attentive and friendly. When eating at a restaurant with a strong Frency (or any continental) background, one can expect some "space" between courses, it's the way it's done... Why not 5 stars? The old vinyl tablecloth was absolutely sticky. It didn't look dirty, but it was as if it were wiped off with a bar towel that had just been used to clean up a spilled cola. By the end of the meal my hands were sticky from touching the tablecloth. C'mon Le Central, this one thing can't be that hard!
(4)
Julie R.

What a disappointment. Boyfriend and I came here for happy hour. We had reservations for his birthday dinner coming up so wanted to try it out beforehand since it looked to be a pricey meal. We got two of their signature drinks, the Le Blanche LimÃ©. Those are what deserved 2 stars instead of one. They were good. We also ordered a cup of Duck Confit soup and Warm Brie and Roasted Garlic. Soup came our wrong so we had to send it back, the Brie was barely warmed and garlic was barely cooked. We ended up sending it all back, paying for the drinks and going to a different place around the corner that well exceeded Le Central. We have obviously canceled our reservations for the big birthday dinner and will never be returning to Le Cental.
(2)
Vilma S.

I took a friend from out of town for lunch last week (she wanted to eat mussels). We definitely were not disappointed! The menu has 10 different ways of serving mussels. I chose the Normande (mushrooms, onions, brandy and cream), and my friend the Pistou (basil pesto, shallots, parmesan cheese). She also ordered the onion soup which was very flavorful. Of course we had to try each of them and both were delicious!! Plenty of huge, juicy mussels with a good helping of fries. We both also had a Dirty Martini (which at lunch was $3.95). I felt so Jane Bond drinking my martini with olives!! Lunch was a great value at $11.95. We shared dessert because we were very full, Le Creme Caramel (traditional vanilla-flavored custard with dark caramel sauce). At $2.95: delicious and inexpensive. Great way to end a great lunch. Will definitely be coming back!!
(5)
Michael S.

Great mussels served in gigantic portions, with preparation options ranging from authentic to adventurous. Try the mariniere style. The red wine by the glass list offers exceptional value for the price (like 50% less than you'd expect to pay for most of the selections). Highly recommend Le Central if you're craving mussels and French fare in a fun, casual setting.
(5)
cindy b.

My update is long overdue but honestly I have author's pride on my first review. However Le Central deserves an update. I was taken here for my birthday and I couldn't have been more satisfied. It was on a Wednesday night, somewhat early for dinner. Where else to get great food, great service, and a TERRIFIC bottle of wine in a place that feels like my French vacation home? If I had one. In fact that terrific bottle of wine was affordable because this place delivers such value. I had one of the special fixed price meals by one of the Chefs that included a substituted Potato and Leek soup (hot), the trout with potatoes and green vegetables, and Lemon Torte. The trout dish was superb and huge. My partner had lamb shanks. Everything was excellent because I tasted it all. The bet at the end was, would my preselected cake be as good as just-made takeout from our local french bakery? It was...almost. The sponge cake was a bit dry but the lemon filing and creme anglais was excellent. The I have been eating here forever and have had everything on the menu and there is rarely a disappointment. I know many think this is not a five star restaurant but over time I think the high quality and value that is delivered here makes it a place I trust with my special events. Guaranteed "happy": priceless.
(5)
Dean C.

We were planning on going to le central for my birthday dinner but wanted to scout it out first, Saturday happy hour seemed like a good bet. It seems like a cute place, but what we got was less than stellar. First off, people I know swear by their mussels, I can't eat shellfish so it's not a big deal, but we overheard the server saying that the mussels weren't the best quality today. I do applaud her not wanting to serve sub-par mussels, but you'd think a place famous for mussels would have a good fresh supply. So we ordered two of the le blanc lime, those we the highlight of our experience. Which is sad because it was house chard with a splash of soda water and a lime wedge. For food, you're quite limited for happy hour. Crepes, salad, a large selection of mussel dishes or 2 styles of melted cheese platters, all at or above $7, not quite happy hour prices. Oh, or some soups, either onion or 2 du jours. We ordered the brie plate with roasted garlic and croutons, and a bowl of the duck confit soup du jours. The soup came, it was tomato basil, not duck confit at all. I sent that back for the right soup, in the meantime out "warm" brie and "roasted" garlic platter came out. Needless to say, the brie was maybe placed within 10 feet of the oven but not warmed, the garlic wasn't fully roasted so it had slightly green/raw taste. We sent that back too and asked for the check since the soup hadn't arrived yet. The waitress was really nice and friendly, but for $9 I can get better cheese and bread that's prepared correctly. Looking for a good french restaurant? Us too.. Don't go here.
(2)
Shiloh C.

We came for a birthday dinner for someone who has to be extremely careful with her diet. They catered to us as best they could and were delicious for sure. However, the waiter did not have the knowledge needed to present a gluten free, soy free, and dairy free diet. He gave her a macaroon that contained heavy cream in it and made her sick for the entire next day. While the experience was great, the aftermath was hard to digest.
(3)
Paul Z.

Wow! Big surprise. I grew up on a beach on the east coast and currently live in Seattle so I think I know seafood. Harvested and cooked tons of it...literally. Mussels in Denver? They were awesome and surprisingly they knew the trick to get the sand out. Most places serve crunchy mussels. Fantastic! Highly recommended.
(5)
Michelle R.

Le Central used to be one of my favorite restaurants. The vibe and the food were amazing. As the years have passed and a new chef stepped in, it's not the same Le Central. I tried it again last weekend to see if there were improvements but was disappointed. Good things: The bartender knew how to make a sidecar and they were delicious. The vibe has always been one of my favorites. The seating is very traditional to how they have it in Europe which adds to the atmosphere. We were seated quickly for not having a reservation. My roommates meal was cooked accordingly and actually pretty good. Parking and Location, the restaurant is really easy to get to and you can usually find parking. Bad Things: The French Bread isn't the same. It's obviously not made fresh like it used to be. The server was new and didn't know much in regards to how they do things there. (I can't hold that against him since he was new). We ordered an escargot appetizer, and didn't get the one we ordered. Had a Caesar salad and request a lemon wedge with it, the waiter brought me oranges. (I will hold that against him because everyone should know the difference between an orange and a lemon). Finished our drinks and another server got us our second drinks because he noticed we were waiting. I ordered the mussels and fries and to my disappointment, they were bland. The more wine, butter, garlic the better. When we finished the waiter offered to box up the remainder of my meal and failed to include the fries. And to top it off, it was $80-$100 and in my personal opinion, not worth it.
(2)
Jocelyn D.

We stop by here for brunch on sat being near our hotel. The 5 stars is for their mussels... Excellent! We got the Portuguese... Tomatoes were fresh and not canned. It was a HUGE serving with a side of fries... We were so full sharing it we can't finish our crepe and waffles. Our service jasmine was pretty attentive always there to refill our drinks without asking ... Top notch service!
(5)
Roxie F.

Dress is more casual than I expected. Not the best French food in town but I dig this place!
(4)
Megan W.

Wait...you mean I have been going to this restaurant for 5 years and never reviewed it?? FOR SHAME!!! BAD YELPER, BAD BAD! This is one of my FAVORITE spots for dinner. Their escargot is fantastic, the cheese plate divine, and the mussels are my go-to entree selection. And, of course, they have a great selection of wine. Even better - their prices aren't absurd. In fact, they're extremely reasonable. I can't think of any other place where I can go and order wine, appetizers, entree, dessert for under $100 per couple. Date night, girls night, family night, whatever night...this is a great place. Service is excellent. Keep in mind this is a French restaurant so they're not a hurryupandgetmemyfood kind of place. It's a sit back, relax, have a glass of wine with your friends and snack on some appetizers and slow down and enjoy your dinner kind of place. LOVE LOVE LOVE
(5)
Em H.

Got food poisoning.. Decent but not worth a night in the hospital. They could've kept some semblance of respect if they gave any sort of compensation besides a half hearted apology.
(1)
Robert G.

Just got back from my daughter's birthday dinner. First thing i noticed was the dirty plate resting between my flatware. My server served some of the crusty bread on it . I looked at my server as she was serving the bread and quietly mentioned that i had wanted to exchange the plate for a clean one. That earned me a brief dirty look from the server. We ordered 2 appetizers, escargot and the mussels and frites. The escargot was tasty. The mussels never made it to our table. The mini forks and bowl for shells sat on the table unused the whole meal. To boot there was a fly buzzing around as well. Drinks were okay the food was mostly mediocre. At the end of our meal our party was asked if we wanted dessert. At this point we had enough and asked for the check. My daughter mentioned that we had never received the mussels and frites which elicited a shocked look and apology from our server. We werent charged for the mussels and our bill was only $98 for the four of us. Affordable certainly, i left $15 for the tip and vowed to myself that such a lousy dining experience (daughters birthday meal no less) will not receive my patronage again. Sorry.
(1)
Darlene N Duane S.

Definitely our favorite restaurant of all time. From the amazing service...everyone is friendly, polite and professional. Even the tight dining space is charming. But it's the food that matters most. I think we've tried nearly most of the starters and soups, an assortment of the entrees and every type of mussel offered. All being beyond exceptional. Also the best frites ever! But the one thing we've only had one of...the dessert. Isles de flottantes. The best. But you can't leave without a few macarons. Just a few though. The rest are for me.
(5)
Td H.

This place has been in my "bookmarks" for a long time. I finally was able to try it over the weekend and it far exceeded my expectations. I went for the Sunday brunch. The menu is huge. There are so many things I wanted to try. I got there just after they opened, so it wasn't very busy at all (yet). With a little help from our fabulous server, I finally settled on the brioche smoked salmon with eggs Benedict. It was divine. So much food, I couldn't finish my plate, which is unusual for me. I also had the bottomless mimosa for 9.00 and my glass wasn't empty the entire time. The service was excellent. I sat in the inside patio room which felt like being in a little French cafe. The ambiance made me want to sit here all day sipping my mimosa and eating French bread. I'm looking forward to returning and trying the bucket of mussels. That seems to be very popular because I kept seeing tables full of buckets of mussels and fries. I'd also like to try the desert next time too. I'm sure this will be one of my favorite places in Denver. :)
(5)
Chris S.

One word: mussels! And copious amounts of them for a very good price. They're a great place for an upscale lunch or dinner. One serving of mussels can be a light meal for two. Whatever you do, leave the fries until last when you can dip them in the sauce for the mussels. Service was good too. I recommend them.
(5)
Cyn C.

Oh crimony. I was SO full. I played hooky from work today and pretended to be a lady who lunches. We were immediately seated by the host. My friend and I shared the brie with garlic, tomatoes, and basil to start. The cheese was gooey, the garlic roasted, and the croutons toasted to a lovely crisp. Fresh tomatoes and basil too. We ate it ALL up. Second course was a cup of french onion soup. Meh. I've had better at panera. Broth wasn't very complex or flavorful. We shared a main course: the panini aux legumes. MMMM. Goat cheese, eggplant, bell peppers. served with some french fries (excuse me, POMME FRITES), and a small salad. YUM YUM YUM. I was in a carb coma for several hours after. Service was fair (helpful but I had to ask for water refills). Price? CHEAP. Total bill was under $26. I'll be back to try the moules frites!
(4)
Colleen F.

My husband & I had our wedding reception (late lunch) here! This is such a warm & inviting place, beautiful exposed brick & a southern french feel it's not fussy which we love, the food is awesome & priced well. Am I biased? Maybe... but- everyone raved about the food & the cake that was made there, even now a year later people are still talking about the cake, an oddity for wedding cake! The only problem was we had extra guests show up so the north room was packed & with such a large group (55-60) getting the food from the basement kitchen upstairs took awhile but it was quite understandable & not due to the staff or managment at all.This is one of my families favorite restaurants in all of Denver-My daughter went to her senior prom dinner here yrs ago. They've been here for 25+ yrs for a reason! Thank you again Olivier, Ron & Alyssa ( the cake queen) Al & Colleen F.
(5)
Gordon G.

Another a Friday night of exploring a good restaurant chow down at so we ended up at Le Central. The decor was quirky yet fun, a lot bigger inside then the street level lead ya to believe. Out host was charming, smiley and cute. We sat in the garden room (okay I room with a bunch if windows). We started off with a bowl of mussels WOW, they were amazing and you get a crap load of French fries on the side that were cooked to perfection!! Here's where it went south big time. When you think of French food, what do you think of??? Heavy and luscious creams, incredible meats and fresh veggies!! NOT, I had the Lamb shank that was the size of a chicken leg layered over bland mash potatoes w/boring boiled carrots and sliced squash ewwww. My partner had the chefs menu which was equally as bad. His salmon was cold, moderately flavored with a lot filler food on his plate, no substance. Our waiter was extremely friendly which made our bland and tasteless dinner enjoyable. Expensive is right at Le Central along with bland and boring food! I wouldn't recommend this place. I'm just a New Jersey guy that knows good food. Am I asking for too much to get a good meal in Denver?
(1)
Victor B.

I've been to Le Central before and have always enjoyed the authentic French environment and cuisine. I suppose that's why it's one of Denver's mainstays and has been voted several times as a top spot by 5280 magazine. On this occasion we had mussels and they were delicious as always. We had the Normande and Pistou. While the Pistou were my favorite, the Normande was certainly very good too (and actually a little better to soak up with the bread.....) The fries are good and crispy and to top it all off, it was my girlfriend's Mom's birthday so the staff pleasantly surprised us all by bringing out an elegant little plate of candles to accompany dessert of souffle. You definitely can not go wrong here.
(4)
Dory S.

Despite uneven reviews, we decided to give Le Central a go, and we were not disappointed by any aspect of the meal. Everything, from salad dressing to perfectly cooked lamb chops, was absolutely delicious with complex flavors expertly prepared. We followed the advice of our excellent server on choice of wine and couldn't have been more pleased with the Lavau from the RhÃ´ne Valley. Wonderful dinner on all counts.
(5)
Trevor H.

The best moules frites I've had in the USA at a restaurant. What makes Le Central unique is the variety of flavors - they all start with the classic white wine & garlic, and go from there. Having tried most of them, my favorite is "Les Moules A la Moutarde" - the mustard and bacon together is strong and would probably overpower sensitive palettes, but I love it. Did I mention there are unlimited frites? No need for an appetizer or dessert!
(5)
Tif D.

I'd love to give it 5 stars, but sometimes they are inconsistent. I could live on the lobster bisque, but sometimes it's not hot and I could cry in my soup. So yea, this Denver tradition is hit and miss. They have never screwed up a potato though and that says a lot. Fresh baguette? Oh yea, no problem LC has got you covered.
(4)
tammy m.

Enjoyed everything we ordered. Wine, escargot, trout, and soufflÃ©s. Only draw backs I would mention are sticky plastic tAblecloths...NOT very French :( please change them!!!! Flies, but if you're windows are open and you're cooking..can't b avoided. All tables around us were ordering lots of mussels. We had eaten some recently so weren't in the mood. All in all nice meal.
(4)
debora c.

I almost always get the mussels. They are always delicious with a variety of flavor choices, extremely affordably priced, and generously portioned. Service is always efficient and courteous. This is just a great neighborhood, regular place!
(4)
Dave P.

I love this place! Great for special occasions, brunch, out of town visitors or just a nice night out! The food and service is always top notch, and for good French food, the prices are very reasonable (Although, if you are like us, you could easily drop $200 on wine/champagne alone). My only criticism, and it really isn't about the restaurant, is that the free parking is gone now, but plenty of pay parking around.
(5)
Jennifer B.

We were packing a Saturday full of culinary adventures and decided to opt for Le Central for dinner. We got 5:30 reservations the day of only a couple hours prior and were set. Let me get my one gripe out of the way first. When we arrived, we stood patiently in the front area. Making eye contact with everyone and it took at least 4-5 minutes for anyone to acknowledge that we entered the restaurant. Automatic one star reduction, this is not something I can overlook. I can appreciate they may have been between Happy Hour and Dinner seating's, still not acceptable for not even giving a "Hello, can you give us a minute". Moving onto the glorious food. The menu had me at hello, such a great variety of authentic french and reasonably priced cuisine. We shared a bowl of the French Onion Soup, an order of Mussels and the Pork Chop Entree. The French Onion soup was delectable, cheese dripping over the side, tons of flavorful onions in a tasty broth, we gobbled up every last bite. The Mussels were my favorite, for $11 you get a whole bowl, and because we're a nutty group we counted, 62 Mussels in all for $11. Now that's what I'm taking about. Not a bum Mussel in the bunch, all open and dripping with magnificent flavor. The pork chop wasn't a favorite, it was just okay, once you've had Le Grande's pork chop you'll know what I mean when I say nothing can compare. This is authentic and economical French food. Delicious, and affordable for everyone. The restaurant is quaint and makes you feel warm, you can tell they have a lot of regulars that come. I believe I will be a regular in the very near future.
(4)
Jodi L.

Can u really beat a bucket of mussels meuniÃ¨re with French fries???? Amazing! I also had the braised lamb shank which was falling off the bone and delectable. My husband had the steak oscar, which was so rich and decadent. Highly recommend!
(5)
Liza A.

Amazing fun place. Weekend brunch can't be beaten. If you like mussels, this IS the place to go. Great service, great food, always a fun time. Thanks you for being such a wonderful place.
(5)
Brian S.

We've come back a few times and continue to get good food, good wine, and good service all at a very reasonable price. Be forewarned that weekends can get quite busy, so make a rez. My 5-star 'bar' is high - Le Central doesn't quite get there - but this is a regular stop for us. Keep up the good work Le Central!
(4)
Nathan G.

I was here for the Communal Dinner Colorado Style last night. What a spread! I know this reads like a tasting menu but these were regular portions for $29 = a steal! The table agreed that the mushroom soup was the tastiest. But everything was excellent. I had not been to Le Central in a decade or so. I will be back. What a place. Here is what we ate last night: * Alamosa Wild Mushroom Cream Soup * Olathe Sweet Corn Fritters * Colorado Melons * Roast peppers and piÃ±on nuts * Beef Sliders with Pueblo Green Chilis, Colorado Goat Cheese and Burnt Honey * Green Chili Poutine * Palisade Peach Cobbler
(4)
Nic T.

Finally! We finally got our soufflÃ© on our third attempt to the restaurant. The first two times something happened to them that prevented them from being served. This time we didn't care if they thrown against the wall and then served. We were going to get soufflÃ©. LoL. I imagine it was an unusual experience for the restaurant when I entered only with me two little girls (8 & 5). Unlike many restaurants we enter when it's just me and my girls, Le Central treated us very well. I give Le Central 5 stars for that alone, and give Ash, our server, a ton of credit for being both fun and professional. My girls ordered mussels and creamy cheese noodles. Both were very good. The girls thoroughly enjoyed them, but sadly we forgot to take our left over noodles. Boo. I ordered the lamb shank with potatoes and veggies. Equally delicious and a nice change from other things I've ordered on the menu. Although I'm sure the shank was perfect, for my taste buds, I wish it had a bit more seasoning to make it pop. That's on me though and no criticism on preparation. I'm sure I'm the minority. The only thing that saddens me is atmosphere the servers of Le Central have to deal with. The customers around us carry themselves with such entitlement that I hope they compensate the servers better than their cheap attitudes. Never forget people that your entitlements are always made possible by other people. Treat people appropriately, and the better your experience will always be. Thank you again to Le Central and Ash for a wonderful and delicious evening!!!
(5)
Dale Z.

to the tune of "Les Poissons" . . . Le Central, Le Central How I love Le Central Love to order a fine French feast First I choose from the menu Then I order my dinner Ah mais oui, savez toujours delice But, enough shenanigans. If you ever see a Groupon or similar for Le Central, do not hesitate to purchase one (you will not regret it). My dinner at Le Central this last weekend was magnifique. The service was excellent. The decor and ambiance are still rustic chic. But it is the food, the wonderful food, that will keep me coming back here. I had not been here for a couple years, but it was every bit as good as I remembered. The Chardonnay-based cocktail that I enjoyed with my lovely table bread and butter was a great way to get the meal started. My salad was simple, yet perfect. The base was lightly-dressed arugula. This was surrounded by 6 raspberries, 2 generous slices of brie, and a couple ounces of shredded duck confit. This was about as good as a salad can get. My Shrimp pasta (Pates aux Crevettes) was a generous serving of Jumbo shrimp sauteed and tossed in tomato and basil cream sauce with sweet peas; served over linguine and garnished with Parmesan. It was extremely flavorful and delicious. I also sampled my dinner companion's sausage (pause for rimshot). The Saucisses du Central are house-made sausages; pork, chicken curry, and spicy pork and chicken accompanied by house-made potato salad, cornichons, and an assortment of mustards. This is more meat than even your average carnivore would care to shake a pointed stick at. All the sausages were juicy, meaty, and well-seasoned.
(5)
Leon S.

You generally want to stay away from things that are advertised as "affordable," especially if they include French cuisine. Though the menu has a lot of tasty sounding items, the reality is far more upsetting. Everything here either severely lacks flavor or quality. The server was nice... The French onion soup was decent, but when a restaurant can't make a decent Caesar Salad, you know it's gonna be sh*tty. Sorry guys, you aren't good.
(2)
Anna E.

I like Le Central. The food is very good, and the value is even better. The service was a bit on the slow side the last time I was there, which is good for a nice, long date that you'd never want to end. Sadly, such was not the case (the date); so make sure you're with someone you TRULY like if you decide to come here for dinner. Lol! The mussels were delicious (as usual).
(4)
Diana W.

my friends love coming here for brunch because of the bottomless mimosas but I wasn't that impressed. The building is old, the menu is average. Maybe I'm jaded cause it tasted nothing like the Parisian meals I had last summer but none of the dishes were THAT flavorful or stood out. I ordered the slow cooked pork carnitas with poached eggs. (I dunno how french that is) It tasted GOOD but it was just average. The service is slow paced but at least they have their own parking lot. I would come back here for brunch with a group since it wasn't a long wait to get a table and you can drink mimosas till you burst but it wouldn't be one of my top brunch choices to bring out of towners.
(3)
Vi T.

It such a cute restaurant, I jus want to pinch it's cheeks. Quite endearing actually. I'm glad they done up French-country style because it sits in a really downtown scary traffic side of town. Let's see. Mussels, salmon omlette (yes, theyve effectively made an aquatic-ovo combo), cheese plates. All good. All devoured as soon as it hit our table. Could have had better service though. No one likes to be the last little ducky momma forgets to help over the curb (again, so cute I could pinch their cheeks). But other that, good place, especially if you're looking to getting away from the everyday basics.
(3)
James L.

The food is reasonably good, although some stuff is oddly sweet. This is why it gets one star: they are dishonest, thieving crooks. Some time ago, my friend wanted to have a group birthday dinner here. Toward the end of the meal I pretended to use the restroom and gave the waiter my credit card, tipped and signed. What I didn't know until the next day is that prior to that, another friend had given the waiter cash for the meal as well. I'll skip all the TL:DR. After a lot of run-around, excuses, and delays we ended up paying twice for a $300 meal, and the management didn't seem to care one bit.
(1)
Mike R.

I wish I could give this place 5 stars, but unfortunately I can't. Let's start with one thing, this place is not capable of receiving a bad review. I read one about how they can't make a decent Caesar Salad...well guess what, it's a french restaurant, not italian so maybe you should know what to order before you slam an establishment. What should you order? The Mussels! That is all. Which flavor? It doesn't matter. That huge bucket of delicious goodness with a hefty portion of french fries is just delightful. And for $11.95!?!?! How!?!?! If i was to recommend a flavor, I would say to start with the Pistou, a basil, shallot, parmesan combination. So why can't I give this place 5 stars? Well besides for the Mussels, the other menu items are so so. The French Onion soup is decent, though not great, and the salad de epinard is actually quite good. I do feel that a variety of good menu items is a major necessity to receive 5 stars. The wine selection is also well priced. I definitely recommend Le Central for a nice reasonably priced dinner. Enjoy!
(4)
Alice K.

Service: 3.5 Food: 3 Le Central has a really wonderful ambiance. It's cozy and brimming with Frenchness, which we, as Americans, love. Something about Paris and baguettes make one so much more chic... non? I came once many years ago and decided to return with some friends. I was hankering for some mussels. Mm... the bread and butter, mussels, and frites. It's like heaven. On earth. The meal was fantastic and the mussels tasty, at the time of consumption. It wasn't until I brought home the leftovers that I really realized how salty the food was. You see, when eating hot, salty food, the heat overrides the saltiness. At home, when the mussels were cold and being reheated, I grimaced at how salty everything was - which makes sense as to why I couldn't stop drinking water that previous night. I really wish I could go back. Maybe I will, and order something else. But I wonder about the content of the other entrees as well. Le Central, maybe you and I weren't meant to be.
(2)
Dave S.

Fantastic French restaurant! They have a great list of Entrees to choose from and daily specials. A friend told me they do a fantastic brunch which i'm dying to try. Atmosphere is pretty cool, you kinda feel like your eating at someone's house. I tried the roast duck last time i was there and it is a border line 5 star dish. Could be one of my favorite places to eat in Denver. Highly Recommend!
(4)
Jehosephat L.

Has been good for so long. Don't know how they do it! Mussels are the best in town but the entire menu is tasty. Cocktail and beer selection could be improved. Mostly since there is so much competition lately. But the food is still great!
(5)
Resident D.

I love this place. They have a fabulous wine list and food is always great. Fantastic value for money. You should definitely check out their lobster prix fixe menu on Monday/Tuesday evenings. Also the moules frites which come in huge proportions with a choice of about 8 different sauces. My only slight criticism is that the pre-dinner bread they serve is not freshly baked (which in a French restaurant I would definitely expect).
(5)
Tiffany N.

Oui oui! The food at this place is awesome. We went here for Easter brunch and apparently everyone else had the same idea because this place was packed with a line forming outside of the restaurant. Thankfully I had called the night before because they had to turn people away who didnt make reservations. We waited for about five minutes and then our name was called in which we had to navigate ourselves through the slew of people. We were put into the enclosed patio area which kind of felt like the reject area of the restaurant due to the servers working that section not knowing what was going on. We sat and were greeted shortly by our server Harriet. Oh Harriet, you honey, need to get a clue as to what being a server means. She greeted us and asked what we wanted and that was it. No recommendations, personality, warmth whatsoever. She got our orders which consisted of two meals and a much needed latte for myself which I expected to come out before our meal and sadly didn't. Harriet dropped off side plates for us including a bowl of butter but no bread. Um....ok? A few minutes later she walked the five feet from our table to get the bread basket which was sitting there the whole time. No word on the latter and what do you know, no words at all from her. While that was going on, the tables next to us were getting their food and there were multiple errors at each table with the servers not bringing out the proper dishes and such. After seeing that all I hoped for was that our order would be right and thankfully it was. I ordered the Lardons crepes-grilled steak, onions, mushrooms, smoked bacon in in a dijoin/chipotle sauce which rocked my world. Along side with that was a hefty portion of seasoned potatoes and fresh fruit. The crepes were out of this world and made me forget about Harriet, the server who really wasnt. I finished the whole thing because I didn't want the meal to ever end--I practically sang up to the heavens with each bite! My only beef with it was that the chipotle sauce crept over to the fresh fruit which made for an undesirable smoky citrus taste in my mouth. As for the latter, she brought it out with my meal saying they were really backed up. It was good and strong but she could have told me they were backed up before and then I would have been less pissy about my drink. I definitely want to go back for brunch since the dish itself was great and it's affordable French food (they even say so on their website). However next time I go I will ask for anyone BUT Harriet--she seriously sucked and ruined a good bit of my experience.
(3)
Russell G.

I am very impressed with this restaurant. It looks quite small from the outside but turned out to be the size of about 3 large houses inside (I think the restaurant is literally 3 houses side-by-side that were converted into 1 venue). they have a nice little, yet well stocked bar in the waiting area and they had my favorite Port wine on the menu (6 grapes) so I was happy. Escargot can be had several ways and while they were not served like I usually get at other places, I liked it and they tasted good. Being a French place, I expected well presented but small portions of food and before ordering, I remember wishing I ate before we left the house. However, I was blown away by the size of the plates we got! Both the Italienne and the Bouillabasse are not to be missed. Not only for size but for taste! There was enough food to not only eat dinner but also lunch the next day. The muscles served were large and fresh. In fact, everything tasted fresh. The prices were also very reasonable! Yes, I used "price" and "reasonable" when describing a french restaurant. 2 glasses of port, escargots and 2 entrees came out to $52. If you haven't checked this place out yet, what are you waiting for?!
(4)
Melissa M.

We made reservations for mother's day brunch almost a month in advance. Two adults and a toddler (i.e., high chair requested). After waiting to be seated almost 30 minutes after our reservation time, the manager ushered to a postage-stamp sized table wedged in the middle of the aisle between the kitchen and the dining room, literally pushed up against a support beam. Before sitting down, I said that I did not feel comfortable with this location and asked if there was anything else available. I was told that if we wanted another table, we would have to go back to the hostess stand and sign up another time on the waiting list. Really?? Starting from scratch on the waiting list after having had a reservation for a month?? That would have easily involved at least another hour wait, since the place was packed. My toddler was already fidgety. We were offered mimosas "on the house" to make it better. The placement of the high chair left literally 3" of space from the table of people at his back, through which the servers (carrying food) had to fit through. The same would have been true if it were placed on any side of that table. The main server in this makeshift room --- with folding tables, mind you (plywood surface, metal folding legs and disguised / covered with a tablecloth ) passed through this small space a minimum of 5 times before we finished our mimosas and ordered brunch, bumping her rump into my son's head and almost tipping his chair over. I complained to our waitress, who then brought the manager out again to talk to us. She was obviously irritated by the fact that we were not overwhelmed enough with the privilege of eating at "Le Central" to be treated like common bums in a food kitchen. Again, she reiterated that we could sign up anew on the waiting list if we wanted a different table, but there was nothing else she could do. I told her that we would be leaving because as a mom, it was a special day for me and I wasn't willing to be subjected to this type of experience, nor would I subject my son to being jostled and bumped throughout the meal. Incredible!! They were trying to fit as many heads per capita of square footage into that space that they are willing to risk losing business, which they have from us. I always enjoy the food at Le Central; that is why, as a mom, I chose to come here for Mother's Day brunch. However, this experience not only ruined my opinion of Le Central, I would never recommend it to anyone taking a special person out for a special occasion, especially if it is an occasion that the rest of Denver heads out to eat, as well. You'll be crammed into a small space like a bunch of cattle. This place is not genteel or high class, by any stretch of the imagination!
(2)
Rob K.

I would love to rate this place higher. I feel like I've been going there forever now. If it were consistent, it would be a 5-star place, based on the value that never goes away. The problem is that sometimes it acts like a two-star place with inconsistent food and service. Bottom line is, when it's on, which is certainly more often than not, I love being able to get two apps, 2 bowls of mussels, and a decent bottle of wine for under $75. that's great and I applaud them for keeping their prices/concept honest.
(4)
Tina C.

My friend and her boyfriend suggested that we try this restaurant last night because she saw the $9.99 bowl of mussels with french fries on the food network. She made reservations only to find out that the restaurant was super empty. This was probably due to the economy more so than the quality of the place. We shared the $9.99 bowl of mussels with a tint of lemon juice and french fries. They were really good and a good value- mussels split between the three of us and ample proportion for the cost. They tasted pretty good as well. usually, when seafood is not fresh, it has a certain scent to it. I didn't get that from this one. I ate the salmon dish after the waitress suggested that I get that one over the mahi mahi. She said it tasted better and so I was fine with that. (Salmon Entree $16). The taste of the tomato was different and I thought the veggies were slightly too sweet, but the carrots were good. I had a french dessert with vanilla ice cream (think cream puff + vanilla ice cream) ($4.00). Again, 4 dollars is a good value especially for french dessert. The creme puff came with a scoop of ice cream and a dash of chocolate - made with an even blend of chocolate tinted on the exterior and splayed along the plate. It was pretty good to eat and look at. For french food the place gave ample proportion and its affordable. There's also plenty of parking outside (street). The place is cute, quaint, and amazing empty for Saturday night (we pretty much got the entire dining room to ourselves). It's quiet enough and the room we were in was away from the restaurant's bar. Service: Service was a mix bag since out original waitress left and never actually came back. We think she probably took off for the night, but hey a I got to go would have been nice. However, while she was there and our subsequent waitress was pretty good and hospitable. Overall, I would give this place a 3.5 for french food, 4.0 for affordable french food, 4 for parking, and a 3 for service. method of payment: they take visa and mastercard for those that are paying with credit card.
(4)
Kelley A.

When I visit Denver again, brunch here is on the top of my list. My croque madame was excellent; the onion soup very tasty (only bested by one I enjoyed in Nice). Sitting out on the enclosed garden back porch with a light breeze, filtered sunlight and a glass of wine was the best way to end a meal. We had an attentive waiter who made sure we had water as needed but didn't bug us every few moments or rush us for the check. Definitely a must go again kind of place.
(4)
Yenny V.

great food for great price! I love the mussels with all different flavors. My boyfriend and me always come here on special times
(5)
Nicolette T.

It has been years since I've been here, but thought I'd give it a try again. There were plenty of people here for a Friday night which made the atmosphere vibrant but not chaotic. The hostess was very pleasant. The menu selection had a decent variety and for the apps and any of the mussel dishes, they were very affordable. The wine list choices were great, anything from affordable to somewhat pricey. Our server was pleasant, but with both our apps and our main course, I felt like we should have put a white flag up to 'surrender' her to come and clear plates! That being said, the main focus on making a restaurant good is really just good food, which is where Le Central is lacking. We had the escargots (bland buttery sauce, overcooked escargots) and the warm brie (something I could have thrown together at home in 5 minutes)...just okay. For entrees, the bouillabaisse had a bland broth, with one of the fish they used being EXTREMELY fishy, and many of the shellfish also tasting like they should have been used a few days back....the veal was just okay also-overcooked and chewy, and bland sides except for the potatoes which were quite good. The two desserts we had were so in drenched in heavy chocolate that we had to stop even though we hadn't eaten much of either our apps or our main dishes. I guess the moral of the story is 'you get what you pay for'.
(2)
Pb N L L.

Went there for dinner and thought it was too overly priced for their type. yuck!
(1)
Erin W.

Le Central is definitely a place to get a great meal at a great price! Six of us went there last night for mussels. You get a bucket of mussels for $10 and the wine list is relatively inexpensive as well. We got out of there for $20/person - very reasonable!! We had the Italienne, Basilic and Montago? (curry), mussels and they were all very good. The mussels were HUGE - not sure where they are imported from. We also shared a goat cheese appetizer which was amazing - anything goat cheese is devine to me. :) Service was a little slow but we were with all our friends so we didn't mind. Great place! Can't wait to go back when I crave mussels!!
(4)
Yvonne C.

I have to say that I wasn't impressed with this place. First off, they only had 1 vegetarian dish which ended up being tasteless and completely under seasoned. I saw lots of people order the mussels so maybe next time I'll try this and the pate! Also, there was this odor in the back room that I couldn't place, but it was extremely disturbing. The only redeeming factor was that the decor was wonderful and I was with a fantastic friend. I think he liked his dish better than I liked mine.
(3)
Mary S.

The mussels are the best, or did I have clams? And, the atmosphere is Cozy-European. Love the old downtown house location. The wait staff is ok. The prices are right on.
(4)
Sarah R.

Met some friends at Le Central for brunch this past weekend and had a great time. We all absolutely loved what we had. I had the smoked salmon benedict and each bite was amazing! Others had the stuffed french toast and quiche of the day and both were very happy. I don't think a clean plate was left. We also had some mimosas, which hit the spot. On Saturday's they are $3 and a great deal! Service was good. Our waitress gave us time to catch up before ordering and then kept our drinks flowing. I think the decor needs to be updated, but overall Le Central is great! I had been one time before for dinner, which was years ago. As I left brunch, I wondered why I hadn't been in so long and can't figure out why, but will definitely return...hopefully soon! Brunch is a great deal; I spent just over $20, which included my meal, 3 mimosas and the tip.
(4)
Scot J.

Amazing authentic French food. Great for long casual lunches!
(5)
Emily J.

Very cute environment! Good food. Worth a try!
(4)
Ivan J.

Wow, that was a spectacular brunch! Every bite left me wanting more. I wiped the plate clean of all the eggy goodness using my side of mashed potatos that came with the eggs sardou.
(5)
Alice C.

I'm of French descent and have dined in many French restaurants and homes, on the continent and here in the USA. Don't leave Colorado Springs for this restaurant. Le Creperie is far superior. (In fact come here if you're in Denver.) Mussels. Boiled all day. Tough. Flavorless. Poor service. None-the-less, had a great time with my step-daugther, her husband and their child--a beautiful 1-year-old--very hard to "f" that up. Heard so much good about "Le Central." Over-rated! Stay in the Springs!
(2)
Maddie S.

The go-to place for a girls' lunch out. The service is great, the food is fresh and delicious, and the prices are fair. Last time i went I had the veal scallopini and it was all I could do not to lick the plate. Great place.
(5)
Kellie K.

the hubbs and i went to le central for our anniversary. a pretty good meal all around. not 5 star but definitely 4. we had escargot for our appetizer, which was delicious with the great bread. of course, u put enough butter and garlic on anything and its usually pretty good. the hubbs had some sort of trout with an apricot sauce and i had the bouillabaisse. the trout was good and wasnt overpowered by the slightly sweet sauce. the bouillabaisse was pretty good except for the farm-raised salmon, which i dont care for and now avoid. we split an order of pain perdu for dessert which was absolutely rich and delicious. the hubbs says "i'll have a couple of bites" but of course he ate half because it was so good! we also split a bottle of tavel rose which was cold and refreshing on a warm evening, and not ridiculously overpriced. u know how sometimes at a resto u get a bottle of wine for 50 bucks that u KNOW was like maybe 7? not the case here. a bottle of tavel rose at the liquor store is around 10 to 15 bucks, and i think it was 23 at le central so thats not bad. we also took home a dozen macarons which were delicious and only a buck a for a FULL SIZED cookie, unlike some places where its almost 2 bucks a cookie for TINY ones (katherines). we were amazed at the great meal we got for less than 100, with wine and dessert. i know a lot of people go for the mussels deal but ive heard that the quality of the mussels has suffered as of late. i did not have the mussels except for the 4 or 5 that were in my bouillabaisse, and they seemed fine. that was the least expensive, "nice" dinner we have had in quite a while and would definitely go back. im dinging them a star for the farm salmon, but i know that if they used wild caught salmon then the price of the bouillabaisse would go up, which would actually be ok by me, as long as it wasnt too much more.
(4)
David D.

I had a guest visit from out of town that was staying close to Le Central. My friend and I are two guys visiting a quaint French restaurant. We both really enjoyed the food, there are many hot waitresses that were nice to us, I guess they thought we were not attracted to them since we are two guys at a French restaurant. Food was good, we both had the Steak and Fries, call it what you want it was Steak and Fries. The Steak was fatty, real fatty. All of the food was flavorful and something different to get your taste buds going. We both agreed had the meal been $5 more we would have felt cheated. It was an appropriate value, that is a good way to put it, appropriate.
(3)
Stephanie B.

Le Central is my husband's and my favorite restauant in Denver for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.... cozy, romantic, friendly..... feels like you've taken a little trip to France for an hour or two. I'd like to say we've tried everything on the menu, but more often than not, we choose the moules et frites, a bargain at $11! We've also enjoyed the happy hour specials -- you can make a pretty good (though not the healthiest!) meal for $20. Wine pours are generous, the salads are great, and there's always a crowd.
(4)
David C.

This restaurant really is what it claims to be, affordable, accessible French food. French cuisine doesn't have to be stuffy and formal, and it can in fact be done for less than $20 per plate. They have developed a real niche here in Denver over the years. Obviously the big draw is the moules et frites, where you get a large bowl of mussels prepared any of about ten different ways. I've yet to find one I haven't liked. It also comes with unlimited fries, which are usually very good but occasionally soggy. I've had some of the other entrees as well; the paella is fantastic, and the brunch menu always has something good. The menu changes daily to take advantage of fresh ingredients, which is a nice touch, but the flip side is that they may not have that great dish you tried last time you were there. I really wish they would bring back the happy hour that ran for a while in 2009, since it was a fabulous deal and a great way to sample small plates and decent house wine without breaking the bank. That said, Le Central is almost always very good; every once in a while the kitchen has an off day, but when you sit down to a basket of fresh baguette at your table and a big bowl of mussels, you're happy.
(4)
Scott P.

Dude. Dude!?!? DUDE! Like... seriously?!?! Word, homie. Went here for lunch with a friend and fellow Yelper, and I think I speak for both of us (though she'll write her own review) when I say that we was blown away like n00bs in an FPS!!! First off, you roll up in here and the place looks NICE. Like a beautiful little country manor in Provence. There's like... all kinds of stuff on the walls that makes you think "Wow, this place is really FRENCH!" and there's a BEAUTIFUL patio area out back that I can't WAIT to get innapropriately inebriated at (on their vast selection of phenomenally reaonsable drinks... seriously $6 for a perfect French Martini, are you kidding me!?!?). So you sit down, and then you get the pleasure of interacting with the people who work there- what a treat! They throw in a few french words when they speak to you. It's kind of awesome!! Everyone was so cool and very helpful, and when I ordered mussels and a plate the gentleman kind of smiled and said... "You know... that's going to be a LOT of food...". It just really makes me smile to know that the people who work there genuinely CARE about your dining experience, and try to make it a pleasant and memorable one. That got big points from me. Oh... so... this is a restaurant, right? So you might expect me to talk about the food, huh? Well, I'm not going to. SO THERE! lulz Unfortunately, we only had time to get about halfway through our mussels before she had to leave in order to make her flight. What we DID experience was sheer deliciousness in a delicious sauce with delicious bread in a deliciously declicious heap. With some delicious fries. Now, if that doesn't spell out in vivid deliciousness how I felt about the mussels, I don't know what will. I'll be back. Honestly, the only reason I can't five-star this temple of French phenomenality isbecause we didn't have more to eat. I'll try a few more dishes, but I'm pretty sure Le Central will be a soon addition to my five-star club. So Allie... did you make your flight? :P
(4)
Nirai H.

So I had low expectations based on the reviews. We went without reservations on a Wednesday and were seated in the covered porch area without having to wait. The place was packed! The first thing i noticed was the smell of the fish.I figured they served a lot of it. It wasnt unpleasnt. It actually made me want to order fish!We had the Escargots Bourguignons. We'd never had escargot but it was delicious! I love good bread and their bread was pretty good. The waiter offered some extra to slop up the juice from the escargot. How nice! My husband got the salmon and crab cake. It was amazing but it was too rich for us so he took half of it home. Or maybe it was the two mini loaves of the bread he ate :) I got the mussels and fries. They were Fat mussels and who serves that many mussels for under $12? I didn't finish it. Fries were crispy and hot. Cappuccino was perfect. Don't expect a large mug. They didn't charge us for regular coffee. Food came out quick and the customer service was very good! Such a comfortable atmosphere too. What more can one ask for?
(4)
Rich L.

Went here with my girl for brunch on Sunday. Pros: -large, inexpensive portions -omelets were great (salmon and brie, mmmm) -nice decor, old wooden floors Cons: -watched the waitress walk by a few times and not even acknowledge us for the first five minutes. After that she was pleasant, but the place wasn't even close to crowded. -WTF was going on with the music in this place? It went from like Les Miserables to Daft Punk. My girlfriend and I would look at each other every time the song changed and just start laughing. -Too quiet for my liking - I know my grandma would've loved this place, but I want a little more liveliness at my brunches.
(3)
Emily R.

I am really fond of this little restaurant! Being a native Coloradoan, I wasn't sure what French cuisine would really be like, but Le Central was a very pleasant surprise. I have had lunch and dinner at this restaurant with my mom, and they were very memorable experiences. Their sandwiches are excellent! A friend once had the duck there and was not impressed with it. There are a lot of menu options depending on whether or not you're feeling adventurous. If you're looking to wow a new date, I highly recommend you take them to Le Central for dinner. The lighting in the evening is subtle and gorgeous.
(4)
Daphne C.

This place has a very comforty homely feel to it. Every time I've visited this restaurant, I've had the mussels. They're modestly priced and taste very good, although they are a little overcooked for my palate. I actually find that most of the seafood at this restaurant tends to be too well-done. I once ordered the vegetarian plate, and while it tasted pretty good, it was served luke-warm. The service is usually friendly, and like I said, I enjoy the setting. It's a great place to order a bottle of wine and enjoy time with friends.
(3)
Michael E.

Maybe I went on an off day, Saturday before Valentine's Day, they were busy but I was seated in a reasonable time. The service was acceptable the problem was the food. To call the food authentic French can only mean they found a Frenchman living in a basement in a rural American city and just took his word on the food. Escargot is normally served in the shell (presentation matters) not in a bowl hiding in excess sauce. A lobster may have been near the bisque at sometime during the prep but certainly did not stay long or leave much behind. If a dish is supposed to contain Foie gras and veal deep frying it in a batter certainly is an effective means of hiding all of the flavors leaving behind an object more akin to a Mexican corndog.
(1)
Tanya B.

My husband and I have always wanted to eat here. We're in the restaurant industry and we had New Year's Eve off so we decided that would be a lovely place to go. We were seated quickly in a little room with way too many tables for its size. We were cramed into a corner at a table for 4. There was no way 4 people would fit there. My husband had to sit next to me because there was no room for him to sit across from me. There was no music playing and all we could hear we're conversations of everyone around us. I saw their menu for New Year's Eve online . It had wonderful starters. Steak tartare, mussels , French onion soup , at least 8 items. When we were given the menu that was not the case. Only 3 items. French onion, salad, and shrimp bisque. When I called I had asked if we could purchase an extra app. Because there would be too many to choose from. I was really looking forward to trying their mussels .Our waitress was very nice. I asked about getting mussels but no way. The French onion soup was very bland. We sent it back. How does a French restaurant not have amazing French onion soup! . She offered to get us the shrimp bisque which was also bland. Im thinking they ran low on soup and started watering it down.The salad was fine but the dressing was pretty much vinegar. We had duck and the steak for our entrees. The duck tasted almost rancid. Not flavorful at all. The sweet cream cherry sauce was good. The steak was no better than a king soopers low end cut of fatty meat. Not a filet, or even a strip . With a puddle of fois grois butter on top. And branches of broccoli taking up space on the plate. Could you serve something a little more creative on New Years ? We sent it back. She asked if we would like dessert and of course we did not. We wanted dinner first! Not to mention all the tables around us left full desserts on their tables. We ended up having almost allof our tab comped. They charged us $8 for our wine I guess. I can't believe they charged us for that seeing how it was our first time there. We left our waitress a nice tip since we were there for almost 2 hours taking up her table. It wasn't her fault. I doubt we will ever go back. Our first mistake of the night was going out on New Year's Eve. Our second was picking Le Central.
(1)
Daniel W.

Hmm, I have been to Le Central twice, and it seems to be one of those places that is hit or miss. The first time I went, it was a complete mess. The restaurant was nearly empty, but the service was slow, tedious, and poor. The food was below-par and a sincere disappointment. The mussels, which are one of Le Central's signature dishes, were beyond disgusting. I was not impressed. HOWEVER, I managed to go back to Le Central, and had a more pleasant experience. The food was fresh, appetizing, and prompt. The mussels were still unacceptable, but everything else was quite satisfying. I have talked to many people who have gone to Le Central, and they report the same experiences. This place just seems to be either good or bad, with no in between. I'm not sure if I would go back anytime soon, but you might as well try it once.
(3)
Khaleelah J.

As a bargain hunter who likes to find the best deals, I can say that this is certainly one of the best bruch deals in Denver. It may not be the most authentic food, but the ambiance is wonderful, the service fast and friendly and the food delicious. I highly recommend bruch above dinner, but I am always satisfied with Le Central!
(4)
Kate A.

Ooo la la, I love Le Central. Not only is the decor cute and "Frenchy", but the food tastes authentic and makes my tummy smile. If you are on a budget (like I most definitely am..) go for their lunch specials and you will get a fabulous deal. The bread is melt-in-your-mouth good. Drinks are ridiculously cheap and for $10 you can get a huge bowl of mussels (and I mean huge so if you aren't that hungry be prepared to share) and you choose from a long list of flavors. Between two people, we left with a bill under $30 after appetizer, entrees, and two drinks each! Hard to beat that for unique, high quality food.
(5)
David M.

Food quality and price are amazing! Felt like a home cooked meal. I had the mussels (great portion) and my wife had the salmon. Can't beat unlimited pomme frites! They are perfectly seasoned with sea salt! Decor is very humble. Our server was not that great but the manager was very hospitable. Asked if we had any questions on the menu and checked back if we were enjoying our meal! I will be back.
(4)
Nara O.

Love the mussels there. It was delicious and very affordable.
(4)
Cliff T.

I've tried going back many times over the past few years but every time I just come away unsatisfied. I know many people love it but those people I don't understand. I used to think that I maybe just didn't really like French food as much as I thought but now I can finally say that I do because I've been to Brasserie Felix. And that's why I can finally rate Le Central "Meh. I've had better" b/c I have.
(2)
Alicia H.

Spent a fantastic 2 hour dinner here and just loved it! The french onion soup is wonderful, but the kicker was the chocolate souffle... you HAVE to get it! It is big, and fluffy, and chocolaty delicious! Side note: they make their own gluten free bread in house. My son loved it! Little dense when compared to the wonderful other bread they bring out, but I thought it tasty.
(5)
Diggity D.

My French martini was THE BOMB and the rest of the meal was awesome too. We were shocked when we received the bill, way less than we were expecting for a fabulous evening out.
(5)
Amelia Z.

The prefixed menu for Valentine's Day was not good at all (and we were not told of the prefix only option on the phone when the reservation was made, otherwise we would have made other plans). The lobster bisque came out and was a grey brown color, the duck was soggy and the tenderloin was stringy. The root vegetables were undercooked.. boo
(2)
Adam K.

I've been to Le Central many times for Brunch and have always had an enjoyable experience. It can get a bit crowded, but the wait has never been too long. All the brunch items are tasty, including the quiche. Normally get to sit out back. Never had a problem with wearing casual clothing and have had good service. Also ordered their Thanksgiving food package last year and it was fantastic, I highly recommend.
(4)
Bridget N.

This is the most delicious place, it is my favorite date night spot! The mussels are a great deal and I crave them. Such a cute building, I will never stop coming here!
(5)
Jennifer M.

When we walked in it smelled like rotten food. The bread was hard, the food was over priced, I couldn't understand the menu. The service was good! Overall I wouldn't recommend this to my friends or family to din. First impressions are important! Salad was good and cheap felt that was the only thing good to Order.
(1)
Erica A.

We had a wonderful time tonight. My husband and kids took me here to celebrate my birthday. Liz was our waiter. She was great. Very friendly and helpful. Looked like she had to wait on the entire room. Great with my kids. My 9 year old son wanted an entree off the main menu. She checked with the kitchen to see if they could kid size it for us and they did. Food seemed to be extra delicious this evening.
(4)
Larry P.

First impressions are important. The place is quintessential French bistro, which in some ways IS stuck in the 80's. the chairs could use a pain job and new fabric, but its like every French bistro I've ever dined in (38 at last count, this is 39. 18 in the US and Canada, 21 in France). wine list is passable, considering it is in the US and offers French wines. The lunch menu is delightful. lovely baguette, sweet cream butter, Salade Verte, Steak frites, all done well. its not going to knock your socks off, but it is going to transport you to a street side bistro in Melun, Fr. Service: warm and friendly, prompt after a slight delay when I first sat. My wine choice was ok, when I asked the server to choose another since my choice wasn't "speaking to me" he brought two tastes. GOOD TO EXCELLENT swrvice. all in all, the place delivers the goods. a lot of places try too hard, this one does not. it IS French. relax, go with the flow and enjoy a 2nd or 3rd glass of wine. You're in France!
(4)
Google U.

What this restaurant has turned into is quite sad. I grew up going here and you used to get unlimited fries with what you order. now 98 cents charge. used to put a bread basket on the table. now they had you one piece of bread. uhhh half the fun of getting muscles is soaking up the goodness with the muscles. also the service is absolutely HORRID. I called TWO days before making a reservation. They called back to confirm which is fine. I called them immediately back confirming. Fine. We get there right at our reservation time and they didnt have a table ready and we were standing there looking like fools with my friends 90 year old grandmother. Are you kidding me? Confirmed reservation means make up a table for all the people coming. Its honestly common sense. Then as we were sitting down the waiter asked how many kids menus we need. Are you F*CKING KIDDING ME. Everyone who was there was over their 20s and in their 50s and 60s. Its too bad because the food is really good, but the horrible service overshadowed my experience.
(2)
Emilee D.

Oh, how I wish I wasn't dieting when I came here for a friend's birthday dinner. Not only is this French restaurant inexpensive, but the menu choices were quite tempting. Except for the snails part. I'll never be a fan of slimy things that eat dirt. Being that I was actually sticking to my diet, I was limited to having a small caesar salad. It was decent, but it could use more anchovies in the dressing as it was a bit bland. The portion size was reasonable for $5, but wasn't enough to satisfy a dieting gluttonous pig like me. However, I did get to sample other items from my friends' orders which made it bearable. I tried two different flavors of their oysters. The saffron oysters were good, but I didn't really care for the overwhelming wine flavor. The pesto oysters were quite delicious and flavorful. French fries come with the oysters and those were pretty meh. Maybe cuz they were French fries? Give me freedom fries any day over these tasteless potato sticks that were served. I also tried two different soups: Curry cauliflower and the French onion soup. Both were pretty good, but my preference had to be the onion soup. Not only does it present better than the cauliflower soup, but it seems more satisfying. Our server was nice, but service was a bit slow. To his defense, the place was packed, but I think he was overwhelmed with the number of tables he had to take care of. The restaurant itself is cute and the decor is very welcoming. The only downside is parking, but we did find out, after the fact, that the restaurant offers free parking in one of the lots on the weekends. I'll definitely be back to check this place out once my diet is over.
(4)
Kimberly S.

Back again, and still LOVE IT!!! Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! Excellent service! Excellent food! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Interior - wonderful, bright, relaxing. It does feel like you might be in France! We sat on their enclosed patio, and has the same wonderful feel to it, like the rest of the restaurant. So, it you want to take a quick trip to France, go to Le Central! TOUS BON NURITEUR - very good food! NOS VEREMOS ALLI - see you there!
(5)
Steph G.

