Christie's Seafood & Steaks in Houston

​To Christie's with Kristi!

For many years, I've been curious about this restaurant with the glowing anchor & steering wheel.  My dining buddy, Kristi was game  to go!

Lots in Common
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Kristi and I actually met over 3 years ago through this dining blog.  She was googling a trapeze term and managed to find my write up about "trapezing", which lead her to the dining blog.  ​We communicated and concluded we both lived in the Houston area.   We've been meeting up for food adventures since! 

Over the past few years we've determined we have more in common than taking a trapeze class.  We share an enthusiasm for posing with odd things, like giant lobsters! 

​At Christie's Last November

I'm a little slow with this write up.  It was actually a weeknight last November when Kristi and I planned on meeting up at the iconic Houston restaurant.  I arrived a little early and peeked at the blue bar, with mounted fish and I loved it.  I was told that this room was where owner, Jim Christie was often found sitting and chatting with customers, until he died 2 years ago.  

Looking Around
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I enjoyed a few minutes, absorbing some of the decor! The oars, anchor and life preserver were pretty festive. The words on the orange circle reminded me that Christie's has been in the biz since opening in Galveston in 1917. 

Coat Check?
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I was somewhat amused by this structure with the arched window.  The kid in me immediately thought, "puppet theatre!"  Then I had a moment of nostalgia and felt sure I knew just what it was.  I asked the woman who was smiling out from the window, "What is this? Is this a coat check?" She seemed confused and smiled back at me.  Assuming she didn't speak English, I tried to sort of pantomime my question again.  Then she suddenly laughed and spoke with only a slight accent. "Oh!  No, they only have those in the Northeast.  We don't have those in Texas!"  We shared a chuckle and then I noticed the computer and desk behind her.  Silly me.

Waterfall and Crabs
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I sat for a moment and enjoyed the trickling fountain with little ledges holding potted plants and crab figures. And then Kristi arrived and we moved into the dining area for more fish and boat decor!

A White Table Cloth
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I like a booth with a white table cloth and we were seated in a comfy one.  It was good for catching up on Kristi's latest marathon and my latest road trip. We ordered some fried mini-crab balls, which looked like hushpuppies... 

And then we ordered our dinner, which I remember little about.  No it was not amnesia or too much alcohol. I just waited too long to write this blog. Kristi got some kind of grilled fish and I got fried shrimp and maybe a baked potato.  It was all good, but the food wasn't as memorable as the feel of the place or the conversation.  There was much to catch up on.  
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 A Lively Place
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A table of business men jabbered and laughed nearby and a birthday group celebrated in the next room. But Kristi and I blocked out the noise and jabbered about travel and sports injuries. The main thing I wanted to find out was, "When are you and The Giant going to get married!"   

This is Not The Giant
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Kristi would rather have posed with "her Giant" Jim, than this swordfish, but it was the best we could do.  Kristi's British beau, Jim (who happens to be very tall) was in England.  He was also in England back when Kristi was looking up trapeze terms, so she could email Jim with news of the stunts she was learning in trapeze class. Since Kristi and I started meeting for meals, I've learned from her just how tricky long distance courting (and wedding planning) can be!
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The History
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Before heading out, we peeked at the guest book on a memorial table, honoring the late, Jim Christie. Too bad Kristi and I didn't get ourselves here 3 years ago.  Mr. Christie obviously was well loved and we probably could have had a nice chat with him about the restaurant and the people he loved so much.
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The Christie's Experience
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So I kind of wimped out on this dining blog entry.  I can't remember the food. And I hardly focused on the restaurant history, which is a great story that you can find on their website.  But my memory of the restaurant is mostly about a relaxing, nice evening catching up with my dining buddy.  Maybe Kristi and I should return soon for another catch up... since I need to hear about her honeymoon!  CONGRATS TO KRISTI AND JIM!  They got married 2 days ago!