Francisco's Centro Vasco

A neighborhood place I've been going to for at least 15 years. The food is generally pretty good. Tonights service has basically ruined the place for me. Train your staff!

My family and I visited Central Vasco's on Christmas Eve. The service was excellent throughout the meal, the mixed drinks were not disappointing and more importantly, the food was great. We had raw clams and oysters (fresh), shrimp cocktail and a couple of other appetizers to start. All were delicious. For the main coarse our party had lobster, paella, alaskan king crab, swordfish ancho and someone even had a steak. All were excellent. After dinner we all had coffee, desert and after dinner drinks and sang our way into Christmas. Will be back SOON!

My wife and I have gone many times and have brought other people along. We always go for the lobster and it has never disappointed us. It is always cooked perfect. The service is excellent. We are not fond of the area as the dining room gets crowded but we always come early avoiding the crowds. The price of the lobster is the cheapest we have ever encountered. Usually we get a 3 pounder. You will not be disappointed.

Lobster was bland as if overcooked. The green sauce was tasteless. Fortunately, it was not overly expensive. Also, the green beans with garlic that came with the lobster were good, as was the red sangria

In October 2003, I visited this restaurant with a few of my friends. They knew the owner of the restaurant very well because they had eaten there many times before. Perhaps, this why the food was so good, back then. On St. Patrick's Day of this year, me and my beau visited the restaurant. The biggest mistake made was being the first diners for the evening. I know that most restaurants will serve their first patrons the food that did not sell from the night before and I was was absolutely correct in my assumption. I asked for steamed lobster. When the lobster arrived, it was cold and it was not steamed, it was broiled. When I complained, I was told that the kitchen was downstairs and it cooled off by the time I was served. That's a crock of baloney. Lobster happens to be my favorite seafood and I always order it steamed. The lobster I was served was broiled indicated by the black char marks on the gills. The drawn butter was not butter at all, it was oil. It is the same oil that is used at the movie theater "buttered" popcorn. Melted butter when left out, will become solid. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed in my meal and for the amount of money that was spent, I will not go back again. This was the worst dining experience I've had and I will not go back.

finally went last night... excellent lobster, both steamed and broiled. great apps, great steak. menu will cater to meat eaters and seafood lovers b/c of a huge selection. quality lobster was well priced. service was FAST and attentive! quickly after being seated, we were served a huge bowl of complimentary salad (quickly refilled as well), apps, drinks, meals, dessert- all great and arrived exactly as ordered all well timed. atmosphere- not fancy, but good, comfy old ny feel. can't wait to go back!

So I have to say I went here for the first time two weeks ago for my wife birthday. I was pleasantly surprised to see a tast of old New York. This place has great food and a good atmosphere. We had 3 lb lobsters at an excellent price. If you go you must try their flan its simply delicioso... I gotta say Francisco's made my wife happy and my wallet even happier.