Christy's Restaurant is THE fine dining Coral Gables institution where rich and powerful politicians, ceo's and celebrities have talked business over lunch and dinner for 30 years. Christy's has stood at the same location under the same ownership making it one of the longest-running establishments to do so in Dade County. They're known for their steaks. Christy's catered a meal for George HW Bush on Air Force One when he was president.
Baseball flamethrower Orlando El Duque Hernandez eats there with his wife and manager in the off-season, as have Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. Rap star Rick Ross has downed some chow there with a lady friend, ordered fruit punch with his meal, and left a good tip. Another notable good tipper is the ailing Robin Williams. According to managing partner Chris Klaic, high profile clientele eat there because "they want to be left alone to talk business."
Chef Marcus Polycarpe has been at Christy's for 13 years and started as a sous chef. Other staff members from the kitchen to the front of the house have been there twice as long. "Jimmy's been here 30 years, Morales for 17, Orlando got 27 years, we have people who made their whole career working here" says Mr. Klaic. He also says "We never wanna change who we are, a real, traditional steak house. Klaic also owns the Redfish Grill at Mattheson Hammock where local celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein got her start.
From the giant shrimp that look like they're on steroids to the prime rib, filet mignon and seabass, to the duck, lamb and snapper to the key lime pie, flan and baked alaska, Christy's serves the best of the best in traditonal steakhouse cuisine.
Jean S. Orphe, Denise Armand and Charles Emmanuel work in the kitchen. They are pictured in the slideshow and asked that their names be included.
Managing partner Chris Klaic concludes "Majority of the people who come here are professional diners, they don't eat at Denny's, you can't fool them, it's gotta be the best, and that's what we are."
