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Nestled along the Allegheny Creek south of Gibraltar, Christine's Creekside Inn seemingly appears out of nowhere on Green Hills Road. Built originally as a grist mill, the 18th century building was transformed into a restaurant in the 1970s, and finally became Christine's in 2008.
On a Thursday night in December, my wife and I made our
first visit to the Christine's. Three chandeliers hung from the center of the
ceiling, their light revealing the beauty of the nearly 250-year-old building. Every
table was covered in white linen, with red napkins that matched the upholstered
chairs. One original stone wall remained untouched on the far side of the room.
It was disappointing to see such a beautiful room nearly
empty as only one other couple was in the dining room with us for most of our
meal. The waitress's footsteps on the hardwood floor echoed through the
cavernous room.
Maybe it was because it was a slow night, but our service
was incredible. Our waitress doubled as
the bartender, and she went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed our dinner.
To add to the ambiance, all diners receive a warm towel to
freshen up with before their meal. It's a nice touch that really makes it feel
like you are not just eating out, you're dining.
I started my meal with the soup du jour, a tasty ham and
bean soup, which like the rest of the menu, is made from scratch. The dinner
rolls were also fresh and still warm from the oven when they arrived at our
table.
My main course for the evening was the "Touch of Italy,"
which features grilled chicken, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, onions and
linguine tossed in a light tomato sauce.
The "Touch of Italy" could easily have fed two
people. The waitress brought it out in a large serving bowl, and after filling
my plate it looked like the bowl had barely been touched.
The natural sweetness of the fresh tomatoes came through in
every bite. Unlike a thick marinara sauce, the oil in this sauce helped it
stick to everything, blending flavors perfectly. My side of vegetables tasted
like they were picked from the garden that morning. The bright orange color of
the carrots glowed in the room's soft lighting.
My wife ordered the Steak Alexander, served with red onions
in a confit sauce, a balsamic base that was still sweet, which added a unique
flavor to the choice cut of steak. The home fries were more like potato wedges,
deliciously seasoned with an herb blend.
The only downside to our meal was the portion size left us no
room to try any of the Inn's homemade desserts.
Our bill totaled about $65, but we took advantage of a restaurant.com
coupon for $25.00 off. Christine's website also offers coupon promotions throughout
the year so be sure to check before you go. Because the food is made fresh, reservations
are highly recommended, so try to plan your visit in advance. It's definitely
worth the visit.
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