Central Park Bistro - San Mateo, California

Helena

I had an unexpected layover in San Francisco area due to a canceled flight, and I took the opportunity to visit Centrale Park Bistro, a recommendation from a friend.

The restaurant boasts a lovely environment with an appealing design, including private rooms and outdoor seating. The service was top-notch, making my experience even more enjoyable. I chose to sit at the bar, where bartender Kristina took care of me. She was friendly and attentive, and mixed an amazing cocktails.

The manager, Oz, checked on my dining experience multiple times. He provided excellent dish recommendations, and I opted for the Ahi Tuna and a Mushroom pizza, both of which were delicious.

Overall, my experience at Centrale Park Bistro was fantastic. The combination of great food, excellent service, and a lovely ambiance makes it a spot I highly recommend visiting.

Nicole T.

Wanted to treat myself to a nice dinner and ordered the scallops. It was a bit overcooked, the charred flavor was strong on 1 of 3, and I found the risotto was lacking in flavor.

The first time I came here, I ordered the duck ragu which was surprisingly tart and tasted strongly of an herb (parsley?), not in line with the description.

The overwhelmingly positive reviews here make me question my own taste. I've really wanted to like this restaurant but I've been disappointed twice.

Jimmy

I went on Tuesday evening with a friend and we had wonderful experience. We started with their prawns and a fried calamari appetizer - Fantastic and fresh seafood.

If you read my reviews I eat at many seafood restaurants and this was very fresh.

I further verified that their seafood skills were high quality be ordering the seafood linguini which was beautifully presented and tasted very good. There was a drizzle on the side of the dish that looked exquisite.

We sat at the bar and were greeted immediately. The bartender seemed to be a bit on the new side but did a GREAT job. I believe the owner was on campus as well. Whomever it was - they were attentive, checking the dishes as they left the window and made sure our meal was solid. A very nice touch of service by their entire team.

Door yourself a favor and make a visit to the downtown San Mateo establishment.

They have a nice wine selection per my dining companion as well.

Thanks Central Park Bistro.

Viveat T.

Very professional service. Food is made with very fresh ingredients and they taste like they've been prepared by real chefs. Very nice presentation. Portions are fairly small, allowing room for appetizer and dessert. Waiting time is a bit longer than average between courses, so its perfect for having a chill time or talk over a meal, not if one is starving for immediate food. Definitely returning.

Claudia K. M.

A recent dining experience at Central Park Bistro left me utterly enchanted! We kicked off with the Living Butter Lettuce Salad, a delectable shareable delight. The Bosc pear added a sweet touch, perfectly complemented by the Champagne Vinaigrette.

For a communal feast, we delved into the Charcuterie for 3, and it did not disappoint. The generous portions made it an ideal choice for sharing among friends. Moving on to the main course, the Seafood Linguine pasta was a burst of flavors. A must-try! In consideration of dietary restrictions, the restaurant graciously substituted lobster with Salmon in the dish, showcasing their flexibility and commitment to customer satisfaction. The Paella was equally praiseworthy, a symphony of tastes that left a lasting impression.

Central Park Bistro is a must-visit in the area, offering a culinary experience that transcends expectations. From the thoughtful presentation of salads to the flavorful main courses, each dish is a testament to the culinary excellence found in San Mateo.

Jessica M.

I passed by here on a date and we decided on a whim to have dinner. I’m glad we did! We sat outside facing the street, perfect for people watching. We ordered cocktails and an assortment of appetizers and everything was delicious! The only thing I didn’t like was the Hibiscus Paloma, it was very watery and tasted more like an herbal tea than a cocktail. They have fabulous wines on the menu that I’ll order next time.

Jesua S.

Went here for valentine's day, had a great time and food was delicious. Did put a star down because the heart cake my gf got was frozen solid and very hard to bite into. Other than that it was great.

Marla W.

The food and presentation was ok. Service was excellent. We had the beet salad, charcuterie, and octopus for lunch. We also had the cheese plate and cappuccino for dessert. The octopus was cooked well. The beet salad was a little over-dressed, but still tasty. We had a sage cheese on our dessert plate which was not our favorite. Our waiter was friendly, professional, and knowledgeable.