On October 2, 1982, EPCOT opened its gates and my family first stepped into L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante. A party of 16, we were seated for dinner at a lovely table and immediately greeted personally by Chris Christini. I remember the twinkle in his eye and his enthusiasm for our opinions of each course. He was most hospitable to our rather large group of awed Disney enthusiasts. We were dining late in the evening, toward the end of what must have been a very long day for this new dining venue.
Mr. Christini was a powerhouse as we watched him check in with other patrons and supervise the wait staff. The food was delicious, the ambience was fun, and he gave it that special touch that ensured everyone felt like they had been welcomed home. Little did we know that on that evening, we had met the man who would become the legendary proprietor of the best Italian restaurant in Orlando, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano.
It was apparent that Mr. Christini enjoyed people. As the restaurant was getting ready to close and we were one of the last tables still seated, we invited him to pull up a chair and he graciously shared with us a little about his background and his love of helping people enjoy good food. He shared his knowledge of the history of Alfredo’s and the menu. He was warm, inviting, and authentic.
Two years later, Mr. Christini took his early experience as a baker, his talents as a French-trained Chef, and his management skills from opening restaurants in Montreal and Chicago and the famous Four Seasons restaurant in New York City, and opened the doors to Christini’s Ristorante Italiano. Tucked away in what was then a quiet little part of the Dr. Phillip’s area, a stone’s throw from the renowned Bay Hill Golf Course, the location was actually visionary as it was one of the first residents of what is now a vibrant tourist district in the City Beautiful.
Mr. Christini’s attention to detail and his quest for perfection has never waived in the almost five decades he has been in the industry. From the moment I walked thru the doors of Christini’s in 1984, I was transported to the understated elegance of a truly old-school dining experience. Warm woods, Italian sculptures, crisp white linens, and two levels of seating contributed to the inviting ambiance. His personality is completely present throughout this beautiful venue. Back then, not too many pictures of celebrities graced the walls, but that all changed after Bob Hope visited the restaurant, later boasting on The Tonight Show to Johnny Carson about having the best veal chop in his life at Christini’s! The restaurant now has an exhaustive gallery of Mr. Christini with celebs such as Emeril LaGasse, Stan Lee, Arnold Palmer, Mick Jagger, Charlie Crist, and Magic Johnson, to name a few.
All of this pales in comparison to the authentic Italian cuisine enjoyed at Christini’s. Whether it’s the Fettucine Ala Christini’s or the Osso Buco D’Agnello, the depth of flavor in every dish from appetizer to dessert is pure perfection on the palette. The wine cellar is extensive and promises the perfect pairing of food and wine. Mr. Christini’s life’s work is culminated in your complete immersion in an inviting atmosphere, exquisite food and drink, combined with knowledgeable and impeccable service. Not only does Christini’s Ristorante Italiano feature the best Italian restaurant in Orlando, Chris Christini is the authentic Italian in Orlando! Reservations recommended!
