Nino’s History
By Carina Cristiano Leoni

My parents, Vincenzo and Inge Cristiano, celebrated 49 years in business July 31st, 2007 at their Landmark Italian Restaurant in Long Beach, California. Nino’s is where I took my first steps and it was very much a second, sometimes first home to me and my older brothers Nino and Mike.  We all grew up in the restaurant business whether it was kneading pizza dough, making garlic bread, waiting on our clients or growing into other roles of needs. As the family grew up so did the restaurant from its humble beginnings.

Read the complete story of the Cristiano family's start in America and the raising of a family and a restaurant in Bixby Knolls... click here to read more.

Gourmet Guide, August 20, 1972

"I SUSPECT THAT Nino's Italian Ristorantc gets more love letters than any other restaurant in town.
I can understand why. Nino's food is nectar for the gods. It is so good that after finishing their feasts the guests arc so inspired they feel compelled to write love letters to the owner, whom they think (quite logically) is Nino. "

Read the rest of Tedd Thomey's Gourmet Guide review from the Independent Press-Telegram, Sunday, August 20, 1972... click here to read more.

July 21, 1967

Pizza Party for the Winners

Small guest receives affectionate hug from Vince Cristiano, chef and owner of Nino's Italian Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Ave. His specialties are
lasagna, veal scaloppini, veal Caruso, jumbo shrimp Marinaro and meatballs a la Napoletana.

See the full size photo and caption... click here for more.

Table Talk, November 25, 1977

"One of my favorite restaurant owners is Vincenzo Cristiano, whom I regard as one of Long Reach's most extraordinary Italian chefs. He and his wife Inga have been owners, for nearly 20 years, of Nino's Ristorante on Atlantic Avenue.

When Vince first came to Long Beach from Italy in the early 1950s, he worked for a time as an assistant chef at a continental restaurant. Before long he noticed that the No. 1 chef was a thief who used the oldest trick of all to steal from the restaurant..."

Read the rest of Tedd Thomey's Table Talk review from the Independent Press-Telegram, November 25, 1977... click here to read more.

July 21, 1967

Pizza Party for the Winners

Braves baseball team, winners of pennant in Kiwanis T-Shirt League, pose with their coaches and chef Vince Cristiano at Nino's Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Ave. Cristiano hosted pizza party for boys to celebrate their victory. Restaurant will be closed for vacation until Aug. 3.

See the full size photo and caption... click here for more.

3853 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90807 • (562) 427-1003 or (562) 427-9111