CENTO Raw Bar - W. Adams

Designed by Sea Nymphs

Ghia Revolve (non-alcoholic), Amphora Xarel·lo ‘22, Cold Rush (bourbon)

Hamachi Crudo

Cherry, citrus, basil w/a kick of heat. Very good.

3-Tier Tower - Peruvian Scallops, Maine Lobster Claws, Mexican Prawns, Alaskan Crab Claws, Prince Edward Oysters, Mignonette, Aioli

As expected everything is very fresh and thoughtfully sourced. We loved the Peruvian scallops w/grapefruit à la Fishing with Dynamite. Towers are for two but we ordered extras which overloaded the whimsical tower.

Lobster Melt

If I liked tarragon I would love this. Hubs had no such qualms and happily polished it off.

Cold Uni Pasta & Crab

We weren’t sure what to expect but quite liked it.

Mosaic Cheesecake

Dessert as art. :purple_heart: :yellow_heart: :blue_heart: Cento desserts always delight. Who is their pastry chef?

Love how they went for it with the fantastical design. And as a seafood lover I’m happy to have a spot like this in our ‘hood. I do think @mzonelli is right that perhaps the decor & vibe make it more destination-worthy than the food which is very good but also at other seafood spots in L.A. It’s designed as a bar more than a sit down - our table was low & small. Plating is very pretty with some pieces originally designed, but small and at times more precious than functional. I’m thinking a nice date night with bites & cocktails at the raw bar before dinner at the pasta bar. Service is very good.

Speaking to the dining with babies thread - we were three adults and a toddler at 5pm. They don’t have high chairs but we did fine on the couch and the low table worked to our benefit, toddler-wise. There’s room for a couple and baby carrier on the couch.

Happy Seafood Eating!

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Had a similar experience! It was tasty, but definitely a snacky vibe before another meal (which makes for a pricy night) but I stand by my initial assessment that they pivoted to a vibe/decor destination rather than a neighborhood spot.

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Agree. Tasty sea bites, though.

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I went the first night that they opened and agree that it has to either follow or precede another meal. We happened to stop by on the way home from the shore after a full dinner, which worked out well. I can see it being a funnel to Cento - pique your appetite at the raw bar without getting anywhere near full before heading to your table next door. The mosaic cake is cool to look at but tasted too much like Fruity Pebbles. The deviled eggs, reminiscent of sour cream and onion potato chips, had a similarly gimmicky flavor (though I liked them much more than the dessert).

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Maybe that’s why the 1 year-old loved it… but the adults really liked it too. :blush:

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thanks for the menu pics. Maybe it’s because I’ve been consuming too much Vegas content but $100 for the “3 tier” tower seems like a reasonable price.

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I agree. And it’s not on the current menu but ours had Maine lobster claws too.

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a birdie g’s knockoff artist?

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I knew you’d notice that. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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To be fair fair it’s hard not to notice the resemblance!

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1957

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There’s always room for Jell-O!

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