I found Le Central when I was in search of a nice restaurant to take my love for his early bday celebration. Given that I was searching last minute, I think I did pretty darn well. This restaurant looks like it was once a house. The outside looks like it belongs in a french village. Inside, it's a hustlin' and bustlin' little french hot spot. Buckets of mussels and pomme frites are being served left and right, lots of chatter, and many happy people being wined and dined. It's got an intimate feel for sure. We were seated right next to the kitchen, which wasn't ideal, but it wasn't a big problem. I wasn't being smacked by the kitchen doors, so no biggie. We ordered a bottle of red and just entrees since we weren't super hungry. I got the bouillabaisse and he ordered the ribeye steak. Everything was delicious, but the mussels were kind of overcooked. I particularly loved the broth. It was so flavorful and delicate, and I definitely couldn't stop saying how much I loved it. Give me some fresh bread and a bowl of that broth, and I'm a happy girl. My love's ribeye was also perfectly cooked and served with a crabcake. Yum and yum. Our service was good as well. I would definitely like to revisit this quaint little bistro and try those buckets of mussels and endless pomme frites, since that's what they're known for.
(4)
Jessica D.

Not the worst food I've ever paid for, but this is not even in my top 20 choices for brunch or dinner in Denver. I would assume a French chef would know what a medium rare steak looks like... I could also do without feeling like I'm paying to get attitude from the waitstaff the entire time. I literally got up and filled my own coffee (twice) because I got sick of waiting for a refill...that's how aloof the staff is. The gluten free bread at this place is awesome though, which is about its only saving grace for me.
(3)
Lauren S.

Good food but the service was slow.
(3)
Andrew B.

Been to Le Central a few times and it has been great. My friends and I almost always get the buckets of mussels and have been not been disappointed yet. Great mixed drinks and wines as well, at a reasonable price.
(5)
Taylor G.

I made a reservation for thanksgiving, and I was told because of the prix style dinner they offer reservations at 11:00 1:00 3:00 and 5:00.. which meant to accommodate for seating arrive early. I should have in hindsight, picked 11:00, but being that this was suppose to be a feast, I felt that stuffing myself like a pregnant woman that early in the morning would not have been wise. However, I made the reservation for 5 and they told me to come closer to 5 because we would have been the last dinner for the evening. Wow, my boyfriend and I parked and walked up and saw the line of people out the door, I went inside and asked how long they were going to be and they said they weren't sure. I told them my name and that we were ready for them. They said they would call us when they're ready to seat. The wind starting picking up and it was cold outside, we couldn't sit inside because this restaurant is incredibly small and I do mean SMALL.While outside we saw the folks leaving and it was at a snails pace to boot. I called the restaurant, and just asked them if they could call my cell phone, and they completely misunderstood what I was trying to say because they said the can't possibly be bothered to do that because they were so busy. I really had to specify, as I could tell they were stressed out, I just wanted them to call my cell so we can come in . They finally got it and said that shouldn't be a problem. I asked how long they think and she said about 30 mins.. mind you we already had been outside for a good 20 mins already..so really at this point I was irritated. When some space cleared I moved inside the restaurant and used the bathroom. I ended up standing in the stair way because it was very crowded. Still I stood for at least 15 mins staring at this tiny table, then they finally called our name and we were sat exactly in that spot. Nice. Sitting down was a nightmare! I couldn't believe how close we were to the other tables, there was hardly enough room to breath.. very uncomfortable. The waiter came (eventually) and I really do understand that people are overwhelmed on holidays but I felt pushed aside. The table next to us right away had bread and water.. we were still waiting. When the waiter did surface I wanted some wine and I asked for a recommendation on white and he just kinda looked at me and shrugged his shoulders like I don't know. I asked about the flavor on the wine and he "didn't know" ok great I'm on my own. My boyfriend had the salad and I had the squash bisque. I actually liked my soup, was a great flavor. I ordered the traditional thanksgiving dinner, turkey breast, turkey leg, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry port sauce, and green beans. I couldn't believe it, just a few mins later and he brought me this plate that looked like not only someone dropped it and tried to fix it ..total crap. Someone completely didn't give a $hit about this plate they brought out from the kitchen.The meat looked like crap, my green beans were ice and my gravy was .literally poured all over the plate. The presentation of this plate was by far the worst I've ever seen in a restaurant. I was just trying to go with the flow at this point.. but looking at the table by us I could see their plates looked amazing . I mean amazing! I was livid. I couldn't believe it, I've waited a long time to try this place and what a let down.My stuffing was mush, gross . My potatoes were almost ok but I barely got any..No one came to check on us, no one refilled my water ( Which I needed desperately because the wine I ordered tasted like a$$) I skipped eating most of my plate because it was such a disappointment . They did bring a dessert plate that did have some fabulous items.. but I was so pissed I just wanted to pay my bill and leave.I really just wanted to finish my dessert somewhere else and get out of there. I did absolutely leave a tip that was appropriate for the service I received ( hardly any) the quality of the food (absent) and most of all the execution and presentation of my plate, there is no excuse for that . If you're that lazy or uncaring, get out of the food business. Some people actually care and want to provide something memorable for their guests.. which is blatantly not the case here at Le Central. For $30 bucks a person we could have gone to blackhawk and had a buffet that would have delivered far better service and items to choose from. I think flushing $70 down the toilet would have been money very well spent compared to this place. I had my eye set on this restaurant for quite sometime, and felt this would have been a good way to try this place.. What a rip off completely awful all the way around. And I forgot my dessert box, the only thing that could have redeemed my night here.. never again Le Central
(1)
Andrew Z.

If you've eaten good French food you'd know that this place is terrible. The mussels are crap and made like something you would get at Applebee's, covered in unnecessary ingredients like cheese and bacon (depending on what version you order). We had two bowls and both were gritty because they were not cleaned appropriately. The lobster was also covered is some sort of cheese sauce and the "french bread" was a day old. Not to mention the fact that there was an escargot dish that was a soupy, disgusting mess. No one at our table bothered to finish their food it was so bad. The atmosphere reminded me of an abandoned gas station. Don't be fooled by these other reviews, unless of course you find a night out at TGI Fridays to be appealing.
(1)
Richard R.

I'll go anywhere that has muscles...or is is mussels? Either way I'm a fan of Le Central. C'est bon! Seriously, the tomato basil mussels are to die for! They are so tasty that I barely talk when the food arrives. Plus there are plenty of fries that come with, so how can you go wrong? I can't say I've had anything else on the menu except the French onion soup and as an avid hater of onions even I can stomach this item. The only downside is the physical space. During peak hours there is barely room to stand while waiting for a table which is indicative of a popular joint. Plus, this place is not wheelchair accessible :-( Hence the four instead of five star rating. However, the decor is great with both indoor and patio seating options. The menu is actually very robust - which I only know because I can read. Otherwise it's mussels all the way! Moreover, prices are very reasonable even when booze is included. D-lish mussels, soup and five martinis for $45 - oui! Service has always been top notch. I think people who consider employees at this restaurant to be rude, snooty or inattentive are themselves rude, snotty and desperate for attention. This is a happening place so wait your turn and be grateful there isn't brash attitude like most every restaurant in Paris. I would recommend trying to hit off peak hours so that the wait isn't too long but if you are patient it all comes up roses! There's even a little bar to the left of the door so you can order drinks while in a holding patter for a table. All in all this is a solid place with lots of style, class and unique food options that can't be found most places in Denver.
(4)
David M.

Had a 3 star paella at 4 star Le Central today, but still walked away happy. Happy, even though the paella wasn't something I'd order again. While the rice base was well sauced, the seafood seemed mainly to be many unseasoned miniature scallops and bay shrimp, strewn across the top, and the couple of pieces of meat inside the dish were too fatty and grisly. Maybe I just got an unlucky ladle. The result was that what I was served wasn't up to their usually better quality of meals. I could have had any one of a number of other dishes that are old standards that I can highly recommend. The mussels (any of the many styles they offer) are all wonderful, as are the limitless fries served with them. The Croque Monsieur is tasty, as is the flank steak et frites. My lunch companion liked the frittata and I've always thought they did a great job with their salads. The bottom line, therefore, is that you should go to Le Central and order anything other than what I ordered today, which was OK, but not really A-OK. More like C-OK. And while I remain a fan of the restaurant, today my meal was nothing to write home about (so instead I'll just write about it to all the billions of people on earth). Hey billions of people, don't get the paella. Get the mussels. There. I feel better.
(3)
Molly H.

Every time I am in Denver, I don't miss the opportunity to hit Le Central - for lunch. I have never even seen the dinner menu, but I am a huge fan of the leisurely 2 martini lunch at Le Central. The massive portions and unbelievably cheap prices are enough to get excited about - but the food is actually good! I always order the mussels frites. The have about eight different styles. It's not the best mussels you will ever have in your life, but they are good and the fries are perfect. For the record, one bowl ($9.99) could serve 3 people - easy. So plan on sharing.
(4)
Marko C.

I've always liked Le Central! Four Stars! I was on a trip to Denver and had brunch with several of my friends at Le Central. The restaurant is located on the outskirts of downtown Denver. It's located on a random little corner, and parking can be difficult. There are a good number of tables at this restaurant (20+) so the wait is reasonable. I ordered the Eggs Benedicts with crab. First, you have to know that I don't like eggs. But, I ordered eggs to try to get over my dislike for them. I actually enjoyed my dish. It was two eggs benedict topped with a tasty hollindaise sauce and served ontop a generous portion of crab. The egg was ooey-gooey-perfect and the dish was cooked well. Kudos! The dish was served with a side of mixed green salad and some freshly baked bread! Breakfast / Brunch menu items range from $8-10! Very reasonable, great selection! Food Grade: B+ Service Grade: B Worth the Money Grade: A- Overall Impression: B+
(4)
Brittany H.

It's been a few years since I've popped my head into Le Central; other French restaurants around town have quickly become my favorites, so this venerable Denver staple had been forgotten in my book. But thankfully, I recently had the chance to make a return trip on a date night. And I must admit, I couldn't've been more pleased. My date and I inadvertently arrived on Julia Childs' birthday, so Le Central was packed and booked! But amazingly, a table for two was easy to fit in, so the wait was very tolerable. We were quickly seated in one of the myriad of rooms. The layout of Le Central still irks me; it feels more like someone's house rather than a French restaurant, but I'll attempt to let that slide and not skew my views of the most important aspects: service and food. Our server was so lovely and on top of everything. She easily recommended some wine to go with our order of mussels and cheese platter. Et oh mon dieu, the Gascone wine was delicious! And the food? The mussels and cheese platter were both amazing! I had never had mussels before, so my date got to introduce me to their deliciousness. There were several types from which to choose and since I love spicy food, we went with the hottest offered, la Mexicaine. Honestly, I could've used more spice, but these mussels were amazing! And for $11 for a bowl full? I know I'll be back to have some more. And the cheese platter? As a girl from Wisconsin and a France study abroad alumna, I couldn't've been more pleased. I believe there were five types of cheeses as well as nuts, crackers, bread, and cranberries. Twas perfection! As with most French places, the prices are a little steep, but you can find some very affordable choices. And if you wanted to splurge, you'll certainly be able to find that, too. While I can't say the venue *feels* French, Le Central has clearly been serving up some amazing French food for years. Oui, Le Central, I will admit I was wrong. You are completely wonderful and I hope to return soon!
(4)
Kirby L.

Probably my favorite restaurant thus far in Denver. Great atmosphere, a humble little abode without a pretentious feel like a few Denver restaurants. I live 2 blocks from the place, the only way I knew it was there was driving by on my way home from school everyday. Food is incredible, escargot en brioche was my appetizer, and swordfish was my main dish, gateau au chocolat- flourless cake for desert. All of this was very well done. For the quality of food they serve, the prices are incredible. Usually good French food is gonna run 50 a dish just main course. My sister and I went 4 courses with a bottle of wine for under 100 total. Great place, I will be taking all my Denver guests there. I apologize to my French waiter who had to repeat everything to me 8 times, I slept through my two years if French in high school.
(5)
Timmy G.

One of the most memorable meals I have ever had in Denver, was the "humble" cassoulet, at Le Central, on a cold winter night. It was as close to authentic as I've ever come with tender pork, garlic sausage, goose confit, creamy white beans and a lovely, satisfying breadcrumb crust. I could have gone another round. In fact I should have. As a table, we had hors d'oeuvres and dessert....and I couldn't tell you a single thing about them because all that sticks out in my memory was the entree. The only disappointing part is, the menu rotates on a daily basis...so you can't plan on recreating the experience without either booking last minute, or, I suspect, calling the restaurant to schedule it somehow. Either or....fabulous, comforting, unpretentious French food, ADORABLE little building and decor, bustling bistro atmosphere...nothing not to love, really.
(5)
Louis V D.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Denver for a cheap lunch of mussels and fries. Both are awesome and way more decently priced than at other places in town, and you get a ton of food. There are about 7-8 different sauces for the mussels to choose from, which saves you from boredom if you're a regular. That said, I usually just get the classic sauce, which I can never remember the name of and always have to ask the waiter. (I know it has a white wine and butter base.) If you're still hungry after finishing your mussels and fries, which is almost impossible, then soak up your sauce with the free, freshly baked bread! This place also has an awesome patio with lush plants and a peaceful, Parisian atmosphere. Great for a casual lunch with a friend. Also, randomly, the flourless chocolate cake is great.
(4)
Isabel W.

Not sure if I trust the hype. Or maybe we caught it on an off-day. We visited LeCentral for the boy's birthday with his parents. Tons of people have raved about it in the past- so we were game. However it missed our expectations by far. A) the restaurant downright smells. Musty, moldy, old or something. I hate to know how old the carpet is in the dining room. B) if being served by a pretentious waiter is your style, go for it. Otherwise you'll be appalled by the flippant and rude service. No suggestions, no charm, no fun. C) food was mediocre. The mussels smelled like they expired a week ago, I ordered the steak salad and the steak came cut in small cubes like you'd serve a toddler. So odd. The only redeeming quality of the night was the sauce on the boy's duck...amazing.
(1)
Clint J.

Although I'm not a "regular," I have been to Le Central a number of times, usually with family or coworkers who seem to think this place is great . . . but then they all eat at chain restaurants like Old Chicago and Red Lobster where everything is either nuked or deep fried and seem to think those hellholes are great too. I have somewhat higher standards. After having two unacceptably poor dining experiences at Le Central (served a cold and grease soaked Monte Cristo that was completely inedible which the waitress refused to comp, and "bouillabaisse" which was the dregs from the bottom of the pot filled with empty shells and a lobster head), I rightfully gave them a 2 star review because nothing says "we take pride in our establishment" like serving trash which ought to have been tossed in the dumpster, but I digress. Anyhow, one of their managers contacted me to apologize for the experience I had there and offered to send me a gift certificate so I would give them another chance. I received it in the mail today, and all I can say is if they send you a gift certificate BE CERTAIN TO READ THE FINE PRINT! First off, it's limited to a maximum of twenty-five bucks with multiple restrictions (brunch only, not applicable towards tax, gratuity, or drinks), and then the kicker: VOID after January 31, 2013 . . . which means it expired 6 months ago and isn't even valid! I do not know if this was done out of incompetence, or out of a pissy desire to humiliate me for giving them a very fair 2 star review, but I'm never going back there again, even as part of a group with the tab covered. No need to send me another gift certificate, thanks. I'd say "third strike," but this was actually their fifth major screw up, so I'm done. Like I said before, if you're invited here as part of a group, DON'T go for brunch, DON'T order the mussels, and the appetizers are all equally disappointing so avoid those too. Salads are mediocre, and you can do far better elsewhere. Best bet is to stick with their special of the day, as it's less likely to be premade and reheated. Desserts are okay, but not spectacular. An overall mediocre dining experience with an occasional surprise horror . . . not recommended for special occasions or a first date, but if you are part of a group on an expense account you could do a lot worse.
(1)
Jay B.

I've always been a fan of Le Central's fixed price menus. When we heard they were having Colorado produced foods on the menu, we rearranged our schedules to attend. My only regret is that they did not have Colorado wines to serve along side the meals. I'm not a big fan of mushrooms (Great flavor, but they are a texture violation), but the Alamosa Wild Mushroom Cream Soup was the best soup I've had in a long time and was my favorite of the meal. So, if you're ever in doubt of this place, look for one of their fixed price menus, or better yet, a communal style dinner, and dive right in. Not to mention their take-home Valentine's dinner.
(5)
Jack T.

I liked it. I thought it was good. 1. Food was good 2. Service was good 3. Value was good 4. Ambiance was great I think I liked the idea for this restaurant better than the actual experience. I would come back for the mussels (appetizer) but not sure I would order the steak again. I say its worth a try. A-OK is still a positive review, I don't think it's great by any means.
(3)
Keith C.

I really liked this place. The setting is very European, I was having flashbacks from when I lived in Italy (I just wish the Alps were in the background instead of a high rise). I liked the menu it had some original French cuisine with a mix of Continetal food as well. I almost went with the Poulet with prosciutto in a green peppercorn sauce, but opted instead for the Salmon. The Saumon was grilled to perfection, it was one of the best pieces of salmon I have ever ahd and I lived in alsaka. The veggies were al dente and bland to me outside a salt flavorings, and the rice was ok. Tbh the veggies are more a choice as to say they are bad, I do not like my veggies hard and crunchy but again that is a personal choice, so no heartburn there. next time I will try the mashed potatoes isntead. I ate alone (I am just now branching out and finding new palces since I moved here) but this place should be shared with someone special.
(4)
Alison W.

Oh, Le Central, you just get me. From their incredible mimosas to their incredible (non-French!) portions, this place always hits the spot. I love having a Saturday morning that I'm not busy, because the first place I suggest is Le Central. I love that there's never a wait, and that I feel like I never sit in the same place twice. This restaurant is big and pretty, and every area for seating has a different, fun feel. We asked our server if she liked working there when we were seated next to the kitchen, because all we heard was laughter. She said "It's rare to find a place where all of the waitstaff actually like each other." That made me happy, and it gave our food an extra-special feel. When the staff is having fun, the food really shines. The monte cristo is a game changer. I ordered mine without meat, and they subbed roasted red peppers for free. It made me want to cry. It was huge and tasty and I just drool thinking about it. Yum. We bought friends an anniversary dinner gift card for the place - $50. They didn't even spend the whole thing, and they tried! That says something about their prices - affordable French is where its at!
(5)
Trisha B.

French onion soup, beet salad, crepe, bread......I haven't had anything that was less than wonderful. I also love the bread pudding and at lunch they are a steal as are the lunch time martinis, sangria and mulled wine! Take back your leisurely lunch ;)
(5)
Gretchen G.

Cheap french food? Yes please. I am constantly recommending Le Central for two reasons: 1. Brunch. They take brunch reservations or you are welcome to wait in line. They can accommodate big groups (and have no problem splitting the bill). The omelets are so good, as is the pain perdu. 2. Mussels. While I feel like the dinner menu can be hit or miss, the mussels (all ten varieties) are amazing. There are a ton of places in town that try but for my money (yeah, only $10), this bucket is by far the best and comes with unlimited fries. You can share them as an app or have them as your dinner, the latter is always my preference. Other notable things: Lots of semi private rooms for groups, warm yummy bread (dip in your mussels, you won't regret it), a good wine menu and yummy escargot. Looking for a cheap date night? Split a bottle of wine, maybe some escargot or a salad, and share the mussels. It's French, has to be romantic right?
(4)
Zahara S.

Always a great value. There is a reason they have been around for 30 years. It is an excellent place to enjoy magnificent food and people watch. We frequently take clients there and although it can be loud, it never seems to be an issue. I keep thinking about the cooking classes they offer but I don't want to destroy the mystery of what's happening in the kitchen...behind the scene. Recienly we did the wine dinner. Five wines and five courses. Fun evening but I can't do the five wines ever again. I was exhausted by the last course. But all very well done. The owner is a rock star to me. If they close, I am moving.
(4)
Jill S.

I've only ever been for brunch, but it seems like a great standby. I had the croissant with salmon and my friends split the cinnamon roll along with some other egg goodies. Super tasty, but far from light. Great for a morning after meal to soak up the booze from the night before. We had three entrees and split two sides and it came to about $34 for three people. Pretty stellar deal.
(3)
Sophie M.

The ambiance is very nice. prices are very reasonable for a French restaurant. As for the food, i can see how lots of people are impressed, I would just give it a pass , if i were going to be very genuine about the rating of the food i would have given them three stars. But so much of other stuff made up for the food being way less than perfect. The restaurant did remind me of the typical French restaurants that we would eat at every Sunday with the whole extended family.
(4)
Mulberry S.

30 years? This place serves food that tastes like it has been around for 30 years. I've lived in France and traveled through many countries with French cuisine and this place is pretty much at the bottom in terms of food quality and service. The only plus is that the serving sizes are midwesternly massive. Seriously, their signature dish was supposedly mussels and fries. The fries were overcooked in old oil and served cold and dry. About a quarter of the mussels were closed or dried out and inedible. Good thing, then, that one serving is about eight potatoes and fifty mussels...eh, not. We had to ask for bread. The desserts tasted of cheap shortening and corn sweetener instead of butter and sugar. Their mushroom salad was just a pile of greens completely drenched in vinegar with a side of red peppers obviously from a bulk jar filled with preservatives. I am certain you could find and prepare better quality food from Costco. Our server "Pascal" was indifferent, absent, unhelpful and literally tossed a box at my friend when she said she would like to take the last of her meal to go. I ordered a glass of white wine and upon first taste I could tell it had gone bad (fizzing/bubbles and vinegary). I asked Pascal if he could check. He just smirked and walked away with my glass and then brought a new one, which he said was of the same wine. "Ah, it happens" he said as he walked away. Serving spoiled wine? Lame. The second glass tasted completely different, fortunately. After dinner, as we were leaving, my friends all said they felt unwell from their meal. They said it was the kind of feeling you get after you eat at a greasy diner. This place came to mind again when I drove past those weird McMansions out in the newly suburbanized cattle pastures where people seem to think 20,000 square feet is a normal size for 1 family and monster trucks are the ideal thing for asphalt. Perhaps to that person this would seem like a good deal. Many people have their own views of this place, obviously, but to me it had excessively bad tastes, to a fault. If you want healthy and freshly cooked French cuisine, search elsewhere. Oh, and if you are into people watching you get to see old men with hairspray sculpted coifs and young awkward Denver socialites in their prom dresses. Not the sort of crowd I would normally see, so I guess that's a plus too. Update: The owner of Le Central sent me a message that called me "pompous" and "arrogant" among other insults for this review. Yeah, that just confirms the one-star.
(1)
David S.

An old standby that still draws me in from time to time - consider it Denver's affordable French cuisine. But affordable comes with a price. The service is always a spotty and it seems there's always a crowd. The food is good, but you'll quickly learn that most menu items are pre-prepared in bulk. This is a bummer on two levels - first, don't want mushrooms in that? too bad, it's already made. Second, the food must sit until someone orders it. My cassoulet the other week was more than a tad heavy and dry. Still, le Central lives up to its rep of being affordable and French, but I think I'm going to stick with the mussels.
(3)
Kelly F.

This place always impresses me, I have been here a handful of times for brunch, each time leaving very full, satisfied and with those bottomless mimosas feeling quite good! The mussels are hands down their signature item ,with various ways they cook them. You cant go wrong with any of them! Come hungry and expect a good portion for each dish all for a really reasonable price!
(4)
Ali W.

I could eat their mussels 7 nights a week, sometimes maybe even 8. My favorite flavors are "Portuguaise" and "Italienne", I am disappointed that they raised the price of the mussels to $10 recently, but I would still get it (and they know it too, that's why they raised the price I think). I love their fries too; the French got their French fries down. The dinner entrees are decent and affordable (for French food), but I like their brunch menu the best. My favorites are the Pain Perdu (French toast) and Oeufs Sardou (combo of poached eggs, artichoke hearts, spinach, heaven, and Bernaise sauce). On Saturdays, they also have $2 mimosas for brunch. For desserts, my favorites are the Pot de Creme Espresso (coffee creme brulee) and the Le Central (combo of white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel, and hazelnuts). Those desserts go well with their B52 cafe (combo of Bailey's, Grand Marnier, and Kahlua). I drank so much of it that I got drunk. The only thing I wish they had would be a more practical frequent customer's program, so that I can be greatly rewarded for spending 8 days a week there...closer to 7 now that they raised the price. Bon appetit!
(5)
Bo H.

Rustic home-style French cooking at a price that can't be beat. Yes, the mussels are fantastic (and cheap $10 for an overflowing bucket with fries). The entree was pretty great- I had the Steak au Poivre. But really let's get to the deserts. The desert menu was as big as the regular menu- every item dripping with butter, sugar, eggs, and chocolate. I had some coffee/chocolate creation that makes me weak in the knees just thinking about it.
(4)
Michael L.

I recently dined at Le Central for the first time with several friends. I wish I could say something positive about the food, but I'll be straining to do so. I ordered French Onion Soup...can one go wrong with that perennial favorite, right? Wrong. It was totally flavorless and bland. Thinking it was just faulty taste buds on my part, I had a friend taste it...same opinion. I ordered the swordfish as my entree. It was over cooked and very, very dry. I will say that the rice on which it was served was quite tasty. Two of my friends ordered mussels...one ordering the Italian and the other, the Mexican. Both were very disappointed, declaring them tasteless. The last member of my party ordered the Beef Burgundy, which he found "acceptable" but just barely average. Two pluses were that the wait staff was very pleasant and attentive, plus the suggested wine pairing was right on target.
(2)
Maha K.

This place looks like a horrifically painted fun house from the outside. I don't think it's possible to throw any more random shit onto a decrepit building while also forcing people to use the counter-intuitive door to get in. But, for lunch, this place is a gem. They have my glÃ¼hwein (hot, spiced wine) for $3.00. I had to pay more than 3 EURO to get this stuff in Germany. And it was delish at both places. Pasta du jour was pasta de-licious. All desserts on the menu were $3.00, so I didn't hesitate to get the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e, either. Even the service was slow as hell, just like in Europe. And because it's a French restaurant, I'll let them get away with it and call it cultural immersion. Je serai bientÃ´t de retour!* *Err...Google said that means: "I'll return soon!"
(4)
Meredith G.

I was very surprised to see such a large lunch crowd today, but maybe it was because it was a Friday. Don't know... But I have mixed feelings about the overall meal. We were sitting a solid 10 minutes before our server came with water and only brought 2 and there were 4 of us. I had to ask for my water and kept having to ask for refills twice. Then she was gone 5+ minutes to get drinks and then gone again and it was another 5 minutes to place our orders. Way to much down time. We did start off with a large bowl of yummy mussels and fries. And yes, we took advantage of the unlimited fries and got a 2nd serving which were hot. Our 1st round of fries were not so hot. We also had a yummy goat cheese spread appetizer. For my entree I got their Cesar salad which sounded much better than it really was. Others at the table liked what they got. Lastly, because we were celebrating a birthday we found room to try 2 desserts. The chocolate mouse and something else. The mouse was good and the something else just ok, but I am a dessert snob. So, bottom line I would go back for an affordable lunch and eat a bowl of mussels & fries all by myself.
(3)
Fay H.

"We never run out mussels." Yes, this is what we were told when we made reservations in the morning for a 1pm lunch on a Sunday. Having already went to Le Central once before and been seated then told they ran out of mussels, I always call in advance to check. Well silly me, I have been craving mussels all week long and alas after we were seated and ordered our drinks they waitress told us they were out of mussels. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Le Central, however much I love your mussels - I can't count on them. This was even more embarrassing since I brought a party of friends all psyched for mussels and you're out. A good business practice would be to set expectations. How about this - "Mussels, first come first serve?" Maybe that should be your mussel motto.
(3)
Alex P.

RACHEL RAY WENT HERE!!! That has GOT to hold some weight. Try the bucket of mussels...that's all I've got to say, they are to die for.
(4)
Lauren B.

Good food and good service! The onion soup was AMAZING, I'd go back again just for that!
(4)
Melissa M.

Mussels: sent 'em back, definitely turned Wine: WAY over priced, easily 250-300% mark-up Ambience: bad date combo, over lit and cheaply decorated Basically, a fiasco. I won't lower my standards, but seriously, I wish I could, as I continuously spend my hard-earned money on dinners that I cook better at home. Listen up restauranteurs, here's a tip: GIVE A S*%T, show you care, cook with your heart, give your customers a good deal and your place will be packed all the time!
(1)
Deejai B.

A very reasonably priced, delightful French joint. Really decent, gigantic bowl of moules frites (unlimited frites) = $10. Redonkulous house-made sausage. Escargot is also solid. Even the drinks are quite reasonably priced, especially during happy hour. I thought the waitstaff and hostesses were great and the atmosphere was quite comfortable (great for groups) - not pretentious like so many other French restaurants. Haterz - please put down the haterade. What more do you want???! =P
(4)
Dorian H.

This is a pretty generous 4 stars. The food was great. A group of us started with two different selections of mussels. As a huge mussel fan, I was already on cloud nine after seeing how many varieties they offer. They were good ~ the broth wasn't amazing, but still tasty enough to dip bread in. The bucket of shelled goodness is accompanied by fries too! That's a pretty genius combination in my opinion. For the main course I had the boeuf bourguignon ~ delicious! The rest of the group seemed very please with their meals as well. The deserts are so so wonderful. Pair one of those with an after dinner drink and call me happy! I really like the atmosphere and location. It is very charming and welcoming. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the service - not so welcoming. I mentioned to my husband that a few of the employees particularly someone at the hostess desk had an incredible staring problem - and not like a "do I recognize you?" stare... but a constant snobby glare. At one point I nearly approached her to ask if there was a problem with my husband and I waiting in the "waiting area" for the rest of our party to arrive. After a bit of observing though, I realized she was being just as rude to other guests. So, oh well. Our waiter was fairly on top of everything, except that I couldn't get a refill on my water until after dessert had arrived. Two hours is a long time to be thirsty. Other than that he was great. I really tinkered between 3 and 4 stars, but I thought the food was good enough to warrant a 4 for now. If I go back and encounter the same strange attitude from the staff, I'll be sure to knock it down some stars.
(4)
Kristi B.

Hmmm....I was happy when my family wanted to take me to "a great mussels restaurant" but disappointed when it turned out to be only average. On the good side, the service was great, the wine was great (sancerre) and my spinach salad was pretty good. My aunt raved about the butternut squash soup to the point where I wish I had gotten it instead. My dad was offering up escargots but having tried these already in life I see no point in eating them again. We had all selected different kinds from their 10 or 12 varieties of mussels and I was eagerly anticipating my basilica mussles - with basil and tomato. They came out in a giant bowl - I'm thinking "all this for $9.99?" with some fries on the side, the menu does state unlimited fries if you happen to run out after eating 2 pounds of mussels, not a problem for me. So, they were ok. The shellfish themselves were firm and sweet, so definitely cooked properly. It's the sauce that spoiled it...definite lack of flavor. The menu had said all varieties start with a wine/garlic/butter sauce which just happens to be my favorite dipper with a good chunk of bread. After trying to eat half of my mussels (and sending the bowl across the table to Dad), I remained hopeful and tossed some bread in for a dunk. Meh. I think they skimped on the garlic and wine and butter this night. However, you really can't knock this huge bowl with fries for $9.99 if you're just looking for something decent. I didn't try anything else on the menu so can't vouch for that, but the mussels were unfortunately average.
(3)
Amanda B.

Cozy provincial feeling, this place has been around since I can remember and not much has changed. The building is a Denver monument of sorts, and they deliver what they advertise: Reasonably priced French fare. You get what you pay for, so if you have high expectations of French cuisine - then open your wallet and go to Z Cuisine or fly to France and quit your complaining. Otherwise come here for mussels and fries (unlimited), some Chimay or a glass of wine... or a mimosa on Saturday morning. Avoid the duck confit, salads are plentiful and reasonable. A note to the commenter who saw a roach: yes that sucks, but really? Do you not realize that they exist to some extent in pretty much any place that serves food? Or stores grain for that matter? The FDA actually allow for a certain part per million of commercial food to be comprised of insects, so yah, it's reality.
(3)
Jeremy K.

Le Central's "Mussels and Fries" were listed as one of the top 100 dishes in the city by Denver Magazine, so I gave them a shot: Rating: 6 (out of 10) Price: $10 The Skinny: Wait... aren't Mussels and Fries a Belgian thing? Some quick research turns up that it indeed is, and not just a "thing" but in fact their national dish. Not one to let the Belgians have their day in the sun, the French have taken over this dish in Denver at the staging point of Le Central - proving once and for all that, yes, the French can pillage and conquer another country just like everyone else. Le Central is a charming place. Cozy, intimate, and inviting. Just the kind of place that a bowl of Mussels and Fries can warm up the soul on a chilly winter afternoon. It didn't disappoint. The 30 or so mussels come in big bowls of broth, the ingredients of which you choose beforehand from what seems like 15 different varieties. I had mine with mushrooms, white wine, onions, garlic, cream, and brandy - but they had some others that I nearly tried (bacon and mustard caught my eye, go figure). The mussels tasted perfectly fine - like most other mussels I've ever had in my life, and the broth was hot, creamy, and flavorful. The unlimited fries, on the other hand, were a little disappointing. As 50% of the dish's namesake, it needs to be considered, and on this occasion they were average at best. There was no crunch to them. It was almost like they were steamed prior to arriving at my table, and that had taken all of the bite out of them. I naturally finished my first plate of them, but no more! Overall, I was a fan of the whole thing, but in occasional doses. I've got a picture of it up on the blog on my profile jko
(3)
Dante R.

Fantastic staff. Great food.
(5)
TJ Lee W.

Good pate, but that's the only thing good I've had here, and I've been there several times hoping to experience something spectacular. We even went to a wine tasting here. The stuff they poured was bulk juice swill, and they served dishes that complimented this perfectly. If they change the chef and the menu I'd try it out. Other than that, Meh.
(2)
Jess W.

I am still thinking about the meal I had last night..... I'll get straight to the point: 3 out of 5 of us had mussels (Italienne, Mexican, Mariniere). I see from previous reviews that there has been some complaints as to their quality as of late, but we were all very pleased. Actually more than pleased, considering that we all finished our bowlfuls, and one of us (coughPetercough) made some french fry-mussel broth soup after we had all finished said mussels. Which sounds gross but was actually some tasty goodness. Also, hi- we're in Denver, and the mussels are reasonably priced, so what exactly do you people want? A mussel farm in the backyard?? Our service was excellent- the server recommended a bottle of wine to go with our meal, and we all loved it enough that we ended up getting 2 bottles. Our water glasses were never empty, and we had a full bread basket the entire evening. I docked a star because the patriarch of our group, who is a very soft spoken kind person, ordered the veal and couldn't eat it. Too tough. When his wife brought this up with the server (he was mortified, even though she did it in a very low-key way), she did her job perfectly (told the manager). Here is where the breakdown occurred. He obviously had eaten part of his vegetables, and left the veal nearly untouched (it was tough as can be....hard to cut tough). However, the manager didn't come by until late in our meal, and so when she offered to bring him a menu, he said he was fine, since we were all nearly finished with our meals. Anyway, long story short, they didn't do anything to compensate his meal. Basically, I feel like it could have been handled better, and we all felt bad that he didn't get a decent meal. To sum it up- go there and get mussels. And make french-fry soup when you have left over broth. Don't get veal.
(4)
Amy L.

Unfortunately, I ate here when they had the limited 3-5pm menu, so there weren't a lot of options. Nonetheless, I ordered the mariniere mussels & fries and tasted the steak crepe, chicken crepe, french onion soup and the basalic mussels. mariniere mussels were a bland, steak crepe and the chicken crepe were too creamy. On the other hand, the french onion soup was super tasty and the basalic mussels were more flavorful. The food was fine, but nothing that would make me recommend it to someone as a must-eat type of place. Le Central gets 3 stars bc it's so cheap for french food.
(3)
Shannon T.

Now *THIS* is French food done well. And menu items that are actually traditionally French and written in French? Yes, that's what a French restaurant is about. My family went here for our annual Christmastime dinner out. It was a first experience for my sister and I and my parents hadn't been in years. For the first half of dinner, we were a bit squished in a corner and it was hard to hear over a loud woman at an adjacent table. But the food and wine made up for that. The server knew what she was talking about in regards to the food and wine. The mussels were good, but I'd probably try a different type of style next time (but my favorite mussels are still at Via Baci in Parker, Colorado). My almond-encrusted, pan-seared fish was *EXCELLENT*. My dessert (I'm totally spacing what I had) was quite tasty. However, mine took 20 minutes to prepare while my sister ordered a slice of the Buche de Noel and it wasn't out until I was almost finished with my dessert (i.e. it took 30 minutes to arrive at the table which is just silly). So minus a star for that.
(4)
Dave B.

29SEP2012 Another Saturday lunch. Moules Fromage (blue cheese and cream) avec frites Two excellent rosÃ©s for $20/bottle. Super service. 27MAR2010 Another relaxing, sunny, Saturday lunch. Perfect food and service. We sat in the "sun porch" and started with a bottle of RenÃ© MurÃ© Cremant D'Alsace ($26) which had a green apple taste. I had the Moules Normande while Tracie had salad and French Onion soup. Perfect bread and butter. Service was top notch. 03JAN2009 The Happy Hour is an incredible bargain. Four of us just had a great 2-hour experience. Great food, good wine, excellent service. THIS IS THE BEST DEAL IN DENVER. We spent $154 ($30 tip) for 12-15 items + 4 bottles of wine. Moules ProvenÃ§al are so tasty and delicious. 07JUN2008 - We just had a wonderful lunch at Le Central. A stupendous bargain. The Louis Bouillot bubbly at $20. This is a steal. The retail price at my local liquor store is $13. Our second wine was a Sables d'Azur rose. Another bargain at $17. A delicious refreshing summer wine. Excellent attentive service. In spite of the crowded room, we were never neglected. Now, onto to the food. Bread and butter. Fluffy, crispy baguette. Assiette de Fromage. Four tasty cheeses, bread, lettuce, strawberries, apple and grapes. Highly recommended. Soupe L'ongion. Classic French with a smidge of sherry in the broth. For my wife, it was the meal. Steak et Frites. Ordered medium and it came medium rare. Good quality beef and crispy fires. The eggs were poached perfectly. Crepe de Poulet. A disappointment as there was cartilage in the chicken. Moules et Frites. Mouclade style with a creamy curry sauce. Fantastic. A huge portion for $10. This is one of the best mussels preparations, in my opinion. If you love French food and you want the "affordable" restaurant, then look no further. Good service, food and wine. ______________________________________ Sometime in 2006 - I want to like/love Le Central. I love French bistro-style food. I have had some very good meals at Le Central and it is "affordable". But, I can't love it. My wife and I went there one Saturday in 2006 for a romantic lunch and ordered an appetizer plate that had cheese, olives and rillette. The rillette had MOLD in it. Lots of MOLD. We only discovered this after the first bite. The staff's reaction was incompetent. No real apology. Zero monetary compensation. No appearance by the manager. I mean; what does MOLD say about the kitchen? We have not been back since. (Not true, see above.)
(4)
Erin J.

What a fantastic brunch! Lovely if you can sit in the sun room and enjoy the sun while you nosh and sip. The benedict is delicious, but the Oeufs Sardous is nothing short of amazing. $3 mimosas?? Can a brunch experience get any better?
(4)
Becky W.

Affordable French in Denver - bestill my heart. I have been to Le Central many times and happened upon it twice in my recent visit home. Wines are fantastic, but the food is the true gem. Colorado lamb with cheese lathered gnocchi and greens. Magnifique! The servers are all gorgeous and lovely in every way - and the restaurant is charming and cozy to match. We didn't have the mussels this time, but they are always a sure thing as well. Bread is a no brainer - get it, eat it and get some more!
(5)
Stephen J.

Really enjoyed this place. Great service (our waitress actually ran us down on the street to give us a phone that had been left behind), and extremely well priced for French food. The mussels were very good (had the saffron mussels, I think). Had the cassoulet, and it was pretty good. Not out of this world, but pretty good. Will be back.
(4)
Moraine B.

Have been here several times, always for the food, not the ambience or service. Very casual and nothing special in the seating or setting. The pisou mussels were delicious, but a very small side of fries. Had the roast duck breast which was good, but completely overpowered by the mound of garlic potatoes on the plate and with berre rouge. Husband ordered the rack of lamb which was cooked perfectly but there were 3 huge andouie sausages on the plate which were so pungent it overwhelmed him. The best entree was the pork tenderloin stuffed with sausage. Desserts were delicious - chocolate mouse (enough to share) and the creme caramel. Will come back for the mussels and desserts which are always good. Service is just OK.
(3)
Karen M.

Fueled by the recent spate of interest over Julia Child and everything French, and, coming off of my recent experience at the Yelp Iron Chef competition at the beautiful Cook Street culinary school, I, my friends, am bent on becoming the next local Top Chef. And Le Central offers yet another opportunity for me to demonstrate my culinary expertise. Each month Le Central offers a cooking demonstration and dinner. Each month is a different menu so you can learn new and different techniques from the chefs at Le Central. Of course, I didn't actually get to don an apron at this event, but I did sit really close to the chefs. Last night the menu was a fougasse (this is simulataneously everything yet nothing like a pizza), followed by a snapper filet served with a sun-dried tomato pesto on a greek salad, finished up with a decadent puff pastry dessert featuring creme anglaisse. This was so much fun. I will definately go back. The demonstrations were very well organized (although they did get a bit off of their schedule toward the end of the demos). The demos were light-hearted but educational. The chefs were comfortable in front of their audiences and seemed to simply share their own personal knowledge and preferences about cooking. I definately picked up a few tips that I can't wait to try in my own kitchen. The wait staff were easy-going and right on top of things. I especially liked how I was able to describe to the waiter my preference for a red wine and he nailed it with a really light beaujolais. An added bonus was that I didn't have to break the bank for a glass of wine. At just $4 a glass, I didn't feel bad about ordering two! My one suggestion is to add some more tasting in to the mix. At the first demo station we were given a taste of a delicious savory brioche. But as the demos went on, I was getting hungrier and hungrier. Hey Chef, can you throw me a little croistini to try a taste of that pesto you just made? Break off a bite of that puff pastry! After all, even though I'm tasting the dishes at my table later, a little somethin', somethin' to tied me over would have been nice. Plus, then I really understand the flavor profiles and textures I'm shooting for in my own kitchen. But really, this was a minor flaw in an otherwise flawless night. I will definately be back!
(4)
Lisa G.

I want to try so many new restaurants in this fine city, and yet I find myself at Le Central, again and again and again. Central isn't spectacular, but it is reliable, and comfortable, and a little funky, just like most restaurants I've been to in Paris. About once a quarter I like to have brunch here, an omelet avec saumon fumÃ© and a blanc limÃ© (white wine with sparkling water and lime juice) or a Kir royale. Dessert and a cafÃ© au lait. I feel transported a million miles away. I have to eat cassoulet at least once per winter or I just don't feel right. Central's is exceptional, silky and dark. Their wine list is wonderful and extremely well-priced, with a large selection by the glass, and their pastry chef is very talented. My daughter has been coming here since she was tiny. Last night, as a high school freshman, she was able to order her meal en franÃ§ais for the first time. Salade CÃ©sar, brie avec l'ail et croutons, and crÃ¨me brulÃ©e. Our waiter, Pascal, helped her pronounce l'ail (garlic) because I couldn't remember. It was very sweet.
(4)
Lonnie C.

Nice atmosphere. Recommend the mussels and fries...great deal and very filling
(4)
Annie C.

I've never had a bad experience at Le Central over the years, but I always get the mussels too. I think I've had every flavor they offer, and it's always good. I've only been there on Saturday nights & had good service too. If you're expecting a fancy French restaurant, they don't claim to be one. One thing I have noticed over the years is that the fromage portions have shrunk a bit. I don't know if kitchen mgmt has changed, or if they're just experiencing economic strain like everyone else, while trying to keep it French affordable, as they've always been. I call it the wine booth, but I'm sure they call it something else. Usually good wine recommendations & knowledge.
(4)
Matthew D.

Amazing food, so cheap, great vibe inside. This is one of my favorite lunch spots. The mussels are spot on.
(5)
Yuki H.

Very unhappy that I had to leave before I ordered my food. They used to be amazing but when I visited today I felt nothing but ignored, disrespected, and uncomfortable.
(1)
Darika S.

I went for lunch recently. Meal started well with a french baquette. A cup of soup with any entree is only $1! So I had the split pea curry. It was okay. I added some salt and pepper and it still needed something. My friend had the chicken soup, though she said it tasted like beef bourgiugnon. So we were pretty sure there was a beef soup in the kitchen that wasn't on the menu. But she enjoyed it. I ordered the L'omelet, smoked salmon, brie and wilted spinach omelet. I thinking my friend enjoyed hers better than mine, she had toasted bread with artichokes, spinach and a poached egg on top. My omelet was okay, the eggs tasted slightly overcooked, not as fluffy as I would've liked, the brie was very rich but that was expected. We had no idea that the meal was served with mashed potatoes, (skin on red potatoes), and a roasted vegetable medley. The best thing on my plate was the potatoes. We decided to end the huge lunch with dessert. Apple crepes topped with caramel and whipped cream. That was soooooo sweet! The fantastic thing about this place is that it is cheap! Drinks, soup, entree and dessert, less than $12 per person, that's great. I would come here again and try a non-egg dish. Is this true French food? No I don't think so, but it a bargain lunch.
(3)
Alyson A.

This place was stellar. My boyfriend's mother took us there for brunch and everything was amazing. We shared a fruit and cheese plate that allowed me to discover a new love for pears and to reaffirm my affair with brie. I sampled my boyfriend's french onion soup and it was FANTASTIC! He and I each had an omelette and his mother had something that involved poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. We were all so engrossed in our meals that trying to have conversation was futile. My omelette was stuffed with a filet of smoked salmon and an awesome helping of brie. I always forget that smoked salmon is a little too salty for my taste, so I ate half the omelette in the restaurant and half later that evening at home. I can't wait to go back for brunch! Not to mention that the prices are HELLA reasonable (for brunch anyway). I bet it's amazing for dates too ;).
(5)
Michelle K.

I absolutely love going here for the mussels and fries (they have so many different broths to choose from), but they also have delicious savory crepes and giant pastries that fulfill your daily caloric and carbohydrate recommendations but I don't care because they're that good. I think the service is great. The enclosed patio is alright, but a lot could be done to improve the ambiance. If you're in the mood for unassuming and casual French fare, I recommend this place.
(4)
Dan S.

I just love this place. I've been once for Sunday brunch and once for Friday dinner. Both times I was seated right away (despite those being typically very busy times) had super friendly service, and found the food to be quite tasty. TIPS: 1. Get the mussels - it's a GIANT bucket, and you can dunk all the free bread they bring out in the buttery/garlicy (or whatever type of mussels you get) soup. 2. They sell baguettes at the counter - this is nice if you're looking for a delicious, just cooked loaf of bread. And I think they only charge $2-3 a loaf
(5)
David R.

Not so great. The lamb was overcooked, dry, and not a great cut. Boulliabaise was also a disappointment. Mussels were quite tasty. French onion soup was also delicious. Very pleasant service in a pleasant, slightly funky, intimate setting. Overall definitely not worth the price or a return visit.
(2)
Melissa W.

I usually come here for brunch or lunch, but when I make it there for dinner I'm never disappointed. Affordable, check. Delicious, check. Great service, check. If you show up on a weekend evening or on a Sunday in the middle of brunch without a reservation, then expect a little bit of a wait, but that's just a testiment to the quality of their food. I usually get start with the mussels, which come a variety of ways (and with unlimited frites). Don't pass them up. I love that their menu is constantly changing., but they always offer a vegetarian option a few "safer" options if you have someone with you that is uncertain about ordering traditional French fare. And always, always, save room for dessert.
(5)
Eric T.

Le Central is one of my favorite restaurants in Denver and has been for many years. They consistently have great food and a casual atmosphere. On my last visit there were 6 of us. I started off with the Escargots en Brioche, which is snails with bread, butter, and lots of garlic then baked. One of my favorites! I then had a Cesar salad, which I know is kind of simple, but I really enjoy the anchovies that come with it. Mmmm, furry fish. My main course was the Cotes d'Agneau. It was lamb chops with lavender jus and vegetables on the side. The chops were a little small but seasoned very well and the lavender was not overpowering. Finally dessert. I had the gateau chocolat. It is a wonderful flourless chocolate cake with a raspberry sauce. I could only eat about half as it was very sweet, but overall very good meal. The menu changes often and always includes something vegetarian, meat, and fish. So pop in at a Denver landmark and have a glass of wine, some cheese, and a great meal!
(4)
Sasha S.

The food here is consistently good. I'm tempted to give five stars after my recent visit. They have a really interesting variety of preparations for GIANT plates of mussels. I selected the dish with white wine, shallots, and blue cheese. It was fan-freaking-tastic people. Did I mention that it came with a heapin' helpin' of frites? I would punch my granny in the nose for a great plate of fries. One star off because the space needs a serious spring cleaning. But, will happily go back soon for the food. Service is fair to excellent depending on who/what/where.
(4)
James G.

Wow, the place seems to have really have gotten their act together service wise, tonight meal pretty much negated any negative reviews I had, I'm glad too, since we really love the muscles. Our waiter Scott was very accommodating & a pro, even to our kids. We will definitely be back soon.
(4)
Bob P.

A very dear friend took me to this very comfortable venue. We ordered the mussels. They are served in a variety of liquids & come with pomme frites. The quantity of both is enough for two, but since we both are huge fans of steamed mussels, we each got our own bucket. I did not finish the frites & when I told the waitress, she said that I could have made a substitute for a salad -- what a bargain; all for $10 The wine is devine and the whole experience is most memorable.
(5)
Isibella A.

Ah Le Central...Such a love hate relationship. See how I give you 5 stars yet hate you. Le Central is a rustic combination of french cooking and comfort food. But ignore the rest of the menu (though the brie is delicious) Everyone comes here for the mussels and don't let them tell you otherwise. Perfectly reasonably priced the mussels are good, before coming to Colorado I was spoilt by the juicy mussels in Europe, and since coming here in this landlocked state I was afraid to touch anything fish or shell fish related. My urges got the best of me and le central was the place I went. Believe the reviews, the mussels are perfect, complimented by a side of unlimited fries. Now why does the hungry kitten hate Le central you say? The wait staff and the kitchen are beyond disconnected. Expect the worst wait service of your life, and perhaps then it wont feel so bad while you're there. The waiters are slow and one is obnoxious (Perfect combination right?) Couple this with very busy evenings/lunches and suddenly you find yourself waiting hours for a table. I am told by older foodie friends, that once apon a time Le central was in perfect harmony with it's service and food. Let us hope this is not a sign of the end and simply a turbulent period. Either way, I'll still be back on Saturday for your mussels. The hungry kitten says: Go here for your mussel fix, no where else in Denver will do.
(5)
Dawn B.

I had a major craving for mussels last night so headed out to Le Central. Had heard about the $10 buckets - great deal! Many 'flavors' to choose from - i.e.: traditional, Spicy Italian, etc. They were excellent! All the pomme frites you can eat goes along with the deal. Overall the menu is very reasonable - from the wine list to the menu.
(4)
Marv M.

A phenomenal disappointment, after having previously enjoyed meals there. The reason: A terrible waitress, Jessica. We asked for the owner's name, which she would not provide and said the manager would come speak with us (he never did). So, for a second time, I asked for the owner's name, again she declined to provide it. On the way out of the restaurant, I asked the manager on duty for the owner's name, he refused. Guess they don't want any service problems to be presented to the owner by a customer.
(1)
Jenna A.

I've never had French food before but I was happily surprised when I went there on a first date in February. I had never had mussels but after researching the menu online, I figured we would get some. Everything was perfect: the wine, the food, the ambiance and the guy. I'd recommend this for any first or 20th date! It's inexpensive fine dining and a little adventurous. He got the rabbit and I got the veggie pasta dish. We ate so much of the delicious bread and mussels, we were full by the time the entree came! My recommendation for date night...get something without a lot of garlic! ;)
(4)
Lori P.

Le Central, you had me at your $3 lunch desserts !! The flourless chocolate cake was to die for ! I'm so glad I found this adorable place ! Our lunch was amazing and I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were ! Unbelievable inexpensive ! I will be back for sure !
(4)
Ryan G.

Went for dinner. I LOVED the atmosphere and the staff was really cool. Awesome place for a lovely romantic date. It worked for me. We got the escargo, the blue cheese mussels, and some steak dish. The escargo was good. The steak was decent. But they were French typical - nothing special, kinda weird, but worth the price at this very reasonably priced place. And face it, you are going French in order to be weird. The mussels however - their specialty - we had to SPIT nearly half of them out for being rancid. Didn't finish the dish, and got comped by it. That left enough of a bad feeling in my mouth so to speak that they only get 3 stars. I am a big fan of atmosphere and understand that the 'food' can be both a situational thing AND vary for people. And especially with their reasonable prices, it is probably worth another shot in the future given the rest there is so cool. So I'd say - give it a shot, but don't expect to come away saying it was the best food you ever had - just enjoy the experience.
(3)
Kady T.

This place is so good! But one time I came here and the lady sitting at the table next to us had a stroke and had to be carried out on a stretcher. So I guess don't eat here too often. All that butter. Woof.
(5)
Hannah P.

My girlfriend and I have been on the search for the best brunch in Denver and I think we may have found it this weekend. The ambiance is amazing. The omelet was one of the best ever (I have the mushroom she had the caprese). My only complaint was that the mimosas were weak and pricey (4.50 each). They should have a 3$ special brunch price (in my humble opinion). I can't wait to come back to this Denver gem for dinner (or maybe even a cooking class)
(4)
Derek W.

After living in the neighborhood and going past here many many times we finally made an outing here for my birthday last night. I can say this was a phenomenal meal that will definitely have me coming back for more!! We ordered the mussels which is a must here. Even if you're getting regular meals you still need to order the mussels as a table appetizer! We had the Italienne (hot and spicey) and the Mariniere (white wine, garlic, shallots). Some of the best mussels and the bucket is only $9.99 with unlimited french fries! Afterwards we each ordered dessert. The creme brulee, bread pudding, tiramisu, and the flourless chocolate cake. Mmmmmmm! All VERY good!!! Another plus is this place is very affordable. Yes they have their expensive plates like all restaurants do, but in general this is definitely one of the best meals I've had this affordable. The wait staff is fantasic! Friendly and attentive! I will mention though that if you are coming for dinner like we did you may want to call ahead for a reservation. This place is very popular. I will definitely be returning!!
(5)
Emily P.

Love Le Central! My mom and I go there for lunch all the time. Great prices and great food. DO NOT miss the Pineau des Charentes (I'm probably spelling that wrong). It's a dessert wine, cognac, deity nectar, or something in between and next to impossible to find in a liquor store (unless you ask me where... ;). French onion soup is fab, salads are all wonderful, entree dishes are all wonderful. It feels pretty European to me, and quite a breath of fresh French air in a world of Chili's and Applebee's. Bon appetite!
(5)
A W.

The food was okay. I found the portions too big. The server was not knowledgeable about the food and service was slow. Nothing I ate stood out as something I have to have again. I probably will not return.
(2)
ken a.

