So this past Friday I had the opportunity to get out to and try a new restaurant that I have been meaning to visit for some time. My favorite co-worker and I took a trek to one of Stockton newest restaurants, Centrale Kitchen & Bar. Opening just this past October, and being about a mile from my house, it was time to get over there.

I've actually been inside twice but just for a drink, however it was time to sit down and have a dinner (I don't count eating at the bar as a dinner.)

 

Anyways being to some of the nicest restaurants in Los Angeles, it is a great to finally see a place that made me feel like for a moment that I was back in my "element" as many of friends say. The ambiance, the music, the drinks are all top notch. It was like an LA restaurant without the 350 mile drive or the $15.00 Apple Martini’s!!

 

As for what is on the menu, the menu is small but changes, so is always worth checking it out at different days of the week. Friday and Saturday are seafood days and as I was told it varies from week to week. On this night, I had the Ahi Tuna, even though the night before I was told by my favorite bartender Meghan that they were going to have Mahi Mahi, which was of great disappointment of my co-worker who was looking forward to it after talking about it at work. Not to be disappointed the Ahi was pretty darn good and from the looks of it the Pasta Shrimp did not look bad at all. Maybe they will have Mahi on the menu sometime after writing this!

 

Meghan, who has helped me on both days, is absolutely wonderful. I hope this restaurant stays around for awhile. I just like how the whole thing just works. I am a big fan of small boutique places. The crowd is pretty mellow, eclectic and not too stuffy not too bumish. I feel that it great balance of style, size and layout.

 

As for any Stocktonians out there, yes I’ve gone to the old-school places like Alder Market, Stockton Joe’s, Papapavlo’s and even other newbies like Paragarys. Each of these places has their own appeal, (I really don’t like the layout of Paragary’s and the main door being too close to some of the seats as both times I’ve eaten there.) but still don’t compares as I was willing to do there two days in a row!

 

(Oh and I haven’t been to Le Bistro yet. Anyone with other restaurant choices let me know.)

 

And lastly, be sure to call in a reservation if you are going there on a Friday or Saturday as the popularity is getting the best of them as you might be in for a wait, which for me isn’t a big deal being from LA for the last 12 years, but for Stocktonians that might be too long.

 

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