The recent visit of Pope Francis to the United States has prompted a strong surge in questions about life in the Vatican City. Comprised of the very famous Apostolic Palace (the residence of the Pope), Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and various Vatican museums, the city is inhabited by approximately 841 residents. The history of Vatican City is a fascinating story, and it is the smallest recognized independent state in the world in both area and citizenship. As you can imagine, with only 841 residents, all of whom are appointed to various duties within the Vatican, there […]
Fine Dining Blog
Tuscany is for Food and Wine Lovers
One of the influences you will find in the food at our Orlando fine dining establishment, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, is the Tuscan area of Italy. Stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Apuan Alps, this artistic and historic region located in central Italy is said to have been the birthplace of the Renaissance. Museums, palaces, medieval villages, churches; the region is replete with sites to explore and will satisfy any historians’ quest for knowledge. Be prepared to do a lot of walking when you visit. Many places are accessible by car, but most people enjoy exploring on foot. The culinary […]
Haunted and Scary Places in Italy
Chances are that your door bell will soon be rung by children eager to scream “Trick or Treat!” in the hopes that you will fill their bags with Halloween candy. The three-day observance of All Souls Eve (October 31st, All Souls Day, and All Saints Day) is represented on the liturgical calendar of many Christian churches and is said to be strongly influenced by the Celtic harvest festival. It is the time of year set aside to remember and honor the dead, including the saints. With a foundation based in honoring the dead comes the natural evolution of scary stories, […]
6 Things to Remember When Pairing Wine with Italian Food
Finding the perfect pairing of wine with Italian food is not as daunting a task as you might think. There are six basic things to keep in mind when selecting wines to successfully enhance your culinary selections and our Italian restaurant in Orlando, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, is proud to offer a vast selection of wines from around the world to help you select the ideal complement with your award-winning meal. Foods that are fatty or rich in nature should be paired with wines that tend to have an acidic finish. You will want to select a wine whose flavor […]
Italy and the Olive
The Mediterranean diet is said to be one of the healthiest ones in the world. One of the contributing factors to this lifestyle is undeniably the olive and its byproduct: olive oil. The Italians have incorporated olives and olive oil into their cuisine for thousands of years. While it is said that the first olive trees grew in what is now known as Turkey and have been mentioned throughout Greek mythology and the Bible as having restorative powers, they have been a symbol of peace, vitality, and of course, nourishment. It has been nicknamed “The Noble Fruit.” The best restaurant […]