The brunch is fabulous food & totally reasonable prices. Mussels are fresh & plentiful. Also great for dinner. Menu has some nice seasonal specials - highly recommended. But it is also totally comfortable place to get bread, salad, French onion soup and wine. The wines are incredibly reasonable - glass start under 4$! Service people are prompt and attentive (OK, so that makes it not so Parisian) It is an old standard that doesn't disappoint.
(4)
Brooke B.

I love grabbing dinner with a friend here. The ambiance is wonderful and the food rocks. Because I'm on a budget.. I found that a friend and I could split a bucket of mussels ($10) and each get a glass of wine and still have a nice dinner out without breaking the bank. I haven't had anything else, but the mussels are AMAZING!
(5)
Alden C.

Good good good food! Anything you get here will be amazing! Woo Hoo!
(4)
Celia S.

Amazing French Brunch, Great Mussels with unltd Fries, All you can drink mimosas--Combined with the feeling of eating at Grandma's House...It really doesn't get any better!! I had to walk around the place a few times to find the 'right' door for the entrance-they have about 10, honestly! It was a great pre-meal work out! This place is big, but it has a very warm and homey feel about it. Nice exposed brick and a quaint little kitchen bar to the left! It almost feels as if your dining in a French country-side Estate! The brunch menu has so many options to choose from, everything I have tried here has been superb! The service and food is always consistently great! If you plan on getting the mussels make sure you come HUNGRY--they are a a huge portion with fries and you also have the pre-meal bread! Great place to come to for some good food therapy after any long weekend! There is always a wait BUT it is most certainly worth it!!
(5)
Moon L.

Went here for my weekly lunch date with my husband. WONDERFUL polite service and the food was oh so rich and delicious. I cant wait to come back and try the mussels I keep hearing about and I spied some french onion soup that I have a feeling may tickle my fancy. I'd like to come back when we have more time.
(4)
Beth M.

I wish we had 1) lived in Denver long enough to eat here at least twice, and 2) not come on a night when we were too stressed to enjoy ourselves (not the fault of the restaurant). Had the cassoulet...amazing. Would have loved it more if I weren't weeping into it. The poor waiter picked that moment to come check on us. He spent the rest of the evening tiptoing around our table. Wine was good--again, not my best moment, so fuzzy on the details. The cassoulet was outstanding reheated at home--comforting, meaty, spicy, warm. I'd love to give it another go some time. Perhaps with another dinner companion...:D
(4)
Robert M.

Not a bad experience, probably more like a 3.5 rating. The prices here can't be beat. Large portions for inexpensive prices. First, the wines. I wouldn't recommend wine here by the glass, pretty weak selection. By the bottle has a much better selection. I started out with a wine flight of an 05 Cab, an 05 Vin de Pays, an 05 Shiraz and an 04 Rhone. The cab was like gasoline, stay away. The Shiraz had practically no nose but a semi decent finish. The Rhone was light and weak. The Vin de Pays was probably the best of the flight, but not full bodied like the description says. No licorice, mostly a cherry finish but a decent finish. We decided to get a bottle of 04 ChÃ¢teau-Neuf-du-Pape since the glass selection wasn't that great. This hit the spot. Full bodied, beautiful nose and a lingering finish. For dinner I had the Steak Robert au Poivre...which is a decent sized rib-eye with a peppercorn glaze. The peppercorn glaze was decent. The rib-eye was more grizzled than marbled. They didn't hit my requested temperature correctly and it was a bit chewy. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't fantastic either. The glaze was decent and so was the mash. I think the desserts were the hit of the night. The best of the lot was the Creme Brulee. The flavor just popped. One of the best I've had anywhere. The Creme Caramel was a flan with decent flavor. The Le GÃ¢teau au Chocolat was a layered rum cake with fresh creme and was probably my 2nd favorite of the night. The Pot de Creme was basically a chocolate Creme Brulee which was pretty good as well. Overall a decent dining experience but probably wouldn't be a repeat visit for me.
(3)
Jake V.

Le Central does what it says on the tin: affordable french food, done well. The mussels are a fantastic deal (ask for french mustard with your frites). The wine list is well-rounded and cheap. The fixed price menus are varied and often a great dinner out. Sit in the back porch if you can.
(5)
Ken L.

On my first visit of this place, I would give it 5 stars based on the delicious lamb chop, mussels and escargot. However, it seems that the last three times, the other food items were much inferior in quality and I didn't enjoy it as much. For me, I would stick to the following: mussells and fries (no kidding!), the escargot in burginon sauce with mushrooms, ribeye (if they had it that day) and finish with a good creme brulee'. I maintain a 4 star just based on these items only.
(4)
Arlyn C.

Very disappointed here.. I have a fondness for french cuisine and had high hopes for this place. Nothing we ordered was tasty at all. Everything was extremely bland and had to pour on the salt for any dimension. The mussles tasted like they had been brewing in plain water and if you've had mussles before, the best part is when you soak your bread in the broth. No thank you. I would have had soggy bread. The scallops weren't even cooked well. Felt like someone just pulled it out of the freezer and microwaved it. I tried a bit of my friend's dish, something meat with a gastrique sauce. Interesting, but not in a good way.. Didn't order dessert because what was the point? And who doesn't order dessert at a french place? The only good thing, was the ambience and the service. It did remind me of a little cafe in the Bastille region of Paris. Somewhere off of the Robert Lenoix street.. Our server was fabulous, but just didn't have the heart to tell him the food was terrible. Sounds like this place is a hit or miss, and unfortunately, it was a big miss for me....
(1)
Nicole M.

Another great experience at Le Central. Went again for brunch with some girlfriends and again everything was fabulous! I almost ordered my go-to, the mussels, as they are always amazing but then..I saw...IT! The Monte Cristo. I have been on the hunt for a good, no great Monte Cristo sandwich but have only been let down. Le Central was one of the only restaurants I've seen that actually does it right - with the raspberry jam on the side. It honestly makes the sandwich, again assuming the sandwich is done right. Man oh man was it EVER done right! First off, you get a huge sandwich made perfectly, a small salad with their amazing house dressing, and you even get fries. Another thing I liked was that they don't put powdered sugar on their monte cristo - I always thought this was overkill with the raspberry jam you really don't need it. I also ordered a bloody Mary and that too was quite good - they even do bottomless bloody Mary's or mimosas (made with your choice of three juice options) for $9!!! I would like to say I'd love to go back for dinner but brunch honestly has my heart. I must take the BF I really think he's missing out and I highly doubt he'd say no.
(5)
jay b.

Like some of the other reviewers, my experience here has been a little hit or miss. When it's good, it can be damn good.. but when it's bad... well...yeah. And, let me qualify that to be totally clear: they are actually very consistent and delicious with their brunch, but not as much around the dinner menu. For example, I've had the mussels when they were quite excellent, but also when they were pretty awful. It's a little puzzling why it varies so much. Overall I like it a lot here (in large part because of the super-quaint, romantic atmosphere of the building and decor) but I think I will stick with brunch for the most part in future visits since it's so awesome and dinner seems a bit of a crapshoot. Still...I'm sure I'll be back sometime this year.
(3)
Karli F.

Simply put, for the price, this place is great! You can get a huge bucket of mussels (prepared in an array of methods) and unlimited frites for only $9.99 during lunch OR dinner! We had the formage (blue cheese) and I found them to be quite nice. There were probably 40 mussels in the bucket. I've also had the Epinard salad, which was missing the egg for some reason. I liked it, but I make it better so next time I'll order something different. For dinner I had the Beef Bourgonion. It was delish! It was hearty and warm and perfect for a chilly fall or winter evening. My companions had the filet, lobster bisque and a seafood dish. They all commented on the food, saying it was good. I'll be back to Le Central, but for the money I don't think there's any reason to order anything except the mussels, unlimited frites, and don't forget to ask for plenty of bread to soak up the mussel juice! YUM!
(4)
Ms. gumby W.

My go-to place for mussels and fries. Super yummy and very reasonably priced. Plus a great atmosphere, like a French inn in the midst of downtown Denver.
(5)
David C.

For the bucket of mussels and the awesome French baguettes, 5 stars. The mussels have got to be a loss leader for them, at $9.99, that's about what I'd have to pay in a supermarket, plus they throw in unlimited fries, bread, etc., this menu item can't possibly break even. Are there economies of scale to mussel steaming? The baguettes are wonderful, and it took a lot of willpower not to devour the complimentary bread basket at the start of dinner, but listen to the advice of others: SAVE IT FOR THE SAUCE. About halfway through the mussels you will find some divinely flavored broth. We had the Normandy, which was a cream and mushroom combo. Infused with mussel juices, and sopped up in chunks of baguette, the broth was manna. However, the prix fixe menu was a let down. The tongue and tomato appetizer was prepared well, with shaved thin slices of tongue dolloped with cool stewed tomatoes. The rest of the meal, however, was blah. The veal dish could have passed for an undercooked hamburger patty. The Bibb salad was a pile of lettuce that would have pleased perhaps a rabbit. The peach Melba was unremarkable. Lesson learned, "affordable French" means ordering a la carte. Since we're new to the neighborhood, we were very glad to find a place with excellent rustic (~Provencal) French cuisine, the $2 baguette will be a constant draw. Looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu, especially the Ile flottant.
(4)
Leslie R.

Had I been asked last week what I thought of Le Central...it would've been Hell's yeah you should go there. However, that would be based on one time for brunch. I remember it being really good and leaving there thinking I don't have to eat again for a few days. However, I just went there for my birthday really wanting to try their mussels. When we arrived(after 8pm on a Saturday) the restaurant was extremely warm inside. It took awhile just to cool down from our walk there. If they have A/C, they definitely should use it. Our server was not very helpful and appeared uninterested. I had asked about the bouillabaisse as it sounded really good on the menu. Had she merely reiterated what the menu said, I would've been all over it. Instead it was described as a fish stew. I know what a bouillabaisse is...I wanted to know more about theirs, was it any good? So, instead I ordered the mussels and unlimited frites. Le Central describes themselves as "affordable French Cuisine." I think now I know why. The mussels. Were. Disgusting. I buy mussels all the time from Seafood Landing and cook them at home. Not once have I gotten a mussel from there that tastes like the sea, or pooh. Fail Le Central. The mussels I ordered tasted like the sea and often like pooh. I didn't finish them for a reason. My friend ate maybe three. Our server not only didn't ask us if we enjoyed our food, neither did she notice we didn't eat it. Now I do have to say another one of my friend's ordered the sea bass and liked it. So my recommendation: Never order the mussels there and if you can avoid it, don't go for dinner in the summer when it's hot. You will not be escaping the heat nor will you enjoy your food.
(2)
Mark S.

Things you must know about Le Central: 1. Outside is pretty. 2. Inside looks bland with not very good art on the wall. 3. Service was inattentive and did not fill water. 4. Bread was bought from King Soopers and heated up in oven before served. 5. Reasonable prices for food. You get some unique dishes for the price. 6. Quality of food is hit or miss. The $10 vegetarian platter was not well seasoned, to salty, had dirty greens in it, and not tasty. 7. Would only reccommend the mussels. 8. One vegetarian options on the menu. 9. Street parking. 10. I honestly had great expecatations for this restaurant and it left me feeling bland with no reason to return. 11. Would not come back except for mussels (which am in no hurry to come back for.)
(3)
Jenni M.

Well, it makes me feel bad to be writing a bad review for a place that I've gone for years, but people have to know. I like the food here, have always had a good time, but they've implemented a new "bottomless" mimosa brunch (and a new manager too, for all I know) and you need to know not to believe it. It is in fact, not bottomless. It's 7 very small, very weak mimosas over the course of 2 and 1/2 hours and then they'll cut you off. Even if you're not beligerant, even if you're nothing but polite to the wait staff, even if you're very patient with the fact that they're busy. You'll be cut off by the manager who calls it a "liability". My friends and I were very disappointed and will not be coming back for "bottomless" anything ever again.
(1)
Joseph H.

Always great service and great food.
(4)
raul z.

I was in town visiting some friends and she took me to this very charming place. The ambiance is nice. We sat in the "inside/outside" part (which is the back section of the restaurant, like a deck, with plenty of windows). The server was very friendly, accommodating and professional. Here is "Le Central" menu concept: it changes daily. The menu includes a different type of meat (lamb, chicken, beef or pork), fish and vegetarian dishes all cooked with different sauces and side dishes. In addition, to help with the budget conscious person, they also offer a "price fix" menu with a choice of an appetizer, main course and dessert for $19.95. As it was a very cold day, we order soups to warm up. I ordered the onion soup which was very rich, creamy, cheesy and delicious. My friend order another soup which was not that good but our very accommodating and friendly server changed it right away to the onion soup. We also order the warm brie appetizer with toasted baguette which was super delicious. I ordered a French martini to start with and it was one of the best ones I've had. Then we switch to the house red wine and it was even nicer. For the main course, I wanted the "price fix" menu entree which it was not available in the 'a la carte' choices. The very accommodating and friendly server spoke to the chef and they allowed me to have the "ribs" from the 'price fix' as an 'a la carte' dish. The meat was so tender that it just melted in my mouth, but the only problem was that it was quite a bit of fat in the meat but I still ate most of it. The side veggies, spatzele and red wine sauce was amazingly good! We had friends join us later for drinks and desserts. Our table of 4 became a table for 8 and we all order coffee, tea, more wine, and plenty of desserts: the creme brulee, the chocolate cheesecake and chocolate mousse. They were all delicious and we all enjoyed every moment of our stay at Le Central. The Final Verdict: Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 5.0 out of 5.0 Staff Service/Friendliness/Professionalism : 5.0 out of 5.0 Seating Arrangement/Layout: 5.0 out of 5.0 Seating Comfort: 5.0 out of 5.0 Food Quality/Flavor: 4.5 out of 5.0 Food Price Value: 4.5 out of 5.0 Wine/Alcohol Selection: 5.0 out of 5.0 Wine/Alcohol Price Value: 4.5 out of 5.0 Bathrooms Cleanliness: 5.0 out of 5.0 Final Score: 43.5 out of 45 (97 out of 100% or A+ grade) Final Comment: A great place that, with the constant menu changes, will keep you guessing and amazed as to how they can keep a ever changing menu and the quality of the food so high. The wine and martinis selection is superb. Desserts is worth having. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Jennifer J.

Many Americans fail to appreciate a leisurely dinner. When I go to a restaurant featuring the cuisine of another country where meals are experiences to be savored, I don't expect to be in and out in an hour. France is one such country. Le Central does an excellent job of conveying the essence of country French cuisine (which is one of my favorites). They offer a seasonal menu that contains many of the dishes that you would expect to see. Their wine selection is also extensive. The mussels made a fabulous hors d'oeuvre since we all wanted to give them a try. We also had the FeuilletÃ© d'Escargots and Escargots Bourguignons. Both were decadently rich and full of flavor. My main course was Escalope de Veau Zingara. After having such wonderful appetizers I was a little disappointed by the veal. It was barely warm and the breading was soggy, as if it had been pan fried in a pan that was not hot enough. The potatoes were the most appetizing item on my plate. My husband's Bouillabaisse du Central was much better than I expected it to be. It had loads of seafood and a perfect broth. Our server seemed eager to please, but his strong French accent created more than a few "pardon me, but can you repeat that" moments. Once we told him we had to leave by a certain time, he went out his way to accommodate this. The entire restaurant was packed to the hilt, and we definitely got a much more quiet and out of the way table by having a reservation. I would hate to be stuck in the foyer area with my table practically in the lap of the other patrons waiting for a table. I will definitely return, but I'll try the Boeuf Bourguignon, which my friend said was delicious.
(4)
Julio T.

Le Central is such a lovely restaurant. It gets pretty much everything right: Fantastic service that is not cloying or stuffy. A beautiful interior that makes you feel like you're eating in an elegant bistro one visit and then a French country house the next. And the food is consistently good. Le Central has a ever-changing seasonal menu meaning no visit is the same. The mussels are always good and actually so is much of their sea food menu as the restaurant is one of the few in Denver that has figured out how to get fresh seafood to this landlocked city. The best part about the menu is that it is relatively inexpensive yet high quality. Few entrees cost more than about $25 and several are less than a Jackson. The wine list is extensive and affordable. The dessert menu has tons of delicious choices (Love their fruit crepe and creme brulee, both less than $5). Le Central is the perfect choice for a nice "going-out" dinner when you don't want to spend a bunch of money. I can't think of many Denver restaurants that give you as much value and quality.
(5)
Kimber S.

I brought the hubby here to experience a cooking demo at the end of January and we had a great time! We learned how to brine anything, how to make a Hollandaise that won't break, and how to whip and fold egg whites into submission. At the end of the demos, we were treated to a fantastic meal of rosemary and honey brined pork chops and chocolate lava cakes for dessert - YUM! That, plus the warm and inviting atmosphere, friendly professional service, and fun interactive cooking demos all added up to a perfect date night!
(4)
Todd A.

Been here for dinner a few times with other groups, and always liked it. This morning, the friends my wife and I normally have Sunday brunch with were out of town, so we figured we'd find something to do on our own. We settled on Le Central, and I'm very glad we did. I had a crab cake Benedict, which was done absolutely perfectly. The egg was beautiful and at that perfect soft-poached point, with plenty of yolk. The crab cakes were soft crab meat, and had a wonderfully seasoned flavor to them. My wife had a Monte Cristo, with the French toast being done to the perfect point of crisp without being burnt, and some excellent meat in it. The potatoes that came with mine were delicious as well, cooked just enough and not a bit greasy. Service was excellent as well. Unlike a lot of places that offer "bottomless" Bloody Mary/mimosa, they have good ones and make sure they stay full. Our waiter was very polite and attentive, and we got our food very quickly. And at all that, the price is about the same as you'd pay for a decent brunch anywhere ($15-20 per person, drinks included). Well worth it. I'll definitely be back. I've got to try those mussels next time...
(4)
Corinthia C.

Some friends have had breakfasts here in the past. The first time I went, the breakfast was terrific: perfectly cooked, quick service, and tasty. The second time I went, the breakfast was so-so. The bacon hadn't been fully cooked, the eggs were greasier, and the potatoes were drier. The service was still great, though. And the restaurant itself is adorable; it's a quirky space. So, I am divided about this place. Perhaps I will post again and update.
(4)
Daniel B.

I've eaten here 3 times (twice due to family gatherings). The atmosphere at this place is fantastic - urban, casual, and cozy. The great atmosphere is about as far as it goes, though. I've eaten the mussels, the steak w/fries, and the Monte Cristo. The mussels weren't bad tasting, they just came out cold. The steak was about 1/2" thick and was burned. The fries were so greasy and cold that they folded over on themselves. The Monte Cristo is just two slices of French toast with a bunch of meat in the middle. The food is bland, cold, and uninspired. Steal some recipes from some chain restaurants for goodness sake! The prices aren't that great either, especially considering the quality of the food. Sorry Le Central. I won't be going back if I can help it.
(2)
Sam F.

Stopped by this Sunday for brunch before the Van Gogh exhibit. We waited 15 minutes for a table, which was pretty reasonable. No complaints there. We were seated, and the experience just fell apart. From the time the hostess seated us at a table until our payment was rung through, brunch took an hour and forty five minutes. Our coffee and water were never once refilled unless we first requested it. Not once. My dining companion ordered soup and a pastry. I ordered an omelet. Her items were delivered first, and after waiting for my food to show up, I convinced her to start eating before the soup went completely cold. She ate slowly, but still finished her meal before mine arrived. The waiter finally delivered an omelet, but it wasn't what I had ordered. I sent it back and suffered another long wait. Our waiter never apologized for the slow service or mistakes, nor did he offer to adjust the bill to compensate for the mistakes. I've lived in Denver long enough to have seen Le Central cycle through a couple periods of decline. With other wonderful French restaurants around, it will be a while before I try Le Central again.
(2)
Carolyn H.

Ahhh...Le Central. I love your weekend brunch and I don't visit often enough. This place is brimming with friendly service and melt in your mouth food that you'll wish you could never stop eating. I've never experienced too lng of a wait time, even on a lazy Saturday morning. Maybe 20 minutes or so. My picks: Quiche Lorraine - It's the perfect blend of bacon, onion and amazingness. Waffles with Fruit - Crispy. Warm. Perfection. Pain Perdu - There's no pain in this...but definitely gain. You NEED to check this lovely restaurant out today.
(5)
Kym B.

Way back when, in my days of Service Industry Minionship, I applied for a server position at Le Central. Not only do they ask if you speak French (I do... -ish), but there's an actual written TEST on French cuisine and wine regions that they give potential employees! Now, I'm the first to admit that my French isn't perfect. My accent is particularly horrendous, because even though I CAN speak with the proper intonation and pronunciation, I choose not to. Why? Because to do so makes me feel like a huge, faux-classy, wanna-be poser. J'aime parler Francais comme une Texan, y'all. Soop dew Jew-ar, madame? Shockingly, I wasn't hired. Last night, some friends and I visited Le Central for dinner. I really wanted to love it! I'm a big fan of tasty mussels, and I've never met a bottomless plate of fries I didn't like. But when all was said and done, I was a bit underwhelmed. People have mentioned the sketchy service here, and yeah... we got that. We sat munching on bread for a good solid ten minutes before our server (French! He was actually French!) paid us a visit. We had a few questions about the wine list. Namely, how come there aren't any Pinot Gris/Grigios offered by the glass? I'm not a big wine drinker (save for Boone's Farm, as we know), but I do like a good Pinot G. I asked him to point out the most similar wine by the glass, silently daring him to pick the most expensive one (which, at $5 a pop, really wasn't all that expensive anyhow). Of course, he did. Worse, he didn't seem to know much about it or any of the other wines. When my friend asked about a variety of red, he rattled off the exact description that was printed right there on the wine list. Helpful, thanks. To start, I ordered the Chef's Soup, which was a Soupe Froide (cold) made from Asparagus, Avocado, Cucumber, Shrimp, and Scallops. It was decent, but I didn't taste any Avocado or Asparagus whatsoever. Nothing could get past the scream of the copious amounts of raw garlic within. No kidding... it was almost painful. One scallop and maybe three little shrimp swam in its green depths. My friend and I decided to each get a different variety of mussel dish to share. She ordered the curry one, and I, the one with fresh basil. When those buckets arrived... holy craziness! They were HUGE. We could've easily ordered one to split. Especially with unlimited Pommes Frites in the mix. Speaking of which, they were DELICIOUS. Fantastic fries. However, the unlimitedness of them might be up for debate, as our waiter never once stopped by to ask if we wanted more (even after both our portions were decimated quite handily). Not cool. One doesn't want to look like a glutton by having to flag down more fries like they're in some sort of Country Buffet! They should be discreetly offered. On to the mussels. I hate to say it, but I've had better. The curry-sauced one was definitely the better of the two, but even those were fishier than your average mussel should taste. Several of the little guys were gritty, and some didn't separate cleanly from the shell (toss 'em!). Thankfully, the sheer amount of mussels in the bucket allowed for each of us to eat our fill without worrying about the occasional throwaway. Even after we could eat no more, a sinful amount remained behind. Wasteful! And you can't take them home to eat the next day, because ick... bacteria. And ick... day-old mussels. I'm kind of bummed that it wasn't better, because really, it's a slammin' deal. If we go back, we now know to share a single bucket (the curry one) and perhaps an appetizer as well. Bone Apple-teat!
(3)
Matt B.

SO CHEAP! Great atmosphere. Get the mussels.
(4)
N B.

One of my favorite places to visit when I am in Denver. It's down-to-earth and unpretentious. Just good, reasonably priced country French fare. Any one of the many mussels buckets with 2 side green salads is a perfect lunch for two. Be sure to save some of your bread to sop up the broth at the bottom!
(5)
Rebeca R.

Yummers w/a European flair! I love this place, and their vibe! It is not pretentious or insanely expensive. They have tasty dishes, amazing mussels, and fabulous drinks. It is in a fun atmosphere and I crave their menu often! I recommend reservations highly. It is a haphazard (authentic European) design, which does not lend itself to strollers or those with limited mobility. There are stairs and a tiny entry and the whole place is kind of a squeeze, but se la vie. There are beaucoup mussels and fries with an order, but I eat them all every time as they are insanely delicious. I also recommend a dirty vodka martini and the chocolate mousse. I have also gone there for dessert and drinks, and it was quite enjoyable! They have a fab sunday brunch and specialties throughout the year. If you have a hankerin for some Euro food, this local haunt will fit the bill nicely!
(5)
ryan f.

Food to Price ratio is outstanding. First off, Moule Frites with unlimited frites for $10 is a great deal period. And they give you a ton of mussels to boot. Monday and Tuesday are lobster day, and the lobster is quite good (we did thermador last time). Thursday's are soufflÃ©'s, haven't been yet but I plan to as they do a Gran Marnier (my favorite). Portions are generous, flavors are good. Great wine list with reasonable wine prices (apparently not every restaurant needs to make 200% on a bottle of wine). We have been a handful of times now and each time the service was friendly, not a long wait and great tasting food. Add in a reasonable price for everything and I think Le Central deserves 4 stars easily.
(4)
Stacie G.

My boyfriend and I chose Le Central for dinner based on it's 4-star rating on Yelp! Big, big mistake. The meal started off okay - pleasant waiter, nice wine, hot bread served right away and an array of delicious-sounding items to choose from on the menu. We had escargot, onion soup, mussels (safran) and salad (bergere?). The escargot seemed okay but they were swimming in a bowl of cream and butter. The onion soup was exceptionally salty. Also, if you don't like the taste or smell of rosemary, the onion soup is not for you. The mussels tasted strange and I'm not sure what it was but I might use the word bitter. They certainly were not fresh. I'm an idiot and ate them anyway. The fries that came with the mussels were tasteless and greasy. The salad looked pretty on its plate and was good. I can confirm there were quite alot of flies buzzing around but it was probably because we were sitting on the patio. About an hour later as we were driving back to Colorado Springs both of our stomachs started gurgling. Not good. I'll skip over the gory details. Suffice it to say we've both been in agony all night and almost 24 hours later our stomachs are still torn up. I'm giving Le Central a single star only because our waiter was nice and we enjoyed the bread and glass of wine. Never going back.
(1)
Jennifer S.

J'adore Le Central! Fabulous French food at totally reasonable prices. I love that we can buy bread from the bakery here to take home as well. And the way everyone raves about the mussels makes me really wish I enjoyed mussels. Everything I have ever eaten here has been spectacular and I make sure to take people here for lunch or brunch as often as possible.
(5)
Tiffany M.

I was hesitant to order mussels in Denver coming from a beach area but not only were they abundant (an order for 3 fed 7 of us!) they were delicious and less than 12.00 per person! Amazing, I will direct my friends there who visit Denver and it's now on my denver to do list...warning though that of you want a good beer with your dinner you will have a limited selection.
(5)
Ramon G.

A local french restaurant, enjoyed the variety of mussels, the servers were extremmely attentive. Enjoyed the accessible wine list and the ambiance. Will be back to try some charcuterie and fromage.
(4)
Dulcie F.

Here's the thing. I really wanted to like Le Central. I love how affordable it is, but it just isn't that good. My husband and I went for a celebratory dinner the other night, our second visit to Le Central. (The fact that I couldn't remember anything about the first meal I had should have clued me in that we didn't really need to return.) I ordered the mussels, Provencale-style, and they were very so-so. Some of the mussels were freakishly large, which was actually a little off-putting! The broth wasn't so tasty, and even the French fries were average. My husband ordered a prix fixe meal, and started a lobster bisque (okay, but bland), his entree was a half lobster over pasta (again just okay and the sides were nothing to write home about). and then finished with a crepe (tasty, because it was a crepe, but nothing special). I ordered the souffle because it was souffle night. A chocolate souffle! Sounds mouth-watering, right? It was devoid of chocolatey flavor! WTH? Impressive in its puffiness, but just sort of bready tasting. Boo. I will say that I enjoyed my house Shiraz which was only 4 bucks a glass. The service was good as well. The atmosphere is sort of strange -- reminds me of an old Marriott dining room or something, at least in the room we were in. There were also some sketchy folks sitting just outside the restaurant who hassled us going in, and hassled us going out. But that isn't really the restaurants fault, so it doesn't affect my rating. Really, the wine and general affordability are giving Le Central their 3rd star. I won't be back because I know what French food should taste like, and it tastes damn good.
(3)
David C.

I took my wife here to celebrate an anniversary and it was great. I had the prefix menu for the month, which was lamb with lentils and sweetpotaoes, with a cup of french onion soup and a chocolate eclair. Only for around $30! It was the best meal that I have had in awhile. My wife got the mussels and fries( only $11!) and a spinach salad that had bacon and hard boil eggs in it. We tend to share, and it was all very delicious. I want to go back for brunch sometime and comeback for the mussels again. We both loved the atmosphere as well. There were two guys also eating near us speaking french, helped proved that Le Central was a legit french restaurant. Thank you! Looking forward to our next date night there.
(5)
Rachael B.

Since my first review, I've moved to Boulder and no longer live within golf ball pelting distance from Le Central. This is a very sad thing...BUT, I knew I had to increase my rating because I still find myself gearing up for a small pond full of mussels at least 3-4 times a month. We (me and my Le Central life-partner Hot Mike), have honed our perfect meal: 1 bowl French Onion Soup (with gluten-free bread) to share 2 Salade d'Epinard 1 order of Moules a la Moutarde (Shallots, garlic, white wine, whole grain mustard AND HUGE CHUNKS OF BACON) 2 Club Soda's with a plate of limes 2 Deserts (we rotate but almost always have the Chocolate Mousse) The bill is usually around 15$ a person depending on desert. Cannot be beat. Also, the wait staff rocks and I have yet to have a bad experience - they fully understand my love of club soda and refill my glass promptly and with a smile every time.
(5)
Jeff C.

Had a nice dinner last night. The staff is really good here and why I give it a 4 star. Food is good and probably a 3 star. It is always pretty busy in here. Wish I liked escargot, mussels and seafood more as it looks pretty good when it goes by to another table. The brie and roasted garlic appetizer is really pretty good too.
(4)
Jenna P.

Most of the food was really decent. The wine was fairly priced, as well. Good luck finding parking in the neighborhood on the weekend though.
(4)
Grace C.

The food wasn't bad and the service fairly good. HOWEVER, they told us they had no record of our gift card so the $$ we had on there couldn't be used. If you can't keep track of your gift cards, don't sell them! I was very disappointed by that. I know for a fact we had $50 on the card but their shoddy records prevented the use of it, thus losing our money. And business.
(2)
Jen A.

A long ways back I used to patronize Le Central on occasion. It did have a reputation for not living up to all the hype. But I've got to admit, that I have no problems with the restaurant, the food or the service. It's not a five-star zagat or michelin place, but I enjoyed dining there from time to time. So of course, when I had a chance to play tourist in Denver, I went back to my old haunt and decided to forgo my usual fave meal of moules et frites and went all out for their three-course prix fixe duck meal (which was like 35$ bucks or some such, not bad). All three courses (soup, entree and dessert) were more than one person should consume in one sitting. I had a kir royale as an aperitif. The soup was a fragrant flavorful piping-hot onion soup. Very cheesy and delicious. The next course, the main plate was a huge serving of turnips, potatoes and carrots with generous portions of duck two ways: magret de canard and confit de canard. And I finished the meal with a light, airy apple tarte. Good gravy that was some good food! I felt so guilty leaving so much food on my plates, but I had to cry "oncle" at each course. Way too much food, but I had a good time considering eating it all.
(4)
Heather C.

I went here with my husband for Valentine's Day. We made reservations and were seated immediately. We ordered off the Valentine's menu. I had scallops, with Mahi, and prawns cooked perfectly, on a bed of rice/butter concoction, a green salad with pear fritters, goat cheese, and walnuts, AMAZING, and for dessert a strawberry, cream, shortcake combo that WAS AMAZING. My husband had a super tasty lobster bisque, the bison and the shortcake. We both LOVED the food. And the price was decent. I am going back next week!
(4)
Kasia P.

After my boss put me up in the dumpy VQ hotel, he redeemed himself by recommending this charming restaurant. The atmosphere is homey and cute. The hosts were sweet. But the real thing that sells this place is that it's good, French, and CHEAP. I had the French Onion soup, which was delicious although could have had a bit more pizazz. The house salad was pretty standard. But the curry mussels. WOW. I have never seen that many mussels in one place! Unfortunately, I was so full by the time I got to the bottom of the bowl, I could barely enjoy all the delicious broth my mussels were swimming in. My colleague and I had dinner and a bottle of wine and it came to $63. We would easily have spend twice as much in LA! The food isn't knock-out, but I'd definitely go again for the true bistro-like atmosphere.
(4)
Christine P.

I'm sorry, I just don't get it. The concept is great - affordable French food - but the execution is flawed, really flawed. Three out of six people ordered mussels. This is one of their big menu items so you would think they would be good right? Yeah, well their not. The mussels were small and dry. And, I seriously think that they just make a huge vat of them and then pour on whatever sauce you choose. In each of the variations the mussels were tasteless with some mediocre sauce on the bottom of the bowl. Not impressed. A brie appetizer was boring. I think our server would have preferred to have been anywhere else but the restaurant and certainly wasn't interested in making our experience a good one. There are far too many good restaurants in Denver for me to go back to Le Central. It's a pity really, I still think it's a great concept.
(2)
Mizzy B.

Wow! I went here for brunch last Sunday and I was WAY impressed with this place. It was my first Le Central experience, so I didn't know what to expect (although I WAS expecting a bit of the typical French snootiness. Turns out there was NO snootiness, not even a little bit!). My boyfriend and I were seated right away in their delightful enclosed patio, where there were plants growing ALL around, and natural sunlight was everywhere (but not hot!). We each ordered a cocktail of some sort and they were both AMAZING! I even liked my bf's elderflower concoction (which I usually do not), and my martini was fabulous! And I think each drink was a measly $6. Moving on to the entrees. I ordered the Oeufs Sardous, which is sort of like Eggs Benedict, but instead of ham and an English muffin, there is sautÃ©ed mushrooms and spinach and toasted brioche. When it came out, to my delightful surprise, it was plated with mashed potatoes and a veggie ragout of some sort. Breakfast WITH mashed potatoes?!? Yay! And their hollandaise sauce was one of the best I've had (and I order Eggs Benedict frequently). My bf ordered the Pain Perdu, which is French toast, but like, French toast on delicious steroids. It was stuffed with sweet cream and strawberries and it was PERFECT. And I don't really even like French toast. It's usually some soggy, protein-lacking, bready thing that just isn't for me. But THIS French toast had me hooked with the first bite. It was NOT too sweet (but looks like it would be), and had a perfect crunch to the outside and def not soggy at all in the middle. Just pure perfection. Any dish that can take me from 'yuck-a-doodle' to 'amazeballs!' is 5 stars. Period. Did I mention that each of these dishes were only $8?! I was stunned when we got our bill that it was so low. Bottom line: AMAZINGLY awesome food, attentive staff, lively and bright seating, and GREAT prices! What 's not to love here?! Go to Le Central, people, quick!
(5)
Jean S.

After hearing so much about Le Central I brought 2 friends with me to dinner there a while ago and sat down for a long meal of white wine and mussles. All three of us were very unhappy with their moules frites. Not only did the mussels not taste good, but they were full of sand. Having cooked mussels myself I know of various ways of getting them to spit out the sand - you'd think that Le Central would employ some sort of method to get rid of at least some of it. This was a little while ago, so I am always tempted to give them another chance. I want so badly to like it! It's got such a great atmosphere and is right up the street!
(2)
Carolyn M.

Le Central has always been one of my favorite places for dinner in Denver. I would like to formally announce that it is now one of my favorite brunch spots as well! I recommend making a reservation so you don't have to wait (and ask for a table on the indoor patio if there are any available!) The bennys are the best (I highly recommend the Sardous if you're into artichoke hearts and shrimp) but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Come hungry, leave happy - the portions are enormous, and affordable as always.
(5)
Stacy P.

I was surprised to see a few reviews mentioning snooty service - I've been to Le Central multiple times, and have never received anything approaching a snooty attitude. Quite the opposite, in fact - staff has been friendly, helpful, and fast. My brunch experiences have been better than my one lunch experience, and Le Central remains one of my favorite places for brunch. Their Eggs Sardou is absolutely amazing, as is the Benedict. My visit for lunch wasn't bad - the sandwich I had was just not quite as extraordinary as the Sardou has been. I guess I had my expectations built up. :) But, to try and give you a feel for what I'm taking about, I included pictures of both the Benedict and the Sardou in the photos section - you'll see what I mean. :) And, they taste even better than they look! One great thing about the breakfasts is that they're usually served with a semi-healthy side dish... roasted peppers, roasted vegetables, something yummy like that. It's not just greasy hashbrowns, grits, or fries here! For those of you who generally prefer a heaping plate of food for a low price, you shouldn't be disappointed here. Most brunch dishes at Le Central are under $10, and I've not been able to clear my plate yet!
(4)
Lisa S.

This place is one of the restaurants I like to bring my out of town friends to. I say, do you like delicious french food, mussels, good affordable French wine, or want to try frog legs? Let's go! And my friends are always impressed! There is a definite attention to detail in their menu, and they do all sorts of fun cooking classes, food pairings, and specials. I've been for brunch, dinner, and just mussels and wine dinner, and all have been excellent. Le Central is also a great place to introduce someone to french wines, with an awesome selection at a large range of prices. They also do this cool thing where you can order a bottle of house wine, and if you don't drink it all (or take it home) they only charge you for only a percentage of the bottle! I always have a great time in their eclectic French countryside space... and at the rate I eat here, soon I will have eaten in all the different little rooms!
(5)
Justine M.

Have been here more times for dinner than I can remember, mainly because I used to live a block away. Went for brunch a few weeks ago for the first time and was pleasantly surprised -- I think this is where they definitely do meals right. Got the French toast (Pain Perdu) and was not disappointed, although the side of fruit contained several pieces of obviously overripe (i.e. mushy and falling apart) cantaloupe. This seems to capture the essence I've gotten from this restaurant a few too many times: things can be good, but also sloppy. Dinner has always been hit or miss, and I'd be shocked to find out if the chef(s) ever consistently taste what they send out. A friend of mine once asked to send something back -- I believe it was a salmon dish, which I remember tasting and agreeing that it was pretty bad -- and the waitress rolled her eyes and sneered at him as she took the plate away, but did eventually return to take his order for another dish that turned out to be halfway decent. Long story short: your money is best spent on brunch -- a time when the service also seems to be friendlier -- and the onion soup is usually pretty tasty. And while I can't eat the mussels, all my friends have raved about those as well.
(3)
Sara C.

I would give 5 stars for the mussels alone. Took a point away for the initial service disappointment and also the Paella. We ordered the Normande Mussels and it was simmered with mushrooms, white wine, onions, garlic, brandy and cream. The serving size for the mussels really surprised me being that the price was only $11 for the mussels w/ unlimited fries. Not sure why you'd need 'unlimited' fries as the portion size was already really ginormous, don't need seconds when I couldn't even finish the first. Got some mayo for my fries to dip in, yum! I don't understand why some people are complaining about the sand in the mussels?! Don't order them if you can't handle it! It even gives you a warning on the menu that it might contain some sand or maybe even small rocks. This is by far one of the better mussels place I've had in a landlocked state of Colorado. The initial dissapointment I mentioned was because when we first walked in, 6 wait staff had walked by us and we were never greeted. Finally about 7 mins later, one of the girls saw us and apologized that no one noticed us. (We weren't exactly small people neither... and the only couple standing by the greeter station.) Then a minute later, the greeter finally came up and took us to our table. The Paella... You might ask why I ordered a Spanish dish at a French restaurant... well, Le Central looks like they pride themselves on their Paella being that they have flyers all over the establishment telling you they cater and bring their huge Paella pan and cook out for a party for around $15 per headcount. Needless to say I was NOT impressed. The rice was hard in places and the flavor was just mediocre. I can make better Paella myself... I would come back to this place for their mussels and maybe other food like steaks or something else other than Paella. Had better Paella at The Med in Boulder. I love the decor and the feel of this restaurant. I have never been to France but always wanted to visit. It's definitely Rustic like others mentioned. The patio has better intimate feel for sure! The wines were great and very resonably priced. After looking all over Denver, this is definitely the best priced French food in town.
(4)
Brian H.

If you like French cuisine or are just in the mood for something different Le Central is the place to go! Friendly environment, great food, and reasonable prices! In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll Be BACK!"
(4)
Jeff T.

I usually come here during lunch. I've eaten here three times now but everything I've gotten has been amazing including the mussels, crepes, salads, and soups. The portion sizes as well as price is spectacular as well.
(5)
Angela A.

I just didn't have time to cook and clean this year for Thanksgiving because, unfortunately my school doesn't take a break over the Holiday. So after pondering many ideas for the meal, we wound up reserving a spot at Le Central. I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. The turkey was dry. The ham was good, but had a very strange sauce on it. The mashed potatoes were hardly mashed. The stuffing was good, it is my favorite side, and this wasn't bad. The succotash was tough. I hear that Le Central is know for their mussels. I was considering that for Thanksgiving, but I wanted to stick with traditional, but this meal was far from how I like my Thanksgiving dinner. It was still good, and affordable. I just don't think I will recommend it for those seeking a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
(3)
Matt S.

My favorite restaurant in Denver. I've been 100+ times in the 13 years I've lived here and am hard-pressed to recall a disappointing meal. The prices are, bar none, the best I've EVER seen anywhere when you factor in the quality of the food - you simply cannot do better. Imported French wines for under twenty bucks a bottle and the wine list is brimming with them. My most recent visit was on a Sunday night, and my Dad and I stumbled onto a duck dinner - 3 courses for $29.95. Um, ok - if you insist! The menu changes (almost) daily, so check lecentral.com after about 4:15 and that night's menu should be posted. Monthly wine dinners and cooking dinners just add to this great restaurant's value. The mussels are always prepared very well, and there is no shortage of styles in which you can have your moules prepared - with unlimited fries, to boot! The tables are close together and it gets loud and sometimes very warm inside the restaurant - EXACTLY THE WAY A FRENCH RESTAURANT SHOULD. If you don't like it, Denver has plenty of chain restaurants that I'm sure you'll enjoy just fine. Le Central has been a Denver staple for 34 years....they must be doing something right.
(5)
Casey D.

Not sold on this place I've eaten twice at this place because everyone always goes on and on about it, but I'm just not sold on it. On my last visit I had the Sandwich d'Aubergine, which is a grilled eggplant with roasted button mushrooms, spinach, pepperonata, herbed goat cheese, basil aioli and Swiss cheese; and, served on house made brioche. Before that I believe I had a duck dish. Both meals were really tasty, but not outstanding. I've had much better meals at less prestigious French restaurants. It just seems like the menu is more interesting than the food.
(1)
Nicole W.

Mussles!! Lunch - 9.99 pick your sauce! Bowl is bigger than my head! I went with a group of 6 for lunch. I chose the whole grain mustard, smoked bacon and cream sauce, on asking my waiter for his favorite! It was amazing! I skipped the all you can eat fried and just kept dipping the bread into the sauce till it was gone! Amazing! Cute location, enclosed patio was bright and cheery. Staff was friendly, seated us prior to opening, we arrived at 11:!5 and didn't realize they were not open until 11:30 - that was great of them! I'll be back to try the other goodies on the menu!
(4)
Lee S.

I haven't been here for a couple years, but having just returned from France, was craving real French food and wine. I was not disappointed. It was as good as I remember...and Happy Hour pricing was an extra bonus. Update: Most of our family was out of town this Thanksgving so we decided to try Le Central's Thanksgiving meal. The place was packed, but we had reservations and were right away. The Saumon Dauphinois was divine, and service as good as always. I love this place.
(5)
Chanh S.

Our friends invited us to this place and we're glad that they did. It's a lil hidden gem that I hope no one finds out about because I love it and I LOVE that we didn't have to wait in line for brunch. We went with a large group and everyone raved about the mussels which looked amazing but it's not my cup of tea. Instead I got this rich and tasty French toast like thing but of course they called it something else. I don't know what they did but it was amazing, however I wish I had coffee with it rather than doing their bottomless Bloody Mary. Be warned...the Bloody Mary is STRONG!!! I didn't realize it until about an hour after I finished one. It's a very cozy and quaint restaurant. The staff was really attentive and nice. The people there all kept to themselves and were nice. NO KIDS! Will definitely be coming back soon! The prices are also VERY reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food you get. Please don't tell your friends about this place! ^_^
(4)
Scott D.

Very good value for a French restaurant in Denver.
(4)
Brandy D.

I got the pleasure of trying out their monthly cooking demo and boy was it good! It is $30 per person and you go around to stations set up by the chefs and they tell you how they are making your dinner tonight. Everyone was so friendly and you could tell they all enjoy it. The food was delish and they offer many wine and cocktail options so you can have a tasty beverage while going from station to station. I wish they advertised it more widely though as an older woman just having dinner in the dining room was complaining loudly about "all these people being brought through the dining room". I shot her a look and she shut it. Seriously though, they need more room or something.
(5)
Karrie P.

Avoid Pascal's Section for an enjoyable meal Nothing ruins a relaxing Sunday afternoon lunch more than a server who has no interest in waiting on you and isn't afraid to let you know it. My husband and I have been eating here for 20+ years and will continue to do so, but we've been seated in this section 3 times, and each time the indifference increases. Avoid him if you would like to order, have more wine, get dessert, or request coffee. By the time he deigns to check on you, you're done. He's been there awhile so I don't think he's going anywhere soon. That being said, every other sever I've had here has made for an enjoyable experience. Aside from one bad apple the food is wonderful. Delicious bread and butter, frites that will make you fight for the last one. The French onion soup is my go to every time the weather turns the slightest bit cool and there is so much good cheese in most everything. The chocolate mousse and crÃ¨me brulee are some of the best in the city. It's rare that the food disappoints. Bon appetit!
(3)
Jaime H.

'Smells like butter.' These words were uttered by a dining companion as we set foot in the restaurant. It was a Monday night and we did not have a reservation for our party of 5. However, we were promptly seated on the patio, which was quaint and enjoyable. Sadly, I forgot our server's name, but she was fantastic throughout the entire experience. Appetizers: the feuillete d'escargots, which included serveral pieces of escargot immersed in the most delicious parmesan sauce ever. My boyfriend and I are still dreaming of this dish and it has been 3 weeks since we dined here. We also shared the brie appetizer which was standard, and ordered a cup of French onion soup - solid. Entrees: Mussels (Moules) et frites are their specialty and sweet jesus they are SPECIAL. Each of us ordered a different style of mussels and they were all remarkable. Those enjoyed at our table were Moutarde, Normande, Italienne (spicy!), Pistou, and Mariniere. I don't think you can go wrong with the mussels - at all. At the end of the night, we shared 2 bottles of wine, everyone had an appetizer and mussels and the total for all 5 of us was $142. Yep. I was astonished at how affordable it was. Truly, this is one of the most pleasant and memorable dining experiences I have ever had and I cannot wait to return to Denver and visit Le Central!!
(5)
Anthony N.

Adoring and accommodating staff with a somewhat affordable if you're looking for something other than their giant bucket of mussels and fries. That said, their mussel bucket comes in tons of delicious flavors and will certainly be more than enough for one person. I'd say it's enough for three people, but that's still pushing it. The crowd is a little older, however, so it's not a spot where 20-somethings will find a nice crop of eye candy. Despite the French-esque decor, it's more of an evening chill spot for a larger group of friends. And if you're feeling adventurous, they have a spectacular fish dish with lobster, scallops, and other goodies stuffed inside of it. I highly recommend it! All in all, nice little spot. Could be a bit cheaper, but the food was good and I'll likely come back again!
(4)
Koala S.

I love this little neighborhood gem. I admit I've stuck to the mussels each visit, but paired with their baked goat cheese appetizer and finishing with the best chocolate mousse (for $3.50!), I can't think of a better way to treat my tummy or my wallet. The cocktails are also fantastic and many are about $5. I mean, C'MON!!! I highly recommend going here for a first date or the 789th.
(4)
marc s.

They may have good shell fish, but I had to send a pork panini back because it was so fatty/chewy. The waiter was an complete ass with his snide comments... I will never return
(2)
Serenity M.

A friend chose this place for a bday dinner. Our reservation was for 8 pm and we were not seated until close to 9 pm. Had the food been worth it, heck, had the staff been a little more polite - I would not have cared about the wait. For appetizers we ordered the brie and for $9 you will get: a head of garlic, some tomato cubes, small pieces of bread and 1 slice of brie. That's right folks 1 slice! If you read other reviews, people will rave and say this place is known for their mussels. I had the italienne mussels and the bf ordered portugese mussels. The portugese mussel broth was bitter, I found rocks in my mussels (to be fair they do warn in the menu and say you may find rocks, small crabs, etc). Overall, the taste was just not there for me. The waitress we had was rude. She didn't look like she wanted to take our orders or anything. We had to ask for water several times. Oh and the one thing that could have lifted my spirits a little bit before leaving was having dessert. And they had 1 to choose from that night: vanilla bean cheesecake. I like my options and they provided none. So the food sucked, service sucked, NO THANKS!
(1)
Brian C.

Four stars is a really high rating for me. Don't think I can give a place 5 stars unless it is perfect, and that is rare. Surprised my wife on a date night to this place. We had the onion soup, squash soup, spinach salad, mussels (saffron) and the sole. Loved everything except the sole which was still prepared great. One thing, we didn't learn until after our meal that we could ditch the all u can eat fries for potatoes or pasta, etc. I am too italian not to want to eat the mussels with pasta but that is just me. All in all, we loved the place, great atmosphere, good prices, excellent wine and will definitely be back. the bread was good but not great----when I think french, I think the perfect bread. Great place for a date---sit in the back
(4)
Aaron Z.

I wanted to like it, I really did. Good atmosphere, the servers were very nice and courteous, but the food was just bad. Maybe we went at the wrong time on the wrong day, but the best dish we ordered was merely passable at best. The coffee I was served was luke-warm, my boyfriend choked on a large piece of leek in the soup, and then the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e was burned. Not just overcooked, but straight-up burned. The "caramelized" sugar on top was black as night and gooey when it was brought to our table. We brought our concerns to the attention of the manager, he was very apologetic and gave us a discount (and obviously didn't charge us for the brÃ»lÃ©e). This reaffirmed the good customer service, but there's no way I can go back here. It's too bad, it seemed like a really nice place. Oh well.
(1)
Meredith B.

Had to come back after the first time and it never fails to please. Everything was just as delicious as the first go round and the waitstaff was really good with the kids as well, which is sometimes lacking in nicer places [though it helps that they're good kids].
(4)
Thu N.

The mussels are delicious. Not the best in the world but definitely hits the spot for a mussel craving. The wine flight is cheap but not really any good wines made the list. Our server was pretty awesome, ask for Katherine. She even sang happy birthday to our friend!
(4)
Shane D.

My partner and I went to Le Central for our twelve year anniversary last night. We had a lovely server, Megan. While she didn't have the training to recommend wine pairings with our meal choices, she checked in with the in house expert and brought us two different options that worked well for each of us as my partner and I have different tastes in wine. I ordered the prix fixe option, which was lobster based for that evening. It included a choice of salad/soup (I chose the salad topped with poached egg, duck meat, and brioche), a lobster entrÃ©e (I tried the lobster thermidor), and dessert (pain perdu). My partner ordered salad, butternut squash soup, and the trout almandine. While we don't consider ourselves foodies, we appreciate artfully prepared food that pairs interesting favors together. We really enjoyed the food and while nothing stood out as amazing, there really weren't any disappointments either. The strongest dishes to us were the butternut squash soup, the trout almandine, and the pain perdu. While I'm generally not a big fan of duck meat, I would also say that I really enjoyed the salad. This restaurant really lives up to its reputation of serving French food at a reasonable price. Don't expect French food that is art on a plate. While it is certainly well presented and the flavors are usually well paired, it is much more of a French country style of cuisine with little pretense. While we don't come here often, we do enjoy it as a destination for a special occasion that delivers a quaint experience, tasty food, and attentive but not smothering service.
(4)
Vincent P.

Time and time again, this local favorite never disappoints! Whether it's mussels, rabbit or duck, your senses are certain to be inspired. TIP - Get there early to enjoy brunch on the back patio for a delicate flow of sunlight cascading throughout.
(5)
Oksana A.

We had a traditional French breakfast - everything is fresh and very flavorful. Red potatoes are the best!
(5)
Elphey I.

Le Central is great for the cheaper side of fine dining. I'm not kidding, the prices are great and the food is marvelous. You will leave full without breaking the bank. We had the four cheese plate, one of their selections of mussels, salmon salad, and beef bourguignon along with almost half the dessert menu and the bill was around $80 for four full tummies and leftovers! We left happy, stuffed, and excited for the next visit. Looking forward to the ever-changing menu and the old classics!
(5)
Bud H.

I haven't had a great mussels and fries dish since visiting Quebec a couple of years ago. Simply fantastic! And very affordable to boot.
(4)
Amy D.

I've been to Le Central numerous times since moving to Denver and the four-star rating definitely goes for the food/value. Service is a 2 to 4 depending on the day. But I wouldn't let that keep me from going back - it really is that good. I've had the well-known mussels + frites lunch and each time it's been wonderful - and a great value at $9 or $10. The brunches are always delicious and I tend to alternate between the sweet and savory - the stuffed French toast is marvelous as is the omelet Lorraine, crepes de fruits de mar, and croque madam. I had the croque madam this morning, along with a cup of the French onion soup and it was quite good. Downright yummy, in fact. My (sometimes) problem with Le Central is the service - I find it a little "hit or miss" as I've been there on occasions where the staff was friendly, attentive and thoughtful, but then there are times, like today, where our server was nowhere to be found. It took 15 minutes after we were seated for her to take our drink order. When my lunch had been boxed and my friend was finishing his omelet she disappeared for about 20 - 25 minutes before returning to check on us. By then we were well ready for the check. So unfortunately, on the service side, today was definitely a "miss." Perhaps our waitress was just having a bad day. I'm a huge believer in Karma so I tipped generously and just know my next visit will be A+ worthy. Like I said, the food at Le Central is a GREAT value for the money. It's a cute place with lots of color and personality. I have never been disappointed by anything I've eaten there. This instance won't deter me from going back and I'll continue to recommend Le Central to friends and family. The value, location and ambience are too good to let one negative experience turn me off completely. **UPDATE** Just received a very nice email from the owner apologizing for the unfortunate experience - bonus points for recognizing what good customer service is. Tres bien!
(4)
Gabe B.

Well when my aunt and I went there for the first time, FOR THE FIRST TIME. We had the most douchey server ever, he took the longest time to take our orders. Every time we had an empty glass of water, he would glance at us and not acknowledge the absence of water... and I looked around thinking 'seriously?' But that isn't the end of it! When he was talking about the menus--which were en FranÃ§ais--one of the people we were with asked what something meant. I have a background in French, so I know was sup, and this waiter like swore he spoke French. I swear! I tried speaking to him in French and he cowered back into his shell. How comical? No? Haha (: I'll probably come back for the food and company, but definitely not for the service. People there are pompous.
(3)
Scott H.

