Cristina Ristorante Italiano

Tuesday 12/10/2024I originally visited this spot back in 2021 for a sit down visit with the family. I remember getting the chicken fettuccine Alfredo but I couldn't remember too much of what I thought of the spot while my fam thought it was pretty good. It's been a minute so I've finally decided to come back to review this spot. I ordered online through DoorDash for pick up and once I got there the door was locked for some reason but luckily after I called them they unlocked the door. The inside looked a bit different from the first time I was there (last time looked more spacious) but it still looked decent. For my order I got the pappardelle bolognese $22, fettuccine Alfredo $20, and classic chicken parmigiano $21.- the pappardelle bolognese was my favorite of the 3. It had a creamy tomato flavor sauce that was paired nicely with beef to make a very good tasting dish.- The fettuccine Alfredo was okay but it's not something that I would get again.- The classic chicken parmigiano was solid but nothing crazy. I did like the chicken portion but the spaghetti pasta had to be the smallest I've ever had.- the Complimentary fresh bread and oil came with the meal and it was okay. All in all, this is a solid spot for pasta and my main recommendation would be the pappardelle bolognese which was done very well.

We decided to grab a quick bite after reading some great reviews on here. We were seated right away and given bread with an olive oil and garlic dip. I really liked the oil - it had a strong garlic flavor. For an appetizer, we ordered the fried calamari. The calamari was a bit bland and lacked seasoning and flavor, and it was very oily. For pasta, I got the Linguine Alle Vongole and my boyfriend got their Penne Vodka.I thought the Linguine dish could have used a bit more salt and garlic, because it tasted a bit bland to me. My partner's Penne Vodka was good at first, but it was hard to finish because it was so creamy. Their vodka sauce is super thick, which isn't really my thing. Everything was just so mushy and clumped together, it wasn't the best.Unfortunately, this was a disappointing meal for us. Nothing really stood out as being particularly good.

Incredible, authentic Italian food located inconspicuously in the heart of a busy Wheaton street. My fiancé and I live close to this establishment and, as lovers of Italian food, eagerly came here for dinner. Right away, the vibe was as classic as you'd expect--small, white linens, and the opposite of flashy. The menu was full of great selections and the drink menu was limited to beer, wine, and a few classic cocktails. We had a Gorgonzola pear salad to start, an Italian beer, and a martini. The service here was a bit slow to start while there were more guests than the 3 employees. Despite asking for missing silverware, we ended up grabbing a nearby empty table's silverware because otherwise we'd be waiting forever to eat the salads. The drinks took a while to get to us too, we were practically done with the salads by the time they arrived. I'm not a fan of dirty martinis so I ordered a lemon twist martini but was slightly disappointed. The lemon twist was very sad (tiniest sliver) and I didn't taste much lemon essence. So as you can tell, we were not off to a great start...I'm happy to report our experience did a complete 180° when the waiter came back to take our entre orders and surprised us with offering complementary dessert at the end of our meal. He seemed to be very apologetic about the slow service and put a lot of effort in helping us decide our entrees. My fiancé got the fettuccine mediterráneo and I got the classic chicken parmigiana. The fettuccine was absolutely divine--each shrimp and scallop was cooked perfectly tender and the cream sauce was delicious. The chicken parmigiana was the best I've had so far, with an absolute standout marinara sauce that is very much homemade. For dessert, we chose the tiramisu upon the waiter's recommendation and it did not disappoint. The food here blew us away and days later I am still thinking about this food. Amazing food aside, I really appreciate the fact that the staff here went above and beyond when they realized we were beginning to have a not so great experience. We will be glad to come back here fully very soon as a result!

Boo and I ordered for takeout but we'll definitely dine in next time as this food was delicious!!! Didn't take a picture of his fettuccine but he enjoyed his food as well :-) I appreciated the complimentary bread with oil and cheese- especially for take out. Def a good spot to check out in the area

This is a cute, quaint restaurant serving quality, fresh food. The waiter, Christian, was very nice, polite, patient, and extremely helpful with providing recommendations with details of many of the items.I had the Fettuccine Mediterraneo which has scallops, shrimp, crab meat with your choice of red or white sauce (I always love cheese sauce w/ this type of dish). The seafood portions were ample with fresh jumbo scallops and shrimp. The scallops were cooked to perfection with a delicious flavor. Dessert was a specialty ricotta, pistachio cake, which was very light and refreshing. Not very sweet and easy to eat after a full meal. Most desserts are made in house. I enjoy supporting local, individually owned restaurants; especially when they make an effort to provide quality, handmade, fresh food. I'll have to work my way through the menu. This will be on my suggestion list for others to enjoy as well.

