Reader: All of Denver Is Losing a Gem When Le Central Closes

The sad news spread quickly yesterday: After 34 years, Robert Tournier is retiring, and closing Le Central, "the affordable French restaurant" he opened at Eighth and Lincoln back in 1980 and has been running ever since. Says Joseph: The neighborhood is losing a gem. Really sad to see this go. Adds...

By Westword Staff

September 3, 2015

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The sad news spread quickly yesterday: After 34 years, Robert Tournier is retiring, and closing Le Central, "the affordable French restaurant" he opened at Eighth and Lincoln back in 1980 and has been running ever since. Says Joseph:

The neighborhood is losing a gem. Really sad to see this go.

Adds Dave:

I agree. Denver, not just the neighborhood. I always felt a bit of France when I was inside Le Central. Robert created something wonderful for over three decades.

What are your memories of Le Central? Will you go again before it closes on September 13? (Fair warning: In his farewell letter to regulars, Tournier said he might shutter the restaurant even earlier.)

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.