Oh my, this place is absolutely amazing. I've been there for brunch, happy hour, dinner many times over the years. They have some stunning wines, things you simply cannot find anywhere else. They discover affordable wines that will make you fall in love with life again. Every time I go there they have something new to try. You can order a flight of 4 wines in adorable tiny glasses for $6.50 The mussels are the best I have ever had. You can pick from a dozen different preparations, everything from a classic garlic basil tomato broth to spicy Spanish style. You get an enormous helmet sized bowl piled ridiculously high, easily a couple of pounds of fresh seafood for $11. I love the fruit de mer crepe. It's packed with assorted seafood and a herb cream sauce that complements the flavors perfectly. There is a roasted mushroom and artichoke omelet that is incredible. It's fun to go with a group of friends and try as many things as you can. Oddly I hate their coffee. It's probably too authentic for my plebian taste, lol. Guess I have to stick to wine and champagne! Their menu varies constantly, and they have special events such as cooking demonstrations, wine pairing dinners, seasonal festivals, holidays. I never get tired of going there. I wonder how they do it for such reasonable prices. It's a public service done out of love and it makes my jaded heart sing.
(5)
Eliza R.

The restaurant was very busy, it is obvious that it is a favorite of many. To clarify: On the night we visited Le Central, the bouillabaise WAS indeed served with a pile o' mashed potatoes, plopped right there in the broth. As for South Dakota, there are very few restaurants that serve anything BUT mashed potatoes and steak. It's always a treat to be in Denver and to try new restaurants.
(1)
Christine Y.

For someone who wants large portions of food, this is a good place. However, I wish they just gave us mussels instead of adding 4 cups of french fries. The steak was mediocre, according to my boyfriend. The seared diver scallops were good and the mussels were fantastic, though.
(3)
Yummy B.

Terrible! This is the second time we've been here ... and the service was terrible, again!!!! The food was ok, again ... but not worth a third time! Try a different place!
(2)
Meredith C.

I received a gift certificate to this restaurant for my birthday. My boy and I were watching "Julie & Julia" yesterday afternoon and so it seemed to be the perfect dinner spot for date night. I called & made the reservations around 5 pm for 730 pm that evening. The restaurant boasts of affordable and unpretentious cuisine and I was very interested to try that theory out. We got there and I gotta tell you that the parking situation sucked. We ended up parking down south on Lincoln and hoofing it. There is a lot next door, but it's a pay lot for $5. Boo! The building itself is charming and adorable and apparently the product of a Jr High student collaboration in the late 80s. We walked in and it was like walking into someones living room. It was quaint, relaxed and just nearly cluttered. Everyone looked happy & chill as opposed to morose & uptight which is a change from most french restaurants. Also, there is a noise level which made me happy. Ever been to one of those french restaurants where everyone speaks in hushed tones all evening? Are we in awe of our dinner? Why the hushed tones? Weird and uncomfortable. We were seated in NOT the best table in the atrium area. The area itself is quaint with wood floors and twinkle lights and planters overhead and lattice planters along the wall. However, we were seated in the one table that had no light overhead and was closest to the parking lot. It seemed a little cramped and I don't like not being able to see what's going on with my food. I scoured the menu for the Coq au Vin straight off and ordered a Bordeaux. I later found out the they were out of Coq au Vin...at 730 on a Saturday night?!?!? I was REALLY disappointed, but it didn't last too long. We were served French bread with unsalted butter and quickly received our onion soup. It was bland and greasy. This was not a great start. Once we received our entrees, however, the tables turned. I ordered the steak au poivre avec pommes frites and the boy ordered the lamb shank. I think my steak was more med rare than med (although I couldn't quite tell due to the lack of lighting) but LORDY was it tasty. Perfect flavors: the sauce was divine and the peppercorns were so flavorful. For a NY Strip, it wasn't too terribly fatty either. The fries were perfectly seasoned and crispy (although a bit luke warm) and the veggies were a nice pairing (although not very well seasoned). The boy's lamb was a bit under seasoned as well, but once it was paired with the mashed potatoes and zucchini in to the perfect bite, it was quite good. The boy also ordered this French beer that was DIVINE. It was light and citrusy and yumtastic. We decided to close out our meal with dessert. We ordered the #13 - some kind of gateau chocolat. It was incredible and sooo rich. I ate three bites and called it a day and washed it down with a double DECAF (thank you!) espresso. Our waitress was sweet, but we did experience quite a drought in the water department. I don't supposed I'd have noticed too much if the food wasn't so rich. All & all, I'd go back with my girls for a wine and maybe do a bunch of appetizers and try some different things. The fondue & brie sounded like amazing options for a later date.
(3)
Julia B.

Good food for not much money! I had the stuffed french toast, but everything looked so yummy. It ain't diet food, cream, baguettes and buttah! So yum and most dishes for brunch was 9 bucks or less. Next time I am getting the mussels: buckets worth for 11 bucks. So yum! 3 people ate, with a champagne drink to share and desert for 40 bucks. Yes its true!! Bon Appetite!!
(4)
CS L.

We just had an interesting dining experience here this weekend. To be fair, I was part of a large reserved group of 25 people, on a Saturday night, and that cannot be easy to accommodate for most restaurants. Our group arrived at 6pm and we were served drinks and appetizer plates. The charcuterie was quite bland, the gazpacho was insanely spicy (and did not come with spoons), and the salad looked excellent in comparison to the first two. The main course did not arrive until after 8:00pm. This would not have been too terrible except the two servers helping our group were also waiting on the other 8 tables in the room, so drink service was terribly spotty. One server was excellent and helpful, and the other was bitchy and seemingly put-off with any requests, even argumentative. Also, what was odd was that every drink was hand-carried - no trays. No wonder everything took forever. I think everyone enjoyed the main course. My beef was practically raw, but I like that - not sure how others dealt with that. About 1/4 of us had to leave by 8:30 to pay our babysitters and put our kids to bed. Honestly, I am not sure if we should have told the restaurant that we needed to be out of there at a certain time, but two hours is too long to wait for dinner. My husband brought me my dessert (very kind) and it was okay. All of it, just okay. I would definitely like to return but I cannot recommend this place for larger groups. They just don't seem equipped to handle it.
(2)
Kevin D.

Excellent. Most impressive dessert menu I have ever seen at a mid market French Restaurant. The Peach Tart with real Colorado peaches hit the spot. The decor-both inside and outside- is authentic and the hostess greeted us in French. Service was great, polite, friendly. The Lobster special was reasonably priced and delicious. The only draw back for us was how it is in the middle of nowhere, but that is not their fault... we are the only weirdos who decided to walk their from LoDo.
(4)
Carly B.

The first time I ever came here I was about eight years old and was a girl scout. I point out the girl scout part because it was on a specific girl scout outing downtown and I might have been trying to earn a badge or something. I hadn't been back since - it's close to home but not really somewhere that pops into my head. The boyfriend and I were circumnavigating the neighborhood (up to Queen Soopers pharmacy and back down) and decided to stop in for a week night dinner. They are very affordable, as is written under their name on the sign outside. The menu consists of reasonably priced salads and appetizers, $10 mussels and fries in about twelve different flavors, and some spendier entrees (and by spendier I mean teens to twenties....really not bad). I didn't look at the wine list but went straight for a cocktail. The St. Germain cocktail was seriously $5 and not on special. These prices were straight out of.....well....when I was a girl scout. The drink was refreshing and the price was cool. For an entree I went for the safran mussels. The portion is enormous and the menu claims the fries are bottomless. Too bad I wasn't in love with the fries. They started out crispy and soon turned limp. This place also seemed too classy to serve ketchup so I didn't ask. That was probably my fault. The mussels were big and nicely cooked. I wasn't a huge fan of the broth though, especially compared to LoHi's mussels with the broth I'm lusty for. It needed a little something more...maybe more salt....or wine...or garlic. And the tomatoes seemed unripe and therefore lacking in flavor. So they were fine for me but not something I wanted to eat every last bit of. Boyfriend had a salad he wasn't excited about....but he's more of a cheeseburger man so of course he wouldn't be. His fault. Best part was the bill....about $32 for two. The service was good too...our waiter was very informative and had a lot of flair when placing a dish before us and pronouncing it's name. I don't want to dislike this place....I'll give it another chance.
(3)
Hueneme R.

What a pit! Terrible customer service and the food gave us all the sheets.
(1)
Josh M.

More like 2.5 stars. My food was ok at best, had the duck. They didn't give me a knife so I had to saw it with my butter knife. Waitress didn't know anything about anything and finally refilled water when we were cashing out. I'm a foody so I will put up with subpar service for good food, food here is not good enough. And the wine, it's reasonably priced for a reason, it's cheap. Oh we'll, gave it a shot...
(3)
Sara D.

I like Le Central, I really do. But the service is not exceptional and the food isn't either. It's nice for brunch with my dad that's about all I can recommend it for.
(3)
Dorothy V.

Sill love it but I miss Anderson and Katie. Recently had a Caesar with salmon. It is like being in Montreal. The most fabulous preparation and service. They do amazing bread baskets for the holidays. Nothing beats Le Central! Unbeatable value!
(5)
Karen T.

I keep trying to work my way through the entire menu, but then it keeps changing to stay fresh and seasonal. I always have a good experience here. The portion of mussels served with the many varieties of "moules et frites" is just huge. Last time I took home the leftovers and had them the next day with pasta. Yum! We packed our leftovers and moved on to dessert, which was a real treat. The citron tart was deliciously (yeah, I know...) tart, the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e was rich and tasty, and the chocolate pyramid was big enough for three to share (and was just $6). The staff at Le Central are pleasant and knowledgeable, but service is not that speedy. It will probably take slightly more than an hour to enjoy lunch here, so save it for a day when you have a little time.
(5)
Kimberly T.

We visit here about 3 years ago and had the Basilic mussels, portugaise mussels, and Italienne mussels. It was delicious! You can't go wrong with any of their mussel selections really. The chicken crepe was creamy but not overly creamy. The mimosa was fresh and Yummy. You've got to try the French onion soup! Do not miss out on it. So 3 years later, we are now back and tried the Safran mussels. Once again, the flavor is amazing! The bouillabaise du central is to die for. The staff is super sweet and friendly. Enjoy everyone!
(5)
Jeff M.

This place is definitely a romantic setting, not really the best location for co-workers to celebrate a birthday. That being said, the prices of the food was definitely out of my budget range. The salad was nice. The Caesar salad actually had anchovies in it - which is becoming more and more rare to see - definitely a plus in my book. The served us some great mussels too. Though, for the price, I feel like I could easily go somewhere else for a better menu variety. Nothing really popped out as something I wanted to order. They had an average wine selection too. Not sure I'll be making much of an effort to stop back anytime soon.
(2)
Mike E.

I've been back a couple of times since I wrote my previous review and am happy to report the service issues seem to be a thing of the past. After going for lunch once I made it back for brunch last weekend and was happy to see the things moving in a much better direction. While we were glad that she didn't wait on us we were glad to see that the wait person that broke the customer's back hadn't been let go, in fact from what I could tell she appears someone helped her see that light. Or made her an offer she couldn't refuse. The food both times were as great as usual, and it was good to see that both times the place was hoping. Keep it up Le Central!
(4)
Janet M.

The escargot were wonderful, but the mussels were over cooked, tough and dry.
(2)
Emily J.

"How have I not been to this place yet?!" were the first words out of my mouth earlier this week when I went to Le Central. I love this place and can see it quickly becoming one of my favorite digs around. It is authentic French food paired with an elegantly selected French wine list in an unassuming, casually romantic setting. What more do you need? oh yeah, it's affordable too. The wine starts at $3.50 a glass, for great wine, and it's not a measly pour either! Must tries include the French onion soup (duh, you're at a French place, it's a litmus test for the restaurant!), the sole, and the trout. I regret not trying the mussels because I have heard such incredible things about them, guess I will have to come back. Oh darn.
(5)
Neena W.

Very straightforward and affordable menu; Delicious food with very generous portion; Good wine list, by the glass; Lovely and relaxing decor; Simply put, a keeper on my eat out list in Denver. What we ordered during last visit (lunch): Merlot, from longuedoc region (mellow and smooth), Escargots bourguignons (the sauce is great ) Veal scaloppini, Grilled and marinated flank steak ( a super tasty one), and Cream Brulee.
(4)
Braden S.

Really loved this place. The mussels were awesome, the food was all fresh and it is really affordable for the quality. The waitress was extremely knowledgable about all the food and the wine and was attentive. We went here for a benefit for the African Community Center which was very cool. I took off a star because we were squeezed in a table in the corner with barely enough room to even get in and out. I would suggest rearranging the back room. HIGHLY recommend.
(4)
Marianne L.

The French food is just ok. The mussels are a generous portion, but the fries are just ok. I wish they had more dimension in their taste. The other things are just ok, but I don't think that I would ever come back here if I wanted French food. It's just too Americanized.
(3)
Leah O.

Solid breakfast place. Their prices are absolutely delightful, considering the fare, and the service is always excellent. The menu is varied enough to suit any tastes, and having to choose between a wild mushroom omelette and a salmon eggs benedict is a splendid dilemma for a Sunday morning. They have a new item on their menu, Pain Perdu, that is my undoing. It's french toast stuffed with Nutella and strawberries. Now, no one's pancreas needs that kind of browbeating in the morning. EXCEPT MINE. It's also lovely to be served fresh bread and butter, in the tradition of true European breakfasts, before you order.
(3)
Karen P.

I came with a large group for a birthday. Our table was ready after getting a drink at the bar. The restaurant is really adorable, it feels like someone's house. Now onto the good stuff - the food! We started with the French onion soup and escargot that was in a cream based sauce. YUM! Our table pretty much ordered everything on the menu and it was all great! Prices are cheap for French food. Will be back!
(5)
Eliza M.

I have to say, I was super excited to try Le Central. I love french food and it's gotten such great reviews, I was certain our meal was going to be a-mazing. A-mazing it was not. Maybe I built it up too much? I had a variety of apps for my "meal", all of which were good. I had the escargot brioche, the french onion soup, and the baked brie... All pretty good, I'd have to say. The reason I was so disappointed was my hubby-to-be's meal was not very pleasing. He had the cassoulet and it was way too salty and filled with bones. When we pointed it out to the waitress (who was a bit absent the whole night), she said that it's from the lamb and that it's normal. But there were TONS of little and big bones in the dish.... I think they could have gotten SOME of them out, especially the big one (at least 3/4 of an inch long and half an inch wide) And... the whole place kinda smelled a little bit? like... a bathroom? not like, ooh someone just used the bathroom, like... a urinal cake? Sorry to bring it down for everyone, but I just thought I'd give my two cents! I would give it a second chance, but I've got many more restaurants to try before I do that....
(3)
Hope A.

I love brunch. It is handsdown my favorite meal of the day (of the weekend?) And this place is my favorite way to cheat on my diet. They have a stuffed french toast which is amazing (I basically crave it all of the time) and the mussels (thanks David) with bottomless french fries are also great. And the prices are so reasonable. I love it!
(5)
Awilda M.

Now I remember why I haven't come to Le Central for a couple of years! First, the Crepes Lardon: unnecessarily overloaded. A crepe containing pieces of steak and bacon in what should be a delicate sauce. What you get is a crepe SWIMMING in the sauce ... to the point you can barely taste the steak. Then, unnecessarily, it was topped with a load of tasteless melted cheese. The side of french fries were nice, as was the side salad on the plate. But what a pile of overwhelmed excess! Cut out the cheese! No self-respecting French cook would do that! Cut the sauce by two-thirds! Crepes aren't supposed to swim in sauce. Don't over-cook! The bread, on the other hand was delightfully delicious. The closest to a French baguette that I've tasted in Denver. Did the chef make the bread? If so, do more of THAT. If not, good thinking to buy it as a prop for the less-than-mediocre meal.
(1)
Liza C.

Yammy and casual. That is my stile . I ve tried almost all menu . Everything is so delicious )))))Try dessert ice cream!!!!!!!
(5)
Philip R.

We ate here the evening before flying out of DIA to return home from vacation. We were happy to be able to call circa 7:00pm and get a 7:30pm reservation on a Saturday; several other places we tried couldn't accommodate us. The main words that come to mind r.e. this meal are "pleasant" and "plenty." The wait staff was very friendly and attentive, the food was nice/good, and the portion sizes were quite generous. But the sum of all of this didn't amount to "something special." Where we live this restaurant would be a stellar attraction; but we live in a barren culinary wasteland. I assume this is not a standout place for a large city such as Denver.
(3)
Rae L.

I have been going to Le Central for a decade and I feel it is really starting to slip. The food, first and foremost, wasn't that great. My daughter had the duck salad and I had the goose special. While we found our fowls to be good, my daughter claimed the salad was much too sweet and didn't really care for it. I found what I think was intended to be stuffing under my goose, but it tasted like raw dough and put me off the rest of the rather rustic dish. The service, however, was the true offender. I understand Le Central is "affordable" french, but I ended up with a $75 bill for two people - I expect better service than that which one would expect from a Chili's. The server, OUR server, sat us and got us water right away, sure... then disappeared for 15 minutes. My daughter had made a huge production of putting on her birthday present at the table - standing up, putting on the hoodie, taking it off, sitting down then standing up and waving her arms about... We were told she had been waiting on my daughter to return. It's not a big room... And when did she finally come back? When I flagged her down. Then, after a so so meal where I barely saw her as she sprinted by, after watching her carry boxes to all her other tables that were now empty, instead of the same service, we were given two small boxes and told to handle the large, heavy plates ourselves (two small girls meant a lot of food left) at the tiny table we were seated at. A glass of water was knocked over by my daughter and even though I made eye contact with a waitress working another table - I was ignored. Our server didn't even ask if we were okay... Even after taking away the two drenched napkins with her bare hands. There are too many other, better French restaurants in town. I don't think Le Central is going to make my list anymore.
(2)
Rachel C.

Le Central, a French restaurant in Denver, CO, has already received 106 reviews on YELP. So why should I really care to add to that number? 106 reviews should be enough to tell the average diner that either many Denverites are seeking really great French food . . . . or that they have already heard that Le Central is worth a try. Recently I was with a group of friends whose primary dining goal was to celebrate a birthday; a 21st birthday for a foreign exchange student . . . from France! I see no sense in going into details on food and drink. All the good reviews on Yelp (which are the majority!) are spot on. Our French student confirmed our choice. The service was friendly and helpful . . . . although, as other reviewers have noted, it was a tad slowwwwww. Too much time passed between coarses. We found ourselves twiddling our thumbs! I will return, but only when I am not in any hurry! If they step up the pace, Le Central will definitely be worth FIVE STARS!
(4)
Amanda P.

I've been here once for a dinner date, and twice for brunch. Love the enclosed patio, I really want to sit out there every time I go. The food is good, and cheap. I'm a midwestern, meat and potato girl, so French food is weird, and so...foreign. ;) LOVE the bottomless mimosas they have for brunch. Last time our waiter was really arrogant, like serving people was beneath him, and I could NOT understand his huge French accent, but maybe that's just how French people are. Not a place I want to be a regular at, but I'd still like to eat here once or twice a year.
(3)
Charlotte V.

Le Central is perfect for a date night or nicer night/lunch out with the family. Really reasonably priced, authentic French food and the staff is really great. I almost always get the mussels, occasionally I will split that and another dish with someone else. The dish has to be one of the best deals in town though at only $11 with an entire basket of fries. Last time I went my boyfriend got a really good lamb shank for around $17 (the other entrees tend to be in the $16 to $27 range. The entrees change all the time but the appetizers--a lot of escargot options, and the mussels are always available. We also go for easter brunch a lot, and the food is delicious and probably also in the $10 to $20 range. Quick note: parking on the street, during dinner most of the meters end at 6 pm so you are in the clear, but could be a hassle midday!
(4)
Alisha C.

I really enjoyed my brunch here. It was just lovely! We didn't have a reservation, and the place was packed, but the fantastic staff fit us in at a small two person table. For a Sunday morning without a wait? You could just win me over with that. What I really enjoyed was our food! The boyfriend got the mussels and I had the chicken crepe. It was more than enough brunch for the both of us and not to mention absolutely delicious! The server did forget to bring my boyfriend a coke, so we had to ask him to remove them from our check, and when he returned he brough us one "juss in case." I was happy with my meal, and will try to come back (probably with a reservation)
(4)
Jud E.

eclectic atmosphere! Great food! All staff very attentive. Chef was able to modify my entrees to be no sodium added and the food was delicious! Great spot!
(4)
Christina S.

Booked marked this place while looking for places to dine while visiting Denver. Decided we would do Sunday brunch here. I told the BF that we had to try the mussels because of all the reviews raving about how good they are. Mussels for breakfast?? Well, we were not the only ones with a 2 pound order of mussels. Other tables had them as well. There is a variety of different prepared mussels. We went with the Saffron cream w/ onions and tomatoes mussels. Along with that we went with the Croque Monsieur and the Salade de Champignons and a bottle of Cotes du Rhone. Everything was amazing except for how warm the enclosed patio area was. Not too stoked on the how warm it was. We ended up opening up the window to get a breeze going. Service was good, the staff especially the hostess were supper sweet! I wish they had one of these in Costa Mesa. I also like the "note" about the mussels that some of the mussels will have sand in them. A nice warning. I have to rave about the broth. It was amazing! I couldn't really manage to eat more than I did. They are filling and delish despite the sand. Our bill! Best part. Thinking we would be spending close to $80-90 was under $60! French cuisine with amazing service! I have never experienced anything like this before! Love this place!
(5)
Brian S.

Guys, this is some really good date night stuff. Great for V-day, anniversaries or just-to-be-romantic occasions. The atmosphere is warm, cozy and romantic. The service is way above average for the neighborhood and also above average when you think about your total bill, which will surprise you in a good way. It's a converted old house, so there's some nice charm there, and when you get an opportunity to sit out on the patio out back, you really get a treat. I love their mussels appetizer, mostly because it's almost a meal by itself for cheap, but the quality was very good. The price points are much lower than you'd think for the quality of food your going to get - definitely recommended!
(4)
Idan S.

I recently took my mom out to dinner at Le Central, and have to say that every single thing we ate there was delicious! We started the meal sharing appetizers: I got the moules a la moutard, the delicate flavor of the mussels compliments the salty bacon very well in this dish, and my mom got the quiche lorraine which arrived at the table cold and flavorless -- neither of us liked this dish. For the main course I ordered a 6-oz steak, which was delicious. My mom ordered the pan-seared wall-eye, which completely blew my steak out of the water. Finally, for dessert we shared a cheesecake and a chocolate cake, and even though I'm not a sweets-fan, I though both desserts were very nice. Overall, the meal was fantastic and the ambiance complimented it perfectly. Although they botched my birthday dinner earlier this year, I think they more than redeemed themselves. I will definitely be back at some point - this is a great spot to take someone out on a date.
(4)
David T.

I've been going to Le Central on and off since they opened. They've changed chefs god knows how many times and the quality of the food has varied widely. I'd probably off myself, or certainly look for other careers options, if I had to cook with the cheapest ingredients available all the time. Yes, it's cheap and that's how they bill themselves - "the affordable French restaurant". And, they aren't lying about it - it really is quite reasonable. But, you really get what you pay for. Occasionally, there have been moments of brilliance, although not that many. They do a pretty decent job with starters (the escargot dishes in particular), soups (onion) and salads. Where the scrimping on ingredients shows up is on the mains. Some really substandard experiences with all meats and fish but what do you want at $12-$15 -$18 bucks for a main course? Contrary to others' comments, I've never had a really bad service experience. They have Lillet blonde which I love for an aperitif (try it on the rocks with an orange twist - faboo) and the wine list is reasonably priced. Some desserts manage to be OK as well. Just don't think that you are getting Z Cuisine, Bistro Vendome or Indulge when you elect to dine here. You'll probably have an OK experience and nothing more. Probably your best bet is to go for lunch. Have some variation of their many mussel creations and some very respectable frites with a nice cold bottle of Chablis and you will leave reasonably happy with enough money left to zoom up to D-Bar for dessert.
(3)
Andreas H.

ATTENTION: $2 Champagne and Mimosas. We had our first brunch at Le Central a few hours ago. It was superb! And there were $2 champagnes and mimosas. Sweet baby jebus. I had the mussels, as I usually do, and my wife and friends had various egg dishes that all looked and tasted fantastic. The service was friendly and he respected our space and conversation (he only came over at conversation lulls). Also, did I mention the champagne? Mimosas? $2. Yeah... delicious. Oh, and the best part? For four of us, with food, and drinks... $45. Yeah, that's right. $45. And $2 Champagne and Mimosas. *hic* ***NOTE*** I'd like to say something about the review below about the person getting sick after eating at Le Central. Whether or not Le Central was to blame, most food borne illnesses take at least 18-24 hours before symptoms show. Even Norovirus usually takes at least 12 hours. Most people associate their food poisoning/illness with the last place that they ate, but unfortunately, that is not often the case. Just wanted to throw that out there, as I was a health inspector and helped investigate food borne illnesses for years.
(5)
Style A.

I just love this place. I cannot say enough about it! It IS THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY in Denver. I'm really ANNOYED by reviewers that say, "meh... I've had better..." really? For these prices?! In Denver?! I truly doubt it! It's not only the best french food I've had in Denver but, the best I've had outside of France!
(5)
Melissa H.

This is the second time I've tried escargots and the 2nd time I've been to Le Central. The Escargots en Brioche was fantastically good... very rich though, so it's a good appetizer to share. There were 3 of us and apparently we felt that we needed two appetizers so we also ordered the Charcuterie du Central which is an assortment of pates and cured meats. It was good, but the pates all tasted the same to me. I ordered up the rabbit entree which was cooked nicely with some wonderful garlic mashed potatoes and a mixture of fresh green beans, carrots, and sweet potato (i think). The other two entrees were good ... but nothing outstanding. I did like that their wine by the glass prices were very affordable at under $5 each. Difficult to come by at a nice restaurant. If you're coming on a busy weekend night, make a reservation.
(4)
Ajay R.

The sandwiches were good and the decor fine. Wasn't blown away by anything though. Par for the course. Maybe I'll try the mussels next time.
(3)
Heather M.

I give it a 3.75, but rounded up. The main issue I had was that we went in (no reservation...my bad) and we were told it would be about an hour so we waited patiently. We checked back after an hour and we were told it would be at least another hour and there was a chance we would not get in at all. I wish we had been told that in the first place. We made reservations for the following night and had no problems getting a table. The mussels were great and you get soooo many of them. The waiter was decent...not great as our glasses went empty a few times and we needed to signal him, but it wasn't the end of the world.
(4)
Meg M.

Summed up: quality, tasty French food, all cooked perfectly, excellent prices, great menu, fantastic wines, good service, and quaint decor. Mussels are always great and a very sturdy appetizer (though once I ordered ones with fennel and it was disappointing, I don't like fennel, but that's my own damn fault for not reading better). When I'm not super starved, we just get mussels and a salad and that is enough for a very satisfying meal. Otherwise it is hard to give suggestions off the menu, as it changes constantly with what is in season (which is a good thing), and my memory is not too good to recall every dish I've had. Highly recommend sitting on the "patio" when it's warm enough. It isn't really outdoors, but more like an addition to the outside of the building. So you get the effect of the nice French country home with little windows and shutters and so on, with also a feel of being in the garden due to large number of plants and vines.
(5)
cara m.

I live in the neighborhood and frequent often. I have found the food and service to be hit or miss. We had New Years Eve price fixed menu. It was awful. Thumbs down, yuck. Total bill $150.00 for 2, food should be edible. The shrimp bisque tasted like flavored water and the steak was thin and tough. Wine was good and reasonably priced. Service was fine, food terrible.
(1)
Emily V.

I am so bummed that I am updating (and downgrading) my review to two stars. Used to be five! I used to LOVE this place. And I still LIKE it, for the most part, but it's just not what it used to be. Staff used to be classy and friendly and professional. Now they're kind of meh. Food used to be amazing, creative and delicious. Now it's also meh. It's like there's no heart anymore. I don't know if they're under new management, or something, but it seems like it. My friends and I went to a five-course wine tasting dinner the other night. $40 per person. Seems like a great price for something like that. And I've done it in the past, and it's been wonderful. But this time the wine and food came out at completely different times, some staff were wearing jeans and tee shirts, and no one said ONE WORD to us until the last course! Not even a, "Here's your wine." Wait, I take that back. They did say a word. I received a dish and a poached pear on it was like a chunk the size of a quarter, and it looked like someone had taken a bite out of it. I politely asked if I could exchange it for a new one. "Sure," and he hands me another one that's even smaller! LOL It was so bad it was funny. The servings were inconsistent- everyone at our table got a different amount of food and wine. And they've been like this for almost a year now, so I had to officially downgrade them to a two. :-( The prices are still not-outrageous, but that doesn't mean a lot when you're not getting good food or service. The mussels used to be great, seriously excellent. Even the quality of those has gone done. They are grittier and less flavorful- and last time they weren't even warm!
(2)
Dave T.

I can't say enough about this place. Definitely repeatable. The bread, the main dishes, the mussels, the service, the atmosphere, all comparable to a high end French restaurant, but the prices did not break the bank. Did I mention the fries? What kind of oil is that? So good. I will have to go back soon and try their brunch. Dave
(5)
Ghostfaceknitter W.

I just love this place and I have for years - ever since I decided I was supposed to be born in Paris but something obviously went wrong. The entrees are affordable and lovely - I am always excited to see what seasonal dish(es) will be on the menu. But my love is the bucket of moullets (muscles). They are always just wonderful I have tried almost every style that they come in and I am never disappointed. Plus the all you can eat frites that accompanying the bucket is great - although I have never really eaten all of them as the portion of muscles is huge! I've had certain wines on the wine list, nothing so great I could remember it - but I am not really an experienced wine drinker. I do however love their prepared drinks menu and have never been disappointed with a cocktail from there. Plus the service is always great. I like would like to comment that for dinners and special events (I've done french 5-8 course meals and etiquette dinners here before with the University of Denver) the service is seamless and beautiful. Reservations for brunch and dinner are a must!
(5)
Melissa M.

One of my favorite restaurants, hands down. I'm not huge into mussels, but HAVE to have them here, they have a garlic/white wine sauce that is to die for. Once in awhile my boyfriend and I will come here and get mussels, and share a salad and a glass of wine for a light dinner and keeping the meal pretty inexpensive. It is definitely romantic, I like sitting out in the area where they have the terrace, just feels all "Frenchy". The only down part is sometimes the service isn't all that great sometimes, I got attitude one time so maybe it's true to France in that respect...ha ha I digress. Since they change their menu quite often, some favorites I've had has definitely been their flank steak and beef bourgunon (sp). Also, the duck salad (i think the duck is on the regular menu). LOVED the duck salad - deeelicious and filling. Also the frites are wonderful too. I love taters!
(5)
Alex B.

One of the best places to eat in Denver. Especially during 5280 week and their 3-course meal specials are amazing. Be sure to save room for dessert. Must try the bread pudding.
(4)
Maggie B.

I met some girlfriends for brunch this weekend at Le Central. It was my first time eating here and I am so glad we did! The waffles and other pancake like stuff are wonderful and they have bottomless drinks for $9. The egg sandwich plates looked great too. The syrup was delicious and their orange butter on the waffles is amazing. I'm told the mussels are one of the best things there but unfortunately no one got any try. The service took a little longer than I would have expected but they had a full house when we went and big tables so I think they were just really busy. Also, the parking lot is $5 (cash only) and it a little tricky to find but it's off Lincoln St.
(4)
Ashley H.

I came here for a lunch meeting with about 5 other people. They were good about keeping our reservation as we were all a few mins late. We were quickly seated in a little outcropping of what appeared to be a bedroom in an old house. We were handed a menu that was made for just that day which was nice because we knew the food we were going to get would be fresh. Everything sounded amazing and the pricing was very fair. I ordered the steak sandwich while others ordered a chicken sandwich and salads. They were more than accommodating to the 2 people in the group with allergies to gluten. Our waitress took the time to go over everything that they could enjoy. Our food was a little slow getting to us but the places did start to fill up fast. So that was understandable. Everything was delicious I will say that, though the steak sandwich is better if taken apart as the bits of steak are too big to just bight through. And with lunch pricing between $8-11 it's a great value for you buck. I will also say if you like mussels this is the place to go. Half the menu is devoted to them. Also show up a little early. It will likely take you a little while to find parking.
(4)
PAUL S.

Ive been here a few times over my years in Denver, so when we received a gift certificate from friends thought we would revisit. The veal I ordered was tasteless and the flour goop it was sauteed in was yucky. I should have remembered that the best food here are the moules and frites and the desserts. The onion soup was OK but Paneras is better (my wife's words) I was looking forward to a cup of coffee and it was just weak and cold
(2)
Jeff R.

Place is great. Unpretentious, great french cuisine - at very fair prices. The mussels are great - vivid flavors, quality shellfish and a wide variety of styles to choose from. Service has been very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable of the product. Just go.
(4)
KT T.

Le Central was reccomended by a co-worker for brunch and another friend insisted that their mussels and frites were amazing. I love mussels, so I was anxious to go. When my date suggested we go there for dinner one night, I could barely contain my excitement! The ambiance was lovely, slightly romantic, without being pretentious. The mussels: so yummy and obviously fresh. The preparation was simple yet delicious. We also had some chocolate mouse for dessert, which was tasty as well. I have a feeling I'll be coming back for more!
(4)
Brittany C.

Oh, mussels. I like you anyway, but when you come to me in a giant bucket surrounded by perfect French french fries and dripping in delicious sauces, I love you even more. I had heard wonderful things about Le Central before I visited, and was lucky enough to finally try it this weekend. We started with drinks (the wine menu offers some really affordable AND delicious wines. I ordered the Cotes de Gascogne because I feel you can never go wrong with white wine. Now, I am not a seasoned wine drinker and am not trained to recognize the subtleties of the wine characteristics, but this one was great. It was very citrusy, which I thought went nicely with the chicken. If you don't know what to get, try that one! We chose the Saffran musses and they were, without a doubt, the tastiest mussels I have ever ordered (they were rather sandy, but I suppose that's par for the course if you order most seafood.) Now, the dinner: we ordered a roasted chicken and sausage meal with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. De-lic-ious. Bonus: they allow you to split an entree (which costs an extra $2.50) but unless you are starving and/or capable of eating heaping portions of food, I recommend this if you are ordering any appetizers. Even after splitting the entree, I was still unable to finish it. I advise you to make eating here a priority if you are a fan of mussels and wine.
(5)
Patrick K.

Very solid French-fare, very mediocre service. However, went on Bastille Day (July 14th) and restaurant was packed. Enjoyed mussells with Spanish chorizo...yummy; bottomless fries are a cute tactic, as the initial service is quite ample. Had a decent cut of veal scallopine with vegetables, nothing Earth-shattering, but very good. All told, tab for 4 was just over $200; not bad considering drinks/wine on top of dinner. Solid fare, definitely would recommend.
(4)
Elizabeth K.

Amazing! Great foods and drinks and they give you huge hunks of French bread. Their dessert is delicious and isn't too expensive. Their main entrees were well sized but super rich, which was wonderful. Would definitely recommend :)
(5)
Lena K.

All of my friends who love this place are mostly in love with their mussels, but I'm not a fan. I must be really unlucky, but each time I've gone for mussels, I nearly chip a tooth from biting into several sandy mussels. With that said, the various flavors of mussels are really yummy and definitely a good bang for your buck. The prices here are very reasonable for both food and wine. Definitely not the most amazing French restaurant, but an excellent choice if you're on a budget and want to dine without a pretentious crowd.
(3)
Becca W.

I've been to Le Central twice. Once at lunch, and second at dinner. Lets just say I definitely like it better during lunch time!! I went last summer for lunch, but I still remember everything. I got a pasta! Seafood pasta. It was delicious :) Dinner time... Its more pricier then lunch time. Also not as appetizing. I tried a mussel, and it tasted fishy!! My plate was not very good at all. Actually it was disgusting. I barely touched it. I ate all the vegetables, basically that's it, and I was starving. I forgot what it was called, but it was Tuna, with a ginger sauce. The ginger sauce turned out to be some maroon bitter ginger jelly, under the tuna filet. I was with two other people, they tried it and even they didn't like it. It was sooo bad, the waitress had to take it away. For the service, I guess it was alright. As our waitress was cleaning up the dirty plates at the end of dinner, she dropped a steak knife on me! It could have cut me up!! Jk, it just got a little bit of sauce on my hair. But she wasn't that apologetic about it. Which I find kind of rude. Maybe I'll be back, for LUNCH.
(3)
Chuck B.

While there was a long wait, we didn't make reservations so I cannot fault them for making great food. While waiting my fiancÃ©e and I had some wine and just enjoyed talking. First course we split the onion soup which was amazing. Then we got a salad which was very good and the oysters and fries. I had never had oysters, but I really enjoyed them. Finally, we had creme brulee and chocolate mousse. Both of which were delicious and complemented each other well. The best part all of this was under $35! Great service and great food. Make reservations though.
(5)
Will H.

Having just got back from France and still being in the froggie state of mind 'food and booze wise'... My girl and I decided to check out Le Central and give our mutual favourite 'Bistro Vendome' a skip. We were the annoying people who sat and said [on a Friday no less]...hey we've got a show to catch... can you get us out of here in 45...? Cool server said yes...and yes he did..... Pastis and french beer.... Lovely App's.... Excellent Entree's even better, Service ..... couldn't have been better...... Salty ... but friendly... ol' kitchen guy added a flavor of authenticity to it all I'll definitely be back..............great value..... compared to it's peers!
(4)
Alexandra S.

We had reservations and then had to wait for 40 minutes! The only reason we stayed was because they kept saying 20 min. It ended up being a delicious meal but the service was very poor (we had to ask for water twice). I'd give 1 star if it wasn't for the food.
(2)
Veronica C.

A classic and a favorite for EXCEPTIONAL value and service. I love the food, the prices, the wine, and a service-savvy manager I consistency see there. When was the last time *the manager* of a restaurant visited your table to ensure an outstanding experience? I can see why this place is in business for 30+ years by the same owner. Thank you Le Central for valuing service as much as food.
(5)
R. Jonathon J.

I was there for brunch with a couple of friends. The potatoes were COLD. Two people in our group had to send their food back bacause the kitchen did not make it correctly. A third person in our group ordered soup...the bowl was chipped and snarled and only half full. Our waitress did her best to assist our table but it seemed like the kitchen did not know what it was doing
(2)
Michelle F.

I'm revising my previous review of Le C. We went back last weekend (after a few so-so experiences last year) and were pleasantly surprised to see Le C is back to its usual quality. The service was great--prompt & helpful. Dinner was awesome--I had mahi mahi in a tropical salsa w/side veggies, and my hubby had the veal in a cream sauce. The wine list at Le Central is fantastic & affordable. We sat on the patio (our favorite spot), and enjoyed a two hour dinner. Love this place!
(4)
Brad B.

This place is a gem. Plain and simple. The value for money here is quite high. There was nothing that we ate that I can describe in any other way than very good. And. One particular high point - $38 bottle of chateau-neuf-de-pape on the wine menu. yeah. gimme two. I will definitely visit Le Central anytime I can for totally solid french food in a relaxed environment.
(5)
Andy B.

Le Central is probably my favorite place to eat lunch in all of Denver. Their sandwiches will blow your mind right out of it's skull, as will the crem brulee.
(5)
Jason R.

Horrible, horrible service, sloppy restaurant and mediocre food. Came here for the first time on a Wednesday night. Restaurant was about half full and we were greeted politely by the manager, and waitress once we sat down...It was down hill from there. After placing an order for an appetizer, the waitress disappeared. Another server deliver the appetizer, which we finished before she came back to take our food order. After waiting for 45minutes with empty glasses and two starving kids, she stopped by to let us know the kitchen had lost our ticket but the food was being made asap. Another 20 minutes passes and our food finally comes out. I had the monkfish which was unseasoned and over cooked and sitting on a pile of dried out polenta and cold ragout. In addition to the 1 hour plus wait for our food, we sat surrounded by unbussed tables throughout our entire meal. At 9pm, the waitress asked us if we would like the dessert that is included with our kids meals, but we declined due to the long wait and time of evening. When we received the check, there was no courtesy discount of any kind despite the lost food ticket, inattentive service and partial delivery of our kids meals. At this point I decided to let the manger know how disappointed I was with our experience, to which he apologized and explained they are understaffed he was unaware of the degree of our service and food issues. He then offered me a gift certificate for another time. I declined and he returned with a modified check with $15 dollars worth of drinks removed, leaving us with a $75 tab for one of the worst dining experiences I have had in a long time. I will not be back.
(1)
Tina E.

Amazing mussels Normandy. Broth was out of control. The baked chicken with prosciutto and spinach and goat cheese was absolutely amazing. Slow Service since they forgot our reservation, and it was Bastille day, but the food was out of this world. I don't recommend the french onion soup. Cheese was burnt. But what a fabulous French meal for soooo cheap!!! Oh, and be warned, this place is in an old house so the cooling system is not so great. You will be sweating if you go during the summer.
(4)
Lara W.

Oh, Le Central...my dear old friend! I do not award you 5 Yelpin' stars for your food, which is delicious, but I have dined at eateries that far surpass your humble menu. And yet I commend you for your consistency, your earnestness and frankly for nostalgia. My first experience with you was when my 10th grade French class took a field trip to your humble home. I was delighted with the food and the illusion that I had somehow been transported to a quaint Provencal cottage. And still you have remained my favorite stop for girls nights out, family Sunday brunch, romantic date nights, and escape from work lunches. Your food is not over-the-moon....not nouveau. But it is hearty and honest and comforting. Like your grandmother's cooking...if you had a lovely French grandmother with a flair in the kitchen! My old friend, you have been there to warm me with a bowl of your rich Bouillabaisse. Delight me with your sweet and sticky Pain Perdu. Or just wake me up on a lazy Sunday with your $3 Mimosas! Not to mention that you have no hang ups about the little ones coming along, unlike some of the uber-hip hot spots downtown. No, my dear Le Central, you open the doors of your cozy and relaxed maison to all, young and old. And that is why, with all the great places to eat in Denver, I cannot quit you my old friend! Ã bientot, mon ami!
(5)
M L.

We've always enjoyed our visits -- great musssels, good crusty bread and other items -- BUT a recent visit was disappointing. I ordered two things I know how to make and have had elsewhere -- boeuf bourgignon and chocolate souffle -- and neither was good. The beef burgundy had green peppers in it instead of the carrots and pearl onions mentioned in its description (and which other recipes contain) and the chocolate souffle was just plain eggwhites accompanied by a little pitcher of chocolate syrup (not sauce). I was really surprised. The beef was also tougher than is the standard for a slow-cooked beef stew, and the burgundy sauce was flat. I'd made beef burgundy a few weeks earlier, and it's work, but worth it. This restaurant should do better on such a staple. That said, we still like the place and we'll go back because of our other experiences there.
(3)
Anne B.

This place is so fantastic I hesitate to write a review lest my secret gem of denver be overrun by yelpers. But alas here it is... JE T'AIME LE CENTRAL MON PETIT CHOU The food is savory and delicious, every bite is a treat to your taste-buds. In addition you don't have to be as rich as Carla Bruni to dine here because its all really affordable. especially for french cuisine; especially good french cuisine. This place combines my love of breakfast, my love of delicious french food and my petite pocketbook in perfect harmony. C'est magnifique
(5)
Tim T.

It's okay, the food is fine, needs air conditioning and little updating and cleaning
(3)
Nancy M.

I always forget about this little gem when I am in town so now that it is on my radar, I will visit more often. I like that they create a menu everyday so that there is always something new. I like sitting in the 1st room with the bar and seeing all the action. The wait staff is always really knowledgeable about the menu items and the wine. Speaking of wine, this place has a very reasonable price for nice wine and I have never been disappointed. We had the onion soup , which is yummy along with the fresh bread. My companion ordered the mussels and instead of a dozen or so, he must have had 3 or 4 dozen. What a bargain! There are lots of interesting rooms to dine in so find one that fits your mood and be prepared to have a wonderful dining experience!
(4)
Sara D.

I like Le Central, I really do. But the service is not exceptional and the food isn't either. It's nice for brunch with my dad that's about all I can recommend it for.
(3)
Dorothy V.

Sill love it but I miss Anderson and Katie. Recently had a Caesar with salmon. It is like being in Montreal. The most fabulous preparation and service. They do amazing bread baskets for the holidays. Nothing beats Le Central! Unbeatable value!
(5)
Jen A.

A long ways back I used to patronize Le Central on occasion. It did have a reputation for not living up to all the hype. But I've got to admit, that I have no problems with the restaurant, the food or the service. It's not a five-star zagat or michelin place, but I enjoyed dining there from time to time. So of course, when I had a chance to play tourist in Denver, I went back to my old haunt and decided to forgo my usual fave meal of moules et frites and went all out for their three-course prix fixe duck meal (which was like 35$ bucks or some such, not bad). All three courses (soup, entree and dessert) were more than one person should consume in one sitting. I had a kir royale as an aperitif. The soup was a fragrant flavorful piping-hot onion soup. Very cheesy and delicious. The next course, the main plate was a huge serving of turnips, potatoes and carrots with generous portions of duck two ways: magret de canard and confit de canard. And I finished the meal with a light, airy apple tarte. Good gravy that was some good food! I felt so guilty leaving so much food on my plates, but I had to cry "oncle" at each course. Way too much food, but I had a good time considering eating it all.
(4)
Heather C.

I went here with my husband for Valentine's Day. We made reservations and were seated immediately. We ordered off the Valentine's menu. I had scallops, with Mahi, and prawns cooked perfectly, on a bed of rice/butter concoction, a green salad with pear fritters, goat cheese, and walnuts, AMAZING, and for dessert a strawberry, cream, shortcake combo that WAS AMAZING. My husband had a super tasty lobster bisque, the bison and the shortcake. We both LOVED the food. And the price was decent. I am going back next week!
(4)
Kasia P.

After my boss put me up in the dumpy VQ hotel, he redeemed himself by recommending this charming restaurant. The atmosphere is homey and cute. The hosts were sweet. But the real thing that sells this place is that it's good, French, and CHEAP. I had the French Onion soup, which was delicious although could have had a bit more pizazz. The house salad was pretty standard. But the curry mussels. WOW. I have never seen that many mussels in one place! Unfortunately, I was so full by the time I got to the bottom of the bowl, I could barely enjoy all the delicious broth my mussels were swimming in. My colleague and I had dinner and a bottle of wine and it came to $63. We would easily have spend twice as much in LA! The food isn't knock-out, but I'd definitely go again for the true bistro-like atmosphere.
(4)
Christine P.

I'm sorry, I just don't get it. The concept is great - affordable French food - but the execution is flawed, really flawed. Three out of six people ordered mussels. This is one of their big menu items so you would think they would be good right? Yeah, well their not. The mussels were small and dry. And, I seriously think that they just make a huge vat of them and then pour on whatever sauce you choose. In each of the variations the mussels were tasteless with some mediocre sauce on the bottom of the bowl. Not impressed. A brie appetizer was boring. I think our server would have preferred to have been anywhere else but the restaurant and certainly wasn't interested in making our experience a good one. There are far too many good restaurants in Denver for me to go back to Le Central. It's a pity really, I still think it's a great concept.
(2)
Mizzy B.

Wow! I went here for brunch last Sunday and I was WAY impressed with this place. It was my first Le Central experience, so I didn't know what to expect (although I WAS expecting a bit of the typical French snootiness. Turns out there was NO snootiness, not even a little bit!). My boyfriend and I were seated right away in their delightful enclosed patio, where there were plants growing ALL around, and natural sunlight was everywhere (but not hot!). We each ordered a cocktail of some sort and they were both AMAZING! I even liked my bf's elderflower concoction (which I usually do not), and my martini was fabulous! And I think each drink was a measly $6. Moving on to the entrees. I ordered the Oeufs Sardous, which is sort of like Eggs Benedict, but instead of ham and an English muffin, there is sautÃ©ed mushrooms and spinach and toasted brioche. When it came out, to my delightful surprise, it was plated with mashed potatoes and a veggie ragout of some sort. Breakfast WITH mashed potatoes?!? Yay! And their hollandaise sauce was one of the best I've had (and I order Eggs Benedict frequently). My bf ordered the Pain Perdu, which is French toast, but like, French toast on delicious steroids. It was stuffed with sweet cream and strawberries and it was PERFECT. And I don't really even like French toast. It's usually some soggy, protein-lacking, bready thing that just isn't for me. But THIS French toast had me hooked with the first bite. It was NOT too sweet (but looks like it would be), and had a perfect crunch to the outside and def not soggy at all in the middle. Just pure perfection. Any dish that can take me from 'yuck-a-doodle' to 'amazeballs!' is 5 stars. Period. Did I mention that each of these dishes were only $8?! I was stunned when we got our bill that it was so low. Bottom line: AMAZINGLY awesome food, attentive staff, lively and bright seating, and GREAT prices! What 's not to love here?! Go to Le Central, people, quick!
(5)
Melissa M.

We made reservations for mother's day brunch almost a month in advance. Two adults and a toddler (i.e., high chair requested). After waiting to be seated almost 30 minutes after our reservation time, the manager ushered to a postage-stamp sized table wedged in the middle of the aisle between the kitchen and the dining room, literally pushed up against a support beam. Before sitting down, I said that I did not feel comfortable with this location and asked if there was anything else available. I was told that if we wanted another table, we would have to go back to the hostess stand and sign up another time on the waiting list. Really?? Starting from scratch on the waiting list after having had a reservation for a month?? That would have easily involved at least another hour wait, since the place was packed. My toddler was already fidgety. We were offered mimosas "on the house" to make it better. The placement of the high chair left literally 3" of space from the table of people at his back, through which the servers (carrying food) had to fit through. The same would have been true if it were placed on any side of that table. The main server in this makeshift room --- with folding tables, mind you (plywood surface, metal folding legs and disguised / covered with a tablecloth ) passed through this small space a minimum of 5 times before we finished our mimosas and ordered brunch, bumping her rump into my son's head and almost tipping his chair over. I complained to our waitress, who then brought the manager out again to talk to us. She was obviously irritated by the fact that we were not overwhelmed enough with the privilege of eating at "Le Central" to be treated like common bums in a food kitchen. Again, she reiterated that we could sign up anew on the waiting list if we wanted a different table, but there was nothing else she could do. I told her that we would be leaving because as a mom, it was a special day for me and I wasn't willing to be subjected to this type of experience, nor would I subject my son to being jostled and bumped throughout the meal. Incredible!! They were trying to fit as many heads per capita of square footage into that space that they are willing to risk losing business, which they have from us. I always enjoy the food at Le Central; that is why, as a mom, I chose to come here for Mother's Day brunch. However, this experience not only ruined my opinion of Le Central, I would never recommend it to anyone taking a special person out for a special occasion, especially if it is an occasion that the rest of Denver heads out to eat, as well. You'll be crammed into a small space like a bunch of cattle. This place is not genteel or high class, by any stretch of the imagination!
(2)
Tina C.

My friend and her boyfriend suggested that we try this restaurant last night because she saw the $9.99 bowl of mussels with french fries on the food network. She made reservations only to find out that the restaurant was super empty. This was probably due to the economy more so than the quality of the place. We shared the $9.99 bowl of mussels with a tint of lemon juice and french fries. They were really good and a good value- mussels split between the three of us and ample proportion for the cost. They tasted pretty good as well. usually, when seafood is not fresh, it has a certain scent to it. I didn't get that from this one. I ate the salmon dish after the waitress suggested that I get that one over the mahi mahi. She said it tasted better and so I was fine with that. (Salmon Entree $16). The taste of the tomato was different and I thought the veggies were slightly too sweet, but the carrots were good. I had a french dessert with vanilla ice cream (think cream puff + vanilla ice cream) ($4.00). Again, 4 dollars is a good value especially for french dessert. The creme puff came with a scoop of ice cream and a dash of chocolate - made with an even blend of chocolate tinted on the exterior and splayed along the plate. It was pretty good to eat and look at. For french food the place gave ample proportion and its affordable. There's also plenty of parking outside (street). The place is cute, quaint, and amazing empty for Saturday night (we pretty much got the entire dining room to ourselves). It's quiet enough and the room we were in was away from the restaurant's bar. Service: Service was a mix bag since out original waitress left and never actually came back. We think she probably took off for the night, but hey a I got to go would have been nice. However, while she was there and our subsequent waitress was pretty good and hospitable. Overall, I would give this place a 3.5 for french food, 4.0 for affordable french food, 4 for parking, and a 3 for service. method of payment: they take visa and mastercard for those that are paying with credit card.
(4)
Kelley A.

When I visit Denver again, brunch here is on the top of my list. My croque madame was excellent; the onion soup very tasty (only bested by one I enjoyed in Nice). Sitting out on the enclosed garden back porch with a light breeze, filtered sunlight and a glass of wine was the best way to end a meal. We had an attentive waiter who made sure we had water as needed but didn't bug us every few moments or rush us for the check. Definitely a must go again kind of place.
(4)
Yenny V.

great food for great price! I love the mussels with all different flavors. My boyfriend and me always come here on special times
(5)
Nicolette T.

It has been years since I've been here, but thought I'd give it a try again. There were plenty of people here for a Friday night which made the atmosphere vibrant but not chaotic. The hostess was very pleasant. The menu selection had a decent variety and for the apps and any of the mussel dishes, they were very affordable. The wine list choices were great, anything from affordable to somewhat pricey. Our server was pleasant, but with both our apps and our main course, I felt like we should have put a white flag up to 'surrender' her to come and clear plates! That being said, the main focus on making a restaurant good is really just good food, which is where Le Central is lacking. We had the escargots (bland buttery sauce, overcooked escargots) and the warm brie (something I could have thrown together at home in 5 minutes)...just okay. For entrees, the bouillabaisse had a bland broth, with one of the fish they used being EXTREMELY fishy, and many of the shellfish also tasting like they should have been used a few days back....the veal was just okay also-overcooked and chewy, and bland sides except for the potatoes which were quite good. The two desserts we had were so in drenched in heavy chocolate that we had to stop even though we hadn't eaten much of either our apps or our main dishes. I guess the moral of the story is 'you get what you pay for'.
(2)
Pb N L L.

Went there for dinner and thought it was too overly priced for their type. yuck!
(1)
Erin W.

Le Central is definitely a place to get a great meal at a great price! Six of us went there last night for mussels. You get a bucket of mussels for $10 and the wine list is relatively inexpensive as well. We got out of there for $20/person - very reasonable!! We had the Italienne, Basilic and Montago? (curry), mussels and they were all very good. The mussels were HUGE - not sure where they are imported from. We also shared a goat cheese appetizer which was amazing - anything goat cheese is devine to me. :) Service was a little slow but we were with all our friends so we didn't mind. Great place! Can't wait to go back when I crave mussels!!
(4)
Yvonne C.

