Saturday, October 18, 2008

Christy's Restaurant, Coral Gables


Christy's is one of those restaurants that could easily serve as a location for Mad Men, it is so thoroughly steeped in old school style. It's the kind of place where you actually feel that servers take pride in what they do, from their black cropped waiter jackets to the way they matter-of-factly ignite a baked Alaska, these guys have been doing what they do for a long time and they're good at it. The steakhouse turns 30 this month, which in Miami restaurant terms makes them the wizened fedora-wearing gentleman in a sea of pseudo-edgy, beef-wielding newcomers (like the soon-to-open STK and BLT Steak). In honor of the anniversary they're offering a $30 three-course meal in October that includes lobster bisque, and choices of steak including prime rib or an 8 oz. filet. We stopped by the busy restaurant on a recent Saturday night and did some dining Don Draper-style. We started off with a generous platter of potato skins caviar and sour cream. A nice combo of rich, salty and hearty.

The restaurant is known for their prime rib, a massive slab of aged beef cooked for three hours and then sliced to order. The Flintstone-sized portion was juicy and flavorful and fantastically huge for one person. I enjoyed the seabass, broiled with a nice char and served with a horseradish cream sauce. And for dessert, the only way to go is with the baked Alaska, presented with cruise ship-caliber panache, enough for 4 to share with a light meringue crust that masks the ice cream and cake combo within. So old school, and yet so refreshing in its old school-ness.

Address: 3101 Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables,305-446-1400.

3 comments:

SuperBee said...

::Sigh::

When we finally become "friend" friends, (I'm guessing Shawn's wedding) and start going out to eat, we'll never be able to share things, because all you eat is fish, and all I don't eat is fish. ;)

sara said...

Sigh.
Can we just become friends already? I don't need to dance the horah with you to share some steaks and martinis. And btw, I love me some meat, don't get me wrong. I'm just a sucker for seabass.

SuperBee said...

Bin.GO. Now you're talkin' my language. Stttttttttttteak. Drrrrrrrrrinksssssss.

I'm on a "You're a fatty fatterson" diet that should break apart slightly mid-week next week. (But I still need to lose about 28 pounds before my high school reunion over Thanksgiving...)