Cristina Ristorante Italiano: A Repeat DelightAnother visit to Cristina Ristorante Italiano, and once again, it did not disappoint. This charming spot in [City/Town] continues to uphold its tradition of exceptional Italian cuisine and warm hospitality.The visit started on a high note with complimentary stuffed mushrooms, a gesture that made me feel like a valued guest. These mushrooms were a delightful beginning, bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared.For the main course, I opted for the classic - spaghetti and meatballs. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection, and the meatballs were juicy, flavorful, and complemented the homemade sauce beautifully. The house salad was a fresh and crisp introduction to this hearty dish, balancing the flavors wonderfully.Dessert was a decadent chocolate cake paired with Limoncello. The cake's rich, moist texture and deep chocolate flavor were a perfect match for the zesty and refreshing Limoncello. On a whim, I decided to follow it up with a cappuccino, which was a delightful finish, smooth and robust.The cherry on top of this delightful meal was the fact that the dessert was complimentary, a kind acknowledgment of my frequent visits. This personal touch is one of the many reasons why I adore this place.The staff at Cristina Ristorante Italiano always impresses with their amazing service. They are not only friendly but also fast, responsive, and incredibly professional. Each visit here feels like being welcomed into a family.I absolutely love this little restaurant for its authentic Italian fare, the cozy ambiance, and the exceptional service. Looking forward to my next visit, Cristina Ristorante Italiano remains a beloved spot for me, where every meal is a memorable experience.

Oh geez, how much can we compliment this restaurant?!!From the server, Nick, to the cuisine, it was spot on perfection. Kathy had the Gluten Free Wheaton chicken Parmesan. She loved it!I enjoyed the mushroom risotto with a side of shrimp. It was amazing!!Desert we shared crème brûlée and chocolate lava cake. With wine and a couple of bourbons it was roughly $130. If you are in the Bethesda area this is a must visit location

My partner's family used to frequent this Italian restaurant with their Mother--she has since passed away and we decided to go come for a family dinner to honor her Birthday.We were told it was under new management--doesn't mean much to me since I've never been here before but the family stated that the food was a bit different. To me, the food was okay. Not something I'd go out of my way to return for.To be honest, it smelled unpleasant. We were the only ones for about 40 minutes and then around 7:30 it was packed and that is when it began to smell. It could've been the mix of food dishes, patrons or the bathroom--I couldn't tell but I couldn't wait to get outside. Finding parking is a bit uncomfortable and the overall area wasn't the best. Not somewhere you can walk around afterwards.

We first dined at Cristina Ristorante Italiano about 3 months ago. We had been looking for a decent "red sauce Italian" restaurant nearby and stumbled upon Cristiana's by happenstance. We weren't expecting much from the exterior appearance, but inside was a different matter.We were greeted at the door promptly and seated quickly. The room is small with large, bold painted murals of Italian scenes on the two walls and a large series of mirrors on a third wall, giving the room a bigger feeling. Tables are dressed in white tablecloths. On our first trip, there were only 2 or 3 tables occupied (more about that later).The menu is quite large and has some impressive offerings for such a small spot. I've tried the calamari appetizer which was quite good and my favorite, the gorgonzola and pear salad (it's huge, but you can ask for a small one if you wish) which is one of the best salads I've ever enjoyed.They offer a wide variety of pastas and you are welcome to substitute a different pasta style for almost any dish (they offer pappardelle, fettuccine, linguini, capellini, spaghetti, penne and gluten free penne). Then there is a selection of meat and seafood dishes. Go for the Gamberoni di Cristina: gulf shrimp and crab meat served over linguini with a lobster sauce. Divine! They usually have one or two specials, too, so be sure to ask. Also check out their changing dessert list (or just opt for an affogato or an after dinner pour). Beer, wine and a limited cocktail list also available.Our first visit was such a success that we've been going back again every week or two since. Service in every case has been excellent. Our favorite server is Elmer, but all have been wonderful, friendly and helpful.There's really only one thing that concerned me: they rarely have had more than 3 or 4 tables occupied whenever we've dined there. We usually go during the week, so maybe that is part of the reason. And they seem to do a lot of deliveries, too. But this is a restaurant that really out to be crowded most nights. They serve a great variety of Italian, they provide excellent service and their prices are relatively moderate. There is free parking nearby at night. Where are all the diners??

I have been to this restaurant about 6 times when I get in mood for Italian food. I do takeout. Nothing is special that I had. I expected the best fish dishes, lasagna, spaghetti, etc nothing stands out. Unfortunately I haven't found an excellent dish yet.