Seafood joint melts comfortable atmosphere with succulent fish dishes

Christopher’s Seafood opened about a year ago at the Atlantic and Kernan intersection. This ocean bay-themed restaurant greets all hunger with magnificent food.

The restaurant welcomes customers with a cheerful staff and a relaxing atmosphere. During the day, dim lights and tropical music set a soothing mood. The place smells of butter sauce and fresh lemons.

The array of choices on the lunch menu seemed overwhelming, so I accepted the waiter’s recommendation of the ahi tuna.

The waiter brought a small loaf of bread with honey butter. The first bite tasted of silky honey, garlic and a hint of something entirely unidentifiable, yet so good. Executive chef Kahn Vongdara revealed the special ingredients of sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.

Steaming ahi tuna arrived shortly after – medium rare, rosy pink on the inside and covered with a layer of sesame seeds. An arrangement of two hot scoops of garlic mashed potatoes, fresh salad and a lemon wedge accompanied the fish.

Vongdara, eager to talk about his emerging restaurant, joined me at the table and insisted on me trying his best-selling dish – Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass.

At age 18, Vongdara began dreaming of owning a restaurant. By 21, he owned his first one in Baltimore, where he practiced his passion for cooking seafood. He now owns several seafood restaurants in the U.S., including his latest – Christopher’s Seafood – named after his son.

The bass came dripping in tomato garlic butter sauce, layered with juicy scallops and served with two, hot scoops of mashed potatoes, asparagus and a cloth-wrapped lemon. The
arrangement was brought to life with a purple flower, perched delicately on top.

The butter made the bass melt in the mouth, and the garlic added a lasting “oomph” factor.

Entrées at Christopher’s Seafood range from $10 to $30. In addition to seafood,
the restaurant also specializes in poultry, pork, steak and desserts. If you are looking for fine dining, generous portions and moderate prices, give this place a try; say Henna sent you.