It's hard to miss The Central, with its larger-than-life sign on the front of the building. Inside, black and white checkered floors, red vinyl booths and fringed lamps mounted on tile walls come together to form a sort of classy version of a traditional diner.

A two-sided bar in the middle of the large, square room provides plenty of elbowroom, even on busy nights. And though seating opportunities are occasionally scarce, wooden ledges along the walls allow adequate space to set your drink down.

Four-dollar bottles and drafts are a great deal, but the $6 martinis are hard to resist. Even more tempting is the better-than-bar-fare menu. The ahi sushi salad is a tasty steal at $9, and the $7.50 prime rib panini beats a burger any day. But the house special at The Central is the Roman-style flatbread pizza served on a thin, crispy crust.

Centerstage Reviewer: Aimee Hall