The live jazz on the mezzanine is the ideal accompaniment to their contemporary world menu, which, while small and focused, has a kind of slinky urban sophistication in the details: a bit of corn essence here, a huckleberry compote there, a drizzle of tomato truffle emulsion. They produce dishes both familiar and strange — crab cakes, yes, but with bacon and tasso gravy; kampachi, yes, but served as sashimi with wilted spinach, sautéed shiitakes, and kimchee sauce. The place already has a loyal local fan club. We've never met anybody who didn't fall in love there at first night.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
April 4, 2008

"This is delicious," we sputtered between bites of a square of tasso bread pudding dolloped with a creamy twirl of shrimp and crab remoulade, an amuse-bouche that served as an intro to Chefs Bill Bruening and Tom Repetti's achievements and set the tone for an evening at Christine's.

From the get–go, the casual sophistication of this 3-month-old new kid on the block engaged us. So did the bar and live jazz performance areas separated from the dining room by a glass wall. You still catch the action, but the muted effect makes for soft background music, as it should be when fine dining.

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By Jamie Malernee | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
April 2, 2008

In a section of northwest Palm Beach County called Loxahatchee Groves, there's a neighborhood where roads are still dirt, livestock outnumber neighbors, and Darrin and Jodi Swank are trying to make a living as a new breed of farmer.

Rather than grow plants the traditional way, Darrin Swank has created a hydroponic garden filled with baby vegetables, edible flowers, specialty herbs and leafy greens that are grown without pesticides or fungicides.

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By Rochelle Koff | Miami Herald
Thu, Mar. 27, 2008

"The whole place could have been plucked from a hip Museum of Modern Art soiree during the 1960s," gushed a press release extolling the virtues of Christine's, a new Fort Lauderdale restaurant. It sounded like a lot of hype.

It turns out the bragging is well-deserved. There's an exciting menu. Creative chef. Attentive service. Soothing atmosphere. Sophisticated bar.

The setting is subtle, intimate. Large French vintage posters add a splash of color to a pallette of gray, white and silver, with floors of gleaming blond wood. Tables are set with Reidel glassware and Royal Doulton china on Italian white linens. The dining room is airy and open. The bar is off to the side and a few steps up, behind glass -- so you can listen to sultry singer Liz Sharp, guitarist Michael Bianco and saxophonist (and more) Bob Vandivort if you want to, but their music won't drown out your conversation.

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By James Hanretta
Flavor Magazine
March 2008 Issue

Christine’s on East Oakland Park Blvd., located between Federal Highway and Bayview Drive, is a strong newcomer to the Fort Lauderdale restaurant scene and a marvelous culinary find. Resident Chefs Bill Bruening and Tom Repetti ply their trade with a talent for truly inspired juxtapositions, an obvious devotion to detail and their uncanny ability to prepare fresh fish to that ever elusive, rarely encountered, perfect state of doneness.

The ambiance is minimally modern, underpinned by blonde wood floors in a manner that encourages serious dining without mundane distractions. The pop art, the French vintage movie posters and the “W” celebrity photos arranged behind the bar nearby fade quickly from memory after you are comfortably seated at one of the well spaced tables adorned with fine Italian linens, Reidel glassware, Royal Doulton China and Villeroy & Boch silverware. Many clues hint of an impending love affair with some of the most beautifully crafted cuisine and vintage wines to be found in Fort Lauderdale.

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By Sheri Elfman
Thursday, January 24, 2008

Christine’s is a brand-new restaurant just east of Federal Highway on Oakland Park Boulevard. My co-worker and friend, Joe, and I decided to check it out for lunch.

Although the location is new, Christine’s is run by experienced locals, including the former owner of Grateful Palate on 17th Street Causeway, and a South Florida entrepreneur.

The restaurant is very sleek and modern with wood floors and a metal wine rack covering one large wall. The walls are hung with colorful pop art prints.

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