Francisco’s Centro Vasco

I really enjoy feasting at Centro Vasco. The food is terrific and the service is great. They have continued to have excellent food over the decades. Their major competition, El Quijote, across the street. ensures that they do everything to keep their clientele from switching allegiance. You will always get a great meal at Centro Vasco.

I normally enjoy this place but had a disappointing experience and will not return. Sadly our waiter Marchello was very unfriendly & judgmental of my company. I lost my appetite & didn’t feel welcomed. However, my guest ordered his seafood paella which he said taste ok. It’s a shame we still deal with ignorance in this world. I will take my business to El Quijote next time. It was an ugly feeling to sit and pay good money for our meal and receive such rude service. I chose to take the high road and not ruin my night. I did call the manager Alberto once I got home who was very apologetic but couldn’t cancel our charge.

This is a very ordinary seafood restaurant. I had a lobster tail which cost about $ 40 and included salad, baked potato, string beans and inexpensive white bread with butter. The service was friendly and prompt.
The lobster tail was well prepared. It comes with drawn butter which tastes ordinary. I asked for cocktail sauce. The waiter brought plain ketchup.
The baked potato and string beans were plain and unseasoned. My salt shaker did not work, and no pepper was provided. The salad dressing contained too much vinegar.
I did not enjoy my meal and will not return to the restaurant. If you go there bring your own seasonings. The food is remarkably bland. The only reason I can think of for the Restsurant to still be open is they own the building. Avoid this place.

Had a massive lobsters for my birthday. Perfectly prepared and served, ample portion. Legit Spanish, no pretension atmosphere. Cannot go wrong here, highly recommended.

Food was so amazing. Seafood paella is a must, so is the scallops w cream and cheese (forgot what exactly it is listed as on the menu). I called for a reservation and the guy was kind of rude. Ended up not needing it. We went during dinner hours the place had most tables filled but not packed. The waiters provided great service to our table of 6. Changed our plates and refilled our water often, unlike other restaurants that don’t refill water unless asked. Lobster was also very good, would recommend the chorizo for appetizer as well. I’d say the price was totally worth it for the amount of food we got. Will come back again for sure.

03/​25/​2016
I kept saying to myself why I never come here before. I really am glad we did last night.
It’s a little gem on Chelsea.
Got the Tuna and Seafood paella. It’s awesomeness to the T!
I will definitely be back soon…
UPDATED: 05/​02/​2016
Seems like on our recent visit, we had a different server and it wasn’t as pleasant as it was the first time. The lobster a bit tough and our server seems to be rushing us.
But we will try for the 4^th time. Maybe its better.
I will get that Tuna again…

I have been going to this restaurant for years now. It’s one of those old school Spanish/​Portuguese Type places that are all over Newark and Northern NJ. This however, is not as good as those places. Sure they have the Spanish Dudes in old rented looking Tuxedos with flair and familiarity that some how puts me at ease. The waitstaff here is actually excellent. The same comforting vibe and relaxed atmosphere where you can sit around a big table and laugh and talk with family.. There is too much garlic, too much rice, fried potatoes, a large pitcher with too much ice holding a sugary and fruity sangria, a collection of frozen seafood, what’s not to semi enjoy.
One thing that does separate Francisco Centro Vasco from the other Spanish places are their lobsters. The lobsters are well prepared, freshly killed and can weight anywhere from 1.5 lbs to 8 pounds. Some times even 10. But, there is no doubt this is their house specialty.
You can take or leave any of their other menu items. But, the room is comfortable, the staff is nice, the prices are decent. Miss A’s aunts live down the blocks, her parents come down from the UWS, we come over on the C train which stops 2 blocks away. It’s a great place for our family to meet.
We started with garlic shrimp, the chorizo and the stuffed clams. Oh, that’s another thing, the stuffed clams are better than usual. They are not frozen, or at least taste like they aren’t frozen.
There was 10 or so of us last night so we got two orders of everything.
The shrimp were a disappointment last night. Particularly for me not, for anyone else. I love garlic shrimp at these places and here it was too watery. Not enough garlic or paprika. But, that did not stop me from eating them, or dipping the «Spanish Potatoes» into the sauce
The chorizo was missing the wine the flavor that you would tend to get in the place in Newark.
My wife and I ordered split the seafood paella: This was frozen seafood served over yellow rice: Scallops, clams, lobster and all… A lot of food, Miss A and I didn’t finish it. It hit the spot as we really were in the mood for rice.
My parents each ordered a plate of scallops and out came two huge plates containing 15 scallops each which look steamed and covered with garlic sauce.
And finally, the reason why we came, because Miss K, the birthday girl, now celebrating her third party, wanted a «big lobster» from a restaurant. The lobster was over 2 lbs and was well prepared and tasted the way you want it to.
Speeches were made, tears were shed, hugs were hugged… We brought a cake from Carvel, there are pictures of grand parents sitting around wearing lobster bibs, the whole restaurant sang and we left too full and with no buzz from a half a pitcher of Sangria.
So, yeh, if you want to eat a huge lobster, 2 – 10 pounds and want some yellow rice and sangria, this is the place. For me it’s nostalgic, for most of you, it will be a disappointment.

