Once stepping inside, I was blown away by the transformation from a strip-situated restaurant to a homey and intimate dining area overlooked by a busy open kitchen. I didn't know what my expectations were, but the comfortable dining area immediately made me feel at home as if it was a small Italian eatery.
Once seated, I looked over the menu, but with the gluten free options not marked, I knew I had to work with the main waitress and chef to figure out what I could and could not eat. Though the waitress outlined all of the dishes that could be made gluten and dairy free, I didn't register them because I was solely focused on getting pizza. I know they offer gluten-free pasta and many entrees could be adapted to be safe, but I found it disconcerting when the waitress said the eggplant Parmesan could be adapted. When asked what would be substituted for the flour "breading" she replied "are you able to eat a little wheat?" which I found disconcerting. When I explained that gluten is in wheat, she offered to consult with the chef as to my options.
Upon opening up the box, I was disappointed to find that olives were predominately scattered on top despite my request otherwise. While merely a picky request instead of a dietary restriction based one, it's a simple mistake that could have made a big difference if I could not have olives. Once digging in, I found the crust to be soggy to the point of being under-cooked. Soggy centers of crusts are not uncommon for gluten-free pizzas, but this was more than most pies I've had. On the upside, the toppings were fresh had a good flavor. The inclusion of cucumbers gave the pizza a unique texture mix-up that was interesting and unique. On a return visit, I would definitely ask for the pizza to be cooked longer than usual to get a crispier crust that is more "well done" instead of "medium rare."
All in all, Chianti's pizza was acceptable, but nothing special. I really liked the feel of the place and would have lingered there to dine in if I wasn't so tired. It would be an ideal restaurant to host small gatherings, parties, and/or reunions. I'm unhappy to report though that hours after eating, I had a gluten-poisoning reaction that while not totally debilitating was enough to render me out of commission over the next few days. I don't know what caused it, but know that the pizza was the clear cause. I sincerely hope my experience is an outlier for gluten-free consumers, but it was a reminder of the constant risk I'm taking each time I eat out even when staff are knowledgeable and make a point of checking ingredients.
The Basics
Address: 685 Towne Center Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32771
Website: www.christophersitalian.com
Cuisine: Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Entrees
Ideal For: Lunch and/or Dinner
Price: $10-25 per person
Accessibility: The restaurant is very accessible for a wheelchair user.
Special Features: They offer coupons on their website.
Website: www.christophersitalian.com
Cuisine: Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Entrees
Ideal For: Lunch and/or Dinner
Price: $10-25 per person
Accessibility: The restaurant is very accessible for a wheelchair user.
Special Features: They offer coupons on their website.
Disclaimer: Restaurant reviews are based upon the information I have at the time of the review and do not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.
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