Klaudia B.
Yelp
While the server did their best to manage a clearly busy and chaotic night due to the German Village Holiday Lights, the meal was overshadowed by slow service, with multiple courses arriving late and some questionable seafood. We also experienced a 30-minute delay for a 5pm reservation which wouldn't have been so bad if the rest of the night went more smoothly.
The meal began on a promising note with a complimentary bread basket. The soft focaccia was a delight, and the crispy, spicier bread added a unique touch. Next, came daily featured appetizer--a rolled pasta with ricotta, parmesan, and lemon in a tomato sauce. While the dish was well-balanced and flavorful (we especially loved the sauce), it arrived late, continuing the pattern of service issues.
The Caesar salad that followed was a highlight for me--fresh, well-dressed, and something I would definitely order again. My main course, Rigatoni with a side of meatballs, was another win. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce rich, and the meatballs flavorful. However, my friends' main course--a seafood special featuring lobster, scallops, and mussels--was a disaster. The mussels were inconsistent, with some tasting off and others outright bad, carrying a strong ammonia flavor. Some of the scallops tasted gritty and I worry the seafood should've been cleaned and inspected more thoroughly. Unfortunately, this resulted in one of my friends falling ill during and after the meal. Although our server offered to have the dish comped, my friend (who is overly nice and polite) said it was okay since the other food had no issues. Still, I believe the kitchen and manager should have proactively addressed the situation more thoroughly.
On a positive note, our server was a standout amidst the chaos. Friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, they did everything possible to make the experience better. The drinks were another highlight--I especially enjoyed the espresso martini, which had a bold, rich coffee flavor that set it apart from others I've tried.
While there were bright spots, the delays, the inconsistent and honestly unsafe seafood dish, and the lack of proactive management leave me hesitant to recommend Cento. With some operational improvements, the restaurant could live up to its potential, but for now, it's a mixed experience at best.