Restaurant Reviews and Food Musings

Restaurant

Christi
32 James Street
London
W1M 5HS

Phone:- 0207 935 0416

Overview

Eva and I were strolling around Oxford Street on Friday, and decided to take “pot luck” and try one of the numerous continental restaurants that have flourished in the back streets around that area.

We dropped in on Christi, an Italian restaurant.

Ambience

Christi is a jolly, lively Italian restaurant with ample seating inside and outside.

When we were there on Friday evening, since the weather was fine, the outside tables were packed with customers. However, the inside was a little more sedate and so we took a table inside.

The décor is “bistroesque”, the ceiling painted green and the numerous mirrors (painted with classic urns) that adorned the walls were back lit by green lights.

The tables were laid with linen cloths, white on top of red, together with red napkins.

Menu

The menu offered a good range of pasta, meat and fish dishes; the usual ones associated with Italian cuisine.

I would note that they do not serve smaller portions of pasta for starters, so order pasta as a starter only if you have a hearty appetite.

Service

The service was friendly and efficient, the staff were very welcoming and helpful.

Food

I chose the lasagne for my starter. This, refreshingly, had been baked not microwaved as in some establishments; it came bubbling hot in its earthenware serving dish.

The lasagne consisted of a generous quantity of spinach pasta interlayered with meat, and it was covered in a robust tomato based béchamel sauce. It was a good size for a starter; but perversely, as it was meant to be a main course, I would say a little small for its intended purpose.

I chose calves liver in a white wine and sage sauce for my main course.

This was excellent, the liver was cut thin, but was tender flavoursome and very succulent. The sauce complemented the liver without overwhelming it. I was pleased to note that fresh sage was used in the sauce, not dried.

I chose sauté potatoes and broccoli to accompany the dish. These were freshly prepared, and well cooked. A good choice in my view.

Eva chose the deep fried mozzarella to start with. This consisted of two large pieces of mozzarella covered in breadcrumbs and deep fried. They were served with a small side salad, and a tomato based sauce.

The mozzarella was nicely cooked, not at all greasy, and was complimented by the piquancy of the tomato sauce.

Eva chose ravioli in an asparagus and cream sauce for her main course.

This dish consisted of a generous portion of home-made meat filled pillows of pasta, covered in a rich (but not claggy) tasty asparagus and cheese sauce.

She was very pleased with her choice.

The meal, which included a robust Chianti and several Irish coffees, came to £90 including service.

Overall Opinion

A very pleasant restaurant, worth a visit if you are in the area; burdened down with purchases from Selfridges and the other stores on Oxford Street.