I have to say that I wasn't impressed with this place. First off, they only had 1 vegetarian dish which ended up being tasteless and completely under seasoned. I saw lots of people order the mussels so maybe next time I'll try this and the pate! Also, there was this odor in the back room that I couldn't place, but it was extremely disturbing. The only redeeming factor was that the decor was wonderful and I was with a fantastic friend. I think he liked his dish better than I liked mine.
(3)
Mary S.

The mussels are the best, or did I have clams? And, the atmosphere is Cozy-European. Love the old downtown house location. The wait staff is ok. The prices are right on.
(4)
Sarah R.

Met some friends at Le Central for brunch this past weekend and had a great time. We all absolutely loved what we had. I had the smoked salmon benedict and each bite was amazing! Others had the stuffed french toast and quiche of the day and both were very happy. I don't think a clean plate was left. We also had some mimosas, which hit the spot. On Saturday's they are $3 and a great deal! Service was good. Our waitress gave us time to catch up before ordering and then kept our drinks flowing. I think the decor needs to be updated, but overall Le Central is great! I had been one time before for dinner, which was years ago. As I left brunch, I wondered why I hadn't been in so long and can't figure out why, but will definitely return...hopefully soon! Brunch is a great deal; I spent just over $20, which included my meal, 3 mimosas and the tip.
(4)
Scot J.

Amazing authentic French food. Great for long casual lunches!
(5)
Ivan J.

Wow, that was a spectacular brunch! Every bite left me wanting more. I wiped the plate clean of all the eggy goodness using my side of mashed potatos that came with the eggs sardou.
(5)
Alice C.

I'm of French descent and have dined in many French restaurants and homes, on the continent and here in the USA. Don't leave Colorado Springs for this restaurant. Le Creperie is far superior. (In fact come here if you're in Denver.) Mussels. Boiled all day. Tough. Flavorless. Poor service. None-the-less, had a great time with my step-daugther, her husband and their child--a beautiful 1-year-old--very hard to "f" that up. Heard so much good about "Le Central." Over-rated! Stay in the Springs!
(2)
Maddie S.

The go-to place for a girls' lunch out. The service is great, the food is fresh and delicious, and the prices are fair. Last time i went I had the veal scallopini and it was all I could do not to lick the plate. Great place.
(5)
Kellie K.

the hubbs and i went to le central for our anniversary. a pretty good meal all around. not 5 star but definitely 4. we had escargot for our appetizer, which was delicious with the great bread. of course, u put enough butter and garlic on anything and its usually pretty good. the hubbs had some sort of trout with an apricot sauce and i had the bouillabaisse. the trout was good and wasnt overpowered by the slightly sweet sauce. the bouillabaisse was pretty good except for the farm-raised salmon, which i dont care for and now avoid. we split an order of pain perdu for dessert which was absolutely rich and delicious. the hubbs says "i'll have a couple of bites" but of course he ate half because it was so good! we also split a bottle of tavel rose which was cold and refreshing on a warm evening, and not ridiculously overpriced. u know how sometimes at a resto u get a bottle of wine for 50 bucks that u KNOW was like maybe 7? not the case here. a bottle of tavel rose at the liquor store is around 10 to 15 bucks, and i think it was 23 at le central so thats not bad. we also took home a dozen macarons which were delicious and only a buck a for a FULL SIZED cookie, unlike some places where its almost 2 bucks a cookie for TINY ones (katherines). we were amazed at the great meal we got for less than 100, with wine and dessert. i know a lot of people go for the mussels deal but ive heard that the quality of the mussels has suffered as of late. i did not have the mussels except for the 4 or 5 that were in my bouillabaisse, and they seemed fine. that was the least expensive, "nice" dinner we have had in quite a while and would definitely go back. im dinging them a star for the farm salmon, but i know that if they used wild caught salmon then the price of the bouillabaisse would go up, which would actually be ok by me, as long as it wasnt too much more.
(4)
David D.

I had a guest visit from out of town that was staying close to Le Central. My friend and I are two guys visiting a quaint French restaurant. We both really enjoyed the food, there are many hot waitresses that were nice to us, I guess they thought we were not attracted to them since we are two guys at a French restaurant. Food was good, we both had the Steak and Fries, call it what you want it was Steak and Fries. The Steak was fatty, real fatty. All of the food was flavorful and something different to get your taste buds going. We both agreed had the meal been $5 more we would have felt cheated. It was an appropriate value, that is a good way to put it, appropriate.
(3)
Stephanie B.

Le Central is my husband's and my favorite restauant in Denver for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.... cozy, romantic, friendly..... feels like you've taken a little trip to France for an hour or two. I'd like to say we've tried everything on the menu, but more often than not, we choose the moules et frites, a bargain at $11! We've also enjoyed the happy hour specials -- you can make a pretty good (though not the healthiest!) meal for $20. Wine pours are generous, the salads are great, and there's always a crowd.
(4)
David C.

This restaurant really is what it claims to be, affordable, accessible French food. French cuisine doesn't have to be stuffy and formal, and it can in fact be done for less than $20 per plate. They have developed a real niche here in Denver over the years. Obviously the big draw is the moules et frites, where you get a large bowl of mussels prepared any of about ten different ways. I've yet to find one I haven't liked. It also comes with unlimited fries, which are usually very good but occasionally soggy. I've had some of the other entrees as well; the paella is fantastic, and the brunch menu always has something good. The menu changes daily to take advantage of fresh ingredients, which is a nice touch, but the flip side is that they may not have that great dish you tried last time you were there. I really wish they would bring back the happy hour that ran for a while in 2009, since it was a fabulous deal and a great way to sample small plates and decent house wine without breaking the bank. That said, Le Central is almost always very good; every once in a while the kitchen has an off day, but when you sit down to a basket of fresh baguette at your table and a big bowl of mussels, you're happy.
(4)
Rich L.

Went here with my girl for brunch on Sunday. Pros: -large, inexpensive portions -omelets were great (salmon and brie, mmmm) -nice decor, old wooden floors Cons: -watched the waitress walk by a few times and not even acknowledge us for the first five minutes. After that she was pleasant, but the place wasn't even close to crowded. -WTF was going on with the music in this place? It went from like Les Miserables to Daft Punk. My girlfriend and I would look at each other every time the song changed and just start laughing. -Too quiet for my liking - I know my grandma would've loved this place, but I want a little more liveliness at my brunches.
(3)
Scott P.

Dude. Dude!?!? DUDE! Like... seriously?!?! Word, homie. Went here for lunch with a friend and fellow Yelper, and I think I speak for both of us (though she'll write her own review) when I say that we was blown away like n00bs in an FPS!!! First off, you roll up in here and the place looks NICE. Like a beautiful little country manor in Provence. There's like... all kinds of stuff on the walls that makes you think "Wow, this place is really FRENCH!" and there's a BEAUTIFUL patio area out back that I can't WAIT to get innapropriately inebriated at (on their vast selection of phenomenally reaonsable drinks... seriously $6 for a perfect French Martini, are you kidding me!?!?). So you sit down, and then you get the pleasure of interacting with the people who work there- what a treat! They throw in a few french words when they speak to you. It's kind of awesome!! Everyone was so cool and very helpful, and when I ordered mussels and a plate the gentleman kind of smiled and said... "You know... that's going to be a LOT of food...". It just really makes me smile to know that the people who work there genuinely CARE about your dining experience, and try to make it a pleasant and memorable one. That got big points from me. Oh... so... this is a restaurant, right? So you might expect me to talk about the food, huh? Well, I'm not going to. SO THERE! lulz Unfortunately, we only had time to get about halfway through our mussels before she had to leave in order to make her flight. What we DID experience was sheer deliciousness in a delicious sauce with delicious bread in a deliciously declicious heap. With some delicious fries. Now, if that doesn't spell out in vivid deliciousness how I felt about the mussels, I don't know what will. I'll be back. Honestly, the only reason I can't five-star this temple of French phenomenality isbecause we didn't have more to eat. I'll try a few more dishes, but I'm pretty sure Le Central will be a soon addition to my five-star club. So Allie... did you make your flight? :P
(4)
Nirai H.

So I had low expectations based on the reviews. We went without reservations on a Wednesday and were seated in the covered porch area without having to wait. The place was packed! The first thing i noticed was the smell of the fish.I figured they served a lot of it. It wasnt unpleasnt. It actually made me want to order fish!We had the Escargots Bourguignons. We'd never had escargot but it was delicious! I love good bread and their bread was pretty good. The waiter offered some extra to slop up the juice from the escargot. How nice! My husband got the salmon and crab cake. It was amazing but it was too rich for us so he took half of it home. Or maybe it was the two mini loaves of the bread he ate :) I got the mussels and fries. They were Fat mussels and who serves that many mussels for under $12? I didn't finish it. Fries were crispy and hot. Cappuccino was perfect. Don't expect a large mug. They didn't charge us for regular coffee. Food came out quick and the customer service was very good! Such a comfortable atmosphere too. What more can one ask for?
(4)
Emily R.

I am really fond of this little restaurant! Being a native Coloradoan, I wasn't sure what French cuisine would really be like, but Le Central was a very pleasant surprise. I have had lunch and dinner at this restaurant with my mom, and they were very memorable experiences. Their sandwiches are excellent! A friend once had the duck there and was not impressed with it. There are a lot of menu options depending on whether or not you're feeling adventurous. If you're looking to wow a new date, I highly recommend you take them to Le Central for dinner. The lighting in the evening is subtle and gorgeous.
(4)
Daphne C.

This place has a very comforty homely feel to it. Every time I've visited this restaurant, I've had the mussels. They're modestly priced and taste very good, although they are a little overcooked for my palate. I actually find that most of the seafood at this restaurant tends to be too well-done. I once ordered the vegetarian plate, and while it tasted pretty good, it was served luke-warm. The service is usually friendly, and like I said, I enjoy the setting. It's a great place to order a bottle of wine and enjoy time with friends.
(3)
Michael E.

Maybe I went on an off day, Saturday before Valentine's Day, they were busy but I was seated in a reasonable time. The service was acceptable the problem was the food. To call the food authentic French can only mean they found a Frenchman living in a basement in a rural American city and just took his word on the food. Escargot is normally served in the shell (presentation matters) not in a bowl hiding in excess sauce. A lobster may have been near the bisque at sometime during the prep but certainly did not stay long or leave much behind. If a dish is supposed to contain Foie gras and veal deep frying it in a batter certainly is an effective means of hiding all of the flavors leaving behind an object more akin to a Mexican corndog.
(1)
Kate A.

Ooo la la, I love Le Central. Not only is the decor cute and "Frenchy", but the food tastes authentic and makes my tummy smile. If you are on a budget (like I most definitely am..) go for their lunch specials and you will get a fabulous deal. The bread is melt-in-your-mouth good. Drinks are ridiculously cheap and for $10 you can get a huge bowl of mussels (and I mean huge so if you aren't that hungry be prepared to share) and you choose from a long list of flavors. Between two people, we left with a bill under $30 after appetizer, entrees, and two drinks each! Hard to beat that for unique, high quality food.
(5)
David M.

Food quality and price are amazing! Felt like a home cooked meal. I had the mussels (great portion) and my wife had the salmon. Can't beat unlimited pomme frites! They are perfectly seasoned with sea salt! Decor is very humble. Our server was not that great but the manager was very hospitable. Asked if we had any questions on the menu and checked back if we were enjoying our meal! I will be back.
(4)
Nara O.

Love the mussels there. It was delicious and very affordable.
(4)
Tanya B.

My husband and I have always wanted to eat here. We're in the restaurant industry and we had New Year's Eve off so we decided that would be a lovely place to go. We were seated quickly in a little room with way too many tables for its size. We were cramed into a corner at a table for 4. There was no way 4 people would fit there. My husband had to sit next to me because there was no room for him to sit across from me. There was no music playing and all we could hear we're conversations of everyone around us. I saw their menu for New Year's Eve online . It had wonderful starters. Steak tartare, mussels , French onion soup , at least 8 items. When we were given the menu that was not the case. Only 3 items. French onion, salad, and shrimp bisque. When I called I had asked if we could purchase an extra app. Because there would be too many to choose from. I was really looking forward to trying their mussels .Our waitress was very nice. I asked about getting mussels but no way. The French onion soup was very bland. We sent it back. How does a French restaurant not have amazing French onion soup! . She offered to get us the shrimp bisque which was also bland. Im thinking they ran low on soup and started watering it down.The salad was fine but the dressing was pretty much vinegar. We had duck and the steak for our entrees. The duck tasted almost rancid. Not flavorful at all. The sweet cream cherry sauce was good. The steak was no better than a king soopers low end cut of fatty meat. Not a filet, or even a strip . With a puddle of fois grois butter on top. And branches of broccoli taking up space on the plate. Could you serve something a little more creative on New Years ? We sent it back. She asked if we would like dessert and of course we did not. We wanted dinner first! Not to mention all the tables around us left full desserts on their tables. We ended up having almost allof our tab comped. They charged us $8 for our wine I guess. I can't believe they charged us for that seeing how it was our first time there. We left our waitress a nice tip since we were there for almost 2 hours taking up her table. It wasn't her fault. I doubt we will ever go back. Our first mistake of the night was going out on New Year's Eve. Our second was picking Le Central.
(1)
Daniel W.

Hmm, I have been to Le Central twice, and it seems to be one of those places that is hit or miss. The first time I went, it was a complete mess. The restaurant was nearly empty, but the service was slow, tedious, and poor. The food was below-par and a sincere disappointment. The mussels, which are one of Le Central's signature dishes, were beyond disgusting. I was not impressed. HOWEVER, I managed to go back to Le Central, and had a more pleasant experience. The food was fresh, appetizing, and prompt. The mussels were still unacceptable, but everything else was quite satisfying. I have talked to many people who have gone to Le Central, and they report the same experiences. This place just seems to be either good or bad, with no in between. I'm not sure if I would go back anytime soon, but you might as well try it once.
(3)
Khaleelah J.

As a bargain hunter who likes to find the best deals, I can say that this is certainly one of the best bruch deals in Denver. It may not be the most authentic food, but the ambiance is wonderful, the service fast and friendly and the food delicious. I highly recommend bruch above dinner, but I am always satisfied with Le Central!
(4)
Cliff T.

I've tried going back many times over the past few years but every time I just come away unsatisfied. I know many people love it but those people I don't understand. I used to think that I maybe just didn't really like French food as much as I thought but now I can finally say that I do because I've been to Brasserie Felix. And that's why I can finally rate Le Central "Meh. I've had better" b/c I have.
(2)
Rob K.

I would love to rate this place higher. I feel like I've been going there forever now. If it were consistent, it would be a 5-star place, based on the value that never goes away. The problem is that sometimes it acts like a two-star place with inconsistent food and service. Bottom line is, when it's on, which is certainly more often than not, I love being able to get two apps, 2 bowls of mussels, and a decent bottle of wine for under $75. that's great and I applaud them for keeping their prices/concept honest.
(4)
Jean S.

After hearing so much about Le Central I brought 2 friends with me to dinner there a while ago and sat down for a long meal of white wine and mussles. All three of us were very unhappy with their moules frites. Not only did the mussels not taste good, but they were full of sand. Having cooked mussels myself I know of various ways of getting them to spit out the sand - you'd think that Le Central would employ some sort of method to get rid of at least some of it. This was a little while ago, so I am always tempted to give them another chance. I want so badly to like it! It's got such a great atmosphere and is right up the street!
(2)
J K.

I've been here multiple times over the years, and have always had a good meal. That said, there are items on the menu I just do not enjoy at all. That also said, I always go for mussels and fries now. Big portion on the cheap, and I always leave happy.
(4)
Beth S.

Due to the announcement of the restaurant's upcoming closing, they were at 100% capacity. Still, our server, Scott, was attentive and gracious. One of the two moules we ordered lacked sauce, probably due to the overworked kitchen. The other was perfect. We ordered all three varieties of escargot and I would order each one again, all delicious and all very different from each other. For dessert, the Le Central, the Mousse au Chocolat and the Gateau au Chocolat were on point. A wonderful evening out with friends with perfect French Bistro atmosphere. The closing of these doors will be a heartbreaking loss for Denver.
(5)
Claudia C.

Oh no! Oh no! It is with a heavy, broken heart, I say au revoir to Le Central. :( For the past 12 years, I've celebrated my birthdays here. Soo many memories, so many wonderful desserts, so many happy memories.. So I said good bye to one of my all-time favorite restaurants last Friday night to have my last bucket (ok.... 3 buckets, but who is counting) of Italienne mussels before they shut their doors for good. Good bye, Le Central.. You will be missed. :(
(5)
Chris R.

I have to admit, I'm an absolute fan of Le Central and have been for the eight years I've been coming here, but today just felt off. Firstly, the bread, which is usually very fresh and a wonderful combination of fluffy with a crunchy outer crust and served with rich French sweet cream butter, was much less so this time. It tasted like pre-frozen mini loaves that were thawed the day of serving. Looking around, these loaves are kept in big plastic tubs at waiter stations. Hardly the pinnacle of proper bread. The butter was also a whipped, near-flavourless standard discount style for restaurants and lacked any French enthusiasm. Quite a disappointment. My mother started with the chacuterie, which featured really wonderful homemade sausage, but lacked the rillettes in favour of a lanky salad that dominated most of the plate. There was much less meat than the last time we came here. Her entree was the mussels in a mustard, bacon, and cream sauce, but they were recently changed to larger, much grittier mussels in lieu of the standard smaller, plumper, sweeter, and overall much more delicious stock. She was quite disappointed, as was I. I decided to go with the Chef's choice (Vietnamese and French fusion today) and started with a twist on the standard crÃ¨pe. Unfortunately what could have been a light and lovely starter turned out to be an overly thick, bland half-crÃ¨pe-half-pancake topped with pork, shrimp, and copious amounts of arugula. I had to add quite a bit more than a dash of salt to make it enjoyable. For my main dish, I went with the "Shaking Beef", and I presume the "shaking" part came from the incredible amount of salt already in the dish when it came. The sauce was too salty, presumably from caramelised soy sauce in which the meat and vegetables were drowning, and more for garnish. The ending dessert was a simple rice pudding, but it lacked imagination and the best part was a macaron placed on top. Thankfully the macaron was sweet and flavorful, contrasting a plain, under spiced rice pudding with bland chunks of fruit. We really do like this restaurant, and have for very long, but tonight wasn't a good experience for either of us. It feels as though new management stepped in and is trying to cut costs wherever it can. But when it comes to French food, the extra cost is more than worth it. This quirky little restaurant has lost its flavour, literally, and we would love to come back again, but not with the food as it stood.
(2)
Jake W.

I found this place while walking around downtown Denver, a little lost. The design of the building caught my attention so I checked out the menu and I was sold. I was in France for a month and this is the closest I have gotten to a real French restaurant in the states. Love this place. Moules et frites (muscles and fries) are amazing.
(5)
JT T.

I came here for an UYE and I'm so glad I did. The food was awesome but the company was totally awesomer! Ordered the bucket of mussels with frites. MariniÃ¨re (Parsley, white wine, shallots, and garlic) flavored. It was seriously a huge bucket of mussels but I did manage to finish. The sauce was outstanding, I loved dipping the bread into it and soaking up all the flavor. For $12.95, the bucket of mussels and frites was such a great deal.
(5)
Brian A.

My wife and I will miss your wonderful restaurant, good luck on the next phase of your life!
(5)
Melissa C.

Came here with a group of Yelp friends to try out the variety of mussels. Well, what a variety there was! I think there were 8 of us and we each got a different flavor of mussel, each served in a HUGE pot, and I think only 1 of us finished it all by themselves. Delicious! My favorite part was dipping the amazing, fresh bread into the cooking sauce in the pot - why must you be so filling, bread?!?! And the price for this gigantic vat of wonderful? like 12 bucks or something....yeh. I hate the parking situation, and the service was meh, but the food is totally worth the trip downtown.
(4)
Chris S.

Le Central is "La Bombe" Le Central is one of my favorite restaurants ... anywhere ... and I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the 39 countries I have visited. I was in India a week ago, but found out that my mom was hospitalized and dying, so I made my way over a 72 hour period to be by her side in Colorado Springs when she died on February 12th, 2015. Long story short, I was taking my wife to the Denver airport so she could return to work and we decided to stop at Le Central for their Happy Hour menu. We have been gone for seven years, but the place has not changed except for the being open in the afternoon with a limited, but exceptional menu. They offer a $3 glass of wine, escargots, crepes, their fabulous mussels and French fries (moules frites). I has a glass of pinot noir ($3), which was excellent, the escargots in brioche ($7), and the moules Portuguese ($12.95). The pinot noir was dry, a deep red, and robust. The escargots were superb as usual and I mopped-up every last drop with the wonderful French baguette. The Portuguese mussels were excellent with slices of chorizo and chunks of fresh tomato in the white wine based broth infused with garlic although the broth was not as plentiful as I would have liked as was the case in years past. The frites were excellent, perfectly salted and hot, but by the time I de-shelled all of my mussels, they were not as hot as I would have liked ... DRAT! The prices have gone up a bit since we were there last, but Le Central is still an outstanding value. The service is always excellent, the food sublime and very reasonable, the wine list extensive, and the ambience country French. If you have not tried Le Central, you do not know what you are missing! CombatCritic Gives Le Central the Coveted 10 Out of 10 Bombs ... Plus Y'A De Bombes, Mieux C'Est! (The More Bombs, The Better - Correct Translation Courtesy Of Mel A From Austin, Texas)
(5)
Dave H.

A long time favorite, the portions are generous, the food is well done, and the wine list is lovely. Service felt a bit slow this visit, 2.5 hours for dinner, but we enjoyed ourselves and will be back.
(4)
Abbey B.

I can't say enough about this cute little place. On Saturday mornings my friends, usually a group of 8-12 people, head somewhere for brunch. Most places in Denver would laugh at you if you asked if they could accommodate a group that large. Le central always seats us and takes excellent care of us after a long Friday night. Their service is awesome, the food is delicious and affordable and they actually put up with us. They usually put us in a room away from the rest of the patrons which I can appreciate and I'm sure everyone else does as well. You guys are great! Thanks so much! My favorites....the mussels, their Belgian waffles and the NiÃ§oise salad.
(5)
Wanda C.

I really wasn't too sure how I would fare with mussels, as I have had a mixed response with eating mussels in the past. I met up with a group of Yelpers to enjoy mussels & frites. It turned out to be a fabulous experience and no stomachache the next day. Yay! Cyn and I arrived a little early and had a chance to peruse the drink and mussels menu. I ordered a white wine cocktail (something with wine, lemonade, & lime juice) which was a perfect accent to the meal and not too sweet. I decided to order the mussels pistou, which is a a basil pesto, shallots and parmesan. Of the 8 people there, almost everyone ordered something different, which was nice, because we all got to share and try some of the other varieties. I was very happy with the pistou and could not finish it. Man, the broth was ridiculous. The frites were good, but I could only eat a few and then I put all of my concentration into those mussels. I didn't finish the bucket of mussels and passed mine down to another lady who seriously killed her bucket of mussels. I was impressed. I really can't wait to go back, b/c I do still want to try their crÃ¨me brulee. Super yummy and a great deal at $12.95!
(4)
Rachel B.

Delicious French restaurant that lives up to its name: very reasonable prices. I've been here a few times and every time I come, it seems to only get better. I love their escargot in bleu cheese sauce. Yum! Also the mussels with french fries are delicious. The patio area is a really nice place to dine, as it feels like you are outside, but it's completely enclosed. Definitely make reservations. We came in on the spur of the moment once on a random weekday and they gave us exactly 45 minutes before a reservation was going to take our table. I'll never make that mistake again. For a frequent visitor of France herself, I can say that I feel the French would be proud. This is a very good French restaurant.
(4)
Ashley K.

I have always loved coming to Le Central and will sorely miss it when it's gone. As a high school French teacher, I took groups of kids for lunch to practice their speaking skills and they always listed that as the highlight of the school year. The mussels are always divine and I'm hoping I can find some place with a comparable menu + taste after Le Central is gone. Bonne chance !
(5)
Rob W.

Unpretentious French Food in a cozy downtown Denver spot. I've walked by Le Central for over a decade, but for whatever reason, never made it in. Decided to give it a try with my sweetie this evening and was not disappointed. The decor was quite simple. No undue fluffery or touristy French nonsense. Food was well prepared. I had the vegetable risotto. It was cooked beautifully and seasoning was perfect. A subtle dish, as I believe risotto should be. My wife had the chicken breast with balsamic strawberries, which was interesting and tasty. Nothing flashy here, just simple, well-executed dishes. I'm giving Le Central 3 stars because although the food was well executed, there wasn't anything that really wowed me. Still, I will likely return to further explore the menu and, perhaps, find my wow.
(3)
Amy F.

I am a fan,of the Mussels!! Really it's the main reason I go here. This place has been around a while, I remember going here with my family for my sister's birthday when we were younger, and just finally came back for a couple visits. The wine list isn't huge but there are some great french wines listed, and the few we tasted were wonderful. The bread and butter is hard to pass up, the french onion soup is fabulous, and the different flavors of mussels are fun to share with the the table. The wait times can be hit or miss depending on when you go, but service has always been wonderful. Space and seating can be a bit cramped on a busy night, but sometimes it's fun listening to your neighbors dinner conversation, ha! I love this place!
(4)
C. S.

Our second time here, and we wanted to make sure we started with the mussels. The menu said they were temporarily unable to serve them due to a supply issue, yet we saw at least SIX (6) little mussel buckets going from our side of the restaurant to the other side. We asked our waitress about it, told her what we saw, and she still maintained the "no mussels" malarkey. We even saw the empty shells going back to the kitchen afterwards. I don't know about you, but I don't appreciate being told my own eyes are lying to me.
(3)
mermaid m.

Excellent afternoon long french lunch. Moules frites so delicious. Service excellent. A lovely french waitress, well informed. Creme brÃ»lÃ©e is perfect
(5)
Jessica C.

Our Sunday happy hour meal at La Central was very affordably priced, and met expectations based on past Yelp reviews. We had the small Charcuterie and Fromages as an appetizer - both were a generous portion size. The charcuterie is home cured, and the prosciutto was the highlight of the plate. The cheeses were very good, but not as listed on the menu. My skepticism regarding mustard in mussels was banished - the A La Moutarde Moules were absolutely savory, decadent and I could not stop dipping my fries in the broth. All in all - delish. I appreciated the very reasonably priced happy hour Pinot Noir, too.
(4)
Kenneth T.

We live nearby and so have been here frequently. Mussels today were stringy and not plump at all- not the first time it's happened. It's real hit or miss-but I have to say for a place with half the menu listing mussel dishes you simply have to get this right every time. They have no quality control- anyone looking at the bowl of mussels we got should have been ashamed to serve them.yes it's a neighborhood spot which we want to like- but truth is it's simply unpredictable and often mediocre - you can do better and they need to up their game and not just live on their laurels.....
(2)
Liz F.

My new favorite restaurant. If you're into saving tons of money for delicious big portions then this is the place for you! We ordered the mussels with our choice of broth there were 40-50 gigantic mussels. For only $12! The fries and bread to dip in were equally amazing. That was a meal shared between two people and it was very filling. We also ordered two main entrees: duck breast with rice and the beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes. Best part: house wine flight for $6! Love this place. Will be back very soon!
(5)
Paul W.

I don't know, maybe we visited on an off night, or maybe it is my gigantic dislike for snobby French people, but my opinion differs greatly than most others. Five of us ate last night for a Valentine's Day dinner, so there was a set menu. No problem, lots of choices. I had the Bisque to start and the Filet as a main course. Yes, I consider myself a Filet connoisseur and have unbelievably high standards. Another in our party went with the Filet, one with Rabbit, and the remaining two have Salmon and Scallops over Linguini. I am told the Rabbit was pretty darn good and the Salmon and Scallops were to die for. However, I found the Filet and Bisque both lacking in depth and flavor. Meaning the initial taste was ordinary and shallow, not unpleasant, but not like a fine wine as its complex flavor hits the entire palate. I ordered my Filet medium and it arrived perfectly cooked. Definitely not a top 10 steak for me. The service was, well, just not good. Our reservations were at 8p and the restaurant was about half full and by no means busy. We had to track our server down several times for beverage refills, which is unacceptable. I like to food to arrive shortly after the previous course has been finished - we waited a minimum of 15 minutes between courses. I will return to give them a second chance, like I said, maybe they were having an off night.
(3)
Carrie R.

Sometimes Le Central is super delicious and straight-up magical. Sometimes you get stringy, nearly inedible mussels with hardly any broth and stale bread. That's the way it goes with Le Central. If I were to rate them on their best day, I'd shower them with stars; unfortunately, the food quality is just too inconsistent. On the positive side, the service is always good, their fries are yummy, the atmosphere is very warm and the prices are pretty reasonable. I'll definitely give them another chance in spite of their off days, in hopes of getting another magical night.
(3)
Amanda D.

Affordable french dining indeed. Everyone is raving about the Mussels. I came here for Sunday brunch. People were waiting in line for them to open. I love the B52 coffee they have. It's nice and strong... a little bit too creamy for me so I diluted with coffee. Vegetarian omelet is huge same with my friend's waffle. The setting is in an old but cute house.Le central is one of a kind!
(4)
Loralieh Laura N.

I had heard good things about this place but was truly disappointed. I ordered the Bouillabaisse , it was really bad - poor quality seafood. My friend got the mussels , they were simply okay. Honestly the fries served with them were the best part of the meal. The service was very very slow, so slow that I chose not to send my meal back because it would have made us late for the next event we had planned. The waiter was unpleasant, to be sure. When I payed in cash he asked if I wanted him to reserve any of it for his tip, a trend that I find to be rude. Needless to say, I won't be back.
(1)
Steve M.

I don't know if they still refer to themselves as "the affordable French Restaurant," but that's why we started coming here about 15 years ago. It's still one of our faves - they never disappoint. Memorable French fare and incredible service, for a reasonable price. Highly recommended!
(4)
Sam G.

Mussels: good to great Service: absolute crap Dining space: definitely eat on the patio (year round) I am addicted to their mussels and its become a staple of mine whenever I come back to Denver. I also love their intimate patio - even in the winter, you can sit in the covered and heated patio and bask in the intimate glow of soft lights and hanging plants. Their house red wine is tasty and the clientele is fairly unpretentious. All these things are great. The service kills me. At my last visit we were at the table for 10 full minutes without even a greeting or water. I watched as our waitress bantered with other staff (clearly on non-work-related matters) and then literally stood staring at nothing at the water station for a good minute or two. She looked bored and no matter how many times I set my best assertive yet puppy dog eyes full of hunger glance on her, she just looked around. Finally 10 minutes later she comes with water and apologizes for the wait as if circumstances were out of her hands. During our meal, she proceeds to interrupt me in the middle of conversation not once, not twice, but SIX times. Homegirl, I ain't talkin' about the weather. I am fully invested in this conversation. Let me finish my damn sentence before you interrupt with "is everything ok?" Of course, as with most poor service, they are there when you don't need them and they disappear when you do (like when you'd like a check, you've stacked the dishes in front of you, and placed the credit card on the table for them to see - the hint was not taken for 15 minutes). Sigh. Point being, if you're in absolutely no rush and have no penchant for attentive waitstaff, you will be just fine with a big bucket of mussels and a charming atmosphere.
(3)
Tara D.

Went here last night because we heard they were closing and my husband always raved about this place. Well...I was not impressed at all. We were sat right away and the 2 hosts were very friendly and kind. We ordered mussels because of all the rave reviews. They were cold, smelled very fishy and were not very flavorful. Then we waited and waited and waited. Our waitress never came back to get us water or see if we wanted more wine. This went on for 1 hour. We then got our food and the bouillabaisse was mushy. They ran out of mussels and had to get more and I believe my soup sat there till they got more mussels. The duck leg was very good. Very disappointing. It seemed as though they were surprised by all the people coming in. What did they expect when there was a story on 9news.
(1)
Alice G.

This is a good restaurant, solid. Nice French flair. A little attitude, some accents, hot flavorful food. Two major points detract stars for me and those are parking (you have to pay $5 for the attached lot or deal with a meter), and the place is just a little shabby: Sticky vinyl table clothes, beat up chairs, and old paint and decor job from 1982. The food however was nice, and they paced the meal like the Europeans- slow, easy- plenty of time to talk. We enjoyed the menu of the evening: $29 for 4 courses consisting of a soft shell crab appetizer (fresh tarragon popped!!), a stuffed chicken breast (the chic airplane cut), a salade, and a blueberry cobbler for dessert. The chicken and crab were absolutely delicious. The salad and cobbler were just ok. We had a nice time, and the soufflÃ©s walking past looked amazing!
(3)
Brittany B.

Ah, le Central... I always look forward to my mom's birthday because she absolutely adores coming here for a few glasses of wine, a couple buckets of mussels, and a couple baguettes to sop up the delectable sauce. (Yes, fries come with but they just don't soak up much... just not the same...) The mussels are solid in May. We've come off season when the mussels aren't as good quality, but the success are all pretty good. I've tried an actual plate of food before and it was... fine. Definitely didn't blow me away. Service has always been quite good, attentive while allowing for a leisurely meal. And the atmosphere corresponds, laid back & loud. Tables are a touch close (I was bumped in the back a few times during tonight's meal) though it does lend to the quaint charm. Come during mussel season & you'll get a great meal for a pretty great price in a pretty adorable place with pretty good service.
(3)
Lauren J.

This place has been around forever and I can't tell you how many times I've eaten there. It's always good and it's always affordable.
(4)
Bradley C.

Wake up call to Le Central owners. Your amazingly wonderful establishment has taken a turn for the worst. We made a reservation for their special whole lobster meal. I had a selection of melted cheeses on toast which was great however it was on a bed of salad that had clearly been sitting in a refrigerator at least 24 hours. It was wilty and some pieces had even begun to turn brown. The dressing was amazing but the bed of greens was an old mush. Very disappointing. My husband had onion soup. Their wonderful delicious onion soup. He enjoyed it thoroughly as he worked through the crusted cheese on top but when he got down to the soup it was closer consistency to warm brown water. Clearly there was an ingredient missing? We told the waiter (a nice enough person) that there was something wrong with the soup and he dutifully studied it and shook his head but did nothing. So I didn't bother to discuss my salad - "let's just wait for the lobster" I said. We are not the type of guests who go the restaurants to complain. We go to enjoy. But that was difficult in this case. Well the lobsters come out. I won't talk about the size as this is Colorado and not Maine but the split open lobster meat was chewy (overcooked?) which was bad enough but when I was chewing I could actually TASTE AQUARIUM WATER in the meat like the poor thing had been dead floating amongst his fellow death row inmates. It was sooo disappointing and I really just wanted to get out of the place. ----------------------------------- Le Central. We love you. But something has really gone south lately. I'm going to blame the kitchen as clearly no one quality checks the food anymore. It is such as shame to watch this slow death occur.
(1)
debora c.

I almost always get the mussels. They are always delicious with a variety of flavor choices, extremely affordably priced, and generously portioned. Service is always efficient and courteous. This is just a great neighborhood, regular place!
(4)
Dave P.

I love this place! Great for special occasions, brunch, out of town visitors or just a nice night out! The food and service is always top notch, and for good French food, the prices are very reasonable (Although, if you are like us, you could easily drop $200 on wine/champagne alone). My only criticism, and it really isn't about the restaurant, is that the free parking is gone now, but plenty of pay parking around.
(5)
Nathan G.

I was here for the Communal Dinner Colorado Style last night. What a spread! I know this reads like a tasting menu but these were regular portions for $29 = a steal! The table agreed that the mushroom soup was the tastiest. But everything was excellent. I had not been to Le Central in a decade or so. I will be back. What a place. Here is what we ate last night: * Alamosa Wild Mushroom Cream Soup * Olathe Sweet Corn Fritters * Colorado Melons * Roast peppers and piÃ±on nuts * Beef Sliders with Pueblo Green Chilis, Colorado Goat Cheese and Burnt Honey * Green Chili Poutine * Palisade Peach Cobbler
(4)
Anna E.

I like Le Central. The food is very good, and the value is even better. The service was a bit on the slow side the last time I was there, which is good for a nice, long date that you'd never want to end. Sadly, such was not the case (the date); so make sure you're with someone you TRULY like if you decide to come here for dinner. Lol! The mussels were delicious (as usual).
(4)
Diana W.

my friends love coming here for brunch because of the bottomless mimosas but I wasn't that impressed. The building is old, the menu is average. Maybe I'm jaded cause it tasted nothing like the Parisian meals I had last summer but none of the dishes were THAT flavorful or stood out. I ordered the slow cooked pork carnitas with poached eggs. (I dunno how french that is) It tasted GOOD but it was just average. The service is slow paced but at least they have their own parking lot. I would come back here for brunch with a group since it wasn't a long wait to get a table and you can drink mimosas till you burst but it wouldn't be one of my top brunch choices to bring out of towners.
(3)
Vi T.

It such a cute restaurant, I jus want to pinch it's cheeks. Quite endearing actually. I'm glad they done up French-country style because it sits in a really downtown scary traffic side of town. Let's see. Mussels, salmon omlette (yes, theyve effectively made an aquatic-ovo combo), cheese plates. All good. All devoured as soon as it hit our table. Could have had better service though. No one likes to be the last little ducky momma forgets to help over the curb (again, so cute I could pinch their cheeks). But other that, good place, especially if you're looking to getting away from the everyday basics.
(3)
Bridget N.

This is the most delicious place, it is my favorite date night spot! The mussels are a great deal and I crave them. Such a cute building, I will never stop coming here!
(5)
Jennifer M.

When we walked in it smelled like rotten food. The bread was hard, the food was over priced, I couldn't understand the menu. The service was good! Overall I wouldn't recommend this to my friends or family to din. First impressions are important! Salad was good and cheap felt that was the only thing good to Order.
(1)
Erica A.

We had a wonderful time tonight. My husband and kids took me here to celebrate my birthday. Liz was our waiter. She was great. Very friendly and helpful. Looked like she had to wait on the entire room. Great with my kids. My 9 year old son wanted an entree off the main menu. She checked with the kitchen to see if they could kid size it for us and they did. Food seemed to be extra delicious this evening.
(4)
Larry P.

First impressions are important. The place is quintessential French bistro, which in some ways IS stuck in the 80's. the chairs could use a pain job and new fabric, but its like every French bistro I've ever dined in (38 at last count, this is 39. 18 in the US and Canada, 21 in France). wine list is passable, considering it is in the US and offers French wines. The lunch menu is delightful. lovely baguette, sweet cream butter, Salade Verte, Steak frites, all done well. its not going to knock your socks off, but it is going to transport you to a street side bistro in Melun, Fr. Service: warm and friendly, prompt after a slight delay when I first sat. My wine choice was ok, when I asked the server to choose another since my choice wasn't "speaking to me" he brought two tastes. GOOD TO EXCELLENT swrvice. all in all, the place delivers the goods. a lot of places try too hard, this one does not. it IS French. relax, go with the flow and enjoy a 2nd or 3rd glass of wine. You're in France!
(4)
Google U.

What this restaurant has turned into is quite sad. I grew up going here and you used to get unlimited fries with what you order. now 98 cents charge. used to put a bread basket on the table. now they had you one piece of bread. uhhh half the fun of getting muscles is soaking up the goodness with the muscles. also the service is absolutely HORRID. I called TWO days before making a reservation. They called back to confirm which is fine. I called them immediately back confirming. Fine. We get there right at our reservation time and they didnt have a table ready and we were standing there looking like fools with my friends 90 year old grandmother. Are you kidding me? Confirmed reservation means make up a table for all the people coming. Its honestly common sense. Then as we were sitting down the waiter asked how many kids menus we need. Are you F*CKING KIDDING ME. Everyone who was there was over their 20s and in their 50s and 60s. Its too bad because the food is really good, but the horrible service overshadowed my experience.
(2)
Emilee D.

Oh, how I wish I wasn't dieting when I came here for a friend's birthday dinner. Not only is this French restaurant inexpensive, but the menu choices were quite tempting. Except for the snails part. I'll never be a fan of slimy things that eat dirt. Being that I was actually sticking to my diet, I was limited to having a small caesar salad. It was decent, but it could use more anchovies in the dressing as it was a bit bland. The portion size was reasonable for $5, but wasn't enough to satisfy a dieting gluttonous pig like me. However, I did get to sample other items from my friends' orders which made it bearable. I tried two different flavors of their oysters. The saffron oysters were good, but I didn't really care for the overwhelming wine flavor. The pesto oysters were quite delicious and flavorful. French fries come with the oysters and those were pretty meh. Maybe cuz they were French fries? Give me freedom fries any day over these tasteless potato sticks that were served. I also tried two different soups: Curry cauliflower and the French onion soup. Both were pretty good, but my preference had to be the onion soup. Not only does it present better than the cauliflower soup, but it seems more satisfying. Our server was nice, but service was a bit slow. To his defense, the place was packed, but I think he was overwhelmed with the number of tables he had to take care of. The restaurant itself is cute and the decor is very welcoming. The only downside is parking, but we did find out, after the fact, that the restaurant offers free parking in one of the lots on the weekends. I'll definitely be back to check this place out once my diet is over.
(4)
Alicia H.

Spent a fantastic 2 hour dinner here and just loved it! The french onion soup is wonderful, but the kicker was the chocolate souffle... you HAVE to get it! It is big, and fluffy, and chocolaty delicious! Side note: they make their own gluten free bread in house. My son loved it! Little dense when compared to the wonderful other bread they bring out, but I thought it tasty.
(5)
Steph G.

I found Le Central when I was in search of a nice restaurant to take my love for his early bday celebration. Given that I was searching last minute, I think I did pretty darn well. This restaurant looks like it was once a house. The outside looks like it belongs in a french village. Inside, it's a hustlin' and bustlin' little french hot spot. Buckets of mussels and pomme frites are being served left and right, lots of chatter, and many happy people being wined and dined. It's got an intimate feel for sure. We were seated right next to the kitchen, which wasn't ideal, but it wasn't a big problem. I wasn't being smacked by the kitchen doors, so no biggie. We ordered a bottle of red and just entrees since we weren't super hungry. I got the bouillabaisse and he ordered the ribeye steak. Everything was delicious, but the mussels were kind of overcooked. I particularly loved the broth. It was so flavorful and delicate, and I definitely couldn't stop saying how much I loved it. Give me some fresh bread and a bowl of that broth, and I'm a happy girl. My love's ribeye was also perfectly cooked and served with a crabcake. Yum and yum. Our service was good as well. I would definitely like to revisit this quaint little bistro and try those buckets of mussels and endless pomme frites, since that's what they're known for.
(4)
Jessica D.

Not the worst food I've ever paid for, but this is not even in my top 20 choices for brunch or dinner in Denver. I would assume a French chef would know what a medium rare steak looks like... I could also do without feeling like I'm paying to get attitude from the waitstaff the entire time. I literally got up and filled my own coffee (twice) because I got sick of waiting for a refill...that's how aloof the staff is. The gluten free bread at this place is awesome though, which is about its only saving grace for me.
(3)
Lauren S.

Good food but the service was slow.
(3)
Andrew B.

Been to Le Central a few times and it has been great. My friends and I almost always get the buckets of mussels and have been not been disappointed yet. Great mixed drinks and wines as well, at a reasonable price.
(5)
Taylor G.

I made a reservation for thanksgiving, and I was told because of the prix style dinner they offer reservations at 11:00 1:00 3:00 and 5:00.. which meant to accommodate for seating arrive early. I should have in hindsight, picked 11:00, but being that this was suppose to be a feast, I felt that stuffing myself like a pregnant woman that early in the morning would not have been wise. However, I made the reservation for 5 and they told me to come closer to 5 because we would have been the last dinner for the evening. Wow, my boyfriend and I parked and walked up and saw the line of people out the door, I went inside and asked how long they were going to be and they said they weren't sure. I told them my name and that we were ready for them. They said they would call us when they're ready to seat. The wind starting picking up and it was cold outside, we couldn't sit inside because this restaurant is incredibly small and I do mean SMALL.While outside we saw the folks leaving and it was at a snails pace to boot. I called the restaurant, and just asked them if they could call my cell phone, and they completely misunderstood what I was trying to say because they said the can't possibly be bothered to do that because they were so busy. I really had to specify, as I could tell they were stressed out, I just wanted them to call my cell so we can come in . They finally got it and said that shouldn't be a problem. I asked how long they think and she said about 30 mins.. mind you we already had been outside for a good 20 mins already..so really at this point I was irritated. When some space cleared I moved inside the restaurant and used the bathroom. I ended up standing in the stair way because it was very crowded. Still I stood for at least 15 mins staring at this tiny table, then they finally called our name and we were sat exactly in that spot. Nice. Sitting down was a nightmare! I couldn't believe how close we were to the other tables, there was hardly enough room to breath.. very uncomfortable. The waiter came (eventually) and I really do understand that people are overwhelmed on holidays but I felt pushed aside. The table next to us right away had bread and water.. we were still waiting. When the waiter did surface I wanted some wine and I asked for a recommendation on white and he just kinda looked at me and shrugged his shoulders like I don't know. I asked about the flavor on the wine and he "didn't know" ok great I'm on my own. My boyfriend had the salad and I had the squash bisque. I actually liked my soup, was a great flavor. I ordered the traditional thanksgiving dinner, turkey breast, turkey leg, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry port sauce, and green beans. I couldn't believe it, just a few mins later and he brought me this plate that looked like not only someone dropped it and tried to fix it ..total crap. Someone completely didn't give a $hit about this plate they brought out from the kitchen.The meat looked like crap, my green beans were ice and my gravy was .literally poured all over the plate. The presentation of this plate was by far the worst I've ever seen in a restaurant. I was just trying to go with the flow at this point.. but looking at the table by us I could see their plates looked amazing . I mean amazing! I was livid. I couldn't believe it, I've waited a long time to try this place and what a let down.My stuffing was mush, gross . My potatoes were almost ok but I barely got any..No one came to check on us, no one refilled my water ( Which I needed desperately because the wine I ordered tasted like a$$) I skipped eating most of my plate because it was such a disappointment . They did bring a dessert plate that did have some fabulous items.. but I was so pissed I just wanted to pay my bill and leave.I really just wanted to finish my dessert somewhere else and get out of there. I did absolutely leave a tip that was appropriate for the service I received ( hardly any) the quality of the food (absent) and most of all the execution and presentation of my plate, there is no excuse for that . If you're that lazy or uncaring, get out of the food business. Some people actually care and want to provide something memorable for their guests.. which is blatantly not the case here at Le Central. For $30 bucks a person we could have gone to blackhawk and had a buffet that would have delivered far better service and items to choose from. I think flushing $70 down the toilet would have been money very well spent compared to this place. I had my eye set on this restaurant for quite sometime, and felt this would have been a good way to try this place.. What a rip off completely awful all the way around. And I forgot my dessert box, the only thing that could have redeemed my night here.. never again Le Central
(1)
Andrew Z.

If you've eaten good French food you'd know that this place is terrible. The mussels are crap and made like something you would get at Applebee's, covered in unnecessary ingredients like cheese and bacon (depending on what version you order). We had two bowls and both were gritty because they were not cleaned appropriately. The lobster was also covered is some sort of cheese sauce and the "french bread" was a day old. Not to mention the fact that there was an escargot dish that was a soupy, disgusting mess. No one at our table bothered to finish their food it was so bad. The atmosphere reminded me of an abandoned gas station. Don't be fooled by these other reviews, unless of course you find a night out at TGI Fridays to be appealing.
(1)
Richard R.

I'll go anywhere that has muscles...or is is mussels? Either way I'm a fan of Le Central. C'est bon! Seriously, the tomato basil mussels are to die for! They are so tasty that I barely talk when the food arrives. Plus there are plenty of fries that come with, so how can you go wrong? I can't say I've had anything else on the menu except the French onion soup and as an avid hater of onions even I can stomach this item. The only downside is the physical space. During peak hours there is barely room to stand while waiting for a table which is indicative of a popular joint. Plus, this place is not wheelchair accessible :-( Hence the four instead of five star rating. However, the decor is great with both indoor and patio seating options. The menu is actually very robust - which I only know because I can read. Otherwise it's mussels all the way! Moreover, prices are very reasonable even when booze is included. D-lish mussels, soup and five martinis for $45 - oui! Service has always been top notch. I think people who consider employees at this restaurant to be rude, snooty or inattentive are themselves rude, snotty and desperate for attention. This is a happening place so wait your turn and be grateful there isn't brash attitude like most every restaurant in Paris. I would recommend trying to hit off peak hours so that the wait isn't too long but if you are patient it all comes up roses! There's even a little bar to the left of the door so you can order drinks while in a holding patter for a table. All in all this is a solid place with lots of style, class and unique food options that can't be found most places in Denver.
(4)
David M.

Had a 3 star paella at 4 star Le Central today, but still walked away happy. Happy, even though the paella wasn't something I'd order again. While the rice base was well sauced, the seafood seemed mainly to be many unseasoned miniature scallops and bay shrimp, strewn across the top, and the couple of pieces of meat inside the dish were too fatty and grisly. Maybe I just got an unlucky ladle. The result was that what I was served wasn't up to their usually better quality of meals. I could have had any one of a number of other dishes that are old standards that I can highly recommend. The mussels (any of the many styles they offer) are all wonderful, as are the limitless fries served with them. The Croque Monsieur is tasty, as is the flank steak et frites. My lunch companion liked the frittata and I've always thought they did a great job with their salads. The bottom line, therefore, is that you should go to Le Central and order anything other than what I ordered today, which was OK, but not really A-OK. More like C-OK. And while I remain a fan of the restaurant, today my meal was nothing to write home about (so instead I'll just write about it to all the billions of people on earth). Hey billions of people, don't get the paella. Get the mussels. There. I feel better.
(3)
Marko C.

I've always liked Le Central! Four Stars! I was on a trip to Denver and had brunch with several of my friends at Le Central. The restaurant is located on the outskirts of downtown Denver. It's located on a random little corner, and parking can be difficult. There are a good number of tables at this restaurant (20+) so the wait is reasonable. I ordered the Eggs Benedicts with crab. First, you have to know that I don't like eggs. But, I ordered eggs to try to get over my dislike for them. I actually enjoyed my dish. It was two eggs benedict topped with a tasty hollindaise sauce and served ontop a generous portion of crab. The egg was ooey-gooey-perfect and the dish was cooked well. Kudos! The dish was served with a side of mixed green salad and some freshly baked bread! Breakfast / Brunch menu items range from $8-10! Very reasonable, great selection! Food Grade: B+ Service Grade: B Worth the Money Grade: A- Overall Impression: B+
(4)
Brittany H.

It's been a few years since I've popped my head into Le Central; other French restaurants around town have quickly become my favorites, so this venerable Denver staple had been forgotten in my book. But thankfully, I recently had the chance to make a return trip on a date night. And I must admit, I couldn't've been more pleased. My date and I inadvertently arrived on Julia Childs' birthday, so Le Central was packed and booked! But amazingly, a table for two was easy to fit in, so the wait was very tolerable. We were quickly seated in one of the myriad of rooms. The layout of Le Central still irks me; it feels more like someone's house rather than a French restaurant, but I'll attempt to let that slide and not skew my views of the most important aspects: service and food. Our server was so lovely and on top of everything. She easily recommended some wine to go with our order of mussels and cheese platter. Et oh mon dieu, the Gascone wine was delicious! And the food? The mussels and cheese platter were both amazing! I had never had mussels before, so my date got to introduce me to their deliciousness. There were several types from which to choose and since I love spicy food, we went with the hottest offered, la Mexicaine. Honestly, I could've used more spice, but these mussels were amazing! And for $11 for a bowl full? I know I'll be back to have some more. And the cheese platter? As a girl from Wisconsin and a France study abroad alumna, I couldn't've been more pleased. I believe there were five types of cheeses as well as nuts, crackers, bread, and cranberries. Twas perfection! As with most French places, the prices are a little steep, but you can find some very affordable choices. And if you wanted to splurge, you'll certainly be able to find that, too. While I can't say the venue *feels* French, Le Central has clearly been serving up some amazing French food for years. Oui, Le Central, I will admit I was wrong. You are completely wonderful and I hope to return soon!
(4)
Kirby L.

Probably my favorite restaurant thus far in Denver. Great atmosphere, a humble little abode without a pretentious feel like a few Denver restaurants. I live 2 blocks from the place, the only way I knew it was there was driving by on my way home from school everyday. Food is incredible, escargot en brioche was my appetizer, and swordfish was my main dish, gateau au chocolat- flourless cake for desert. All of this was very well done. For the quality of food they serve, the prices are incredible. Usually good French food is gonna run 50 a dish just main course. My sister and I went 4 courses with a bottle of wine for under 100 total. Great place, I will be taking all my Denver guests there. I apologize to my French waiter who had to repeat everything to me 8 times, I slept through my two years if French in high school.
(5)
Timmy G.

One of the most memorable meals I have ever had in Denver, was the "humble" cassoulet, at Le Central, on a cold winter night. It was as close to authentic as I've ever come with tender pork, garlic sausage, goose confit, creamy white beans and a lovely, satisfying breadcrumb crust. I could have gone another round. In fact I should have. As a table, we had hors d'oeuvres and dessert....and I couldn't tell you a single thing about them because all that sticks out in my memory was the entree. The only disappointing part is, the menu rotates on a daily basis...so you can't plan on recreating the experience without either booking last minute, or, I suspect, calling the restaurant to schedule it somehow. Either or....fabulous, comforting, unpretentious French food, ADORABLE little building and decor, bustling bistro atmosphere...nothing not to love, really.
(5)
Megan W.

Wait...you mean I have been going to this restaurant for 5 years and never reviewed it?? FOR SHAME!!! BAD YELPER, BAD BAD! This is one of my FAVORITE spots for dinner. Their escargot is fantastic, the cheese plate divine, and the mussels are my go-to entree selection. And, of course, they have a great selection of wine. Even better - their prices aren't absurd. In fact, they're extremely reasonable. I can't think of any other place where I can go and order wine, appetizers, entree, dessert for under $100 per couple. Date night, girls night, family night, whatever night...this is a great place. Service is excellent. Keep in mind this is a French restaurant so they're not a hurryupandgetmemyfood kind of place. It's a sit back, relax, have a glass of wine with your friends and snack on some appetizers and slow down and enjoy your dinner kind of place. LOVE LOVE LOVE
(5)
Em H.

Got food poisoning.. Decent but not worth a night in the hospital. They could've kept some semblance of respect if they gave any sort of compensation besides a half hearted apology.
(1)
Shiloh C.

We came for a birthday dinner for someone who has to be extremely careful with her diet. They catered to us as best they could and were delicious for sure. However, the waiter did not have the knowledge needed to present a gluten free, soy free, and dairy free diet. He gave her a macaroon that contained heavy cream in it and made her sick for the entire next day. While the experience was great, the aftermath was hard to digest.
(3)
Clint J.

