Central

The 14-course seasonal tasting menu at the No. 1 ranked restaurant in the world.

Feb 04, 2024

Central offers two menus: a seasonal one and a signature one, both with the option of having 12 or 14 courses. I had done the signature menu twice, the second time by accident as I found the way in which they were named and described confusing during the reservation process. This time I double-checked with the reservationist each time they emailed or texted to confirm I had selected the seasonal menu. I think I accidentally flipped between menus twice. I know, first world problems.

Between the three pairings I chose the one focusing on Latin American wines and spirits. It consisted of wines from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, a few cocktails, and an IPA. The photos of the pairings appear after the photos of the dishes. Where there is no photo, the earlier pairing covers that course. The San Francisco, from Bolivia, is one of only 600 bottles they bottle a season, and the Tara from Atacama I had first had when I visisted Ventisquero, their parent winery, in the Colchagua valley.

It was great coming back. I was seated in the same spot I had been seated before, next to the kitchen with a view of the proceedings (I wonder if it’s the single-table spot; I think I was the only one dining alone).

Just as the meal began a friend I had met at Merito suddenly appeared before me. She had since completed a sommelier course and was now a somm at Central. I leapt out of my seat to embrace her.

And the meal? Fantastic!

Red rocks • 10 Mbsl
Crab • Clams • Sargassum