Wunderkraut's Central B-day Dinner

To be honest and biased I love Central. it great food, moderately priced with a lively atmosphere. Its a great place for either a first date, reconnecting with people or groups of friends. Saturday was Wunderkraut's Birthday and we had to start with absinthe another clear liquor that gets cloudy with the addition of water a la raki and pastis. I'm not the biggest fan but I have to keep exploring and expanding my palate.

To start: mussels in white wine and garlic, raw oysters, onion lardon tart, cheese puffs. The mussels were plump and juicy and the sauce was so good it was drinkable. I love dipping bread and sopping up my plate with a loaf of carb goodness but the white wine and garlic sauce didnt need bread. Mario Battali often says, "I dont need bread too many carbs give me a spoon." Raw oysters so yummy. Oysters are something that i forget that i like until some squitrts fresh lemon over them with a hint of cocktails sauce. I uttered the word, "Damn." upon eating my fisrt oyster. Onion lardon tart, it was good i think it needed more lardon to balance the oniony sweetness. cheese puffs so light so airy so frackin good. I was stuffed after the starters but i had to push through.

Dinner: Beef cheeks, lamb shank, steak, fried chicken and scallops and brussel sprouts. If you see beef cheeks most likely any cheeks just order it, so tender and good. I have had the chicken in the past and it is good but apparently it may have been overdone. Steak, i didnt get a chance to try it. I love shanks, always so tender and fall off the bone. My scallops were nice I wish they were meatier. The brussel sprouts, i know gross right, but they were well cooked with butter and bacon. Touchdown Central!

Desert: deconstructed banana split and pear tart. The only true standout was the caramel ice cream.

Central has all the elements of a great bistro. I think with a bit more care in the kitchen this place will be a mainstay much like Les Halles.