Christinis Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

The Orlando area is currently in Magical Dining (Restaurant Week/Month). This was my first visit, and I indicated so on the reservation.

One of my attractions to a restaurant is its ability to take you to another place when you walk in the door. Open the doors and wow, the completely unexpected happens. You've just entered a very upscale old-style Italian restaurant. We were warmly greeted. The Maître d' and Host were genuine, friendly, and made us feel at home.

I saw no mention of any specialty cocktails. I'm personally not much for wine. Water was offered, spring or sparkling. Bottled water has its place, but not at my table (to each their own). Soft drinks were suggested, along with a house-made fresh lemonade. That's usually all I need to hear "house-made" and I'm interested. I did ask if they served soft drinks by the can/bottle or gun/fountain. Since C19, I've missed a properly carbonated beverage. They use a soda gun/fountain, but I opted for the lemonade. I was definitely fresh, quite tart, and acidic. I found it to be a great balance with dinner, but not something I'd order to sip on.

I tried the meatballs, my guest a caesar salad. The salad was fresh and sliced nicely, and the dressing was definitely house-made, rich with flavor. The meatballs (beef and veal) had a soft yet firm consistent texture that made you want more.

I tried the fettuccine alfredo. I'll admit I was hesitant to add chicken, but I decided not to, so I could taste just the alfredo. I know, you're thinking this is a dish served everywhere. It is, but it's not this good everywhere. My guest had the chicken piccata, which you can get a lot of places too. It's just not this good elsewhere! This by far was quite possibly some of the best Italian food I've ever had.

For desert, we both ordered the Key Lime Pie. Like everything else, the plating was picture-worthy. The taste was true to the lime part and not overly sweet. The crust firm but moist. I traditionally like sweet deserts, but this really did balance the meal.

When we departed, the Maître d' was on the phone. He caught up to us outside to thank us. This really impressed me. He did ask how things were, I just didn't have much to say as discussing at the entrance is not appropriate and it was getting late.

There are so many great things about this experience, so why the 4-stars... I watched the two tables closest to us, and their experiences were very different than hours. Unfortunately, the moment we didn't order alcohol, and ordered off the magical dining menu, it sealed our fate. I'd actually ordered a separate additional appetizer, but I'll give the server the benefit of doubt that maybe I misspoke, as it never came. Glasses were often empty, and no one asked how anything was - at any point. Once our entrees landed, we saw no one until we were finished. While many staff walked by us to the adjacent tables, one of which was clearly a regular diner. After desert had been cleared, I waited for about 10 minutes before sitting my credit card in the middle of the table, next to my empty glass of water. It still took a few minutes to be collected.

The service just confused me, one minute it was amazing, for just a moment, and then the wheels didn't just fall off - someone took them and ran. Aside from this, I was very disappointed to see charges for refills for a fountain soda. Typically when there's a charge based on consumption, it's not this way. I had 2 lemonades, $9. I estimate 50 cents or more per ounce, which just isn't in-line with any of the neighboring restaurants or the area. The few that do so are forward with the expectation and open cans/bottles table-side.

In closing, I'd love to dine again in the future, aside from the service missteps, the food was amazing. I probably won't order a beverage. If you're a fan of Sea Bass (which is a favorite of mine), I saw one come out, and it...

From the moment we stepped foot into Christinis, we were transported to a time where every detail mattered and perfection was the standard. The service we received was truly the epitome of fine dining, reminding us why this restaurant captured our hearts years ago.

The attention to detail from the valet to the hostess was impeccable. We were greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality, setting the tone for the exceptional experience that awaited us. As we were escorted to our table, we couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.

And oh, the food! The culinary team at Christinis has truly mastered the art of blending classic Italian cuisine from selective regions of Italy. Each dish was a masterpiece, bursting with flavors that transported our taste buds to the streets of Rome, the vineyards of Tuscany, and the coast of Sicily. The quality and presentation of every plate were simply extraordinary.

But what truly made our evening unforgettable was the birthday celebration for our dear friend, Doc. The birthday dessert arrived with a cheerful "Happy Birthday" and the sweet melody of a gentlemen playing the accordion, joined by others in the restaurant. It was a moment filled with joy and laughter, capturing the essence of celebration.

In this ever-changing world, Christinis remains a beacon of culinary excellence and unwavering commitment to service. The owner, Chris Christini, has created not just a restaurant, but a haven where quality, service, and a friendly atmosphere converge. It's a place where dreams are realized and memories are made.

We are grateful for the experience we had at Christinis, and we know that our friend's birthday celebration will forever be etched in our hearts. To the entire team at Christinis, thank you for reminding us of the power of exceptional service and the magic of a truly remarkable dining experience.

As we write this review, we are filled with excitement, captivated by the memories we made, and eager to share our experience with others. If you're searching for a restaurant that not only serves delectable cuisine but also transports you to a time of perfection and unparalleled service, look no further than Christinis. This is not a chain restaurant, but rather a hidden gem that stands alone, ready to exceed your every expectation. We will be back to see Elmer and...

My wife and I went there this week for our Anniversary. To say that the entrance to this Restaurant, located in the corner of a strip mall in Florida is surprisingly simple and deceiving is an understatement. But once you open the door, you are transported back to a time when dining was truly an experience! Growing up in Brooklyn, and experiencing many restaurants like this one - I can truly say they have captured every nuance of dining on Mulberry street in NYC in the late 1950s. From the maître d’, who welcomes you, To the sommelier who helps you pair a wine for your entire from their extensive cellar, their goal is to make your experience nothing short of exceptional. Their menu has been designed to highlight And showcase Not only flavors, but cooking techniques, and includes intriguing combinations. Yes, this is an Italian restaurant, but it has a very unique French flair. After enjoying our welcome and complimentary warm bread basket , We chose a chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail, and Caprese salad to start. The shrimp were enormous and perfectly steamed while the Caprese had slightly grilled, and marinated tomatoes with a creamy burrata cheese that were very both pleasing to the pallet. For our entrée. We chose their signature 16 ounce veal chop and Seabass with a lobster risotto reduction. Both are amazing and while filling, very delicate. During our meal, we were serenaded by a strolling minstrel whose talent rivals that of any distinguished musician you have ever met as he is an accomplished concert pianist, and holds a doctorate in music. Hearing his accordion gently waft throughout the place was the perfect background for our conversation. We finished with their berry Tiramisu, which while not the traditional coffee flavor (Which they also have), Very light and refreshing. The cappuccino is served hot, extremely silky and flavorful. We ended our meal almost 3 hours later with Sambuca that was a very nice finishing touch. To say thank you for everything was simply not enough, as tge owner personally congratulated us on our special day!

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