Although I'm not a "regular," I have been to Le Central a number of times, usually with family or coworkers who seem to think this place is great . . . but then they all eat at chain restaurants like Old Chicago and Red Lobster where everything is either nuked or deep fried and seem to think those hellholes are great too. I have somewhat higher standards. After having two unacceptably poor dining experiences at Le Central (served a cold and grease soaked Monte Cristo that was completely inedible which the waitress refused to comp, and "bouillabaisse" which was the dregs from the bottom of the pot filled with empty shells and a lobster head), I rightfully gave them a 2 star review because nothing says "we take pride in our establishment" like serving trash which ought to have been tossed in the dumpster, but I digress. Anyhow, one of their managers contacted me to apologize for the experience I had there and offered to send me a gift certificate so I would give them another chance. I received it in the mail today, and all I can say is if they send you a gift certificate BE CERTAIN TO READ THE FINE PRINT! First off, it's limited to a maximum of twenty-five bucks with multiple restrictions (brunch only, not applicable towards tax, gratuity, or drinks), and then the kicker: VOID after January 31, 2013 . . . which means it expired 6 months ago and isn't even valid! I do not know if this was done out of incompetence, or out of a pissy desire to humiliate me for giving them a very fair 2 star review, but I'm never going back there again, even as part of a group with the tab covered. No need to send me another gift certificate, thanks. I'd say "third strike," but this was actually their fifth major screw up, so I'm done. Like I said before, if you're invited here as part of a group, DON'T go for brunch, DON'T order the mussels, and the appetizers are all equally disappointing so avoid those too. Salads are mediocre, and you can do far better elsewhere. Best bet is to stick with their special of the day, as it's less likely to be premade and reheated. Desserts are okay, but not spectacular. An overall mediocre dining experience with an occasional surprise horror . . . not recommended for special occasions or a first date, but if you are part of a group on an expense account you could do a lot worse.
(1)
Jay B.

I've always been a fan of Le Central's fixed price menus. When we heard they were having Colorado produced foods on the menu, we rearranged our schedules to attend. My only regret is that they did not have Colorado wines to serve along side the meals. I'm not a big fan of mushrooms (Great flavor, but they are a texture violation), but the Alamosa Wild Mushroom Cream Soup was the best soup I've had in a long time and was my favorite of the meal. So, if you're ever in doubt of this place, look for one of their fixed price menus, or better yet, a communal style dinner, and dive right in. Not to mention their take-home Valentine's dinner.
(5)
Jocelyn D.

We stop by here for brunch on sat being near our hotel. The 5 stars is for their mussels... Excellent! We got the Portuguese... Tomatoes were fresh and not canned. It was a HUGE serving with a side of fries... We were so full sharing it we can't finish our crepe and waffles. Our service jasmine was pretty attentive always there to refill our drinks without asking ... Top notch service!
(5)
Roxie F.

Dress is more casual than I expected. Not the best French food in town but I dig this place!
(4)
Robert G.

Just got back from my daughter's birthday dinner. First thing i noticed was the dirty plate resting between my flatware. My server served some of the crusty bread on it . I looked at my server as she was serving the bread and quietly mentioned that i had wanted to exchange the plate for a clean one. That earned me a brief dirty look from the server. We ordered 2 appetizers, escargot and the mussels and frites. The escargot was tasty. The mussels never made it to our table. The mini forks and bowl for shells sat on the table unused the whole meal. To boot there was a fly buzzing around as well. Drinks were okay the food was mostly mediocre. At the end of our meal our party was asked if we wanted dessert. At this point we had enough and asked for the check. My daughter mentioned that we had never received the mussels and frites which elicited a shocked look and apology from our server. We werent charged for the mussels and our bill was only $98 for the four of us. Affordable certainly, i left $15 for the tip and vowed to myself that such a lousy dining experience (daughters birthday meal no less) will not receive my patronage again. Sorry.
(1)
Darlene N Duane S.

Definitely our favorite restaurant of all time. From the amazing service...everyone is friendly, polite and professional. Even the tight dining space is charming. But it's the food that matters most. I think we've tried nearly most of the starters and soups, an assortment of the entrees and every type of mussel offered. All being beyond exceptional. Also the best frites ever! But the one thing we've only had one of...the dessert. Isles de flottantes. The best. But you can't leave without a few macarons. Just a few though. The rest are for me.
(5)
Td H.

This place has been in my "bookmarks" for a long time. I finally was able to try it over the weekend and it far exceeded my expectations. I went for the Sunday brunch. The menu is huge. There are so many things I wanted to try. I got there just after they opened, so it wasn't very busy at all (yet). With a little help from our fabulous server, I finally settled on the brioche smoked salmon with eggs Benedict. It was divine. So much food, I couldn't finish my plate, which is unusual for me. I also had the bottomless mimosa for 9.00 and my glass wasn't empty the entire time. The service was excellent. I sat in the inside patio room which felt like being in a little French cafe. The ambiance made me want to sit here all day sipping my mimosa and eating French bread. I'm looking forward to returning and trying the bucket of mussels. That seems to be very popular because I kept seeing tables full of buckets of mussels and fries. I'd also like to try the desert next time too. I'm sure this will be one of my favorite places in Denver. :)
(5)
Chris S.

One word: mussels! And copious amounts of them for a very good price. They're a great place for an upscale lunch or dinner. One serving of mussels can be a light meal for two. Whatever you do, leave the fries until last when you can dip them in the sauce for the mussels. Service was good too. I recommend them.
(5)
Cyn C.

Oh crimony. I was SO full. I played hooky from work today and pretended to be a lady who lunches. We were immediately seated by the host. My friend and I shared the brie with garlic, tomatoes, and basil to start. The cheese was gooey, the garlic roasted, and the croutons toasted to a lovely crisp. Fresh tomatoes and basil too. We ate it ALL up. Second course was a cup of french onion soup. Meh. I've had better at panera. Broth wasn't very complex or flavorful. We shared a main course: the panini aux legumes. MMMM. Goat cheese, eggplant, bell peppers. served with some french fries (excuse me, POMME FRITES), and a small salad. YUM YUM YUM. I was in a carb coma for several hours after. Service was fair (helpful but I had to ask for water refills). Price? CHEAP. Total bill was under $26. I'll be back to try the moules frites!
(4)
Julio T.

Le Central is such a lovely restaurant. It gets pretty much everything right: Fantastic service that is not cloying or stuffy. A beautiful interior that makes you feel like you're eating in an elegant bistro one visit and then a French country house the next. And the food is consistently good. Le Central has a ever-changing seasonal menu meaning no visit is the same. The mussels are always good and actually so is much of their sea food menu as the restaurant is one of the few in Denver that has figured out how to get fresh seafood to this landlocked city. The best part about the menu is that it is relatively inexpensive yet high quality. Few entrees cost more than about $25 and several are less than a Jackson. The wine list is extensive and affordable. The dessert menu has tons of delicious choices (Love their fruit crepe and creme brulee, both less than $5). Le Central is the perfect choice for a nice "going-out" dinner when you don't want to spend a bunch of money. I can't think of many Denver restaurants that give you as much value and quality.
(5)
Kimber S.

I brought the hubby here to experience a cooking demo at the end of January and we had a great time! We learned how to brine anything, how to make a Hollandaise that won't break, and how to whip and fold egg whites into submission. At the end of the demos, we were treated to a fantastic meal of rosemary and honey brined pork chops and chocolate lava cakes for dessert - YUM! That, plus the warm and inviting atmosphere, friendly professional service, and fun interactive cooking demos all added up to a perfect date night!
(4)
Todd A.

Been here for dinner a few times with other groups, and always liked it. This morning, the friends my wife and I normally have Sunday brunch with were out of town, so we figured we'd find something to do on our own. We settled on Le Central, and I'm very glad we did. I had a crab cake Benedict, which was done absolutely perfectly. The egg was beautiful and at that perfect soft-poached point, with plenty of yolk. The crab cakes were soft crab meat, and had a wonderfully seasoned flavor to them. My wife had a Monte Cristo, with the French toast being done to the perfect point of crisp without being burnt, and some excellent meat in it. The potatoes that came with mine were delicious as well, cooked just enough and not a bit greasy. Service was excellent as well. Unlike a lot of places that offer "bottomless" Bloody Mary/mimosa, they have good ones and make sure they stay full. Our waiter was very polite and attentive, and we got our food very quickly. And at all that, the price is about the same as you'd pay for a decent brunch anywhere ($15-20 per person, drinks included). Well worth it. I'll definitely be back. I've got to try those mussels next time...
(4)
Corinthia C.

Some friends have had breakfasts here in the past. The first time I went, the breakfast was terrific: perfectly cooked, quick service, and tasty. The second time I went, the breakfast was so-so. The bacon hadn't been fully cooked, the eggs were greasier, and the potatoes were drier. The service was still great, though. And the restaurant itself is adorable; it's a quirky space. So, I am divided about this place. Perhaps I will post again and update.
(4)
Elizabeth K.

Amazing! Great foods and drinks and they give you huge hunks of French bread. Their dessert is delicious and isn't too expensive. Their main entrees were well sized but super rich, which was wonderful. Would definitely recommend :)
(5)
Lena K.

All of my friends who love this place are mostly in love with their mussels, but I'm not a fan. I must be really unlucky, but each time I've gone for mussels, I nearly chip a tooth from biting into several sandy mussels. With that said, the various flavors of mussels are really yummy and definitely a good bang for your buck. The prices here are very reasonable for both food and wine. Definitely not the most amazing French restaurant, but an excellent choice if you're on a budget and want to dine without a pretentious crowd.
(3)
Daniel B.

I've eaten here 3 times (twice due to family gatherings). The atmosphere at this place is fantastic - urban, casual, and cozy. The great atmosphere is about as far as it goes, though. I've eaten the mussels, the steak w/fries, and the Monte Cristo. The mussels weren't bad tasting, they just came out cold. The steak was about 1/2" thick and was burned. The fries were so greasy and cold that they folded over on themselves. The Monte Cristo is just two slices of French toast with a bunch of meat in the middle. The food is bland, cold, and uninspired. Steal some recipes from some chain restaurants for goodness sake! The prices aren't that great either, especially considering the quality of the food. Sorry Le Central. I won't be going back if I can help it.
(2)
Sam F.

Stopped by this Sunday for brunch before the Van Gogh exhibit. We waited 15 minutes for a table, which was pretty reasonable. No complaints there. We were seated, and the experience just fell apart. From the time the hostess seated us at a table until our payment was rung through, brunch took an hour and forty five minutes. Our coffee and water were never once refilled unless we first requested it. Not once. My dining companion ordered soup and a pastry. I ordered an omelet. Her items were delivered first, and after waiting for my food to show up, I convinced her to start eating before the soup went completely cold. She ate slowly, but still finished her meal before mine arrived. The waiter finally delivered an omelet, but it wasn't what I had ordered. I sent it back and suffered another long wait. Our waiter never apologized for the slow service or mistakes, nor did he offer to adjust the bill to compensate for the mistakes. I've lived in Denver long enough to have seen Le Central cycle through a couple periods of decline. With other wonderful French restaurants around, it will be a while before I try Le Central again.
(2)
Carolyn H.

Ahhh...Le Central. I love your weekend brunch and I don't visit often enough. This place is brimming with friendly service and melt in your mouth food that you'll wish you could never stop eating. I've never experienced too lng of a wait time, even on a lazy Saturday morning. Maybe 20 minutes or so. My picks: Quiche Lorraine - It's the perfect blend of bacon, onion and amazingness. Waffles with Fruit - Crispy. Warm. Perfection. Pain Perdu - There's no pain in this...but definitely gain. You NEED to check this lovely restaurant out today.
(5)
Danielle L.

This is a great place for a romantic dinner. Great selection of mussels and the different sauces. Plus they all come with a side of French fries. I personally enjoyed the sauce with the chorizo-the Portuguese more then the Moutarde. It had large pieces of chorizo along with more dimensions in their sauce.
(4)
t l.

Classic goodness. The place has been here a while so sometimes it gets looked over for that reason. You shouldn't. This and Z Cuisine (which is higher end) do the best French food in town. Not even close. Brunches are great here with good drink specials and I've had great mussels, frites, steak, cassoulet, lamb and salmon here. The best thing is that it is very reasonable. It's like being in a smaller French towns local top eatery. The back area is a nice place to sit for brunch. Get the tartare if they are serving it.
(5)
Randy R.

The food and service were outstanding. The mussels and fries are the best I've had in the US. My wife had the salmon and said it was great. Desert (Profiteroles) was heavenly. We timed our arrival perfectly, only waited about 15 minutes (on a Saturday evening), and 1/2 hour after we were seated the waiting area was full. Our server was attentive and friendly. When eating at a restaurant with a strong Frency (or any continental) background, one can expect some "space" between courses, it's the way it's done... Why not 5 stars? The old vinyl tablecloth was absolutely sticky. It didn't look dirty, but it was as if it were wiped off with a bar towel that had just been used to clean up a spilled cola. By the end of the meal my hands were sticky from touching the tablecloth. C'mon Le Central, this one thing can't be that hard!
(4)
Julie R.

What a disappointment. Boyfriend and I came here for happy hour. We had reservations for his birthday dinner coming up so wanted to try it out beforehand since it looked to be a pricey meal. We got two of their signature drinks, the Le Blanche LimÃ©. Those are what deserved 2 stars instead of one. They were good. We also ordered a cup of Duck Confit soup and Warm Brie and Roasted Garlic. Soup came our wrong so we had to send it back, the Brie was barely warmed and garlic was barely cooked. We ended up sending it all back, paying for the drinks and going to a different place around the corner that well exceeded Le Central. We have obviously canceled our reservations for the big birthday dinner and will never be returning to Le Cental.
(2)
Vilma S.

I took a friend from out of town for lunch last week (she wanted to eat mussels). We definitely were not disappointed! The menu has 10 different ways of serving mussels. I chose the Normande (mushrooms, onions, brandy and cream), and my friend the Pistou (basil pesto, shallots, parmesan cheese). She also ordered the onion soup which was very flavorful. Of course we had to try each of them and both were delicious!! Plenty of huge, juicy mussels with a good helping of fries. We both also had a Dirty Martini (which at lunch was $3.95). I felt so Jane Bond drinking my martini with olives!! Lunch was a great value at $11.95. We shared dessert because we were very full, Le Creme Caramel (traditional vanilla-flavored custard with dark caramel sauce). At $2.95: delicious and inexpensive. Great way to end a great lunch. Will definitely be coming back!!
(5)
Michael S.

Great mussels served in gigantic portions, with preparation options ranging from authentic to adventurous. Try the mariniere style. The red wine by the glass list offers exceptional value for the price (like 50% less than you'd expect to pay for most of the selections). Highly recommend Le Central if you're craving mussels and French fare in a fun, casual setting.
(5)
cindy b.

My update is long overdue but honestly I have author's pride on my first review. However Le Central deserves an update. I was taken here for my birthday and I couldn't have been more satisfied. It was on a Wednesday night, somewhat early for dinner. Where else to get great food, great service, and a TERRIFIC bottle of wine in a place that feels like my French vacation home? If I had one. In fact that terrific bottle of wine was affordable because this place delivers such value. I had one of the special fixed price meals by one of the Chefs that included a substituted Potato and Leek soup (hot), the trout with potatoes and green vegetables, and Lemon Torte. The trout dish was superb and huge. My partner had lamb shanks. Everything was excellent because I tasted it all. The bet at the end was, would my preselected cake be as good as just-made takeout from our local french bakery? It was...almost. The sponge cake was a bit dry but the lemon filing and creme anglais was excellent. The I have been eating here forever and have had everything on the menu and there is rarely a disappointment. I know many think this is not a five star restaurant but over time I think the high quality and value that is delivered here makes it a place I trust with my special events. Guaranteed "happy": priceless.
(5)
Dean C.

We were planning on going to le central for my birthday dinner but wanted to scout it out first, Saturday happy hour seemed like a good bet. It seems like a cute place, but what we got was less than stellar. First off, people I know swear by their mussels, I can't eat shellfish so it's not a big deal, but we overheard the server saying that the mussels weren't the best quality today. I do applaud her not wanting to serve sub-par mussels, but you'd think a place famous for mussels would have a good fresh supply. So we ordered two of the le blanc lime, those we the highlight of our experience. Which is sad because it was house chard with a splash of soda water and a lime wedge. For food, you're quite limited for happy hour. Crepes, salad, a large selection of mussel dishes or 2 styles of melted cheese platters, all at or above $7, not quite happy hour prices. Oh, or some soups, either onion or 2 du jours. We ordered the brie plate with roasted garlic and croutons, and a bowl of the duck confit soup du jours. The soup came, it was tomato basil, not duck confit at all. I sent that back for the right soup, in the meantime out "warm" brie and "roasted" garlic platter came out. Needless to say, the brie was maybe placed within 10 feet of the oven but not warmed, the garlic wasn't fully roasted so it had slightly green/raw taste. We sent that back too and asked for the check since the soup hadn't arrived yet. The waitress was really nice and friendly, but for $9 I can get better cheese and bread that's prepared correctly. Looking for a good french restaurant? Us too.. Don't go here.
(2)
Trevor H.

The best moules frites I've had in the USA at a restaurant. What makes Le Central unique is the variety of flavors - they all start with the classic white wine & garlic, and go from there. Having tried most of them, my favorite is "Les Moules A la Moutarde" - the mustard and bacon together is strong and would probably overpower sensitive palettes, but I love it. Did I mention there are unlimited frites? No need for an appetizer or dessert!
(5)
Tif D.

I'd love to give it 5 stars, but sometimes they are inconsistent. I could live on the lobster bisque, but sometimes it's not hot and I could cry in my soup. So yea, this Denver tradition is hit and miss. They have never screwed up a potato though and that says a lot. Fresh baguette? Oh yea, no problem LC has got you covered.
(4)
Michelle R.

Le Central used to be one of my favorite restaurants. The vibe and the food were amazing. As the years have passed and a new chef stepped in, it's not the same Le Central. I tried it again last weekend to see if there were improvements but was disappointed. Good things: The bartender knew how to make a sidecar and they were delicious. The vibe has always been one of my favorites. The seating is very traditional to how they have it in Europe which adds to the atmosphere. We were seated quickly for not having a reservation. My roommates meal was cooked accordingly and actually pretty good. Parking and Location, the restaurant is really easy to get to and you can usually find parking. Bad Things: The French Bread isn't the same. It's obviously not made fresh like it used to be. The server was new and didn't know much in regards to how they do things there. (I can't hold that against him since he was new). We ordered an escargot appetizer, and didn't get the one we ordered. Had a Caesar salad and request a lemon wedge with it, the waiter brought me oranges. (I will hold that against him because everyone should know the difference between an orange and a lemon). Finished our drinks and another server got us our second drinks because he noticed we were waiting. I ordered the mussels and fries and to my disappointment, they were bland. The more wine, butter, garlic the better. When we finished the waiter offered to box up the remainder of my meal and failed to include the fries. And to top it off, it was $80-$100 and in my personal opinion, not worth it.
(2)
Colleen F.

My husband & I had our wedding reception (late lunch) here! This is such a warm & inviting place, beautiful exposed brick & a southern french feel it's not fussy which we love, the food is awesome & priced well. Am I biased? Maybe... but- everyone raved about the food & the cake that was made there, even now a year later people are still talking about the cake, an oddity for wedding cake! The only problem was we had extra guests show up so the north room was packed & with such a large group (55-60) getting the food from the basement kitchen upstairs took awhile but it was quite understandable & not due to the staff or managment at all.This is one of my families favorite restaurants in all of Denver-My daughter went to her senior prom dinner here yrs ago. They've been here for 25+ yrs for a reason! Thank you again Olivier, Ron & Alyssa ( the cake queen) Al & Colleen F.
(5)
Gordon G.

Another a Friday night of exploring a good restaurant chow down at so we ended up at Le Central. The decor was quirky yet fun, a lot bigger inside then the street level lead ya to believe. Out host was charming, smiley and cute. We sat in the garden room (okay I room with a bunch if windows). We started off with a bowl of mussels WOW, they were amazing and you get a crap load of French fries on the side that were cooked to perfection!! Here's where it went south big time. When you think of French food, what do you think of??? Heavy and luscious creams, incredible meats and fresh veggies!! NOT, I had the Lamb shank that was the size of a chicken leg layered over bland mash potatoes w/boring boiled carrots and sliced squash ewwww. My partner had the chefs menu which was equally as bad. His salmon was cold, moderately flavored with a lot filler food on his plate, no substance. Our waiter was extremely friendly which made our bland and tasteless dinner enjoyable. Expensive is right at Le Central along with bland and boring food! I wouldn't recommend this place. I'm just a New Jersey guy that knows good food. Am I asking for too much to get a good meal in Denver?
(1)
Victor B.

I've been to Le Central before and have always enjoyed the authentic French environment and cuisine. I suppose that's why it's one of Denver's mainstays and has been voted several times as a top spot by 5280 magazine. On this occasion we had mussels and they were delicious as always. We had the Normande and Pistou. While the Pistou were my favorite, the Normande was certainly very good too (and actually a little better to soak up with the bread.....) The fries are good and crispy and to top it all off, it was my girlfriend's Mom's birthday so the staff pleasantly surprised us all by bringing out an elegant little plate of candles to accompany dessert of souffle. You definitely can not go wrong here.
(4)
Dory S.

Despite uneven reviews, we decided to give Le Central a go, and we were not disappointed by any aspect of the meal. Everything, from salad dressing to perfectly cooked lamb chops, was absolutely delicious with complex flavors expertly prepared. We followed the advice of our excellent server on choice of wine and couldn't have been more pleased with the Lavau from the RhÃ´ne Valley. Wonderful dinner on all counts.
(5)
Jennifer B.

We were packing a Saturday full of culinary adventures and decided to opt for Le Central for dinner. We got 5:30 reservations the day of only a couple hours prior and were set. Let me get my one gripe out of the way first. When we arrived, we stood patiently in the front area. Making eye contact with everyone and it took at least 4-5 minutes for anyone to acknowledge that we entered the restaurant. Automatic one star reduction, this is not something I can overlook. I can appreciate they may have been between Happy Hour and Dinner seating's, still not acceptable for not even giving a "Hello, can you give us a minute". Moving onto the glorious food. The menu had me at hello, such a great variety of authentic french and reasonably priced cuisine. We shared a bowl of the French Onion Soup, an order of Mussels and the Pork Chop Entree. The French Onion soup was delectable, cheese dripping over the side, tons of flavorful onions in a tasty broth, we gobbled up every last bite. The Mussels were my favorite, for $11 you get a whole bowl, and because we're a nutty group we counted, 62 Mussels in all for $11. Now that's what I'm taking about. Not a bum Mussel in the bunch, all open and dripping with magnificent flavor. The pork chop wasn't a favorite, it was just okay, once you've had Le Grande's pork chop you'll know what I mean when I say nothing can compare. This is authentic and economical French food. Delicious, and affordable for everyone. The restaurant is quaint and makes you feel warm, you can tell they have a lot of regulars that come. I believe I will be a regular in the very near future.
(4)
Jodi L.

Can u really beat a bucket of mussels meuniÃ¨re with French fries???? Amazing! I also had the braised lamb shank which was falling off the bone and delectable. My husband had the steak oscar, which was so rich and decadent. Highly recommend!
(5)
Liza A.

Amazing fun place. Weekend brunch can't be beaten. If you like mussels, this IS the place to go. Great service, great food, always a fun time. Thanks you for being such a wonderful place.
(5)
Brian S.

We've come back a few times and continue to get good food, good wine, and good service all at a very reasonable price. Be forewarned that weekends can get quite busy, so make a rez. My 5-star 'bar' is high - Le Central doesn't quite get there - but this is a regular stop for us. Keep up the good work Le Central!
(4)
Paul Z.

Wow! Big surprise. I grew up on a beach on the east coast and currently live in Seattle so I think I know seafood. Harvested and cooked tons of it...literally. Mussels in Denver? They were awesome and surprisingly they knew the trick to get the sand out. Most places serve crunchy mussels. Fantastic! Highly recommended.
(5)
tammy m.

Enjoyed everything we ordered. Wine, escargot, trout, and soufflÃ©s. Only draw backs I would mention are sticky plastic tAblecloths...NOT very French :( please change them!!!! Flies, but if you're windows are open and you're cooking..can't b avoided. All tables around us were ordering lots of mussels. We had eaten some recently so weren't in the mood. All in all nice meal.
(4)
Nic T.

Finally! We finally got our soufflÃ© on our third attempt to the restaurant. The first two times something happened to them that prevented them from being served. This time we didn't care if they thrown against the wall and then served. We were going to get soufflÃ©. LoL. I imagine it was an unusual experience for the restaurant when I entered only with me two little girls (8 & 5). Unlike many restaurants we enter when it's just me and my girls, Le Central treated us very well. I give Le Central 5 stars for that alone, and give Ash, our server, a ton of credit for being both fun and professional. My girls ordered mussels and creamy cheese noodles. Both were very good. The girls thoroughly enjoyed them, but sadly we forgot to take our left over noodles. Boo. I ordered the lamb shank with potatoes and veggies. Equally delicious and a nice change from other things I've ordered on the menu. Although I'm sure the shank was perfect, for my taste buds, I wish it had a bit more seasoning to make it pop. That's on me though and no criticism on preparation. I'm sure I'm the minority. The only thing that saddens me is atmosphere the servers of Le Central have to deal with. The customers around us carry themselves with such entitlement that I hope they compensate the servers better than their cheap attitudes. Never forget people that your entitlements are always made possible by other people. Treat people appropriately, and the better your experience will always be. Thank you again to Le Central and Ash for a wonderful and delicious evening!!!
(5)
Dale Z.

to the tune of "Les Poissons" . . . Le Central, Le Central How I love Le Central Love to order a fine French feast First I choose from the menu Then I order my dinner Ah mais oui, savez toujours delice But, enough shenanigans. If you ever see a Groupon or similar for Le Central, do not hesitate to purchase one (you will not regret it). My dinner at Le Central this last weekend was magnifique. The service was excellent. The decor and ambiance are still rustic chic. But it is the food, the wonderful food, that will keep me coming back here. I had not been here for a couple years, but it was every bit as good as I remembered. The Chardonnay-based cocktail that I enjoyed with my lovely table bread and butter was a great way to get the meal started. My salad was simple, yet perfect. The base was lightly-dressed arugula. This was surrounded by 6 raspberries, 2 generous slices of brie, and a couple ounces of shredded duck confit. This was about as good as a salad can get. My Shrimp pasta (Pates aux Crevettes) was a generous serving of Jumbo shrimp sauteed and tossed in tomato and basil cream sauce with sweet peas; served over linguine and garnished with Parmesan. It was extremely flavorful and delicious. I also sampled my dinner companion's sausage (pause for rimshot). The Saucisses du Central are house-made sausages; pork, chicken curry, and spicy pork and chicken accompanied by house-made potato salad, cornichons, and an assortment of mustards. This is more meat than even your average carnivore would care to shake a pointed stick at. All the sausages were juicy, meaty, and well-seasoned.
(5)
Leon S.

You generally want to stay away from things that are advertised as "affordable," especially if they include French cuisine. Though the menu has a lot of tasty sounding items, the reality is far more upsetting. Everything here either severely lacks flavor or quality. The server was nice... The French onion soup was decent, but when a restaurant can't make a decent Caesar Salad, you know it's gonna be sh*tty. Sorry guys, you aren't good.
(2)
James L.

The food is reasonably good, although some stuff is oddly sweet. This is why it gets one star: they are dishonest, thieving crooks. Some time ago, my friend wanted to have a group birthday dinner here. Toward the end of the meal I pretended to use the restroom and gave the waiter my credit card, tipped and signed. What I didn't know until the next day is that prior to that, another friend had given the waiter cash for the meal as well. I'll skip all the TL:DR. After a lot of run-around, excuses, and delays we ended up paying twice for a $300 meal, and the management didn't seem to care one bit.
(1)
Mike R.

I wish I could give this place 5 stars, but unfortunately I can't. Let's start with one thing, this place is not capable of receiving a bad review. I read one about how they can't make a decent Caesar Salad...well guess what, it's a french restaurant, not italian so maybe you should know what to order before you slam an establishment. What should you order? The Mussels! That is all. Which flavor? It doesn't matter. That huge bucket of delicious goodness with a hefty portion of french fries is just delightful. And for $11.95!?!?! How!?!?! If i was to recommend a flavor, I would say to start with the Pistou, a basil, shallot, parmesan combination. So why can't I give this place 5 stars? Well besides for the Mussels, the other menu items are so so. The French Onion soup is decent, though not great, and the salad de epinard is actually quite good. I do feel that a variety of good menu items is a major necessity to receive 5 stars. The wine selection is also well priced. I definitely recommend Le Central for a nice reasonably priced dinner. Enjoy!
(4)
Alice K.

Service: 3.5 Food: 3 Le Central has a really wonderful ambiance. It's cozy and brimming with Frenchness, which we, as Americans, love. Something about Paris and baguettes make one so much more chic... non? I came once many years ago and decided to return with some friends. I was hankering for some mussels. Mm... the bread and butter, mussels, and frites. It's like heaven. On earth. The meal was fantastic and the mussels tasty, at the time of consumption. It wasn't until I brought home the leftovers that I really realized how salty the food was. You see, when eating hot, salty food, the heat overrides the saltiness. At home, when the mussels were cold and being reheated, I grimaced at how salty everything was - which makes sense as to why I couldn't stop drinking water that previous night. I really wish I could go back. Maybe I will, and order something else. But I wonder about the content of the other entrees as well. Le Central, maybe you and I weren't meant to be.
(2)
Dave S.

Fantastic French restaurant! They have a great list of Entrees to choose from and daily specials. A friend told me they do a fantastic brunch which i'm dying to try. Atmosphere is pretty cool, you kinda feel like your eating at someone's house. I tried the roast duck last time i was there and it is a border line 5 star dish. Could be one of my favorite places to eat in Denver. Highly Recommend!
(4)
Jehosephat L.

Has been good for so long. Don't know how they do it! Mussels are the best in town but the entire menu is tasty. Cocktail and beer selection could be improved. Mostly since there is so much competition lately. But the food is still great!
(5)
Resident D.

I love this place. They have a fabulous wine list and food is always great. Fantastic value for money. You should definitely check out their lobster prix fixe menu on Monday/Tuesday evenings. Also the moules frites which come in huge proportions with a choice of about 8 different sauces. My only slight criticism is that the pre-dinner bread they serve is not freshly baked (which in a French restaurant I would definitely expect).
(5)
Tiffany N.

Oui oui! The food at this place is awesome. We went here for Easter brunch and apparently everyone else had the same idea because this place was packed with a line forming outside of the restaurant. Thankfully I had called the night before because they had to turn people away who didnt make reservations. We waited for about five minutes and then our name was called in which we had to navigate ourselves through the slew of people. We were put into the enclosed patio area which kind of felt like the reject area of the restaurant due to the servers working that section not knowing what was going on. We sat and were greeted shortly by our server Harriet. Oh Harriet, you honey, need to get a clue as to what being a server means. She greeted us and asked what we wanted and that was it. No recommendations, personality, warmth whatsoever. She got our orders which consisted of two meals and a much needed latte for myself which I expected to come out before our meal and sadly didn't. Harriet dropped off side plates for us including a bowl of butter but no bread. Um....ok? A few minutes later she walked the five feet from our table to get the bread basket which was sitting there the whole time. No word on the latter and what do you know, no words at all from her. While that was going on, the tables next to us were getting their food and there were multiple errors at each table with the servers not bringing out the proper dishes and such. After seeing that all I hoped for was that our order would be right and thankfully it was. I ordered the Lardons crepes-grilled steak, onions, mushrooms, smoked bacon in in a dijoin/chipotle sauce which rocked my world. Along side with that was a hefty portion of seasoned potatoes and fresh fruit. The crepes were out of this world and made me forget about Harriet, the server who really wasnt. I finished the whole thing because I didn't want the meal to ever end--I practically sang up to the heavens with each bite! My only beef with it was that the chipotle sauce crept over to the fresh fruit which made for an undesirable smoky citrus taste in my mouth. As for the latter, she brought it out with my meal saying they were really backed up. It was good and strong but she could have told me they were backed up before and then I would have been less pissy about my drink. I definitely want to go back for brunch since the dish itself was great and it's affordable French food (they even say so on their website). However next time I go I will ask for anyone BUT Harriet--she seriously sucked and ruined a good bit of my experience.
(3)
Russell G.

I am very impressed with this restaurant. It looks quite small from the outside but turned out to be the size of about 3 large houses inside (I think the restaurant is literally 3 houses side-by-side that were converted into 1 venue). they have a nice little, yet well stocked bar in the waiting area and they had my favorite Port wine on the menu (6 grapes) so I was happy. Escargot can be had several ways and while they were not served like I usually get at other places, I liked it and they tasted good. Being a French place, I expected well presented but small portions of food and before ordering, I remember wishing I ate before we left the house. However, I was blown away by the size of the plates we got! Both the Italienne and the Bouillabasse are not to be missed. Not only for size but for taste! There was enough food to not only eat dinner but also lunch the next day. The muscles served were large and fresh. In fact, everything tasted fresh. The prices were also very reasonable! Yes, I used "price" and "reasonable" when describing a french restaurant. 2 glasses of port, escargots and 2 entrees came out to $52. If you haven't checked this place out yet, what are you waiting for?!
(4)
Carolyn M.

Le Central has always been one of my favorite places for dinner in Denver. I would like to formally announce that it is now one of my favorite brunch spots as well! I recommend making a reservation so you don't have to wait (and ask for a table on the indoor patio if there are any available!) The bennys are the best (I highly recommend the Sardous if you're into artichoke hearts and shrimp) but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Come hungry, leave happy - the portions are enormous, and affordable as always.
(5)
Stacy P.

I was surprised to see a few reviews mentioning snooty service - I've been to Le Central multiple times, and have never received anything approaching a snooty attitude. Quite the opposite, in fact - staff has been friendly, helpful, and fast. My brunch experiences have been better than my one lunch experience, and Le Central remains one of my favorite places for brunch. Their Eggs Sardou is absolutely amazing, as is the Benedict. My visit for lunch wasn't bad - the sandwich I had was just not quite as extraordinary as the Sardou has been. I guess I had my expectations built up. :) But, to try and give you a feel for what I'm taking about, I included pictures of both the Benedict and the Sardou in the photos section - you'll see what I mean. :) And, they taste even better than they look! One great thing about the breakfasts is that they're usually served with a semi-healthy side dish... roasted peppers, roasted vegetables, something yummy like that. It's not just greasy hashbrowns, grits, or fries here! For those of you who generally prefer a heaping plate of food for a low price, you shouldn't be disappointed here. Most brunch dishes at Le Central are under $10, and I've not been able to clear my plate yet!
(4)
Lisa S.

This place is one of the restaurants I like to bring my out of town friends to. I say, do you like delicious french food, mussels, good affordable French wine, or want to try frog legs? Let's go! And my friends are always impressed! There is a definite attention to detail in their menu, and they do all sorts of fun cooking classes, food pairings, and specials. I've been for brunch, dinner, and just mussels and wine dinner, and all have been excellent. Le Central is also a great place to introduce someone to french wines, with an awesome selection at a large range of prices. They also do this cool thing where you can order a bottle of house wine, and if you don't drink it all (or take it home) they only charge you for only a percentage of the bottle! I always have a great time in their eclectic French countryside space... and at the rate I eat here, soon I will have eaten in all the different little rooms!
(5)
Justine M.

Have been here more times for dinner than I can remember, mainly because I used to live a block away. Went for brunch a few weeks ago for the first time and was pleasantly surprised -- I think this is where they definitely do meals right. Got the French toast (Pain Perdu) and was not disappointed, although the side of fruit contained several pieces of obviously overripe (i.e. mushy and falling apart) cantaloupe. This seems to capture the essence I've gotten from this restaurant a few too many times: things can be good, but also sloppy. Dinner has always been hit or miss, and I'd be shocked to find out if the chef(s) ever consistently taste what they send out. A friend of mine once asked to send something back -- I believe it was a salmon dish, which I remember tasting and agreeing that it was pretty bad -- and the waitress rolled her eyes and sneered at him as she took the plate away, but did eventually return to take his order for another dish that turned out to be halfway decent. Long story short: your money is best spent on brunch -- a time when the service also seems to be friendlier -- and the onion soup is usually pretty tasty. And while I can't eat the mussels, all my friends have raved about those as well.
(3)
Sara C.

I would give 5 stars for the mussels alone. Took a point away for the initial service disappointment and also the Paella. We ordered the Normande Mussels and it was simmered with mushrooms, white wine, onions, garlic, brandy and cream. The serving size for the mussels really surprised me being that the price was only $11 for the mussels w/ unlimited fries. Not sure why you'd need 'unlimited' fries as the portion size was already really ginormous, don't need seconds when I couldn't even finish the first. Got some mayo for my fries to dip in, yum! I don't understand why some people are complaining about the sand in the mussels?! Don't order them if you can't handle it! It even gives you a warning on the menu that it might contain some sand or maybe even small rocks. This is by far one of the better mussels place I've had in a landlocked state of Colorado. The initial dissapointment I mentioned was because when we first walked in, 6 wait staff had walked by us and we were never greeted. Finally about 7 mins later, one of the girls saw us and apologized that no one noticed us. (We weren't exactly small people neither... and the only couple standing by the greeter station.) Then a minute later, the greeter finally came up and took us to our table. The Paella... You might ask why I ordered a Spanish dish at a French restaurant... well, Le Central looks like they pride themselves on their Paella being that they have flyers all over the establishment telling you they cater and bring their huge Paella pan and cook out for a party for around $15 per headcount. Needless to say I was NOT impressed. The rice was hard in places and the flavor was just mediocre. I can make better Paella myself... I would come back to this place for their mussels and maybe other food like steaks or something else other than Paella. Had better Paella at The Med in Boulder. I love the decor and the feel of this restaurant. I have never been to France but always wanted to visit. It's definitely Rustic like others mentioned. The patio has better intimate feel for sure! The wines were great and very resonably priced. After looking all over Denver, this is definitely the best priced French food in town.
(4)
Brian H.

If you like French cuisine or are just in the mood for something different Le Central is the place to go! Friendly environment, great food, and reasonable prices! In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll Be BACK!"
(4)
Jeff T.

I usually come here during lunch. I've eaten here three times now but everything I've gotten has been amazing including the mussels, crepes, salads, and soups. The portion sizes as well as price is spectacular as well.
(5)
Angela A.

I just didn't have time to cook and clean this year for Thanksgiving because, unfortunately my school doesn't take a break over the Holiday. So after pondering many ideas for the meal, we wound up reserving a spot at Le Central. I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. The turkey was dry. The ham was good, but had a very strange sauce on it. The mashed potatoes were hardly mashed. The stuffing was good, it is my favorite side, and this wasn't bad. The succotash was tough. I hear that Le Central is know for their mussels. I was considering that for Thanksgiving, but I wanted to stick with traditional, but this meal was far from how I like my Thanksgiving dinner. It was still good, and affordable. I just don't think I will recommend it for those seeking a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
(3)
Matt S.

My favorite restaurant in Denver. I've been 100+ times in the 13 years I've lived here and am hard-pressed to recall a disappointing meal. The prices are, bar none, the best I've EVER seen anywhere when you factor in the quality of the food - you simply cannot do better. Imported French wines for under twenty bucks a bottle and the wine list is brimming with them. My most recent visit was on a Sunday night, and my Dad and I stumbled onto a duck dinner - 3 courses for $29.95. Um, ok - if you insist! The menu changes (almost) daily, so check lecentral.com after about 4:15 and that night's menu should be posted. Monthly wine dinners and cooking dinners just add to this great restaurant's value. The mussels are always prepared very well, and there is no shortage of styles in which you can have your moules prepared - with unlimited fries, to boot! The tables are close together and it gets loud and sometimes very warm inside the restaurant - EXACTLY THE WAY A FRENCH RESTAURANT SHOULD. If you don't like it, Denver has plenty of chain restaurants that I'm sure you'll enjoy just fine. Le Central has been a Denver staple for 34 years....they must be doing something right.
(5)
Casey D.

Not sold on this place I've eaten twice at this place because everyone always goes on and on about it, but I'm just not sold on it. On my last visit I had the Sandwich d'Aubergine, which is a grilled eggplant with roasted button mushrooms, spinach, pepperonata, herbed goat cheese, basil aioli and Swiss cheese; and, served on house made brioche. Before that I believe I had a duck dish. Both meals were really tasty, but not outstanding. I've had much better meals at less prestigious French restaurants. It just seems like the menu is more interesting than the food.
(1)
Nicole W.

Mussles!! Lunch - 9.99 pick your sauce! Bowl is bigger than my head! I went with a group of 6 for lunch. I chose the whole grain mustard, smoked bacon and cream sauce, on asking my waiter for his favorite! It was amazing! I skipped the all you can eat fried and just kept dipping the bread into the sauce till it was gone! Amazing! Cute location, enclosed patio was bright and cheery. Staff was friendly, seated us prior to opening, we arrived at 11:!5 and didn't realize they were not open until 11:30 - that was great of them! I'll be back to try the other goodies on the menu!
(4)
Lee S.

I haven't been here for a couple years, but having just returned from France, was craving real French food and wine. I was not disappointed. It was as good as I remember...and Happy Hour pricing was an extra bonus. Update: Most of our family was out of town this Thanksgving so we decided to try Le Central's Thanksgiving meal. The place was packed, but we had reservations and were right away. The Saumon Dauphinois was divine, and service as good as always. I love this place.
(5)
Chanh S.

Our friends invited us to this place and we're glad that they did. It's a lil hidden gem that I hope no one finds out about because I love it and I LOVE that we didn't have to wait in line for brunch. We went with a large group and everyone raved about the mussels which looked amazing but it's not my cup of tea. Instead I got this rich and tasty French toast like thing but of course they called it something else. I don't know what they did but it was amazing, however I wish I had coffee with it rather than doing their bottomless Bloody Mary. Be warned...the Bloody Mary is STRONG!!! I didn't realize it until about an hour after I finished one. It's a very cozy and quaint restaurant. The staff was really attentive and nice. The people there all kept to themselves and were nice. NO KIDS! Will definitely be coming back soon! The prices are also VERY reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food you get. Please don't tell your friends about this place! ^_^
(4)
Scott D.

Very good value for a French restaurant in Denver.
(4)
Brandy D.

I got the pleasure of trying out their monthly cooking demo and boy was it good! It is $30 per person and you go around to stations set up by the chefs and they tell you how they are making your dinner tonight. Everyone was so friendly and you could tell they all enjoy it. The food was delish and they offer many wine and cocktail options so you can have a tasty beverage while going from station to station. I wish they advertised it more widely though as an older woman just having dinner in the dining room was complaining loudly about "all these people being brought through the dining room". I shot her a look and she shut it. Seriously though, they need more room or something.
(5)
Karrie P.

Avoid Pascal's Section for an enjoyable meal Nothing ruins a relaxing Sunday afternoon lunch more than a server who has no interest in waiting on you and isn't afraid to let you know it. My husband and I have been eating here for 20+ years and will continue to do so, but we've been seated in this section 3 times, and each time the indifference increases. Avoid him if you would like to order, have more wine, get dessert, or request coffee. By the time he deigns to check on you, you're done. He's been there awhile so I don't think he's going anywhere soon. That being said, every other sever I've had here has made for an enjoyable experience. Aside from one bad apple the food is wonderful. Delicious bread and butter, frites that will make you fight for the last one. The French onion soup is my go to every time the weather turns the slightest bit cool and there is so much good cheese in most everything. The chocolate mousse and crÃ¨me brulee are some of the best in the city. It's rare that the food disappoints. Bon appetit!
(3)
Jaime H.

'Smells like butter.' These words were uttered by a dining companion as we set foot in the restaurant. It was a Monday night and we did not have a reservation for our party of 5. However, we were promptly seated on the patio, which was quaint and enjoyable. Sadly, I forgot our server's name, but she was fantastic throughout the entire experience. Appetizers: the feuillete d'escargots, which included serveral pieces of escargot immersed in the most delicious parmesan sauce ever. My boyfriend and I are still dreaming of this dish and it has been 3 weeks since we dined here. We also shared the brie appetizer which was standard, and ordered a cup of French onion soup - solid. Entrees: Mussels (Moules) et frites are their specialty and sweet jesus they are SPECIAL. Each of us ordered a different style of mussels and they were all remarkable. Those enjoyed at our table were Moutarde, Normande, Italienne (spicy!), Pistou, and Mariniere. I don't think you can go wrong with the mussels - at all. At the end of the night, we shared 2 bottles of wine, everyone had an appetizer and mussels and the total for all 5 of us was $142. Yep. I was astonished at how affordable it was. Truly, this is one of the most pleasant and memorable dining experiences I have ever had and I cannot wait to return to Denver and visit Le Central!!
(5)
Anthony N.

Adoring and accommodating staff with a somewhat affordable if you're looking for something other than their giant bucket of mussels and fries. That said, their mussel bucket comes in tons of delicious flavors and will certainly be more than enough for one person. I'd say it's enough for three people, but that's still pushing it. The crowd is a little older, however, so it's not a spot where 20-somethings will find a nice crop of eye candy. Despite the French-esque decor, it's more of an evening chill spot for a larger group of friends. And if you're feeling adventurous, they have a spectacular fish dish with lobster, scallops, and other goodies stuffed inside of it. I highly recommend it! All in all, nice little spot. Could be a bit cheaper, but the food was good and I'll likely come back again!
(4)
Koala S.

I love this little neighborhood gem. I admit I've stuck to the mussels each visit, but paired with their baked goat cheese appetizer and finishing with the best chocolate mousse (for $3.50!), I can't think of a better way to treat my tummy or my wallet. The cocktails are also fantastic and many are about $5. I mean, C'MON!!! I highly recommend going here for a first date or the 789th.
(4)
marc s.

They may have good shell fish, but I had to send a pork panini back because it was so fatty/chewy. The waiter was an complete ass with his snide comments... I will never return
(2)
Serenity M.

A friend chose this place for a bday dinner. Our reservation was for 8 pm and we were not seated until close to 9 pm. Had the food been worth it, heck, had the staff been a little more polite - I would not have cared about the wait. For appetizers we ordered the brie and for $9 you will get: a head of garlic, some tomato cubes, small pieces of bread and 1 slice of brie. That's right folks 1 slice! If you read other reviews, people will rave and say this place is known for their mussels. I had the italienne mussels and the bf ordered portugese mussels. The portugese mussel broth was bitter, I found rocks in my mussels (to be fair they do warn in the menu and say you may find rocks, small crabs, etc). Overall, the taste was just not there for me. The waitress we had was rude. She didn't look like she wanted to take our orders or anything. We had to ask for water several times. Oh and the one thing that could have lifted my spirits a little bit before leaving was having dessert. And they had 1 to choose from that night: vanilla bean cheesecake. I like my options and they provided none. So the food sucked, service sucked, NO THANKS!
(1)
Brian C.

Four stars is a really high rating for me. Don't think I can give a place 5 stars unless it is perfect, and that is rare. Surprised my wife on a date night to this place. We had the onion soup, squash soup, spinach salad, mussels (saffron) and the sole. Loved everything except the sole which was still prepared great. One thing, we didn't learn until after our meal that we could ditch the all u can eat fries for potatoes or pasta, etc. I am too italian not to want to eat the mussels with pasta but that is just me. All in all, we loved the place, great atmosphere, good prices, excellent wine and will definitely be back. the bread was good but not great----when I think french, I think the perfect bread. Great place for a date---sit in the back
(4)
Aaron Z.

I wanted to like it, I really did. Good atmosphere, the servers were very nice and courteous, but the food was just bad. Maybe we went at the wrong time on the wrong day, but the best dish we ordered was merely passable at best. The coffee I was served was luke-warm, my boyfriend choked on a large piece of leek in the soup, and then the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e was burned. Not just overcooked, but straight-up burned. The "caramelized" sugar on top was black as night and gooey when it was brought to our table. We brought our concerns to the attention of the manager, he was very apologetic and gave us a discount (and obviously didn't charge us for the brÃ»lÃ©e). This reaffirmed the good customer service, but there's no way I can go back here. It's too bad, it seemed like a really nice place. Oh well.
(1)
Meredith B.

Had to come back after the first time and it never fails to please. Everything was just as delicious as the first go round and the waitstaff was really good with the kids as well, which is sometimes lacking in nicer places [though it helps that they're good kids].
(4)
Thu N.

The mussels are delicious. Not the best in the world but definitely hits the spot for a mussel craving. The wine flight is cheap but not really any good wines made the list. Our server was pretty awesome, ask for Katherine. She even sang happy birthday to our friend!
(4)
Shane D.

My partner and I went to Le Central for our twelve year anniversary last night. We had a lovely server, Megan. While she didn't have the training to recommend wine pairings with our meal choices, she checked in with the in house expert and brought us two different options that worked well for each of us as my partner and I have different tastes in wine. I ordered the prix fixe option, which was lobster based for that evening. It included a choice of salad/soup (I chose the salad topped with poached egg, duck meat, and brioche), a lobster entrÃ©e (I tried the lobster thermidor), and dessert (pain perdu). My partner ordered salad, butternut squash soup, and the trout almandine. While we don't consider ourselves foodies, we appreciate artfully prepared food that pairs interesting favors together. We really enjoyed the food and while nothing stood out as amazing, there really weren't any disappointments either. The strongest dishes to us were the butternut squash soup, the trout almandine, and the pain perdu. While I'm generally not a big fan of duck meat, I would also say that I really enjoyed the salad. This restaurant really lives up to its reputation of serving French food at a reasonable price. Don't expect French food that is art on a plate. While it is certainly well presented and the flavors are usually well paired, it is much more of a French country style of cuisine with little pretense. While we don't come here often, we do enjoy it as a destination for a special occasion that delivers a quaint experience, tasty food, and attentive but not smothering service.
(4)
Vincent P.

Time and time again, this local favorite never disappoints! Whether it's mussels, rabbit or duck, your senses are certain to be inspired. TIP - Get there early to enjoy brunch on the back patio for a delicate flow of sunlight cascading throughout.
(5)
Oksana A.

We had a traditional French breakfast - everything is fresh and very flavorful. Red potatoes are the best!
(5)
Jack T.

I liked it. I thought it was good. 1. Food was good 2. Service was good 3. Value was good 4. Ambiance was great I think I liked the idea for this restaurant better than the actual experience. I would come back for the mussels (appetizer) but not sure I would order the steak again. I say its worth a try. A-OK is still a positive review, I don't think it's great by any means.
(3)
Louis V D.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Denver for a cheap lunch of mussels and fries. Both are awesome and way more decently priced than at other places in town, and you get a ton of food. There are about 7-8 different sauces for the mussels to choose from, which saves you from boredom if you're a regular. That said, I usually just get the classic sauce, which I can never remember the name of and always have to ask the waiter. (I know it has a white wine and butter base.) If you're still hungry after finishing your mussels and fries, which is almost impossible, then soak up your sauce with the free, freshly baked bread! This place also has an awesome patio with lush plants and a peaceful, Parisian atmosphere. Great for a casual lunch with a friend. Also, randomly, the flourless chocolate cake is great.
(4)
Amy D.

I've been to Le Central numerous times since moving to Denver and the four-star rating definitely goes for the food/value. Service is a 2 to 4 depending on the day. But I wouldn't let that keep me from going back - it really is that good. I've had the well-known mussels + frites lunch and each time it's been wonderful - and a great value at $9 or $10. The brunches are always delicious and I tend to alternate between the sweet and savory - the stuffed French toast is marvelous as is the omelet Lorraine, crepes de fruits de mar, and croque madam. I had the croque madam this morning, along with a cup of the French onion soup and it was quite good. Downright yummy, in fact. My (sometimes) problem with Le Central is the service - I find it a little "hit or miss" as I've been there on occasions where the staff was friendly, attentive and thoughtful, but then there are times, like today, where our server was nowhere to be found. It took 15 minutes after we were seated for her to take our drink order. When my lunch had been boxed and my friend was finishing his omelet she disappeared for about 20 - 25 minutes before returning to check on us. By then we were well ready for the check. So unfortunately, on the service side, today was definitely a "miss." Perhaps our waitress was just having a bad day. I'm a huge believer in Karma so I tipped generously and just know my next visit will be A+ worthy. Like I said, the food at Le Central is a GREAT value for the money. It's a cute place with lots of color and personality. I have never been disappointed by anything I've eaten there. This instance won't deter me from going back and I'll continue to recommend Le Central to friends and family. The value, location and ambience are too good to let one negative experience turn me off completely. **UPDATE** Just received a very nice email from the owner apologizing for the unfortunate experience - bonus points for recognizing what good customer service is. Tres bien!
(4)
Gabe B.

Well when my aunt and I went there for the first time, FOR THE FIRST TIME. We had the most douchey server ever, he took the longest time to take our orders. Every time we had an empty glass of water, he would glance at us and not acknowledge the absence of water... and I looked around thinking 'seriously?' But that isn't the end of it! When he was talking about the menus--which were en FranÃ§ais--one of the people we were with asked what something meant. I have a background in French, so I know was sup, and this waiter like swore he spoke French. I swear! I tried speaking to him in French and he cowered back into his shell. How comical? No? Haha (: I'll probably come back for the food and company, but definitely not for the service. People there are pompous.
(3)
Scott H.

Oh my, this place is absolutely amazing. I've been there for brunch, happy hour, dinner many times over the years. They have some stunning wines, things you simply cannot find anywhere else. They discover affordable wines that will make you fall in love with life again. Every time I go there they have something new to try. You can order a flight of 4 wines in adorable tiny glasses for $6.50 The mussels are the best I have ever had. You can pick from a dozen different preparations, everything from a classic garlic basil tomato broth to spicy Spanish style. You get an enormous helmet sized bowl piled ridiculously high, easily a couple of pounds of fresh seafood for $11. I love the fruit de mer crepe. It's packed with assorted seafood and a herb cream sauce that complements the flavors perfectly. There is a roasted mushroom and artichoke omelet that is incredible. It's fun to go with a group of friends and try as many things as you can. Oddly I hate their coffee. It's probably too authentic for my plebian taste, lol. Guess I have to stick to wine and champagne! Their menu varies constantly, and they have special events such as cooking demonstrations, wine pairing dinners, seasonal festivals, holidays. I never get tired of going there. I wonder how they do it for such reasonable prices. It's a public service done out of love and it makes my jaded heart sing.
(5)
Eliza R.

The restaurant was very busy, it is obvious that it is a favorite of many. To clarify: On the night we visited Le Central, the bouillabaise WAS indeed served with a pile o' mashed potatoes, plopped right there in the broth. As for South Dakota, there are very few restaurants that serve anything BUT mashed potatoes and steak. It's always a treat to be in Denver and to try new restaurants.
(1)
Christine Y.

