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| - Highlights of Christo's
* The neighborhoody Italian cafe feel of the restaurant.
* Decent food with run-of-the-mill upscale Italian variety.
* Piano jazz player serenading guests.
* Crowd with a decidedly old-money North Central Phoenix feel as opposed to the "I eat cat food and go to buffets" Sun City feel.
* Professional servers with the memory of an elephant and the attitude of a menopausal woman.
I had not been to Christo's in a few years, but upon returning I found the food and atmosphere to be just as consistent. The restaurant is very neighborhoody and inviting. The white tablecloths and piano player in the corner set the mood just right. You see diners here running into old friends at the bar. I did as well. Little old bitties threw their judging looks our way from the bar, since our table of 20 is young, mostly female, we must all be lesbians, right? Right.
Consistently good food, not great and not excellent, but good. Modest soups and side salads here are part of the drill. I ordered the chicken limone, breaded and prepared similar to chicken picatta but minus the capers. I tasted my friend's grilled salmon and penne and it was delicious. Considering out large party, the restaurant handled us OK, especially given the the busyness of the evening since it was Dining Out for Life evening where they donate proceeds toward HIV charities.
I extended the benefit of the doubt, but expressed concerns over the somewhat long wait time. It was nearly 10 pm when we left given our 7:30 reservations, in which we were promptly seated. Our server, who was skilled at reciting the dozen or so specials of the day, was accommodating, up until the billing situation (which I prepared him for beforehand) - when he turned a little catty, but all was well in the end. This is a 3 star place with potential for four stars.
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