Jeannie C.
Yelp
Christy's wasn't quite what I expected. For some reason. Maybe it's the way it looks from the outside or it being a "classic steakhouse" that had me picturing a quiet, almost sleepy atmosphere, but walking in at 8pm was like stepping into a different place altogether than I had previously pictured. The place was bustling with energy, families filling tables, and laughter bouncing off the interesting art-filled walls. We had not made reservations (we didn't think we would need to - bad assumption), but the staff, was so kind they squeezed us in as soon as a table freed up.
That early rush seemed to be the norm, because by mid-meal, the crowd thinned out. At places we have not tried before we really enjoy trying a few different things on the menu so we did just that.
The crab cake, usually a dish that leaves me unimpressed, was a revelation. Lump crab, perfectly seasoned and bursting with flavor, held its own against the crisp, golden crust. Christy's Caesar salad, a twist on the classic, was another winner. The dressing, creamy and tangy, while the parmesan shavings added a satisfying salty punch and I cannot leave out their homemade croutons (whaaat?) so yummy.
We shared the crimini mushroom appetizer, a dish that, while good, didn't quite hit the mark for me. The mushrooms themselves were meaty and flavorful, but the preparation felt a tad one-dimensional. Not a bad choice, but not a standout either.
We also tried the tuna tartare, which, while interesting, wasn't quite our cup of tea. While the tuna was fresh and flavorful on its own the accompanying ponzu sauce didn't quite do it for us. It's definitely a unique take on the dish, but for our palates, it just wasn't it.
The star of the show was undoubtedly the herb-crusted sea bass. I guess you can hardly ever go wrong with the sea bass. The delicate fish, cooked to flaky perfection, was enhanced by the fragrant herb crust, each bite was better than the last.
Christy's exceeded expectations. The food was high-quality, the service attentive, and the atmosphere, despite my initial assumptions, was anything but sleepy. We left feeling happy, full, and already planning our next visit. This Coral Gables staple is definitely worth checking out.