For someone who wants large portions of food, this is a good place. However, I wish they just gave us mussels instead of adding 4 cups of french fries. The steak was mediocre, according to my boyfriend. The seared diver scallops were good and the mussels were fantastic, though.
(3)
Yummy B.

Terrible! This is the second time we've been here ... and the service was terrible, again!!!! The food was ok, again ... but not worth a third time! Try a different place!
(2)
Meredith C.

I received a gift certificate to this restaurant for my birthday. My boy and I were watching "Julie & Julia" yesterday afternoon and so it seemed to be the perfect dinner spot for date night. I called & made the reservations around 5 pm for 730 pm that evening. The restaurant boasts of affordable and unpretentious cuisine and I was very interested to try that theory out. We got there and I gotta tell you that the parking situation sucked. We ended up parking down south on Lincoln and hoofing it. There is a lot next door, but it's a pay lot for $5. Boo! The building itself is charming and adorable and apparently the product of a Jr High student collaboration in the late 80s. We walked in and it was like walking into someones living room. It was quaint, relaxed and just nearly cluttered. Everyone looked happy & chill as opposed to morose & uptight which is a change from most french restaurants. Also, there is a noise level which made me happy. Ever been to one of those french restaurants where everyone speaks in hushed tones all evening? Are we in awe of our dinner? Why the hushed tones? Weird and uncomfortable. We were seated in NOT the best table in the atrium area. The area itself is quaint with wood floors and twinkle lights and planters overhead and lattice planters along the wall. However, we were seated in the one table that had no light overhead and was closest to the parking lot. It seemed a little cramped and I don't like not being able to see what's going on with my food. I scoured the menu for the Coq au Vin straight off and ordered a Bordeaux. I later found out the they were out of Coq au Vin...at 730 on a Saturday night?!?!? I was REALLY disappointed, but it didn't last too long. We were served French bread with unsalted butter and quickly received our onion soup. It was bland and greasy. This was not a great start. Once we received our entrees, however, the tables turned. I ordered the steak au poivre avec pommes frites and the boy ordered the lamb shank. I think my steak was more med rare than med (although I couldn't quite tell due to the lack of lighting) but LORDY was it tasty. Perfect flavors: the sauce was divine and the peppercorns were so flavorful. For a NY Strip, it wasn't too terribly fatty either. The fries were perfectly seasoned and crispy (although a bit luke warm) and the veggies were a nice pairing (although not very well seasoned). The boy's lamb was a bit under seasoned as well, but once it was paired with the mashed potatoes and zucchini in to the perfect bite, it was quite good. The boy also ordered this French beer that was DIVINE. It was light and citrusy and yumtastic. We decided to close out our meal with dessert. We ordered the #13 - some kind of gateau chocolat. It was incredible and sooo rich. I ate three bites and called it a day and washed it down with a double DECAF (thank you!) espresso. Our waitress was sweet, but we did experience quite a drought in the water department. I don't supposed I'd have noticed too much if the food wasn't so rich. All & all, I'd go back with my girls for a wine and maybe do a bunch of appetizers and try some different things. The fondue & brie sounded like amazing options for a later date.
(3)
Julia B.

Good food for not much money! I had the stuffed french toast, but everything looked so yummy. It ain't diet food, cream, baguettes and buttah! So yum and most dishes for brunch was 9 bucks or less. Next time I am getting the mussels: buckets worth for 11 bucks. So yum! 3 people ate, with a champagne drink to share and desert for 40 bucks. Yes its true!! Bon Appetite!!
(4)
CS L.

We just had an interesting dining experience here this weekend. To be fair, I was part of a large reserved group of 25 people, on a Saturday night, and that cannot be easy to accommodate for most restaurants. Our group arrived at 6pm and we were served drinks and appetizer plates. The charcuterie was quite bland, the gazpacho was insanely spicy (and did not come with spoons), and the salad looked excellent in comparison to the first two. The main course did not arrive until after 8:00pm. This would not have been too terrible except the two servers helping our group were also waiting on the other 8 tables in the room, so drink service was terribly spotty. One server was excellent and helpful, and the other was bitchy and seemingly put-off with any requests, even argumentative. Also, what was odd was that every drink was hand-carried - no trays. No wonder everything took forever. I think everyone enjoyed the main course. My beef was practically raw, but I like that - not sure how others dealt with that. About 1/4 of us had to leave by 8:30 to pay our babysitters and put our kids to bed. Honestly, I am not sure if we should have told the restaurant that we needed to be out of there at a certain time, but two hours is too long to wait for dinner. My husband brought me my dessert (very kind) and it was okay. All of it, just okay. I would definitely like to return but I cannot recommend this place for larger groups. They just don't seem equipped to handle it.
(2)
Kevin D.

Excellent. Most impressive dessert menu I have ever seen at a mid market French Restaurant. The Peach Tart with real Colorado peaches hit the spot. The decor-both inside and outside- is authentic and the hostess greeted us in French. Service was great, polite, friendly. The Lobster special was reasonably priced and delicious. The only draw back for us was how it is in the middle of nowhere, but that is not their fault... we are the only weirdos who decided to walk their from LoDo.
(4)
Carly B.

The first time I ever came here I was about eight years old and was a girl scout. I point out the girl scout part because it was on a specific girl scout outing downtown and I might have been trying to earn a badge or something. I hadn't been back since - it's close to home but not really somewhere that pops into my head. The boyfriend and I were circumnavigating the neighborhood (up to Queen Soopers pharmacy and back down) and decided to stop in for a week night dinner. They are very affordable, as is written under their name on the sign outside. The menu consists of reasonably priced salads and appetizers, $10 mussels and fries in about twelve different flavors, and some spendier entrees (and by spendier I mean teens to twenties....really not bad). I didn't look at the wine list but went straight for a cocktail. The St. Germain cocktail was seriously $5 and not on special. These prices were straight out of.....well....when I was a girl scout. The drink was refreshing and the price was cool. For an entree I went for the safran mussels. The portion is enormous and the menu claims the fries are bottomless. Too bad I wasn't in love with the fries. They started out crispy and soon turned limp. This place also seemed too classy to serve ketchup so I didn't ask. That was probably my fault. The mussels were big and nicely cooked. I wasn't a huge fan of the broth though, especially compared to LoHi's mussels with the broth I'm lusty for. It needed a little something more...maybe more salt....or wine...or garlic. And the tomatoes seemed unripe and therefore lacking in flavor. So they were fine for me but not something I wanted to eat every last bit of. Boyfriend had a salad he wasn't excited about....but he's more of a cheeseburger man so of course he wouldn't be. His fault. Best part was the bill....about $32 for two. The service was good too...our waiter was very informative and had a lot of flair when placing a dish before us and pronouncing it's name. I don't want to dislike this place....I'll give it another chance.
(3)
Hueneme R.

What a pit! Terrible customer service and the food gave us all the sheets.
(1)
Isabel W.

Not sure if I trust the hype. Or maybe we caught it on an off-day. We visited LeCentral for the boy's birthday with his parents. Tons of people have raved about it in the past- so we were game. However it missed our expectations by far. A) the restaurant downright smells. Musty, moldy, old or something. I hate to know how old the carpet is in the dining room. B) if being served by a pretentious waiter is your style, go for it. Otherwise you'll be appalled by the flippant and rude service. No suggestions, no charm, no fun. C) food was mediocre. The mussels smelled like they expired a week ago, I ordered the steak salad and the steak came cut in small cubes like you'd serve a toddler. So odd. The only redeeming quality of the night was the sauce on the boy's duck...amazing.
(1)
Diggity D.

My French martini was THE BOMB and the rest of the meal was awesome too. We were shocked when we received the bill, way less than we were expecting for a fabulous evening out.
(5)
Amelia Z.

The prefixed menu for Valentine's Day was not good at all (and we were not told of the prefix only option on the phone when the reservation was made, otherwise we would have made other plans). The lobster bisque came out and was a grey brown color, the duck was soggy and the tenderloin was stringy. The root vegetables were undercooked.. boo
(2)
Keith C.

I really liked this place. The setting is very European, I was having flashbacks from when I lived in Italy (I just wish the Alps were in the background instead of a high rise). I liked the menu it had some original French cuisine with a mix of Continetal food as well. I almost went with the Poulet with prosciutto in a green peppercorn sauce, but opted instead for the Salmon. The Saumon was grilled to perfection, it was one of the best pieces of salmon I have ever ahd and I lived in alsaka. The veggies were al dente and bland to me outside a salt flavorings, and the rice was ok. Tbh the veggies are more a choice as to say they are bad, I do not like my veggies hard and crunchy but again that is a personal choice, so no heartburn there. next time I will try the mashed potatoes isntead. I ate alone (I am just now branching out and finding new palces since I moved here) but this place should be shared with someone special.
(4)
Alison W.

Oh, Le Central, you just get me. From their incredible mimosas to their incredible (non-French!) portions, this place always hits the spot. I love having a Saturday morning that I'm not busy, because the first place I suggest is Le Central. I love that there's never a wait, and that I feel like I never sit in the same place twice. This restaurant is big and pretty, and every area for seating has a different, fun feel. We asked our server if she liked working there when we were seated next to the kitchen, because all we heard was laughter. She said "It's rare to find a place where all of the waitstaff actually like each other." That made me happy, and it gave our food an extra-special feel. When the staff is having fun, the food really shines. The monte cristo is a game changer. I ordered mine without meat, and they subbed roasted red peppers for free. It made me want to cry. It was huge and tasty and I just drool thinking about it. Yum. We bought friends an anniversary dinner gift card for the place - $50. They didn't even spend the whole thing, and they tried! That says something about their prices - affordable French is where its at!
(5)
Trisha B.

French onion soup, beet salad, crepe, bread......I haven't had anything that was less than wonderful. I also love the bread pudding and at lunch they are a steal as are the lunch time martinis, sangria and mulled wine! Take back your leisurely lunch ;)
(5)
Gretchen G.

Cheap french food? Yes please. I am constantly recommending Le Central for two reasons: 1. Brunch. They take brunch reservations or you are welcome to wait in line. They can accommodate big groups (and have no problem splitting the bill). The omelets are so good, as is the pain perdu. 2. Mussels. While I feel like the dinner menu can be hit or miss, the mussels (all ten varieties) are amazing. There are a ton of places in town that try but for my money (yeah, only $10), this bucket is by far the best and comes with unlimited fries. You can share them as an app or have them as your dinner, the latter is always my preference. Other notable things: Lots of semi private rooms for groups, warm yummy bread (dip in your mussels, you won't regret it), a good wine menu and yummy escargot. Looking for a cheap date night? Split a bottle of wine, maybe some escargot or a salad, and share the mussels. It's French, has to be romantic right?
(4)
Kimberly S.

Back again, and still LOVE IT!!! Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! Excellent service! Excellent food! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Interior - wonderful, bright, relaxing. It does feel like you might be in France! We sat on their enclosed patio, and has the same wonderful feel to it, like the rest of the restaurant. So, it you want to take a quick trip to France, go to Le Central! TOUS BON NURITEUR - very good food! NOS VEREMOS ALLI - see you there!
(5)
Elphey I.

Le Central is great for the cheaper side of fine dining. I'm not kidding, the prices are great and the food is marvelous. You will leave full without breaking the bank. We had the four cheese plate, one of their selections of mussels, salmon salad, and beef bourguignon along with almost half the dessert menu and the bill was around $80 for four full tummies and leftovers! We left happy, stuffed, and excited for the next visit. Looking forward to the ever-changing menu and the old classics!
(5)
Bud H.

I haven't had a great mussels and fries dish since visiting Quebec a couple of years ago. Simply fantastic! And very affordable to boot.
(4)
Heather M.

I give it a 3.75, but rounded up. The main issue I had was that we went in (no reservation...my bad) and we were told it would be about an hour so we waited patiently. We checked back after an hour and we were told it would be at least another hour and there was a chance we would not get in at all. I wish we had been told that in the first place. We made reservations for the following night and had no problems getting a table. The mussels were great and you get soooo many of them. The waiter was decent...not great as our glasses went empty a few times and we needed to signal him, but it wasn't the end of the world.
(4)
Karen T.

I keep trying to work my way through the entire menu, but then it keeps changing to stay fresh and seasonal. I always have a good experience here. The portion of mussels served with the many varieties of "moules et frites" is just huge. Last time I took home the leftovers and had them the next day with pasta. Yum! We packed our leftovers and moved on to dessert, which was a real treat. The citron tart was deliciously (yeah, I know...) tart, the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e was rich and tasty, and the chocolate pyramid was big enough for three to share (and was just $6). The staff at Le Central are pleasant and knowledgeable, but service is not that speedy. It will probably take slightly more than an hour to enjoy lunch here, so save it for a day when you have a little time.
(5)
Kimberly T.

We visit here about 3 years ago and had the Basilic mussels, portugaise mussels, and Italienne mussels. It was delicious! You can't go wrong with any of their mussel selections really. The chicken crepe was creamy but not overly creamy. The mimosa was fresh and Yummy. You've got to try the French onion soup! Do not miss out on it. So 3 years later, we are now back and tried the Safran mussels. Once again, the flavor is amazing! The bouillabaise du central is to die for. The staff is super sweet and friendly. Enjoy everyone!
(5)
Jeff M.

This place is definitely a romantic setting, not really the best location for co-workers to celebrate a birthday. That being said, the prices of the food was definitely out of my budget range. The salad was nice. The Caesar salad actually had anchovies in it - which is becoming more and more rare to see - definitely a plus in my book. The served us some great mussels too. Though, for the price, I feel like I could easily go somewhere else for a better menu variety. Nothing really popped out as something I wanted to order. They had an average wine selection too. Not sure I'll be making much of an effort to stop back anytime soon.
(2)
Mike E.

I've been back a couple of times since I wrote my previous review and am happy to report the service issues seem to be a thing of the past. After going for lunch once I made it back for brunch last weekend and was happy to see the things moving in a much better direction. While we were glad that she didn't wait on us we were glad to see that the wait person that broke the customer's back hadn't been let go, in fact from what I could tell she appears someone helped her see that light. Or made her an offer she couldn't refuse. The food both times were as great as usual, and it was good to see that both times the place was hoping. Keep it up Le Central!
(4)
Janet M.

The escargot were wonderful, but the mussels were over cooked, tough and dry.
(2)
Emily J.

"How have I not been to this place yet?!" were the first words out of my mouth earlier this week when I went to Le Central. I love this place and can see it quickly becoming one of my favorite digs around. It is authentic French food paired with an elegantly selected French wine list in an unassuming, casually romantic setting. What more do you need? oh yeah, it's affordable too. The wine starts at $3.50 a glass, for great wine, and it's not a measly pour either! Must tries include the French onion soup (duh, you're at a French place, it's a litmus test for the restaurant!), the sole, and the trout. I regret not trying the mussels because I have heard such incredible things about them, guess I will have to come back. Oh darn.
(5)
Neena W.

Very straightforward and affordable menu; Delicious food with very generous portion; Good wine list, by the glass; Lovely and relaxing decor; Simply put, a keeper on my eat out list in Denver. What we ordered during last visit (lunch): Merlot, from longuedoc region (mellow and smooth), Escargots bourguignons (the sauce is great ) Veal scaloppini, Grilled and marinated flank steak ( a super tasty one), and Cream Brulee.
(4)
Braden S.

Really loved this place. The mussels were awesome, the food was all fresh and it is really affordable for the quality. The waitress was extremely knowledgable about all the food and the wine and was attentive. We went here for a benefit for the African Community Center which was very cool. I took off a star because we were squeezed in a table in the corner with barely enough room to even get in and out. I would suggest rearranging the back room. HIGHLY recommend.
(4)
Marianne L.

The French food is just ok. The mussels are a generous portion, but the fries are just ok. I wish they had more dimension in their taste. The other things are just ok, but I don't think that I would ever come back here if I wanted French food. It's just too Americanized.
(3)
Leah O.

Solid breakfast place. Their prices are absolutely delightful, considering the fare, and the service is always excellent. The menu is varied enough to suit any tastes, and having to choose between a wild mushroom omelette and a salmon eggs benedict is a splendid dilemma for a Sunday morning. They have a new item on their menu, Pain Perdu, that is my undoing. It's french toast stuffed with Nutella and strawberries. Now, no one's pancreas needs that kind of browbeating in the morning. EXCEPT MINE. It's also lovely to be served fresh bread and butter, in the tradition of true European breakfasts, before you order.
(3)
Karen P.

I came with a large group for a birthday. Our table was ready after getting a drink at the bar. The restaurant is really adorable, it feels like someone's house. Now onto the good stuff - the food! We started with the French onion soup and escargot that was in a cream based sauce. YUM! Our table pretty much ordered everything on the menu and it was all great! Prices are cheap for French food. Will be back!
(5)
Eliza M.

I have to say, I was super excited to try Le Central. I love french food and it's gotten such great reviews, I was certain our meal was going to be a-mazing. A-mazing it was not. Maybe I built it up too much? I had a variety of apps for my "meal", all of which were good. I had the escargot brioche, the french onion soup, and the baked brie... All pretty good, I'd have to say. The reason I was so disappointed was my hubby-to-be's meal was not very pleasing. He had the cassoulet and it was way too salty and filled with bones. When we pointed it out to the waitress (who was a bit absent the whole night), she said that it's from the lamb and that it's normal. But there were TONS of little and big bones in the dish.... I think they could have gotten SOME of them out, especially the big one (at least 3/4 of an inch long and half an inch wide) And... the whole place kinda smelled a little bit? like... a bathroom? not like, ooh someone just used the bathroom, like... a urinal cake? Sorry to bring it down for everyone, but I just thought I'd give my two cents! I would give it a second chance, but I've got many more restaurants to try before I do that....
(3)
Hope A.

I love brunch. It is handsdown my favorite meal of the day (of the weekend?) And this place is my favorite way to cheat on my diet. They have a stuffed french toast which is amazing (I basically crave it all of the time) and the mussels (thanks David) with bottomless french fries are also great. And the prices are so reasonable. I love it!
(5)
Awilda M.

Now I remember why I haven't come to Le Central for a couple of years! First, the Crepes Lardon: unnecessarily overloaded. A crepe containing pieces of steak and bacon in what should be a delicate sauce. What you get is a crepe SWIMMING in the sauce ... to the point you can barely taste the steak. Then, unnecessarily, it was topped with a load of tasteless melted cheese. The side of french fries were nice, as was the side salad on the plate. But what a pile of overwhelmed excess! Cut out the cheese! No self-respecting French cook would do that! Cut the sauce by two-thirds! Crepes aren't supposed to swim in sauce. Don't over-cook! The bread, on the other hand was delightfully delicious. The closest to a French baguette that I've tasted in Denver. Did the chef make the bread? If so, do more of THAT. If not, good thinking to buy it as a prop for the less-than-mediocre meal.
(1)
Liza C.

Yammy and casual. That is my stile . I ve tried almost all menu . Everything is so delicious )))))Try dessert ice cream!!!!!!!
(5)
Philip R.

We ate here the evening before flying out of DIA to return home from vacation. We were happy to be able to call circa 7:00pm and get a 7:30pm reservation on a Saturday; several other places we tried couldn't accommodate us. The main words that come to mind r.e. this meal are "pleasant" and "plenty." The wait staff was very friendly and attentive, the food was nice/good, and the portion sizes were quite generous. But the sum of all of this didn't amount to "something special." Where we live this restaurant would be a stellar attraction; but we live in a barren culinary wasteland. I assume this is not a standout place for a large city such as Denver.
(3)
Rae L.

I have been going to Le Central for a decade and I feel it is really starting to slip. The food, first and foremost, wasn't that great. My daughter had the duck salad and I had the goose special. While we found our fowls to be good, my daughter claimed the salad was much too sweet and didn't really care for it. I found what I think was intended to be stuffing under my goose, but it tasted like raw dough and put me off the rest of the rather rustic dish. The service, however, was the true offender. I understand Le Central is "affordable" french, but I ended up with a $75 bill for two people - I expect better service than that which one would expect from a Chili's. The server, OUR server, sat us and got us water right away, sure... then disappeared for 15 minutes. My daughter had made a huge production of putting on her birthday present at the table - standing up, putting on the hoodie, taking it off, sitting down then standing up and waving her arms about... We were told she had been waiting on my daughter to return. It's not a big room... And when did she finally come back? When I flagged her down. Then, after a so so meal where I barely saw her as she sprinted by, after watching her carry boxes to all her other tables that were now empty, instead of the same service, we were given two small boxes and told to handle the large, heavy plates ourselves (two small girls meant a lot of food left) at the tiny table we were seated at. A glass of water was knocked over by my daughter and even though I made eye contact with a waitress working another table - I was ignored. Our server didn't even ask if we were okay... Even after taking away the two drenched napkins with her bare hands. There are too many other, better French restaurants in town. I don't think Le Central is going to make my list anymore.
(2)
Andreas H.

ATTENTION: $2 Champagne and Mimosas. We had our first brunch at Le Central a few hours ago. It was superb! And there were $2 champagnes and mimosas. Sweet baby jebus. I had the mussels, as I usually do, and my wife and friends had various egg dishes that all looked and tasted fantastic. The service was friendly and he respected our space and conversation (he only came over at conversation lulls). Also, did I mention the champagne? Mimosas? $2. Yeah... delicious. Oh, and the best part? For four of us, with food, and drinks... $45. Yeah, that's right. $45. And $2 Champagne and Mimosas. *hic* ***NOTE*** I'd like to say something about the review below about the person getting sick after eating at Le Central. Whether or not Le Central was to blame, most food borne illnesses take at least 18-24 hours before symptoms show. Even Norovirus usually takes at least 12 hours. Most people associate their food poisoning/illness with the last place that they ate, but unfortunately, that is not often the case. Just wanted to throw that out there, as I was a health inspector and helped investigate food borne illnesses for years.
(5)
Style A.

I just love this place. I cannot say enough about it! It IS THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY in Denver. I'm really ANNOYED by reviewers that say, "meh... I've had better..." really? For these prices?! In Denver?! I truly doubt it! It's not only the best french food I've had in Denver but, the best I've had outside of France!
(5)
Melissa H.

This is the second time I've tried escargots and the 2nd time I've been to Le Central. The Escargots en Brioche was fantastically good... very rich though, so it's a good appetizer to share. There were 3 of us and apparently we felt that we needed two appetizers so we also ordered the Charcuterie du Central which is an assortment of pates and cured meats. It was good, but the pates all tasted the same to me. I ordered up the rabbit entree which was cooked nicely with some wonderful garlic mashed potatoes and a mixture of fresh green beans, carrots, and sweet potato (i think). The other two entrees were good ... but nothing outstanding. I did like that their wine by the glass prices were very affordable at under $5 each. Difficult to come by at a nice restaurant. If you're coming on a busy weekend night, make a reservation.
(4)
Ajay R.

The sandwiches were good and the decor fine. Wasn't blown away by anything though. Par for the course. Maybe I'll try the mussels next time.
(3)
Meg M.

Summed up: quality, tasty French food, all cooked perfectly, excellent prices, great menu, fantastic wines, good service, and quaint decor. Mussels are always great and a very sturdy appetizer (though once I ordered ones with fennel and it was disappointing, I don't like fennel, but that's my own damn fault for not reading better). When I'm not super starved, we just get mussels and a salad and that is enough for a very satisfying meal. Otherwise it is hard to give suggestions off the menu, as it changes constantly with what is in season (which is a good thing), and my memory is not too good to recall every dish I've had. Highly recommend sitting on the "patio" when it's warm enough. It isn't really outdoors, but more like an addition to the outside of the building. So you get the effect of the nice French country home with little windows and shutters and so on, with also a feel of being in the garden due to large number of plants and vines.
(5)
cara m.

I live in the neighborhood and frequent often. I have found the food and service to be hit or miss. We had New Years Eve price fixed menu. It was awful. Thumbs down, yuck. Total bill $150.00 for 2, food should be edible. The shrimp bisque tasted like flavored water and the steak was thin and tough. Wine was good and reasonably priced. Service was fine, food terrible.
(1)
Emily V.

I am so bummed that I am updating (and downgrading) my review to two stars. Used to be five! I used to LOVE this place. And I still LIKE it, for the most part, but it's just not what it used to be. Staff used to be classy and friendly and professional. Now they're kind of meh. Food used to be amazing, creative and delicious. Now it's also meh. It's like there's no heart anymore. I don't know if they're under new management, or something, but it seems like it. My friends and I went to a five-course wine tasting dinner the other night. $40 per person. Seems like a great price for something like that. And I've done it in the past, and it's been wonderful. But this time the wine and food came out at completely different times, some staff were wearing jeans and tee shirts, and no one said ONE WORD to us until the last course! Not even a, "Here's your wine." Wait, I take that back. They did say a word. I received a dish and a poached pear on it was like a chunk the size of a quarter, and it looked like someone had taken a bite out of it. I politely asked if I could exchange it for a new one. "Sure," and he hands me another one that's even smaller! LOL It was so bad it was funny. The servings were inconsistent- everyone at our table got a different amount of food and wine. And they've been like this for almost a year now, so I had to officially downgrade them to a two. :-( The prices are still not-outrageous, but that doesn't mean a lot when you're not getting good food or service. The mussels used to be great, seriously excellent. Even the quality of those has gone done. They are grittier and less flavorful- and last time they weren't even warm!
(2)
Dave T.

I can't say enough about this place. Definitely repeatable. The bread, the main dishes, the mussels, the service, the atmosphere, all comparable to a high end French restaurant, but the prices did not break the bank. Did I mention the fries? What kind of oil is that? So good. I will have to go back soon and try their brunch. Dave
(5)
Patrick K.

Very solid French-fare, very mediocre service. However, went on Bastille Day (July 14th) and restaurant was packed. Enjoyed mussells with Spanish chorizo...yummy; bottomless fries are a cute tactic, as the initial service is quite ample. Had a decent cut of veal scallopine with vegetables, nothing Earth-shattering, but very good. All told, tab for 4 was just over $200; not bad considering drinks/wine on top of dinner. Solid fare, definitely would recommend.
(4)
R. Jonathon J.

I was there for brunch with a couple of friends. The potatoes were COLD. Two people in our group had to send their food back bacause the kitchen did not make it correctly. A third person in our group ordered soup...the bowl was chipped and snarled and only half full. Our waitress did her best to assist our table but it seemed like the kitchen did not know what it was doing
(2)
Michelle F.

I'm revising my previous review of Le C. We went back last weekend (after a few so-so experiences last year) and were pleasantly surprised to see Le C is back to its usual quality. The service was great--prompt & helpful. Dinner was awesome--I had mahi mahi in a tropical salsa w/side veggies, and my hubby had the veal in a cream sauce. The wine list at Le Central is fantastic & affordable. We sat on the patio (our favorite spot), and enjoyed a two hour dinner. Love this place!
(4)
Zahara S.

Always a great value. There is a reason they have been around for 30 years. It is an excellent place to enjoy magnificent food and people watch. We frequently take clients there and although it can be loud, it never seems to be an issue. I keep thinking about the cooking classes they offer but I don't want to destroy the mystery of what's happening in the kitchen...behind the scene. Recienly we did the wine dinner. Five wines and five courses. Fun evening but I can't do the five wines ever again. I was exhausted by the last course. But all very well done. The owner is a rock star to me. If they close, I am moving.
(4)
Adam K.

I've been to Le Central many times for Brunch and have always had an enjoyable experience. It can get a bit crowded, but the wait has never been too long. All the brunch items are tasty, including the quiche. Normally get to sit out back. Never had a problem with wearing casual clothing and have had good service. Also ordered their Thanksgiving food package last year and it was fantastic, I highly recommend.
(4)
Mulberry S.

30 years? This place serves food that tastes like it has been around for 30 years. I've lived in France and traveled through many countries with French cuisine and this place is pretty much at the bottom in terms of food quality and service. The only plus is that the serving sizes are midwesternly massive. Seriously, their signature dish was supposedly mussels and fries. The fries were overcooked in old oil and served cold and dry. About a quarter of the mussels were closed or dried out and inedible. Good thing, then, that one serving is about eight potatoes and fifty mussels...eh, not. We had to ask for bread. The desserts tasted of cheap shortening and corn sweetener instead of butter and sugar. Their mushroom salad was just a pile of greens completely drenched in vinegar with a side of red peppers obviously from a bulk jar filled with preservatives. I am certain you could find and prepare better quality food from Costco. Our server "Pascal" was indifferent, absent, unhelpful and literally tossed a box at my friend when she said she would like to take the last of her meal to go. I ordered a glass of white wine and upon first taste I could tell it had gone bad (fizzing/bubbles and vinegary). I asked Pascal if he could check. He just smirked and walked away with my glass and then brought a new one, which he said was of the same wine. "Ah, it happens" he said as he walked away. Serving spoiled wine? Lame. The second glass tasted completely different, fortunately. After dinner, as we were leaving, my friends all said they felt unwell from their meal. They said it was the kind of feeling you get after you eat at a greasy diner. This place came to mind again when I drove past those weird McMansions out in the newly suburbanized cattle pastures where people seem to think 20,000 square feet is a normal size for 1 family and monster trucks are the ideal thing for asphalt. Perhaps to that person this would seem like a good deal. Many people have their own views of this place, obviously, but to me it had excessively bad tastes, to a fault. If you want healthy and freshly cooked French cuisine, search elsewhere. Oh, and if you are into people watching you get to see old men with hairspray sculpted coifs and young awkward Denver socialites in their prom dresses. Not the sort of crowd I would normally see, so I guess that's a plus too. Update: The owner of Le Central sent me a message that called me "pompous" and "arrogant" among other insults for this review. Yeah, that just confirms the one-star.
(1)
David S.

An old standby that still draws me in from time to time - consider it Denver's affordable French cuisine. But affordable comes with a price. The service is always a spotty and it seems there's always a crowd. The food is good, but you'll quickly learn that most menu items are pre-prepared in bulk. This is a bummer on two levels - first, don't want mushrooms in that? too bad, it's already made. Second, the food must sit until someone orders it. My cassoulet the other week was more than a tad heavy and dry. Still, le Central lives up to its rep of being affordable and French, but I think I'm going to stick with the mussels.
(3)
Kelly F.

This place always impresses me, I have been here a handful of times for brunch, each time leaving very full, satisfied and with those bottomless mimosas feeling quite good! The mussels are hands down their signature item ,with various ways they cook them. You cant go wrong with any of them! Come hungry and expect a good portion for each dish all for a really reasonable price!
(4)
Ali W.

I could eat their mussels 7 nights a week, sometimes maybe even 8. My favorite flavors are "Portuguaise" and "Italienne", I am disappointed that they raised the price of the mussels to $10 recently, but I would still get it (and they know it too, that's why they raised the price I think). I love their fries too; the French got their French fries down. The dinner entrees are decent and affordable (for French food), but I like their brunch menu the best. My favorites are the Pain Perdu (French toast) and Oeufs Sardou (combo of poached eggs, artichoke hearts, spinach, heaven, and Bernaise sauce). On Saturdays, they also have $2 mimosas for brunch. For desserts, my favorites are the Pot de Creme Espresso (coffee creme brulee) and the Le Central (combo of white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel, and hazelnuts). Those desserts go well with their B52 cafe (combo of Bailey's, Grand Marnier, and Kahlua). I drank so much of it that I got drunk. The only thing I wish they had would be a more practical frequent customer's program, so that I can be greatly rewarded for spending 8 days a week there...closer to 7 now that they raised the price. Bon appetit!
(5)
Bo H.

Rustic home-style French cooking at a price that can't be beat. Yes, the mussels are fantastic (and cheap $10 for an overflowing bucket with fries). The entree was pretty great- I had the Steak au Poivre. But really let's get to the deserts. The desert menu was as big as the regular menu- every item dripping with butter, sugar, eggs, and chocolate. I had some coffee/chocolate creation that makes me weak in the knees just thinking about it.
(4)
Michael L.

I recently dined at Le Central for the first time with several friends. I wish I could say something positive about the food, but I'll be straining to do so. I ordered French Onion Soup...can one go wrong with that perennial favorite, right? Wrong. It was totally flavorless and bland. Thinking it was just faulty taste buds on my part, I had a friend taste it...same opinion. I ordered the swordfish as my entree. It was over cooked and very, very dry. I will say that the rice on which it was served was quite tasty. Two of my friends ordered mussels...one ordering the Italian and the other, the Mexican. Both were very disappointed, declaring them tasteless. The last member of my party ordered the Beef Burgundy, which he found "acceptable" but just barely average. Two pluses were that the wait staff was very pleasant and attentive, plus the suggested wine pairing was right on target.
(2)
Maha K.

This place looks like a horrifically painted fun house from the outside. I don't think it's possible to throw any more random shit onto a decrepit building while also forcing people to use the counter-intuitive door to get in. But, for lunch, this place is a gem. They have my glÃ¼hwein (hot, spiced wine) for $3.00. I had to pay more than 3 EURO to get this stuff in Germany. And it was delish at both places. Pasta du jour was pasta de-licious. All desserts on the menu were $3.00, so I didn't hesitate to get the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e, either. Even the service was slow as hell, just like in Europe. And because it's a French restaurant, I'll let them get away with it and call it cultural immersion. Je serai bientÃ´t de retour!* *Err...Google said that means: "I'll return soon!"
(4)
Meredith G.

I was very surprised to see such a large lunch crowd today, but maybe it was because it was a Friday. Don't know... But I have mixed feelings about the overall meal. We were sitting a solid 10 minutes before our server came with water and only brought 2 and there were 4 of us. I had to ask for my water and kept having to ask for refills twice. Then she was gone 5+ minutes to get drinks and then gone again and it was another 5 minutes to place our orders. Way to much down time. We did start off with a large bowl of yummy mussels and fries. And yes, we took advantage of the unlimited fries and got a 2nd serving which were hot. Our 1st round of fries were not so hot. We also had a yummy goat cheese spread appetizer. For my entree I got their Cesar salad which sounded much better than it really was. Others at the table liked what they got. Lastly, because we were celebrating a birthday we found room to try 2 desserts. The chocolate mouse and something else. The mouse was good and the something else just ok, but I am a dessert snob. So, bottom line I would go back for an affordable lunch and eat a bowl of mussels & fries all by myself.
(3)
Fay H.

"We never run out mussels." Yes, this is what we were told when we made reservations in the morning for a 1pm lunch on a Sunday. Having already went to Le Central once before and been seated then told they ran out of mussels, I always call in advance to check. Well silly me, I have been craving mussels all week long and alas after we were seated and ordered our drinks they waitress told us they were out of mussels. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Le Central, however much I love your mussels - I can't count on them. This was even more embarrassing since I brought a party of friends all psyched for mussels and you're out. A good business practice would be to set expectations. How about this - "Mussels, first come first serve?" Maybe that should be your mussel motto.
(3)
Alex P.

RACHEL RAY WENT HERE!!! That has GOT to hold some weight. Try the bucket of mussels...that's all I've got to say, they are to die for.
(4)
Lauren B.

Good food and good service! The onion soup was AMAZING, I'd go back again just for that!
(4)
Melissa M.

Mussels: sent 'em back, definitely turned Wine: WAY over priced, easily 250-300% mark-up Ambience: bad date combo, over lit and cheaply decorated Basically, a fiasco. I won't lower my standards, but seriously, I wish I could, as I continuously spend my hard-earned money on dinners that I cook better at home. Listen up restauranteurs, here's a tip: GIVE A S*%T, show you care, cook with your heart, give your customers a good deal and your place will be packed all the time!
(1)
Deejai B.

A very reasonably priced, delightful French joint. Really decent, gigantic bowl of moules frites (unlimited frites) = $10. Redonkulous house-made sausage. Escargot is also solid. Even the drinks are quite reasonably priced, especially during happy hour. I thought the waitstaff and hostesses were great and the atmosphere was quite comfortable (great for groups) - not pretentious like so many other French restaurants. Haterz - please put down the haterade. What more do you want???! =P
(4)
Jill S.

I've only ever been for brunch, but it seems like a great standby. I had the croissant with salmon and my friends split the cinnamon roll along with some other egg goodies. Super tasty, but far from light. Great for a morning after meal to soak up the booze from the night before. We had three entrees and split two sides and it came to about $34 for three people. Pretty stellar deal.
(3)
Dorian H.

This is a pretty generous 4 stars. The food was great. A group of us started with two different selections of mussels. As a huge mussel fan, I was already on cloud nine after seeing how many varieties they offer. They were good ~ the broth wasn't amazing, but still tasty enough to dip bread in. The bucket of shelled goodness is accompanied by fries too! That's a pretty genius combination in my opinion. For the main course I had the boeuf bourguignon ~ delicious! The rest of the group seemed very please with their meals as well. The deserts are so so wonderful. Pair one of those with an after dinner drink and call me happy! I really like the atmosphere and location. It is very charming and welcoming. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the service - not so welcoming. I mentioned to my husband that a few of the employees particularly someone at the hostess desk had an incredible staring problem - and not like a "do I recognize you?" stare... but a constant snobby glare. At one point I nearly approached her to ask if there was a problem with my husband and I waiting in the "waiting area" for the rest of our party to arrive. After a bit of observing though, I realized she was being just as rude to other guests. So, oh well. Our waiter was fairly on top of everything, except that I couldn't get a refill on my water until after dessert had arrived. Two hours is a long time to be thirsty. Other than that he was great. I really tinkered between 3 and 4 stars, but I thought the food was good enough to warrant a 4 for now. If I go back and encounter the same strange attitude from the staff, I'll be sure to knock it down some stars.
(4)
Kristi B.

Hmmm....I was happy when my family wanted to take me to "a great mussels restaurant" but disappointed when it turned out to be only average. On the good side, the service was great, the wine was great (sancerre) and my spinach salad was pretty good. My aunt raved about the butternut squash soup to the point where I wish I had gotten it instead. My dad was offering up escargots but having tried these already in life I see no point in eating them again. We had all selected different kinds from their 10 or 12 varieties of mussels and I was eagerly anticipating my basilica mussles - with basil and tomato. They came out in a giant bowl - I'm thinking "all this for $9.99?" with some fries on the side, the menu does state unlimited fries if you happen to run out after eating 2 pounds of mussels, not a problem for me. So, they were ok. The shellfish themselves were firm and sweet, so definitely cooked properly. It's the sauce that spoiled it...definite lack of flavor. The menu had said all varieties start with a wine/garlic/butter sauce which just happens to be my favorite dipper with a good chunk of bread. After trying to eat half of my mussels (and sending the bowl across the table to Dad), I remained hopeful and tossed some bread in for a dunk. Meh. I think they skimped on the garlic and wine and butter this night. However, you really can't knock this huge bowl with fries for $9.99 if you're just looking for something decent. I didn't try anything else on the menu so can't vouch for that, but the mussels were unfortunately average.
(3)
Amanda B.

Cozy provincial feeling, this place has been around since I can remember and not much has changed. The building is a Denver monument of sorts, and they deliver what they advertise: Reasonably priced French fare. You get what you pay for, so if you have high expectations of French cuisine - then open your wallet and go to Z Cuisine or fly to France and quit your complaining. Otherwise come here for mussels and fries (unlimited), some Chimay or a glass of wine... or a mimosa on Saturday morning. Avoid the duck confit, salads are plentiful and reasonable. A note to the commenter who saw a roach: yes that sucks, but really? Do you not realize that they exist to some extent in pretty much any place that serves food? Or stores grain for that matter? The FDA actually allow for a certain part per million of commercial food to be comprised of insects, so yah, it's reality.
(3)
Jeremy K.

Le Central's "Mussels and Fries" were listed as one of the top 100 dishes in the city by Denver Magazine, so I gave them a shot: Rating: 6 (out of 10) Price: $10 The Skinny: Wait... aren't Mussels and Fries a Belgian thing? Some quick research turns up that it indeed is, and not just a "thing" but in fact their national dish. Not one to let the Belgians have their day in the sun, the French have taken over this dish in Denver at the staging point of Le Central - proving once and for all that, yes, the French can pillage and conquer another country just like everyone else. Le Central is a charming place. Cozy, intimate, and inviting. Just the kind of place that a bowl of Mussels and Fries can warm up the soul on a chilly winter afternoon. It didn't disappoint. The 30 or so mussels come in big bowls of broth, the ingredients of which you choose beforehand from what seems like 15 different varieties. I had mine with mushrooms, white wine, onions, garlic, cream, and brandy - but they had some others that I nearly tried (bacon and mustard caught my eye, go figure). The mussels tasted perfectly fine - like most other mussels I've ever had in my life, and the broth was hot, creamy, and flavorful. The unlimited fries, on the other hand, were a little disappointing. As 50% of the dish's namesake, it needs to be considered, and on this occasion they were average at best. There was no crunch to them. It was almost like they were steamed prior to arriving at my table, and that had taken all of the bite out of them. I naturally finished my first plate of them, but no more! Overall, I was a fan of the whole thing, but in occasional doses. I've got a picture of it up on the blog on my profile jko
(3)
Dante R.

Fantastic staff. Great food.
(5)
TJ Lee W.

Good pate, but that's the only thing good I've had here, and I've been there several times hoping to experience something spectacular. We even went to a wine tasting here. The stuff they poured was bulk juice swill, and they served dishes that complimented this perfectly. If they change the chef and the menu I'd try it out. Other than that, Meh.
(2)
Sophie M.

The ambiance is very nice. prices are very reasonable for a French restaurant. As for the food, i can see how lots of people are impressed, I would just give it a pass , if i were going to be very genuine about the rating of the food i would have given them three stars. But so much of other stuff made up for the food being way less than perfect. The restaurant did remind me of the typical French restaurants that we would eat at every Sunday with the whole extended family.
(4)
Jess W.

I am still thinking about the meal I had last night..... I'll get straight to the point: 3 out of 5 of us had mussels (Italienne, Mexican, Mariniere). I see from previous reviews that there has been some complaints as to their quality as of late, but we were all very pleased. Actually more than pleased, considering that we all finished our bowlfuls, and one of us (coughPetercough) made some french fry-mussel broth soup after we had all finished said mussels. Which sounds gross but was actually some tasty goodness. Also, hi- we're in Denver, and the mussels are reasonably priced, so what exactly do you people want? A mussel farm in the backyard?? Our service was excellent- the server recommended a bottle of wine to go with our meal, and we all loved it enough that we ended up getting 2 bottles. Our water glasses were never empty, and we had a full bread basket the entire evening. I docked a star because the patriarch of our group, who is a very soft spoken kind person, ordered the veal and couldn't eat it. Too tough. When his wife brought this up with the server (he was mortified, even though she did it in a very low-key way), she did her job perfectly (told the manager). Here is where the breakdown occurred. He obviously had eaten part of his vegetables, and left the veal nearly untouched (it was tough as can be....hard to cut tough). However, the manager didn't come by until late in our meal, and so when she offered to bring him a menu, he said he was fine, since we were all nearly finished with our meals. Anyway, long story short, they didn't do anything to compensate his meal. Basically, I feel like it could have been handled better, and we all felt bad that he didn't get a decent meal. To sum it up- go there and get mussels. And make french-fry soup when you have left over broth. Don't get veal.
(4)
Amy L.

Unfortunately, I ate here when they had the limited 3-5pm menu, so there weren't a lot of options. Nonetheless, I ordered the mariniere mussels & fries and tasted the steak crepe, chicken crepe, french onion soup and the basalic mussels. mariniere mussels were a bland, steak crepe and the chicken crepe were too creamy. On the other hand, the french onion soup was super tasty and the basalic mussels were more flavorful. The food was fine, but nothing that would make me recommend it to someone as a must-eat type of place. Le Central gets 3 stars bc it's so cheap for french food.
(3)
Shannon T.

Now *THIS* is French food done well. And menu items that are actually traditionally French and written in French? Yes, that's what a French restaurant is about. My family went here for our annual Christmastime dinner out. It was a first experience for my sister and I and my parents hadn't been in years. For the first half of dinner, we were a bit squished in a corner and it was hard to hear over a loud woman at an adjacent table. But the food and wine made up for that. The server knew what she was talking about in regards to the food and wine. The mussels were good, but I'd probably try a different type of style next time (but my favorite mussels are still at Via Baci in Parker, Colorado). My almond-encrusted, pan-seared fish was *EXCELLENT*. My dessert (I'm totally spacing what I had) was quite tasty. However, mine took 20 minutes to prepare while my sister ordered a slice of the Buche de Noel and it wasn't out until I was almost finished with my dessert (i.e. it took 30 minutes to arrive at the table which is just silly). So minus a star for that.
(4)
Dave B.

29SEP2012 Another Saturday lunch. Moules Fromage (blue cheese and cream) avec frites Two excellent rosÃ©s for $20/bottle. Super service. 27MAR2010 Another relaxing, sunny, Saturday lunch. Perfect food and service. We sat in the "sun porch" and started with a bottle of RenÃ© MurÃ© Cremant D'Alsace ($26) which had a green apple taste. I had the Moules Normande while Tracie had salad and French Onion soup. Perfect bread and butter. Service was top notch. 03JAN2009 The Happy Hour is an incredible bargain. Four of us just had a great 2-hour experience. Great food, good wine, excellent service. THIS IS THE BEST DEAL IN DENVER. We spent $154 ($30 tip) for 12-15 items + 4 bottles of wine. Moules ProvenÃ§al are so tasty and delicious. 07JUN2008 - We just had a wonderful lunch at Le Central. A stupendous bargain. The Louis Bouillot bubbly at $20. This is a steal. The retail price at my local liquor store is $13. Our second wine was a Sables d'Azur rose. Another bargain at $17. A delicious refreshing summer wine. Excellent attentive service. In spite of the crowded room, we were never neglected. Now, onto to the food. Bread and butter. Fluffy, crispy baguette. Assiette de Fromage. Four tasty cheeses, bread, lettuce, strawberries, apple and grapes. Highly recommended. Soupe L'ongion. Classic French with a smidge of sherry in the broth. For my wife, it was the meal. Steak et Frites. Ordered medium and it came medium rare. Good quality beef and crispy fires. The eggs were poached perfectly. Crepe de Poulet. A disappointment as there was cartilage in the chicken. Moules et Frites. Mouclade style with a creamy curry sauce. Fantastic. A huge portion for $10. This is one of the best mussels preparations, in my opinion. If you love French food and you want the "affordable" restaurant, then look no further. Good service, food and wine. ______________________________________ Sometime in 2006 - I want to like/love Le Central. I love French bistro-style food. I have had some very good meals at Le Central and it is "affordable". But, I can't love it. My wife and I went there one Saturday in 2006 for a romantic lunch and ordered an appetizer plate that had cheese, olives and rillette. The rillette had MOLD in it. Lots of MOLD. We only discovered this after the first bite. The staff's reaction was incompetent. No real apology. Zero monetary compensation. No appearance by the manager. I mean; what does MOLD say about the kitchen? We have not been back since. (Not true, see above.)
(4)
Erin J.

What a fantastic brunch! Lovely if you can sit in the sun room and enjoy the sun while you nosh and sip. The benedict is delicious, but the Oeufs Sardous is nothing short of amazing. $3 mimosas?? Can a brunch experience get any better?
(4)
Becky W.

Affordable French in Denver - bestill my heart. I have been to Le Central many times and happened upon it twice in my recent visit home. Wines are fantastic, but the food is the true gem. Colorado lamb with cheese lathered gnocchi and greens. Magnifique! The servers are all gorgeous and lovely in every way - and the restaurant is charming and cozy to match. We didn't have the mussels this time, but they are always a sure thing as well. Bread is a no brainer - get it, eat it and get some more!
(5)
Molly H.

Every time I am in Denver, I don't miss the opportunity to hit Le Central - for lunch. I have never even seen the dinner menu, but I am a huge fan of the leisurely 2 martini lunch at Le Central. The massive portions and unbelievably cheap prices are enough to get excited about - but the food is actually good! I always order the mussels frites. The have about eight different styles. It's not the best mussels you will ever have in your life, but they are good and the fries are perfect. For the record, one bowl ($9.99) could serve 3 people - easy. So plan on sharing.
(4)
Stephen J.

Really enjoyed this place. Great service (our waitress actually ran us down on the street to give us a phone that had been left behind), and extremely well priced for French food. The mussels were very good (had the saffron mussels, I think). Had the cassoulet, and it was pretty good. Not out of this world, but pretty good. Will be back.
(4)
Moraine B.

Have been here several times, always for the food, not the ambience or service. Very casual and nothing special in the seating or setting. The pisou mussels were delicious, but a very small side of fries. Had the roast duck breast which was good, but completely overpowered by the mound of garlic potatoes on the plate and with berre rouge. Husband ordered the rack of lamb which was cooked perfectly but there were 3 huge andouie sausages on the plate which were so pungent it overwhelmed him. The best entree was the pork tenderloin stuffed with sausage. Desserts were delicious - chocolate mouse (enough to share) and the creme caramel. Will come back for the mussels and desserts which are always good. Service is just OK.
(3)
Annie C.

I've never had a bad experience at Le Central over the years, but I always get the mussels too. I think I've had every flavor they offer, and it's always good. I've only been there on Saturday nights & had good service too. If you're expecting a fancy French restaurant, they don't claim to be one. One thing I have noticed over the years is that the fromage portions have shrunk a bit. I don't know if kitchen mgmt has changed, or if they're just experiencing economic strain like everyone else, while trying to keep it French affordable, as they've always been. I call it the wine booth, but I'm sure they call it something else. Usually good wine recommendations & knowledge.
(4)
Karen M.

Fueled by the recent spate of interest over Julia Child and everything French, and, coming off of my recent experience at the Yelp Iron Chef competition at the beautiful Cook Street culinary school, I, my friends, am bent on becoming the next local Top Chef. And Le Central offers yet another opportunity for me to demonstrate my culinary expertise. Each month Le Central offers a cooking demonstration and dinner. Each month is a different menu so you can learn new and different techniques from the chefs at Le Central. Of course, I didn't actually get to don an apron at this event, but I did sit really close to the chefs. Last night the menu was a fougasse (this is simulataneously everything yet nothing like a pizza), followed by a snapper filet served with a sun-dried tomato pesto on a greek salad, finished up with a decadent puff pastry dessert featuring creme anglaisse. This was so much fun. I will definately go back. The demonstrations were very well organized (although they did get a bit off of their schedule toward the end of the demos). The demos were light-hearted but educational. The chefs were comfortable in front of their audiences and seemed to simply share their own personal knowledge and preferences about cooking. I definately picked up a few tips that I can't wait to try in my own kitchen. The wait staff were easy-going and right on top of things. I especially liked how I was able to describe to the waiter my preference for a red wine and he nailed it with a really light beaujolais. An added bonus was that I didn't have to break the bank for a glass of wine. At just $4 a glass, I didn't feel bad about ordering two! My one suggestion is to add some more tasting in to the mix. At the first demo station we were given a taste of a delicious savory brioche. But as the demos went on, I was getting hungrier and hungrier. Hey Chef, can you throw me a little croistini to try a taste of that pesto you just made? Break off a bite of that puff pastry! After all, even though I'm tasting the dishes at my table later, a little somethin', somethin' to tied me over would have been nice. Plus, then I really understand the flavor profiles and textures I'm shooting for in my own kitchen. But really, this was a minor flaw in an otherwise flawless night. I will definately be back!
(4)
Lisa G.

I want to try so many new restaurants in this fine city, and yet I find myself at Le Central, again and again and again. Central isn't spectacular, but it is reliable, and comfortable, and a little funky, just like most restaurants I've been to in Paris. About once a quarter I like to have brunch here, an omelet avec saumon fumÃ© and a blanc limÃ© (white wine with sparkling water and lime juice) or a Kir royale. Dessert and a cafÃ© au lait. I feel transported a million miles away. I have to eat cassoulet at least once per winter or I just don't feel right. Central's is exceptional, silky and dark. Their wine list is wonderful and extremely well-priced, with a large selection by the glass, and their pastry chef is very talented. My daughter has been coming here since she was tiny. Last night, as a high school freshman, she was able to order her meal en franÃ§ais for the first time. Salade CÃ©sar, brie avec l'ail et croutons, and crÃ¨me brulÃ©e. Our waiter, Pascal, helped her pronounce l'ail (garlic) because I couldn't remember. It was very sweet.
(4)
Lonnie C.

Nice atmosphere. Recommend the mussels and fries...great deal and very filling
(4)
Matthew D.

Amazing food, so cheap, great vibe inside. This is one of my favorite lunch spots. The mussels are spot on.
(5)
Yuki H.

Very unhappy that I had to leave before I ordered my food. They used to be amazing but when I visited today I felt nothing but ignored, disrespected, and uncomfortable.
(1)
Darika S.

I went for lunch recently. Meal started well with a french baquette. A cup of soup with any entree is only $1! So I had the split pea curry. It was okay. I added some salt and pepper and it still needed something. My friend had the chicken soup, though she said it tasted like beef bourgiugnon. So we were pretty sure there was a beef soup in the kitchen that wasn't on the menu. But she enjoyed it. I ordered the L'omelet, smoked salmon, brie and wilted spinach omelet. I thinking my friend enjoyed hers better than mine, she had toasted bread with artichokes, spinach and a poached egg on top. My omelet was okay, the eggs tasted slightly overcooked, not as fluffy as I would've liked, the brie was very rich but that was expected. We had no idea that the meal was served with mashed potatoes, (skin on red potatoes), and a roasted vegetable medley. The best thing on my plate was the potatoes. We decided to end the huge lunch with dessert. Apple crepes topped with caramel and whipped cream. That was soooooo sweet! The fantastic thing about this place is that it is cheap! Drinks, soup, entree and dessert, less than $12 per person, that's great. I would come here again and try a non-egg dish. Is this true French food? No I don't think so, but it a bargain lunch.
(3)
Alyson A.

This place was stellar. My boyfriend's mother took us there for brunch and everything was amazing. We shared a fruit and cheese plate that allowed me to discover a new love for pears and to reaffirm my affair with brie. I sampled my boyfriend's french onion soup and it was FANTASTIC! He and I each had an omelette and his mother had something that involved poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. We were all so engrossed in our meals that trying to have conversation was futile. My omelette was stuffed with a filet of smoked salmon and an awesome helping of brie. I always forget that smoked salmon is a little too salty for my taste, so I ate half the omelette in the restaurant and half later that evening at home. I can't wait to go back for brunch! Not to mention that the prices are HELLA reasonable (for brunch anyway). I bet it's amazing for dates too ;).
(5)
A W.

The food was okay. I found the portions too big. The server was not knowledgeable about the food and service was slow. Nothing I ate stood out as something I have to have again. I probably will not return.
(2)
ken a.

The brunch is fabulous food & totally reasonable prices. Mussels are fresh & plentiful. Also great for dinner. Menu has some nice seasonal specials - highly recommended. But it is also totally comfortable place to get bread, salad, French onion soup and wine. The wines are incredibly reasonable - glass start under 4$! Service people are prompt and attentive (OK, so that makes it not so Parisian) It is an old standard that doesn't disappoint.
(4)
Dan S.

