Bar Centrale

Ah, what a quiet gem in Hell's Kitchen. A Miracle on W 46th Street! Push open the heavy wooden doors, sweep into the velvet curtains, and Voilà! You've just transported yourself into a timeless and wonderful cocktail lounge.

With business colleagues and clients, we were seating in the back booths and serviced by the ever exceptional, Monique. Dim mood lighting, wild canine covered walls, and jazz melodies enhance the experience of great stiff pours.

The service was fabulous. I did have reservations and when I called to say I was late, it was not a problem. Dinner reservations at Joe Allen ended our "throw back" experience. We still had full cocktails and the lovely, Monique, carried them over the the restaurant next door.

I'm in New York a few times a year, however, when I am there, I am a regular at Bar Centrale!

A mysterious little cocktail bar! A friend of mine "in the know" recommended that I check out Bar Centrale after seeing Kinky Boots. Thankfully I had the address because there's no sign on the door. We actually wandered up and down the block a couple times before realizing which door we were supposed to go into. And we actually wouldn't have even gone in (it looks like the entrance to a townhouse) except we saw other people walking in.

We sat at the bar and had a couple cocktails and split the crab cake sliders. The sliders, though small (only came with two), were really good as they weren't loaded down with dressing, and the crab was VERY fresh. And the bartender was very classy and sweet.

Overall, it was a good experience. Although we were here early (we stopped in after a matinee). I imagine it gets pretty crowded later on, especially after the shows nearby let out.

Dimly-lit, intimate speak easy with interesting canine art and hushed jazz. Based on service, I'd say this bar is a 3. A little slow, but manageable if you have good company. It's entertaining to see familiar faces like Mad Men cast members and Sigourney Weaver in back-to-back booths. Yes the drinks are expensive, but what do you expect in this location. The "underground" feel of a speak easy is always fun.