Central 214 // Dallas

Central 214

5680 North Central Expressway

Dallas, TX 75206

http://www.central214.com

Appetizer:  “Scotch Egg”

Entrees:     “Louisiana Redfish” 

                  “Oxtail Ragu”

Drinks:    “Pony Up!”

                “Amsterdamme”

                “Shiso Passion”

I pass by Central 214 often and it has been on my restaurant list forever, but I just made my way there this past weekend. Attached to Hotel Palomar, Central 214 sits across from Mockingbird Station on the east side of 75 at Mockingbird. 

The restaurant is spacious and open, with the bar on the left when you walk in, an open kitchen at the center and tables surrounding all. The warm, amber lighting softens the contemporary décor. We dined on a Friday night and there were plenty of open tables; but people filled the bar area steadily throughout the evening.

We both began with cocktails. The cocktail menu boasts that the “Amsterdamme” is a “national award winning cocktail;” gin based, it was citrusy and balanced alcohol and flavor well. The “Shiso Passion” tasted similar to the “Amsterdamme” but consisted of vodka, lemon and passion fruit garnished with a basil leaf. For our appetizer, we ordered the “Scotch Egg” upon recommendation from our waiter. Essentially, the dish consists of a hardboiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, dipped in a coating and fried (or maybe baked), all sitting on a bed of frisee. I enjoyed the “Scotch Egg,” but it is breakfast-y!

For the main course, we chose to split two different entrees, the “Louisiana Redfish” and the “Oxtail Ragu.” Pan seared and presented on top of a bed of flash fried savoy spinach, the fish tasted great. The oxtail was taken off the bone, braised and tossed with fried gnocchi and a basil pesto sauce. The meat resembled a pot roast recipe, mixed with diced carrots and onions and very flavorful. I truly enjoyed both entrees, but I think I prefer the oxtail because it was so unique. During our meal, I ordered a glass of cabernet sauvignon and Kirk tried a different cocktail, the “Pony Up!” A whiskey cocktail, this concoction included hints of lemon and maple (I could definitely taste the maple).

Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert, but the dessert menu had some very appealing options!