I just love this place. I've been once for Sunday brunch and once for Friday dinner. Both times I was seated right away (despite those being typically very busy times) had super friendly service, and found the food to be quite tasty. TIPS: 1. Get the mussels - it's a GIANT bucket, and you can dunk all the free bread they bring out in the buttery/garlicy (or whatever type of mussels you get) soup. 2. They sell baguettes at the counter - this is nice if you're looking for a delicious, just cooked loaf of bread. And I think they only charge $2-3 a loaf
(5)
David R.

Not so great. The lamb was overcooked, dry, and not a great cut. Boulliabaise was also a disappointment. Mussels were quite tasty. French onion soup was also delicious. Very pleasant service in a pleasant, slightly funky, intimate setting. Overall definitely not worth the price or a return visit.
(2)
Michelle K.

I absolutely love going here for the mussels and fries (they have so many different broths to choose from), but they also have delicious savory crepes and giant pastries that fulfill your daily caloric and carbohydrate recommendations but I don't care because they're that good. I think the service is great. The enclosed patio is alright, but a lot could be done to improve the ambiance. If you're in the mood for unassuming and casual French fare, I recommend this place.
(4)
Melissa W.

I usually come here for brunch or lunch, but when I make it there for dinner I'm never disappointed. Affordable, check. Delicious, check. Great service, check. If you show up on a weekend evening or on a Sunday in the middle of brunch without a reservation, then expect a little bit of a wait, but that's just a testiment to the quality of their food. I usually get start with the mussels, which come a variety of ways (and with unlimited frites). Don't pass them up. I love that their menu is constantly changing., but they always offer a vegetarian option a few "safer" options if you have someone with you that is uncertain about ordering traditional French fare. And always, always, save room for dessert.
(5)
Eric T.

Le Central is one of my favorite restaurants in Denver and has been for many years. They consistently have great food and a casual atmosphere. On my last visit there were 6 of us. I started off with the Escargots en Brioche, which is snails with bread, butter, and lots of garlic then baked. One of my favorites! I then had a Cesar salad, which I know is kind of simple, but I really enjoy the anchovies that come with it. Mmmm, furry fish. My main course was the Cotes d'Agneau. It was lamb chops with lavender jus and vegetables on the side. The chops were a little small but seasoned very well and the lavender was not overpowering. Finally dessert. I had the gateau chocolat. It is a wonderful flourless chocolate cake with a raspberry sauce. I could only eat about half as it was very sweet, but overall very good meal. The menu changes often and always includes something vegetarian, meat, and fish. So pop in at a Denver landmark and have a glass of wine, some cheese, and a great meal!
(4)
Sasha S.

The food here is consistently good. I'm tempted to give five stars after my recent visit. They have a really interesting variety of preparations for GIANT plates of mussels. I selected the dish with white wine, shallots, and blue cheese. It was fan-freaking-tastic people. Did I mention that it came with a heapin' helpin' of frites? I would punch my granny in the nose for a great plate of fries. One star off because the space needs a serious spring cleaning. But, will happily go back soon for the food. Service is fair to excellent depending on who/what/where.
(4)
James G.

Wow, the place seems to have really have gotten their act together service wise, tonight meal pretty much negated any negative reviews I had, I'm glad too, since we really love the muscles. Our waiter Scott was very accommodating & a pro, even to our kids. We will definitely be back soon.
(4)
Bob P.

A very dear friend took me to this very comfortable venue. We ordered the mussels. They are served in a variety of liquids & come with pomme frites. The quantity of both is enough for two, but since we both are huge fans of steamed mussels, we each got our own bucket. I did not finish the frites & when I told the waitress, she said that I could have made a substitute for a salad -- what a bargain; all for $10 The wine is devine and the whole experience is most memorable.
(5)
Brooke B.

I love grabbing dinner with a friend here. The ambiance is wonderful and the food rocks. Because I'm on a budget.. I found that a friend and I could split a bucket of mussels ($10) and each get a glass of wine and still have a nice dinner out without breaking the bank. I haven't had anything else, but the mussels are AMAZING!
(5)
Alden C.

Good good good food! Anything you get here will be amazing! Woo Hoo!
(4)
Isibella A.

Ah Le Central...Such a love hate relationship. See how I give you 5 stars yet hate you. Le Central is a rustic combination of french cooking and comfort food. But ignore the rest of the menu (though the brie is delicious) Everyone comes here for the mussels and don't let them tell you otherwise. Perfectly reasonably priced the mussels are good, before coming to Colorado I was spoilt by the juicy mussels in Europe, and since coming here in this landlocked state I was afraid to touch anything fish or shell fish related. My urges got the best of me and le central was the place I went. Believe the reviews, the mussels are perfect, complimented by a side of unlimited fries. Now why does the hungry kitten hate Le central you say? The wait staff and the kitchen are beyond disconnected. Expect the worst wait service of your life, and perhaps then it wont feel so bad while you're there. The waiters are slow and one is obnoxious (Perfect combination right?) Couple this with very busy evenings/lunches and suddenly you find yourself waiting hours for a table. I am told by older foodie friends, that once apon a time Le central was in perfect harmony with it's service and food. Let us hope this is not a sign of the end and simply a turbulent period. Either way, I'll still be back on Saturday for your mussels. The hungry kitten says: Go here for your mussel fix, no where else in Denver will do.
(5)
Dawn B.

I had a major craving for mussels last night so headed out to Le Central. Had heard about the $10 buckets - great deal! Many 'flavors' to choose from - i.e.: traditional, Spicy Italian, etc. They were excellent! All the pomme frites you can eat goes along with the deal. Overall the menu is very reasonable - from the wine list to the menu.
(4)
Marv M.

A phenomenal disappointment, after having previously enjoyed meals there. The reason: A terrible waitress, Jessica. We asked for the owner's name, which she would not provide and said the manager would come speak with us (he never did). So, for a second time, I asked for the owner's name, again she declined to provide it. On the way out of the restaurant, I asked the manager on duty for the owner's name, he refused. Guess they don't want any service problems to be presented to the owner by a customer.
(1)
Jenna A.

I've never had French food before but I was happily surprised when I went there on a first date in February. I had never had mussels but after researching the menu online, I figured we would get some. Everything was perfect: the wine, the food, the ambiance and the guy. I'd recommend this for any first or 20th date! It's inexpensive fine dining and a little adventurous. He got the rabbit and I got the veggie pasta dish. We ate so much of the delicious bread and mussels, we were full by the time the entree came! My recommendation for date night...get something without a lot of garlic! ;)
(4)
Lori P.

Le Central, you had me at your $3 lunch desserts !! The flourless chocolate cake was to die for ! I'm so glad I found this adorable place ! Our lunch was amazing and I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were ! Unbelievable inexpensive ! I will be back for sure !
(4)
Ryan G.

Went for dinner. I LOVED the atmosphere and the staff was really cool. Awesome place for a lovely romantic date. It worked for me. We got the escargo, the blue cheese mussels, and some steak dish. The escargo was good. The steak was decent. But they were French typical - nothing special, kinda weird, but worth the price at this very reasonably priced place. And face it, you are going French in order to be weird. The mussels however - their specialty - we had to SPIT nearly half of them out for being rancid. Didn't finish the dish, and got comped by it. That left enough of a bad feeling in my mouth so to speak that they only get 3 stars. I am a big fan of atmosphere and understand that the 'food' can be both a situational thing AND vary for people. And especially with their reasonable prices, it is probably worth another shot in the future given the rest there is so cool. So I'd say - give it a shot, but don't expect to come away saying it was the best food you ever had - just enjoy the experience.
(3)
Kady T.

This place is so good! But one time I came here and the lady sitting at the table next to us had a stroke and had to be carried out on a stretcher. So I guess don't eat here too often. All that butter. Woof.
(5)
Hannah P.

My girlfriend and I have been on the search for the best brunch in Denver and I think we may have found it this weekend. The ambiance is amazing. The omelet was one of the best ever (I have the mushroom she had the caprese). My only complaint was that the mimosas were weak and pricey (4.50 each). They should have a 3$ special brunch price (in my humble opinion). I can't wait to come back to this Denver gem for dinner (or maybe even a cooking class)
(4)
Derek W.

After living in the neighborhood and going past here many many times we finally made an outing here for my birthday last night. I can say this was a phenomenal meal that will definitely have me coming back for more!! We ordered the mussels which is a must here. Even if you're getting regular meals you still need to order the mussels as a table appetizer! We had the Italienne (hot and spicey) and the Mariniere (white wine, garlic, shallots). Some of the best mussels and the bucket is only $9.99 with unlimited french fries! Afterwards we each ordered dessert. The creme brulee, bread pudding, tiramisu, and the flourless chocolate cake. Mmmmmmm! All VERY good!!! Another plus is this place is very affordable. Yes they have their expensive plates like all restaurants do, but in general this is definitely one of the best meals I've had this affordable. The wait staff is fantasic! Friendly and attentive! I will mention though that if you are coming for dinner like we did you may want to call ahead for a reservation. This place is very popular. I will definitely be returning!!
(5)
Emily P.

Love Le Central! My mom and I go there for lunch all the time. Great prices and great food. DO NOT miss the Pineau des Charentes (I'm probably spelling that wrong). It's a dessert wine, cognac, deity nectar, or something in between and next to impossible to find in a liquor store (unless you ask me where... ;). French onion soup is fab, salads are all wonderful, entree dishes are all wonderful. It feels pretty European to me, and quite a breath of fresh French air in a world of Chili's and Applebee's. Bon appetite!
(5)
Celia S.

Amazing French Brunch, Great Mussels with unltd Fries, All you can drink mimosas--Combined with the feeling of eating at Grandma's House...It really doesn't get any better!! I had to walk around the place a few times to find the 'right' door for the entrance-they have about 10, honestly! It was a great pre-meal work out! This place is big, but it has a very warm and homey feel about it. Nice exposed brick and a quaint little kitchen bar to the left! It almost feels as if your dining in a French country-side Estate! The brunch menu has so many options to choose from, everything I have tried here has been superb! The service and food is always consistently great! If you plan on getting the mussels make sure you come HUNGRY--they are a a huge portion with fries and you also have the pre-meal bread! Great place to come to for some good food therapy after any long weekend! There is always a wait BUT it is most certainly worth it!!
(5)
Moon L.

Went here for my weekly lunch date with my husband. WONDERFUL polite service and the food was oh so rich and delicious. I cant wait to come back and try the mussels I keep hearing about and I spied some french onion soup that I have a feeling may tickle my fancy. I'd like to come back when we have more time.
(4)
Robert M.

Not a bad experience, probably more like a 3.5 rating. The prices here can't be beat. Large portions for inexpensive prices. First, the wines. I wouldn't recommend wine here by the glass, pretty weak selection. By the bottle has a much better selection. I started out with a wine flight of an 05 Cab, an 05 Vin de Pays, an 05 Shiraz and an 04 Rhone. The cab was like gasoline, stay away. The Shiraz had practically no nose but a semi decent finish. The Rhone was light and weak. The Vin de Pays was probably the best of the flight, but not full bodied like the description says. No licorice, mostly a cherry finish but a decent finish. We decided to get a bottle of 04 ChÃ¢teau-Neuf-du-Pape since the glass selection wasn't that great. This hit the spot. Full bodied, beautiful nose and a lingering finish. For dinner I had the Steak Robert au Poivre...which is a decent sized rib-eye with a peppercorn glaze. The peppercorn glaze was decent. The rib-eye was more grizzled than marbled. They didn't hit my requested temperature correctly and it was a bit chewy. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't fantastic either. The glaze was decent and so was the mash. I think the desserts were the hit of the night. The best of the lot was the Creme Brulee. The flavor just popped. One of the best I've had anywhere. The Creme Caramel was a flan with decent flavor. The Le GÃ¢teau au Chocolat was a layered rum cake with fresh creme and was probably my 2nd favorite of the night. The Pot de Creme was basically a chocolate Creme Brulee which was pretty good as well. Overall a decent dining experience but probably wouldn't be a repeat visit for me.
(3)
Jake V.

Le Central does what it says on the tin: affordable french food, done well. The mussels are a fantastic deal (ask for french mustard with your frites). The wine list is well-rounded and cheap. The fixed price menus are varied and often a great dinner out. Sit in the back porch if you can.
(5)
Ken L.

On my first visit of this place, I would give it 5 stars based on the delicious lamb chop, mussels and escargot. However, it seems that the last three times, the other food items were much inferior in quality and I didn't enjoy it as much. For me, I would stick to the following: mussells and fries (no kidding!), the escargot in burginon sauce with mushrooms, ribeye (if they had it that day) and finish with a good creme brulee'. I maintain a 4 star just based on these items only.
(4)
Arlyn C.

Very disappointed here.. I have a fondness for french cuisine and had high hopes for this place. Nothing we ordered was tasty at all. Everything was extremely bland and had to pour on the salt for any dimension. The mussles tasted like they had been brewing in plain water and if you've had mussles before, the best part is when you soak your bread in the broth. No thank you. I would have had soggy bread. The scallops weren't even cooked well. Felt like someone just pulled it out of the freezer and microwaved it. I tried a bit of my friend's dish, something meat with a gastrique sauce. Interesting, but not in a good way.. Didn't order dessert because what was the point? And who doesn't order dessert at a french place? The only good thing, was the ambience and the service. It did remind me of a little cafe in the Bastille region of Paris. Somewhere off of the Robert Lenoix street.. Our server was fabulous, but just didn't have the heart to tell him the food was terrible. Sounds like this place is a hit or miss, and unfortunately, it was a big miss for me....
(1)
Nicole M.

Another great experience at Le Central. Went again for brunch with some girlfriends and again everything was fabulous! I almost ordered my go-to, the mussels, as they are always amazing but then..I saw...IT! The Monte Cristo. I have been on the hunt for a good, no great Monte Cristo sandwich but have only been let down. Le Central was one of the only restaurants I've seen that actually does it right - with the raspberry jam on the side. It honestly makes the sandwich, again assuming the sandwich is done right. Man oh man was it EVER done right! First off, you get a huge sandwich made perfectly, a small salad with their amazing house dressing, and you even get fries. Another thing I liked was that they don't put powdered sugar on their monte cristo - I always thought this was overkill with the raspberry jam you really don't need it. I also ordered a bloody Mary and that too was quite good - they even do bottomless bloody Mary's or mimosas (made with your choice of three juice options) for $9!!! I would like to say I'd love to go back for dinner but brunch honestly has my heart. I must take the BF I really think he's missing out and I highly doubt he'd say no.
(5)
jay b.

Like some of the other reviewers, my experience here has been a little hit or miss. When it's good, it can be damn good.. but when it's bad... well...yeah. And, let me qualify that to be totally clear: they are actually very consistent and delicious with their brunch, but not as much around the dinner menu. For example, I've had the mussels when they were quite excellent, but also when they were pretty awful. It's a little puzzling why it varies so much. Overall I like it a lot here (in large part because of the super-quaint, romantic atmosphere of the building and decor) but I think I will stick with brunch for the most part in future visits since it's so awesome and dinner seems a bit of a crapshoot. Still...I'm sure I'll be back sometime this year.
(3)
Beth M.

I wish we had 1) lived in Denver long enough to eat here at least twice, and 2) not come on a night when we were too stressed to enjoy ourselves (not the fault of the restaurant). Had the cassoulet...amazing. Would have loved it more if I weren't weeping into it. The poor waiter picked that moment to come check on us. He spent the rest of the evening tiptoing around our table. Wine was good--again, not my best moment, so fuzzy on the details. The cassoulet was outstanding reheated at home--comforting, meaty, spicy, warm. I'd love to give it another go some time. Perhaps with another dinner companion...:D
(4)
Karli F.

Simply put, for the price, this place is great! You can get a huge bucket of mussels (prepared in an array of methods) and unlimited frites for only $9.99 during lunch OR dinner! We had the formage (blue cheese) and I found them to be quite nice. There were probably 40 mussels in the bucket. I've also had the Epinard salad, which was missing the egg for some reason. I liked it, but I make it better so next time I'll order something different. For dinner I had the Beef Bourgonion. It was delish! It was hearty and warm and perfect for a chilly fall or winter evening. My companions had the filet, lobster bisque and a seafood dish. They all commented on the food, saying it was good. I'll be back to Le Central, but for the money I don't think there's any reason to order anything except the mussels, unlimited frites, and don't forget to ask for plenty of bread to soak up the mussel juice! YUM!
(4)
Ms. gumby W.

My go-to place for mussels and fries. Super yummy and very reasonably priced. Plus a great atmosphere, like a French inn in the midst of downtown Denver.
(5)
David C.

For the bucket of mussels and the awesome French baguettes, 5 stars. The mussels have got to be a loss leader for them, at $9.99, that's about what I'd have to pay in a supermarket, plus they throw in unlimited fries, bread, etc., this menu item can't possibly break even. Are there economies of scale to mussel steaming? The baguettes are wonderful, and it took a lot of willpower not to devour the complimentary bread basket at the start of dinner, but listen to the advice of others: SAVE IT FOR THE SAUCE. About halfway through the mussels you will find some divinely flavored broth. We had the Normandy, which was a cream and mushroom combo. Infused with mussel juices, and sopped up in chunks of baguette, the broth was manna. However, the prix fixe menu was a let down. The tongue and tomato appetizer was prepared well, with shaved thin slices of tongue dolloped with cool stewed tomatoes. The rest of the meal, however, was blah. The veal dish could have passed for an undercooked hamburger patty. The Bibb salad was a pile of lettuce that would have pleased perhaps a rabbit. The peach Melba was unremarkable. Lesson learned, "affordable French" means ordering a la carte. Since we're new to the neighborhood, we were very glad to find a place with excellent rustic (~Provencal) French cuisine, the $2 baguette will be a constant draw. Looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu, especially the Ile flottant.
(4)
Leslie R.

Had I been asked last week what I thought of Le Central...it would've been Hell's yeah you should go there. However, that would be based on one time for brunch. I remember it being really good and leaving there thinking I don't have to eat again for a few days. However, I just went there for my birthday really wanting to try their mussels. When we arrived(after 8pm on a Saturday) the restaurant was extremely warm inside. It took awhile just to cool down from our walk there. If they have A/C, they definitely should use it. Our server was not very helpful and appeared uninterested. I had asked about the bouillabaisse as it sounded really good on the menu. Had she merely reiterated what the menu said, I would've been all over it. Instead it was described as a fish stew. I know what a bouillabaisse is...I wanted to know more about theirs, was it any good? So, instead I ordered the mussels and unlimited frites. Le Central describes themselves as "affordable French Cuisine." I think now I know why. The mussels. Were. Disgusting. I buy mussels all the time from Seafood Landing and cook them at home. Not once have I gotten a mussel from there that tastes like the sea, or pooh. Fail Le Central. The mussels I ordered tasted like the sea and often like pooh. I didn't finish them for a reason. My friend ate maybe three. Our server not only didn't ask us if we enjoyed our food, neither did she notice we didn't eat it. Now I do have to say another one of my friend's ordered the sea bass and liked it. So my recommendation: Never order the mussels there and if you can avoid it, don't go for dinner in the summer when it's hot. You will not be escaping the heat nor will you enjoy your food.
(2)
Mark S.

Things you must know about Le Central: 1. Outside is pretty. 2. Inside looks bland with not very good art on the wall. 3. Service was inattentive and did not fill water. 4. Bread was bought from King Soopers and heated up in oven before served. 5. Reasonable prices for food. You get some unique dishes for the price. 6. Quality of food is hit or miss. The $10 vegetarian platter was not well seasoned, to salty, had dirty greens in it, and not tasty. 7. Would only reccommend the mussels. 8. One vegetarian options on the menu. 9. Street parking. 10. I honestly had great expecatations for this restaurant and it left me feeling bland with no reason to return. 11. Would not come back except for mussels (which am in no hurry to come back for.)
(3)
Jenni M.

Well, it makes me feel bad to be writing a bad review for a place that I've gone for years, but people have to know. I like the food here, have always had a good time, but they've implemented a new "bottomless" mimosa brunch (and a new manager too, for all I know) and you need to know not to believe it. It is in fact, not bottomless. It's 7 very small, very weak mimosas over the course of 2 and 1/2 hours and then they'll cut you off. Even if you're not beligerant, even if you're nothing but polite to the wait staff, even if you're very patient with the fact that they're busy. You'll be cut off by the manager who calls it a "liability". My friends and I were very disappointed and will not be coming back for "bottomless" anything ever again.
(1)
Joseph H.

Always great service and great food.
(4)
raul z.

I was in town visiting some friends and she took me to this very charming place. The ambiance is nice. We sat in the "inside/outside" part (which is the back section of the restaurant, like a deck, with plenty of windows). The server was very friendly, accommodating and professional. Here is "Le Central" menu concept: it changes daily. The menu includes a different type of meat (lamb, chicken, beef or pork), fish and vegetarian dishes all cooked with different sauces and side dishes. In addition, to help with the budget conscious person, they also offer a "price fix" menu with a choice of an appetizer, main course and dessert for $19.95. As it was a very cold day, we order soups to warm up. I ordered the onion soup which was very rich, creamy, cheesy and delicious. My friend order another soup which was not that good but our very accommodating and friendly server changed it right away to the onion soup. We also order the warm brie appetizer with toasted baguette which was super delicious. I ordered a French martini to start with and it was one of the best ones I've had. Then we switch to the house red wine and it was even nicer. For the main course, I wanted the "price fix" menu entree which it was not available in the 'a la carte' choices. The very accommodating and friendly server spoke to the chef and they allowed me to have the "ribs" from the 'price fix' as an 'a la carte' dish. The meat was so tender that it just melted in my mouth, but the only problem was that it was quite a bit of fat in the meat but I still ate most of it. The side veggies, spatzele and red wine sauce was amazingly good! We had friends join us later for drinks and desserts. Our table of 4 became a table for 8 and we all order coffee, tea, more wine, and plenty of desserts: the creme brulee, the chocolate cheesecake and chocolate mousse. They were all delicious and we all enjoyed every moment of our stay at Le Central. The Final Verdict: Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 5.0 out of 5.0 Staff Service/Friendliness/Professionalism : 5.0 out of 5.0 Seating Arrangement/Layout: 5.0 out of 5.0 Seating Comfort: 5.0 out of 5.0 Food Quality/Flavor: 4.5 out of 5.0 Food Price Value: 4.5 out of 5.0 Wine/Alcohol Selection: 5.0 out of 5.0 Wine/Alcohol Price Value: 4.5 out of 5.0 Bathrooms Cleanliness: 5.0 out of 5.0 Final Score: 43.5 out of 45 (97 out of 100% or A+ grade) Final Comment: A great place that, with the constant menu changes, will keep you guessing and amazed as to how they can keep a ever changing menu and the quality of the food so high. The wine and martinis selection is superb. Desserts is worth having. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Jennifer J.

Many Americans fail to appreciate a leisurely dinner. When I go to a restaurant featuring the cuisine of another country where meals are experiences to be savored, I don't expect to be in and out in an hour. France is one such country. Le Central does an excellent job of conveying the essence of country French cuisine (which is one of my favorites). They offer a seasonal menu that contains many of the dishes that you would expect to see. Their wine selection is also extensive. The mussels made a fabulous hors d'oeuvre since we all wanted to give them a try. We also had the FeuilletÃ© d'Escargots and Escargots Bourguignons. Both were decadently rich and full of flavor. My main course was Escalope de Veau Zingara. After having such wonderful appetizers I was a little disappointed by the veal. It was barely warm and the breading was soggy, as if it had been pan fried in a pan that was not hot enough. The potatoes were the most appetizing item on my plate. My husband's Bouillabaisse du Central was much better than I expected it to be. It had loads of seafood and a perfect broth. Our server seemed eager to please, but his strong French accent created more than a few "pardon me, but can you repeat that" moments. Once we told him we had to leave by a certain time, he went out his way to accommodate this. The entire restaurant was packed to the hilt, and we definitely got a much more quiet and out of the way table by having a reservation. I would hate to be stuck in the foyer area with my table practically in the lap of the other patrons waiting for a table. I will definitely return, but I'll try the Boeuf Bourguignon, which my friend said was delicious.
(4)
Emily J.

Very cute environment! Good food. Worth a try!
(4)
Grace C.

The food wasn't bad and the service fairly good. HOWEVER, they told us they had no record of our gift card so the $$ we had on there couldn't be used. If you can't keep track of your gift cards, don't sell them! I was very disappointed by that. I know for a fact we had $50 on the card but their shoddy records prevented the use of it, thus losing our money. And business.
(2)
Ghostfaceknitter W.

I just love this place and I have for years - ever since I decided I was supposed to be born in Paris but something obviously went wrong. The entrees are affordable and lovely - I am always excited to see what seasonal dish(es) will be on the menu. But my love is the bucket of moullets (muscles). They are always just wonderful I have tried almost every style that they come in and I am never disappointed. Plus the all you can eat frites that accompanying the bucket is great - although I have never really eaten all of them as the portion of muscles is huge! I've had certain wines on the wine list, nothing so great I could remember it - but I am not really an experienced wine drinker. I do however love their prepared drinks menu and have never been disappointed with a cocktail from there. Plus the service is always great. I like would like to comment that for dinners and special events (I've done french 5-8 course meals and etiquette dinners here before with the University of Denver) the service is seamless and beautiful. Reservations for brunch and dinner are a must!
(5)
Melissa M.

One of my favorite restaurants, hands down. I'm not huge into mussels, but HAVE to have them here, they have a garlic/white wine sauce that is to die for. Once in awhile my boyfriend and I will come here and get mussels, and share a salad and a glass of wine for a light dinner and keeping the meal pretty inexpensive. It is definitely romantic, I like sitting out in the area where they have the terrace, just feels all "Frenchy". The only down part is sometimes the service isn't all that great sometimes, I got attitude one time so maybe it's true to France in that respect...ha ha I digress. Since they change their menu quite often, some favorites I've had has definitely been their flank steak and beef bourgunon (sp). Also, the duck salad (i think the duck is on the regular menu). LOVED the duck salad - deeelicious and filling. Also the frites are wonderful too. I love taters!
(5)
Alex B.

One of the best places to eat in Denver. Especially during 5280 week and their 3-course meal specials are amazing. Be sure to save room for dessert. Must try the bread pudding.
(4)
Maggie B.

I met some girlfriends for brunch this weekend at Le Central. It was my first time eating here and I am so glad we did! The waffles and other pancake like stuff are wonderful and they have bottomless drinks for $9. The egg sandwich plates looked great too. The syrup was delicious and their orange butter on the waffles is amazing. I'm told the mussels are one of the best things there but unfortunately no one got any try. The service took a little longer than I would have expected but they had a full house when we went and big tables so I think they were just really busy. Also, the parking lot is $5 (cash only) and it a little tricky to find but it's off Lincoln St.
(4)
Ashley H.

I came here for a lunch meeting with about 5 other people. They were good about keeping our reservation as we were all a few mins late. We were quickly seated in a little outcropping of what appeared to be a bedroom in an old house. We were handed a menu that was made for just that day which was nice because we knew the food we were going to get would be fresh. Everything sounded amazing and the pricing was very fair. I ordered the steak sandwich while others ordered a chicken sandwich and salads. They were more than accommodating to the 2 people in the group with allergies to gluten. Our waitress took the time to go over everything that they could enjoy. Our food was a little slow getting to us but the places did start to fill up fast. So that was understandable. Everything was delicious I will say that, though the steak sandwich is better if taken apart as the bits of steak are too big to just bight through. And with lunch pricing between $8-11 it's a great value for you buck. I will also say if you like mussels this is the place to go. Half the menu is devoted to them. Also show up a little early. It will likely take you a little while to find parking.
(4)
PAUL S.

Ive been here a few times over my years in Denver, so when we received a gift certificate from friends thought we would revisit. The veal I ordered was tasteless and the flour goop it was sauteed in was yucky. I should have remembered that the best food here are the moules and frites and the desserts. The onion soup was OK but Paneras is better (my wife's words) I was looking forward to a cup of coffee and it was just weak and cold
(2)
Jeff R.

Place is great. Unpretentious, great french cuisine - at very fair prices. The mussels are great - vivid flavors, quality shellfish and a wide variety of styles to choose from. Service has been very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable of the product. Just go.
(4)
Brittany C.

Oh, mussels. I like you anyway, but when you come to me in a giant bucket surrounded by perfect French french fries and dripping in delicious sauces, I love you even more. I had heard wonderful things about Le Central before I visited, and was lucky enough to finally try it this weekend. We started with drinks (the wine menu offers some really affordable AND delicious wines. I ordered the Cotes de Gascogne because I feel you can never go wrong with white wine. Now, I am not a seasoned wine drinker and am not trained to recognize the subtleties of the wine characteristics, but this one was great. It was very citrusy, which I thought went nicely with the chicken. If you don't know what to get, try that one! We chose the Saffran musses and they were, without a doubt, the tastiest mussels I have ever ordered (they were rather sandy, but I suppose that's par for the course if you order most seafood.) Now, the dinner: we ordered a roasted chicken and sausage meal with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. De-lic-ious. Bonus: they allow you to split an entree (which costs an extra $2.50) but unless you are starving and/or capable of eating heaping portions of food, I recommend this if you are ordering any appetizers. Even after splitting the entree, I was still unable to finish it. I advise you to make eating here a priority if you are a fan of mussels and wine.
(5)
Becca W.

I've been to Le Central twice. Once at lunch, and second at dinner. Lets just say I definitely like it better during lunch time!! I went last summer for lunch, but I still remember everything. I got a pasta! Seafood pasta. It was delicious :) Dinner time... Its more pricier then lunch time. Also not as appetizing. I tried a mussel, and it tasted fishy!! My plate was not very good at all. Actually it was disgusting. I barely touched it. I ate all the vegetables, basically that's it, and I was starving. I forgot what it was called, but it was Tuna, with a ginger sauce. The ginger sauce turned out to be some maroon bitter ginger jelly, under the tuna filet. I was with two other people, they tried it and even they didn't like it. It was sooo bad, the waitress had to take it away. For the service, I guess it was alright. As our waitress was cleaning up the dirty plates at the end of dinner, she dropped a steak knife on me! It could have cut me up!! Jk, it just got a little bit of sauce on my hair. But she wasn't that apologetic about it. Which I find kind of rude. Maybe I'll be back, for LUNCH.
(3)
Chuck B.

While there was a long wait, we didn't make reservations so I cannot fault them for making great food. While waiting my fiancÃ©e and I had some wine and just enjoyed talking. First course we split the onion soup which was amazing. Then we got a salad which was very good and the oysters and fries. I had never had oysters, but I really enjoyed them. Finally, we had creme brulee and chocolate mousse. Both of which were delicious and complemented each other well. The best part all of this was under $35! Great service and great food. Make reservations though.
(5)
Will H.

Having just got back from France and still being in the froggie state of mind 'food and booze wise'... My girl and I decided to check out Le Central and give our mutual favourite 'Bistro Vendome' a skip. We were the annoying people who sat and said [on a Friday no less]...hey we've got a show to catch... can you get us out of here in 45...? Cool server said yes...and yes he did..... Pastis and french beer.... Lovely App's.... Excellent Entree's even better, Service ..... couldn't have been better...... Salty ... but friendly... ol' kitchen guy added a flavor of authenticity to it all I'll definitely be back..............great value..... compared to it's peers!
(4)
Alexandra S.

We had reservations and then had to wait for 40 minutes! The only reason we stayed was because they kept saying 20 min. It ended up being a delicious meal but the service was very poor (we had to ask for water twice). I'd give 1 star if it wasn't for the food.
(2)
Veronica C.

A classic and a favorite for EXCEPTIONAL value and service. I love the food, the prices, the wine, and a service-savvy manager I consistency see there. When was the last time *the manager* of a restaurant visited your table to ensure an outstanding experience? I can see why this place is in business for 30+ years by the same owner. Thank you Le Central for valuing service as much as food.
(5)
Brad B.

This place is a gem. Plain and simple. The value for money here is quite high. There was nothing that we ate that I can describe in any other way than very good. And. One particular high point - $38 bottle of chateau-neuf-de-pape on the wine menu. yeah. gimme two. I will definitely visit Le Central anytime I can for totally solid french food in a relaxed environment.
(5)
Andy B.

Le Central is probably my favorite place to eat lunch in all of Denver. Their sandwiches will blow your mind right out of it's skull, as will the crem brulee.
(5)
KT T.

Le Central was reccomended by a co-worker for brunch and another friend insisted that their mussels and frites were amazing. I love mussels, so I was anxious to go. When my date suggested we go there for dinner one night, I could barely contain my excitement! The ambiance was lovely, slightly romantic, without being pretentious. The mussels: so yummy and obviously fresh. The preparation was simple yet delicious. We also had some chocolate mouse for dessert, which was tasty as well. I have a feeling I'll be coming back for more!
(4)
Jason R.

Horrible, horrible service, sloppy restaurant and mediocre food. Came here for the first time on a Wednesday night. Restaurant was about half full and we were greeted politely by the manager, and waitress once we sat down...It was down hill from there. After placing an order for an appetizer, the waitress disappeared. Another server deliver the appetizer, which we finished before she came back to take our food order. After waiting for 45minutes with empty glasses and two starving kids, she stopped by to let us know the kitchen had lost our ticket but the food was being made asap. Another 20 minutes passes and our food finally comes out. I had the monkfish which was unseasoned and over cooked and sitting on a pile of dried out polenta and cold ragout. In addition to the 1 hour plus wait for our food, we sat surrounded by unbussed tables throughout our entire meal. At 9pm, the waitress asked us if we would like the dessert that is included with our kids meals, but we declined due to the long wait and time of evening. When we received the check, there was no courtesy discount of any kind despite the lost food ticket, inattentive service and partial delivery of our kids meals. At this point I decided to let the manger know how disappointed I was with our experience, to which he apologized and explained they are understaffed he was unaware of the degree of our service and food issues. He then offered me a gift certificate for another time. I declined and he returned with a modified check with $15 dollars worth of drinks removed, leaving us with a $75 tab for one of the worst dining experiences I have had in a long time. I will not be back.
(1)
Tina E.

Amazing mussels Normandy. Broth was out of control. The baked chicken with prosciutto and spinach and goat cheese was absolutely amazing. Slow Service since they forgot our reservation, and it was Bastille day, but the food was out of this world. I don't recommend the french onion soup. Cheese was burnt. But what a fabulous French meal for soooo cheap!!! Oh, and be warned, this place is in an old house so the cooling system is not so great. You will be sweating if you go during the summer.
(4)
Lara W.

Oh, Le Central...my dear old friend! I do not award you 5 Yelpin' stars for your food, which is delicious, but I have dined at eateries that far surpass your humble menu. And yet I commend you for your consistency, your earnestness and frankly for nostalgia. My first experience with you was when my 10th grade French class took a field trip to your humble home. I was delighted with the food and the illusion that I had somehow been transported to a quaint Provencal cottage. And still you have remained my favorite stop for girls nights out, family Sunday brunch, romantic date nights, and escape from work lunches. Your food is not over-the-moon....not nouveau. But it is hearty and honest and comforting. Like your grandmother's cooking...if you had a lovely French grandmother with a flair in the kitchen! My old friend, you have been there to warm me with a bowl of your rich Bouillabaisse. Delight me with your sweet and sticky Pain Perdu. Or just wake me up on a lazy Sunday with your $3 Mimosas! Not to mention that you have no hang ups about the little ones coming along, unlike some of the uber-hip hot spots downtown. No, my dear Le Central, you open the doors of your cozy and relaxed maison to all, young and old. And that is why, with all the great places to eat in Denver, I cannot quit you my old friend! Ã bientot, mon ami!
(5)
M L.

We've always enjoyed our visits -- great musssels, good crusty bread and other items -- BUT a recent visit was disappointing. I ordered two things I know how to make and have had elsewhere -- boeuf bourgignon and chocolate souffle -- and neither was good. The beef burgundy had green peppers in it instead of the carrots and pearl onions mentioned in its description (and which other recipes contain) and the chocolate souffle was just plain eggwhites accompanied by a little pitcher of chocolate syrup (not sauce). I was really surprised. The beef was also tougher than is the standard for a slow-cooked beef stew, and the burgundy sauce was flat. I'd made beef burgundy a few weeks earlier, and it's work, but worth it. This restaurant should do better on such a staple. That said, we still like the place and we'll go back because of our other experiences there.
(3)
Anne B.

This place is so fantastic I hesitate to write a review lest my secret gem of denver be overrun by yelpers. But alas here it is... JE T'AIME LE CENTRAL MON PETIT CHOU The food is savory and delicious, every bite is a treat to your taste-buds. In addition you don't have to be as rich as Carla Bruni to dine here because its all really affordable. especially for french cuisine; especially good french cuisine. This place combines my love of breakfast, my love of delicious french food and my petite pocketbook in perfect harmony. C'est magnifique
(5)
Tim T.

It's okay, the food is fine, needs air conditioning and little updating and cleaning
(3)
Nancy M.

I always forget about this little gem when I am in town so now that it is on my radar, I will visit more often. I like that they create a menu everyday so that there is always something new. I like sitting in the 1st room with the bar and seeing all the action. The wait staff is always really knowledgeable about the menu items and the wine. Speaking of wine, this place has a very reasonable price for nice wine and I have never been disappointed. We had the onion soup , which is yummy along with the fresh bread. My companion ordered the mussels and instead of a dozen or so, he must have had 3 or 4 dozen. What a bargain! There are lots of interesting rooms to dine in so find one that fits your mood and be prepared to have a wonderful dining experience!
(4)
N B.

One of my favorite places to visit when I am in Denver. It's down-to-earth and unpretentious. Just good, reasonably priced country French fare. Any one of the many mussels buckets with 2 side green salads is a perfect lunch for two. Be sure to save some of your bread to sop up the broth at the bottom!
(5)
Rebeca R.

Yummers w/a European flair! I love this place, and their vibe! It is not pretentious or insanely expensive. They have tasty dishes, amazing mussels, and fabulous drinks. It is in a fun atmosphere and I crave their menu often! I recommend reservations highly. It is a haphazard (authentic European) design, which does not lend itself to strollers or those with limited mobility. There are stairs and a tiny entry and the whole place is kind of a squeeze, but se la vie. There are beaucoup mussels and fries with an order, but I eat them all every time as they are insanely delicious. I also recommend a dirty vodka martini and the chocolate mousse. I have also gone there for dessert and drinks, and it was quite enjoyable! They have a fab sunday brunch and specialties throughout the year. If you have a hankerin for some Euro food, this local haunt will fit the bill nicely!
(5)
ryan f.

Food to Price ratio is outstanding. First off, Moule Frites with unlimited frites for $10 is a great deal period. And they give you a ton of mussels to boot. Monday and Tuesday are lobster day, and the lobster is quite good (we did thermador last time). Thursday's are soufflÃ©'s, haven't been yet but I plan to as they do a Gran Marnier (my favorite). Portions are generous, flavors are good. Great wine list with reasonable wine prices (apparently not every restaurant needs to make 200% on a bottle of wine). We have been a handful of times now and each time the service was friendly, not a long wait and great tasting food. Add in a reasonable price for everything and I think Le Central deserves 4 stars easily.
(4)
Amanda P.

I've been here once for a dinner date, and twice for brunch. Love the enclosed patio, I really want to sit out there every time I go. The food is good, and cheap. I'm a midwestern, meat and potato girl, so French food is weird, and so...foreign. ;) LOVE the bottomless mimosas they have for brunch. Last time our waiter was really arrogant, like serving people was beneath him, and I could NOT understand his huge French accent, but maybe that's just how French people are. Not a place I want to be a regular at, but I'd still like to eat here once or twice a year.
(3)
Kym B.

Way back when, in my days of Service Industry Minionship, I applied for a server position at Le Central. Not only do they ask if you speak French (I do... -ish), but there's an actual written TEST on French cuisine and wine regions that they give potential employees! Now, I'm the first to admit that my French isn't perfect. My accent is particularly horrendous, because even though I CAN speak with the proper intonation and pronunciation, I choose not to. Why? Because to do so makes me feel like a huge, faux-classy, wanna-be poser. J'aime parler Francais comme une Texan, y'all. Soop dew Jew-ar, madame? Shockingly, I wasn't hired. Last night, some friends and I visited Le Central for dinner. I really wanted to love it! I'm a big fan of tasty mussels, and I've never met a bottomless plate of fries I didn't like. But when all was said and done, I was a bit underwhelmed. People have mentioned the sketchy service here, and yeah... we got that. We sat munching on bread for a good solid ten minutes before our server (French! He was actually French!) paid us a visit. We had a few questions about the wine list. Namely, how come there aren't any Pinot Gris/Grigios offered by the glass? I'm not a big wine drinker (save for Boone's Farm, as we know), but I do like a good Pinot G. I asked him to point out the most similar wine by the glass, silently daring him to pick the most expensive one (which, at $5 a pop, really wasn't all that expensive anyhow). Of course, he did. Worse, he didn't seem to know much about it or any of the other wines. When my friend asked about a variety of red, he rattled off the exact description that was printed right there on the wine list. Helpful, thanks. To start, I ordered the Chef's Soup, which was a Soupe Froide (cold) made from Asparagus, Avocado, Cucumber, Shrimp, and Scallops. It was decent, but I didn't taste any Avocado or Asparagus whatsoever. Nothing could get past the scream of the copious amounts of raw garlic within. No kidding... it was almost painful. One scallop and maybe three little shrimp swam in its green depths. My friend and I decided to each get a different variety of mussel dish to share. She ordered the curry one, and I, the one with fresh basil. When those buckets arrived... holy craziness! They were HUGE. We could've easily ordered one to split. Especially with unlimited Pommes Frites in the mix. Speaking of which, they were DELICIOUS. Fantastic fries. However, the unlimitedness of them might be up for debate, as our waiter never once stopped by to ask if we wanted more (even after both our portions were decimated quite handily). Not cool. One doesn't want to look like a glutton by having to flag down more fries like they're in some sort of Country Buffet! They should be discreetly offered. On to the mussels. I hate to say it, but I've had better. The curry-sauced one was definitely the better of the two, but even those were fishier than your average mussel should taste. Several of the little guys were gritty, and some didn't separate cleanly from the shell (toss 'em!). Thankfully, the sheer amount of mussels in the bucket allowed for each of us to eat our fill without worrying about the occasional throwaway. Even after we could eat no more, a sinful amount remained behind. Wasteful! And you can't take them home to eat the next day, because ick... bacteria. And ick... day-old mussels. I'm kind of bummed that it wasn't better, because really, it's a slammin' deal. If we go back, we now know to share a single bucket (the curry one) and perhaps an appetizer as well. Bone Apple-teat!
(3)
Matt B.

SO CHEAP! Great atmosphere. Get the mussels.
(4)
Stacie G.

My boyfriend and I chose Le Central for dinner based on it's 4-star rating on Yelp! Big, big mistake. The meal started off okay - pleasant waiter, nice wine, hot bread served right away and an array of delicious-sounding items to choose from on the menu. We had escargot, onion soup, mussels (safran) and salad (bergere?). The escargot seemed okay but they were swimming in a bowl of cream and butter. The onion soup was exceptionally salty. Also, if you don't like the taste or smell of rosemary, the onion soup is not for you. The mussels tasted strange and I'm not sure what it was but I might use the word bitter. They certainly were not fresh. I'm an idiot and ate them anyway. The fries that came with the mussels were tasteless and greasy. The salad looked pretty on its plate and was good. I can confirm there were quite alot of flies buzzing around but it was probably because we were sitting on the patio. About an hour later as we were driving back to Colorado Springs both of our stomachs started gurgling. Not good. I'll skip over the gory details. Suffice it to say we've both been in agony all night and almost 24 hours later our stomachs are still torn up. I'm giving Le Central a single star only because our waiter was nice and we enjoyed the bread and glass of wine. Never going back.
(1)
Jennifer S.

J'adore Le Central! Fabulous French food at totally reasonable prices. I love that we can buy bread from the bakery here to take home as well. And the way everyone raves about the mussels makes me really wish I enjoyed mussels. Everything I have ever eaten here has been spectacular and I make sure to take people here for lunch or brunch as often as possible.
(5)
Tiffany M.

I was hesitant to order mussels in Denver coming from a beach area but not only were they abundant (an order for 3 fed 7 of us!) they were delicious and less than 12.00 per person! Amazing, I will direct my friends there who visit Denver and it's now on my denver to do list...warning though that of you want a good beer with your dinner you will have a limited selection.
(5)
Ramon G.

A local french restaurant, enjoyed the variety of mussels, the servers were extremmely attentive. Enjoyed the accessible wine list and the ambiance. Will be back to try some charcuterie and fromage.
(4)
Jeff C.

Had a nice dinner last night. The staff is really good here and why I give it a 4 star. Food is good and probably a 3 star. It is always pretty busy in here. Wish I liked escargot, mussels and seafood more as it looks pretty good when it goes by to another table. The brie and roasted garlic appetizer is really pretty good too.
(4)
Jenna P.

Most of the food was really decent. The wine was fairly priced, as well. Good luck finding parking in the neighborhood on the weekend though.
(4)
Dulcie F.

Here's the thing. I really wanted to like Le Central. I love how affordable it is, but it just isn't that good. My husband and I went for a celebratory dinner the other night, our second visit to Le Central. (The fact that I couldn't remember anything about the first meal I had should have clued me in that we didn't really need to return.) I ordered the mussels, Provencale-style, and they were very so-so. Some of the mussels were freakishly large, which was actually a little off-putting! The broth wasn't so tasty, and even the French fries were average. My husband ordered a prix fixe meal, and started a lobster bisque (okay, but bland), his entree was a half lobster over pasta (again just okay and the sides were nothing to write home about). and then finished with a crepe (tasty, because it was a crepe, but nothing special). I ordered the souffle because it was souffle night. A chocolate souffle! Sounds mouth-watering, right? It was devoid of chocolatey flavor! WTH? Impressive in its puffiness, but just sort of bready tasting. Boo. I will say that I enjoyed my house Shiraz which was only 4 bucks a glass. The service was good as well. The atmosphere is sort of strange -- reminds me of an old Marriott dining room or something, at least in the room we were in. There were also some sketchy folks sitting just outside the restaurant who hassled us going in, and hassled us going out. But that isn't really the restaurants fault, so it doesn't affect my rating. Really, the wine and general affordability are giving Le Central their 3rd star. I won't be back because I know what French food should taste like, and it tastes damn good.
(3)
David C.

I took my wife here to celebrate an anniversary and it was great. I had the prefix menu for the month, which was lamb with lentils and sweetpotaoes, with a cup of french onion soup and a chocolate eclair. Only for around $30! It was the best meal that I have had in awhile. My wife got the mussels and fries( only $11!) and a spinach salad that had bacon and hard boil eggs in it. We tend to share, and it was all very delicious. I want to go back for brunch sometime and comeback for the mussels again. We both loved the atmosphere as well. There were two guys also eating near us speaking french, helped proved that Le Central was a legit french restaurant. Thank you! Looking forward to our next date night there.
(5)
Rachael B.

Since my first review, I've moved to Boulder and no longer live within golf ball pelting distance from Le Central. This is a very sad thing...BUT, I knew I had to increase my rating because I still find myself gearing up for a small pond full of mussels at least 3-4 times a month. We (me and my Le Central life-partner Hot Mike), have honed our perfect meal: 1 bowl French Onion Soup (with gluten-free bread) to share 2 Salade d'Epinard 1 order of Moules a la Moutarde (Shallots, garlic, white wine, whole grain mustard AND HUGE CHUNKS OF BACON) 2 Club Soda's with a plate of limes 2 Deserts (we rotate but almost always have the Chocolate Mousse) The bill is usually around 15$ a person depending on desert. Cannot be beat. Also, the wait staff rocks and I have yet to have a bad experience - they fully understand my love of club soda and refill my glass promptly and with a smile every time.
(5)
Rachel C.

Le Central, a French restaurant in Denver, CO, has already received 106 reviews on YELP. So why should I really care to add to that number? 106 reviews should be enough to tell the average diner that either many Denverites are seeking really great French food . . . . or that they have already heard that Le Central is worth a try. Recently I was with a group of friends whose primary dining goal was to celebrate a birthday; a 21st birthday for a foreign exchange student . . . from France! I see no sense in going into details on food and drink. All the good reviews on Yelp (which are the majority!) are spot on. Our French student confirmed our choice. The service was friendly and helpful . . . . although, as other reviewers have noted, it was a tad slowwwwww. Too much time passed between coarses. We found ourselves twiddling our thumbs! I will return, but only when I am not in any hurry! If they step up the pace, Le Central will definitely be worth FIVE STARS!
(4)
Charlotte V.

Le Central is perfect for a date night or nicer night/lunch out with the family. Really reasonably priced, authentic French food and the staff is really great. I almost always get the mussels, occasionally I will split that and another dish with someone else. The dish has to be one of the best deals in town though at only $11 with an entire basket of fries. Last time I went my boyfriend got a really good lamb shank for around $17 (the other entrees tend to be in the $16 to $27 range. The entrees change all the time but the appetizers--a lot of escargot options, and the mussels are always available. We also go for easter brunch a lot, and the food is delicious and probably also in the $10 to $20 range. Quick note: parking on the street, during dinner most of the meters end at 6 pm so you are in the clear, but could be a hassle midday!
(4)
Alisha C.

I really enjoyed my brunch here. It was just lovely! We didn't have a reservation, and the place was packed, but the fantastic staff fit us in at a small two person table. For a Sunday morning without a wait? You could just win me over with that. What I really enjoyed was our food! The boyfriend got the mussels and I had the chicken crepe. It was more than enough brunch for the both of us and not to mention absolutely delicious! The server did forget to bring my boyfriend a coke, so we had to ask him to remove them from our check, and when he returned he brough us one "juss in case." I was happy with my meal, and will try to come back (probably with a reservation)
(4)
Jud E.

eclectic atmosphere! Great food! All staff very attentive. Chef was able to modify my entrees to be no sodium added and the food was delicious! Great spot!
(4)
Christina S.

Booked marked this place while looking for places to dine while visiting Denver. Decided we would do Sunday brunch here. I told the BF that we had to try the mussels because of all the reviews raving about how good they are. Mussels for breakfast?? Well, we were not the only ones with a 2 pound order of mussels. Other tables had them as well. There is a variety of different prepared mussels. We went with the Saffron cream w/ onions and tomatoes mussels. Along with that we went with the Croque Monsieur and the Salade de Champignons and a bottle of Cotes du Rhone. Everything was amazing except for how warm the enclosed patio area was. Not too stoked on the how warm it was. We ended up opening up the window to get a breeze going. Service was good, the staff especially the hostess were supper sweet! I wish they had one of these in Costa Mesa. I also like the "note" about the mussels that some of the mussels will have sand in them. A nice warning. I have to rave about the broth. It was amazing! I couldn't really manage to eat more than I did. They are filling and delish despite the sand. Our bill! Best part. Thinking we would be spending close to $80-90 was under $60! French cuisine with amazing service! I have never experienced anything like this before! Love this place!
(5)
Brian S.

Guys, this is some really good date night stuff. Great for V-day, anniversaries or just-to-be-romantic occasions. The atmosphere is warm, cozy and romantic. The service is way above average for the neighborhood and also above average when you think about your total bill, which will surprise you in a good way. It's a converted old house, so there's some nice charm there, and when you get an opportunity to sit out on the patio out back, you really get a treat. I love their mussels appetizer, mostly because it's almost a meal by itself for cheap, but the quality was very good. The price points are much lower than you'd think for the quality of food your going to get - definitely recommended!
(4)
Idan S.

I recently took my mom out to dinner at Le Central, and have to say that every single thing we ate there was delicious! We started the meal sharing appetizers: I got the moules a la moutard, the delicate flavor of the mussels compliments the salty bacon very well in this dish, and my mom got the quiche lorraine which arrived at the table cold and flavorless -- neither of us liked this dish. For the main course I ordered a 6-oz steak, which was delicious. My mom ordered the pan-seared wall-eye, which completely blew my steak out of the water. Finally, for dessert we shared a cheesecake and a chocolate cake, and even though I'm not a sweets-fan, I though both desserts were very nice. Overall, the meal was fantastic and the ambiance complimented it perfectly. Although they botched my birthday dinner earlier this year, I think they more than redeemed themselves. I will definitely be back at some point - this is a great spot to take someone out on a date.
(4)
David T.

I've been going to Le Central on and off since they opened. They've changed chefs god knows how many times and the quality of the food has varied widely. I'd probably off myself, or certainly look for other careers options, if I had to cook with the cheapest ingredients available all the time. Yes, it's cheap and that's how they bill themselves - "the affordable French restaurant". And, they aren't lying about it - it really is quite reasonable. But, you really get what you pay for. Occasionally, there have been moments of brilliance, although not that many. They do a pretty decent job with starters (the escargot dishes in particular), soups (onion) and salads. Where the scrimping on ingredients shows up is on the mains. Some really substandard experiences with all meats and fish but what do you want at $12-$15 -$18 bucks for a main course? Contrary to others' comments, I've never had a really bad service experience. They have Lillet blonde which I love for an aperitif (try it on the rocks with an orange twist - faboo) and the wine list is reasonably priced. Some desserts manage to be OK as well. Just don't think that you are getting Z Cuisine, Bistro Vendome or Indulge when you elect to dine here. You'll probably have an OK experience and nothing more. Probably your best bet is to go for lunch. Have some variation of their many mussel creations and some very respectable frites with a nice cold bottle of Chablis and you will leave reasonably happy with enough money left to zoom up to D-Bar for dessert.
(3)
Josh M.

More like 2.5 stars. My food was ok at best, had the duck. They didn't give me a knife so I had to saw it with my butter knife. Waitress didn't know anything about anything and finally refilled water when we were cashing out. I'm a foody so I will put up with subpar service for good food, food here is not good enough. And the wine, it's reasonably priced for a reason, it's cheap. Oh we'll, gave it a shot...
(3)

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Address : 112 E 8th Ave
Denver, CO, 80203
Phone (303) 863-8094
Website https://www.lecentral.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Mon : 11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Le Central Affordable French

112 E 8th Ave, Denver, CO, 80203

Le Central Affordable French Menu

Hors d'Oeuvres

Les Soupes et Les Salades

Les Viandes

Les Poissons

Les Végétariens

Les Hors d'Oeuvres

Soupes du Jour

Les Sandwiches

Les Grandes Salads

Les Plats Principaux

Moules et Frites

La Special

Les Desserts au Chocolat

Les Desserts Classiques

Les Desserts Glaces

Healthy Meal suggestions for Le Central Affordable French

Hors d'Oeuvres

Les Soupes et Les Salades

Les Viandes

Les Poissons

Les Végétariens

Les Hors d'Oeuvres

Soupes du Jour

Les Sandwiches

Les Grandes Salads

Les Plats Principaux

Moules et Frites

La Special

Les Desserts au Chocolat

Les Desserts Classiques

Les Desserts Glaces

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