Dining out: Christopher-Daniel offers a special experience
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com
Everything about Christopher-Daniel Restaurant combines to serve up a relaxing and special dining experience. Located at 106 W. Padonia Rd. in Timonium, it offers subdued lighting and flickering candles with a background of soft jazz and Golden Oldies.
As soon as we were settled into a comfortable booth, our pleasant and efficient server Holly had a serving of bread sticks and slices set before us to dip into a mildly flavored oil.
The menu lists Starters ($8-$15), Salads ($6-$15), Sandwiches served with housemade Cole Slaw and Fries ($8-$15), Steaks with choice of Sauce ($15-$33) and Steak Toppers (ranging from $3 Sweet Bourbon Mushrooms to $13 Seared Foie Gras), Entrees ($15-$32) and Sides ($3-$6).
Each of the selections was enticing. I finally settled on an Entree of Pan Seared Diver Scallops, Truffle Whipped Potatoes, Wild Mushrooms and Asparagus, Beurre Blanc ($22). He opted for an 8 oz. Grilled New York Strip Steak ($15) and sides of Steamed Broccoli and Scalloped Potatoes ($3 each).
Beautifully presented, our dinners almost could qualify as works of art. Even better, they were outstandingly delicious.
Resembling a mini-sculpture garden, my perfectly prepared scallops were arranged around an artfully constructed mound of whipped potatoes, under thinly sliced wild mushrooms and tender asparagus spears topped with paper-thin strips of delicately sizzled parsnips lightly kissed with a buttery white wine sauce. Out of this world!
His “melt-in-your-mouth” steak, done exactly to his medium-rare order, was perfectly complemented by the ramekin of scalloped potatoes in a thick cream sauce and the serving of al dente broccoli. Delectable!
Holly was unobtrusively solicitous throughout our stay.
With a gin and tonic ($4.50), Ice Tea ($2), Lemonade ($1.75), tax and tip, our perfect dinner for two came to $61.82.
With a motto of “Come casual … dine fine,” Christopher-Daniel is open for lunch daily from 11 to 3; a Buffet Brunch from 11 to 2 on Sundays; and dinner 5 to 10 Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 11 Friday and Saturday.
FIVE, its adjacent martini bar and lounge with over 25 specialty martinis, is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, serving lunch and dinner with a bar menu until midnight. Live music is featured on Fridays
and Saturdays.
For more information or dinner reservations, go to www.christopher©daniel.com or call 410-308-1800.
Restaurant’s Rating
Food – 4 forks
Service – 4 forks
Atmosphere – 4 forks
Cost: $15 - $33