I´d write a more eloquent review but I´m in a bit of a food coma. I have to say that the service was very much on point. Any and all request were met with prompt and friendly service. Lobster bisque was quite tasty. The fried shrimp… the fried shrimp… the fried shrimp… BOOM! SO HUGE. If you know me, then you know shrimp is my go to. I´m bookmarking this as my go to spot for fried shrimp from now on. How many times can I say ¨shrimp” in this review? Long story short, I went here on a whim, and left with a full belly and leftovers. Will have to return to try some non-​shrimp menu items in addition to more shrimp.

I think the lettuce was the only fresh bit of food on the menu. Soft shell crabs are in season. Nope. not tonight. I did like the French fries. Service was attentive.
They will be gone when that 40 year lease is up.

Super average Spanish food. Don’t get the fries though. Not Spanish and the oil tastes like old Chinese lumpias.
Edit: ½ an hr later I feel ill.
1 hour later. JAMAS! JAMAS!

I have eaten here a few times many years ago and I remembered it having great lobsters at a reasonable price. Sort of a no frills «best lobster deal in town» type of place. I haven’t been here for a while but I must say, it was even better than I remember. This time we ordered the more traditional Spanish dishes and the Seafood Paella was awesome. The service was very good, the pricing was very fair and it was more to eat than I could handle. The desert menu was also pretty good however the flan was not to exciting. Then again flan is never to exciting. If you are in the mood for a authentic Barcelona style dinner, Francisco’s is the place to go to. I was with several other guests that all commented on how good the dinner was. It was a hit. Enjoy

This has been my favorite restaurant in NYC for many years, but tonight was a total disappointment. Lobster and crab in my seafood paella was extremely over cooked and mushy. When I mentioned it to the manager, he said «I depend on the chef, I don’t taste the food.» The big disappointment came when the waiter spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap while serving our dessert. Francisco’s has always had the complete package of great food and impeccable service, but not anymore. Time to look for a new favorite place.

Absolutely smashing. Had the Francesco ’ s Favorite which was lobster and crab. Outstanding. Tiaramasu dessert. Omg good! The only reason I don’t eat here every night of the week is price. My entrée was $ 41 plus prosciutto wrapped melon, dessert and two drinks will likely be $ 100 but what the heck… it’s bonus season! Only thing missing was a handsome dinner date but I gave a high profile talk at the ARF 2016 conference this morning so really relish the quiet time alone. All in all a delightful end to a stressful day.

If you’re a Seafood lover you must visit Fransisco’s at least once! A nice alternative to City Island in the City! The service was very good and the meal was great! I definitely recommend it.

I don’t eat seafood but I came here with my family for my mom’s birthday. I had the arroz con pollo — so good! My favorite thing was the sangria! Probably the best sangria I’ve ever had. The service was great, very nice staff.

To visit this place is a must! Incredible place with an amazing food ! Went there with my Boyfriend for a dinner, will definitely comeback !

This place has been around for 38 years longer then most people call themselves Manhattanites! For people whom only embrace modern/​hip joints read no further. This is NOT a hipster place. Thank God. Classic old school Spanish cuisine with a warm and cozy atmosphere.
My wife and I split everything. We ordered the shrimp in green sauce. The shrimp were on the smaller side. The sauce was tasty but nothing to praise the gods about. The garlic soup now we are talking. This bowl of nectar is certainly worth accolades. The steamed lobster is steamed lobster. You do not have to be amazing chef to make it right. But is was right so good. I had a side of garlic sauce. Spaniards know garlic. I also got side of chips. Oh so tasty with the garlic sauce they were. Some sherry wine apple martini life is good for a few hours with out kids on date night in NYC.

Indescribably disappointed. To start the lobster bisque tasted like it came out of a can. I had one of the higher priced seafood entrée options that included multiple protein ingredients. All of them tasted the same, completely void of any distinguishable flavor.
I left without eating half my meal, the Five Guys I picked up down the street was much better and at roughly 10% of the cost.

Hands down the best lobster I have had in my life. Service is impeccable and the staff is really knowledgeable. I had the surf n turf. I requested a lobster upgrade to a 2 pound lobster and am glad that I did. Lobster and steak were both succulent. I cannot say enough good things about Francisco’s.

I’m a long time fan of el Quijote, but have been put off by their really expensive lobster prices. Went back to Centro Vasco for the first time in around 20 years to see what the deal was. The room is utilitarian and plain. There’s a velvet rope separating the entrance from the dining room. It’s a bit bizarre, but maybe it helps with crowd control when things are busy. The staff were nice enough. Cocktails were OK. Salad was OK– advantage to el Q. Lobsters were a bit less expensive but were a bit more dried out compared to el Q. Maybe it’s the time of the year, or a sampling error. Spanish fried potatoes were excellent. We got some string beans as a side dish that were very good as well.
Nice enough place, but I’m willing to cough up a few extra bucks and keep going to el Q for lobster.