The answers to the clues below are almost common phrases. What's stopping them is that one word in each answer is lacking a single letter. The letter that is lacking is the same in each clue. Wordplay is fair play.

1. French chocolate, perhaps
2. Like a centaur
3. Unbiased account
4. Two reasons to avoid a dog kennel
5. Like a book you enjoyed and just finished
6. Don't let that youngster get off without paying
7. Announcement made by a transplant surgeon, perhaps

HINT:
The letter that is lacking is Y.

Answers:

1. Treat of Versailles
2. Part animal 
3. Fair tale
4. The sound and the fur
5. Good and read
6. Bill the kid
7. Liver stable 

Credit:
NY Times Crossword
May 20, 2012
Alan Arbesfeld
WISECRACKS