De'Ja' Food: Elephant Walk Chef returns to South Walton with Christiano's and a taste of Italy

Chris Chirum has returned to his South Walton roots in the opening of his first restaurant — Christiano’s.

The restaurant is located at 4942 U.S. Highway 98W in Santa Rosa Beach at the former Guglielmo’s location. He opened the Italian casual dining restaurant Sept. 23.

Chirum is a classically-trained French chef who began his career at the iconic Elephant Walk at Sandestin in 1991. He was there until 1998.

Chirum left Elephant Walk to go to Frangista’s in Destin, where he served as its last chef.

He was then the chef at The Grille at Silver Shells for three years, and then a partner at The Wild Olive in Crestview.

“I was missing time with my family and my church in being in the partnership in Crestview, which entailed two hours driving time per day,” he said.

Chirum’s young children now visit him at Christiano’s along with his parents and wife.

Bringing his work closer to his family has also opened avenues that have allowed him to go back to preparing Wednesday night suppers for his church family at Village Baptist in Destin.

Open Monday to Saturday from 5-9 p.m., Christiano’s is authentic Italian dining with a Gulf Coast flair.

“There are a lot of restaurants in the area, but few Italian. I felt there was a need,” he said.

Diners may start their meal with seafood chowder, zucchini Ernesto, bacon-wrapped jalapenos or fried calamari.

Pasta dishes include manicotti, fettuccini Alfredo, roman chicken tortellini, cheese ravioli, shrimp Toscana, Sicilian sausage pomadora, linguine with clams, lasagna, and seafood Fra diavolo.

Specialty entrees include mahi Italiano, chicken parmesan Milanese, veal marsala, filet mignon bordelaise, rack of lamb, and the queen of the menu – Grouper Elizabeth, the chef’s specialty since 1991 when it debuted at Elephant Walk.

Grouper Elizabeth is a fresh gulf grouper, pan sautéed and topped with jumbo lump crab and almonds, laced in white butter sauce and served with European green beans and rice.

Chirum said the dish is so named due to Elizabeth Taylor’s starring role in the film “Elephant Walk.”

On Saturday nights at the restaurant, Hilda McDonald takes her seat at the keyboard, playing classical selections.

Chirum and family invites the public to join them in enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving buffet on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., featuring vegetable crudités with dip, roast turkey and ham, cornbread dressing, green beans, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, gravy and sweet potato casserole. Top it off with pecan, pumpkin or key lime pie. Cost for adults is $25.95, children 10 and under are $11.95, and under 4 are free.

Call (850) 267-2185.