Christina's

09/07/09

Horrible owner, mediocre food inadequate service

by kmlenhardt

The meal started off poorly with a discussion with the arrogant, overbearing and contentious owner. It got worse when the wait staff forgot to take our order and then brought us food that was mediocre at best. It ended with a bill that was way too high for a terrible experience. We will never even consider eating there again. The new owner is not from the Island, and with her attitude she won't be there long!

• Pros: good dessert
• Cons: service, owner's attitude, food

08/17/08

Average at Best

by ulmke

When I heard of the praises of Christina's from multiple travel sights, magazines, and books I was very excited to take my visiting family there. All I did for days was rave of how exciting it was that we got the experience to eat at such a highly rated restaurant. When we got there we were pleased with the location and the atmosphere. Unfortunatly, that is where our satisfaction ended. Our waitress seemed rushed and uninterested; as if we were inconvincing her. The scallops were good but nothing to write home about due to them being bland and the complimenting salad had a horrid aftertaste. The thing that my family as well as myself had problems with was how rushed we were. I was embarresed to have raved about Christina's and to be disappointed on most fronts. After we spent a hefty some of money for average food and horrid service we couldn't wait to go back to Orca's Hotel for fish and chips.

09/18/07

BEWARE OF OWNER

by ezralunde

Good food given the location, and a wine list to match. Ambience is decent. The staff are a bit robotic, but the real gem is the owner, Bruce, who is extremely pomp and rude. Despite a tab of over several thousand dollars, and a well behaved party, he seemed intent to ruin our evening. I have eaten at most of the finest restaurants in New York, and have never once run into this kind of attitude and general disdain for clientele.

• Pros: food ranges from average to very good
• Cons: peculiar staff, rude owner, awkward layout to the dining room

09/14/07

Mixed Experiences

by cncfood

Our first visit bringing our parents two years ago proved to be an outstanding experience; fresh seafood (oysters in particular) outside dining, great view, good service, etc. Unfortunately our recent return trip proved to be a disappointement. The service was the primary problem manifested in an surprizing lack of attention and not helped for long periods of time. In addition, the food was not what it should have been either. A disturbing example includes a complete disaster of a morrel mushroom dish that was swimming in vinegar - ruined. Never once was I asked about out course, even when Erin cleared our plates.

We opted not to stay for dessert. I would be hesitant to go here for dinner again and would recommend looking for other options in and around east sound. It's possible we had an unlikely experience, but they're obviously capable of it and I would question why.

• Pros: Might be good if you're lucky
• Cons: Might be a waste of money if you're not

06/08/05

Orcapulco Experience

by eastlight

What a delight it is to be served the most masterful northwest cuisine with a lovely view over what Christina herself once called Orcapulco. If you poke your head in the kitchen to compliment the chef you are likely to find Christina in a flurry of fresh edible flowers and herbs that tranform the days catch into a simply elegant culinary offering. Whatever you order you are sure to have an elevated dining experience above the gas station in Eastsound on Orcas Island. And don't forget to stop by at the bookstore nextdoor and snag a copy of Christina's new cookbook!

• Pros: wordclass chef, intimate setting, water view
• Cons: stairs (no elevator), limited seating, gas station below