Centro Vinoteca (CLOSED)

I know this place is pretty well regarded, so I'll start this off by saying that my experience could be an anomaly… I made a reservation a few weeks in advance (group of six, 9 PM on a Saturday) for a birthday dinner. I got there a little before 9 and my entire group was ready at the bar by 9:10. It was a little after 9:45 when we were finally seated. One of the bartenders was completely rude as we tried to order drinks while waiting. I had to ask him for a glass of water about four times before actually getting one. Starting to wonder why I even bothered with a reservation. As soon as we sit we ask for an assortment of appetizers, telling them they can pick whatever they recommend. We are starving and just want something to eat. The apps came out quickly and I think some of them were gratis as a gesture from the manager, which was greatly appreciated. We order wine and our entrees. Our server isn't paying attention to us so we have to serve ourselves wine from the bucket by the table. The entrees arrive and one of my friends immediately notices that her chicken milanese is totally raw. Not even questionably so – this is gelatinous, pink through and through, raw chicken. She looks like she’s about to be sick and we ask the waiter to send it back. He comes back moments later saying that the chef says it's fine. I cook quite a bit and I know that there's no way that a chef would ok this chicken, so I ask to speak to the chef in person. He comes out and is pretty defensive right off the bat, telling me that what I'm looking at is prosciutto, not raw chicken. After explaining to him that I know the difference between cured ham and raw poultry, I ask him to just pick up the chicken and honestly take a look at it. Within a second of doing that he looks totally horrified, apologizes, and rushes away. Again, to the restaurants credit, we didn't have to pay for the dish, but that was the extent of their efforts. Since the second we walked in, we were treated in such a rude and dismissive manner, as if we were ridiculous to expect to be seated at least around the time of our reservation or to ask that our food not be served raw. Even when they admitted their mistakes, which I thought were pretty egregious, no one was sincerely apologetic. It felt more like, "Too bad, you can take it or leave it." A birthday dinner was ruined, a couple hundred dollars were wasted, and I will never, ever go to this restaurant again.

I visited Centro Vinoteca tonight for restaurant week. I admit that I first heard of the restaurant from Top Chef, and as a Top Chef fan, I thought I would give a shot. It was really excellent! The space is very unique, and I liked the decor. The bottles of wine on the wall looked really cool. The restaurant week menu had four dinner options, which I have yet to see during restaurant week (usually 2 to 3). Every dish has basic ingredients that you would enjoy, just combined in ways I could never come up with myself. The service was excellent. The restaurant also seems to have a nice small bites menu, which I would definitely go back for. Good for friends, perhaps sit upstairs for a date.

I made a reservation through Open Table for Centro Vinoteca for Brunch this past Sunday. When we arrived, we were seated and looked at the menu (which btw was different than the menu online). When our server finally came to greet us, we were promptly told that the only things available on the menu were a few pre-made appetizers and salads. The chef had not shown up yet and that was all that could be made. They had no idea when someone who could cook the other items would arrive. I understand people do not show up for work, but I had a reservation and the least they could have done was call to let me know what was going on rather than waiting to tell me 5-10 minutes after I had been seated. I have eaten here once before during restaurant week and was pleased with my meal, but I am reluctant to return after this past visit.

friends and i went for brunch, some ordered prix fix others off main menu, the french toast was excellent, not heavy and sticky like most other french toasts. The atmosphere is was won me over though, on a beautiful day its nice to enjoy some tasty food while watching the crowds stroll through the village. I am actually on my way there now

My friend and I had the prix fixe ($35) menu. The appetizers were OK-the bread was excellent. My friend had the lamb entree and it was shameful. Her plate contained two of the thinnest, smallest baby lamb chops we have ever seen, along side a tiny amount of spinach. It was two bites at best. The gentleman sitting next to us had the same prix fixe menu and his lamb entree was much heartier. Accident? Hard to say. My friend is very petite. They may be serving according to the size of the diner. Either was, it was ridiculous. They only sell wine by the "quart" which is roughly a glass and a half. It is priced accordingly. So to have wine with dinner, you must pay for at least a glass and a half. On the bright side of things, the dessert was great. We had the molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. I am still shocked at what they served as an entree, and based on that alone, I would not return.

What a disappointment! Tasty food; tiny portions. Pasta served cold. No reason to return. Too bad.

Anyone that has anything bad to say about this restaurant is out of their mind!!! this place is deliciosu! Went last night for the first time, not only was the meal absolutely incredible, the staff was soooo nice and to top it off...the chef (Leah from top chef) came out to chat with us at the end of our meal! This place is a must!! I cant wait to go back