A Coupling of Flavors

Just outside of Winter Park, Christner’s Prime Steak & Seafood has been serving decadent meals in an intimate setting for more than 20 years. The family-owned-and-operated business, led by David and Alice Christner, sets the stage for fine dining in Orlando.

The menu’s attention to detail includes USDA cuts of meat that are corn fed, aged in house and cut fresh to order. Seafood options are hand selected from the finest local markets. Meticulous service and personal touches throughout the meal make an evening out at Christner’s one that won’t be forgotten. Since the coupling of food and drink is an important aspect of the overall fine-dining experience, Christner’s has prepared a list of suggested pairings with some of its most popular dishes.

The USDA Choice Plus Filet Mignon, which comes in 8-ounce and 12-ounce options, is a tender and decadent cut of meat that pairs well with 10 Acre Pinot Noir or Happy Canyon Merlot for wine enthusiasts. A beer with a darker roast to the grain, like Sam Adams, brings out the steak’s flavors equally well. If a cocktail is more your style, the mixologists at Christner’s recommend a classic Old Fashioned with bourbon, orange and Luxardo’s Original Maraschino Cherry Bitters, sugar and a splash of soda. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon or Glenmorangie Scotch are perfect for those who prefer to slowly sip a spirit while savoring a meal.

Balance the flavor of the richly marbled 16-ounce USDA Prime Ribeye with Orlando Brewing Company’s Blackwater Dry Porter, which has notes of mild-roasted coffee and chocolate. Wine pairings include full-flavored varietals like Qupe Syrah, Mitolo Shiraz, Sean Thackrey Petite Syrah and Ridge Red Zinfandel. The cocktail of choice for a Christner’s ribeye is the Revolver, a mix of Bullet 10 Year Bourbon, coffee liqueur and orange bitters that is served on the rocks with orange zest.

When you order the 24-ounce Prime Porterhouse, you’re getting two cuts in one, with the bone separating the tenderloin and the strip. These flavor profiles call for the rich and creamy cocktail, Lush Life, a combination of White Crème de Cocoa and Frangelico served up or on the rocks. It can also be paired with wines that have complex, highly concentrated flavors like Hanna or Kuleto Cabernet, Two Hands Syrah or the Cabernet-based blend of Chalk Hill. Beer drinkers will enjoy a porterhouse steak with a hoppy IPA like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Christner’s Sesame Seared Tuna is served with a soy ginger glaze and a wasabi cream. The Asian-inspired dish with a touch of spice pairs best with a beverage that is light and refreshing. Cue Orlando Brewing Company’s Blonde Ale, or fruit-forward wines like Bugay Rose and Soter Pinot Noir. On the cocktail menu, the Hemingway Daiquiri – a delightful mixture of Winter Park Distilling Company’s Doghead Rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and a splash of grapefruit juice – plays well to the tuna’s flavor profile. The Florida Mule, a mixture of Winter Park Distilling Company’s Doghead Rum, lime juice and ginger beer does too.

Drink pairings aren’t the only thing Christner’s has dreamed up to accompany its entrée staples. A variety of starters, from the Shrimp Remoulade to the Blue Cheese Lettuce Wedge or Lobster Bisque, will begin your meal on a rich note. Side dishes include Lobster Macaroni & Cheese, Skillet Potatoes and Onions, Broccoli Au Gratin, Onion Rings, Osage Spinach, Fresh Vegetable, Sauteed Mushrooms and Creamed Corn so that all cravings are covered.

More than just a meal, Christner’s engages guests in monthly events that cater to its beverage options. This summer, the Yuengling Party will show off specialty beers that are exclusive to the brand but not available on the market. The immersive, interactive tasting will be an educational experience led by a Yuengling representative who will speak to the unique characteristics of each beer. A White Wine Dinner led by Alice Christner, the second installment of the 2015 Cutting Board Series, will also be held in the summer months. This interactive experience will feature chilled specialty white wines paired with classic Christner’s cuisine.

With an impressive lineup of the best steaks and seafood, coupled with tasty pairings from the bar, Christner’s is the place to be this summer.