The Central Restaurant & Bar in York, Maine

The Central serves seasonal New American cooking in a contemporary space with an open kitchen where you can watch the action. It's the kind of place where locals swing by for curbside pickup and travelers stumbling through York end up staying for dinner. The menu shifts with the season, the wood-fired grill gets plenty of use, and the bar stocks an impressive dessert cocktail list.

• Soba noodle salad with crispy wontons and sesame dressing.
• Atlantic salmon with maple bacon jam, wood-fired.
• Truffalo wings and brisket tacos showcase kitchen creativity.
• Desserts sourced from their bakery next door.

Start with the Truffalo wings (a mashup of two classics) or pork dumplings with sweet sesame chili sauce. For mains, the Atlantic salmon with maple bacon jam gets praise, as does the parmesan haddock cooked perfectly. The brisket tacos are worth the trip, or go for the sirloin steak with its knockout glaze. The soba noodle salad is an adventure in texture if you want something lighter. Save room for dessert, especially the coconut cake.

Contemporary and open with a working kitchen you can see into. It's a bit dim for menu reading, but lively and cozy enough for small groups or a date.

This is the spot for people who want to try something a little different without pretension. The kitchen isn't afraid of unexpected combinations. Small plates work great for groups, or you can go full entree. They do takeout regularly, and there's outdoor seating if you just want a drink and apps.

Guests consistently praise the shifting menu, knowledgeable staff, and care taken even with simple things like properly seasoned burger patties. One recent visitor called it "the best place I've eaten in the last 3 years." Regulars return for curbside pickup, and travelers find themselves staying longer than planned.