5 /5
Rating
★
★
★
★
★
As Americans, we scrupulously avoid hotel restaurants in the U.S. They are far too often overpriced for an underwhelming experience.Happily, that is not so true in Europe. And the Hotel Restaurant Central -- though not at all appealing in name -- has an unusually fine kitchen that turns out meals well worth the moderate (though far from cheap) expense. The place itself is at once quite formal and very charming. Perched above the River Nive, its offers gracious service both inside the dining room and out on the balcony overlooking the Nive.Local fare is paired with local wines -- and again, not pricey bottles, but a careful selection at good values. We had a white Irouleguy blend, lovely with both of our roasted fish and chicken main courses. It was priced at just about twice what you'd pay at local retail stores, which is where I like to see wines priced -- not 2-1/2 or three times retail, which is pretty common in France at restaurants of this level.One starter, two mains, a dessert, coffees and the wine came to just under 90 euros.It can be done, this sort of good effort by a talented staff.It just doesn't actually happen often enough.