The Continental Kitchens take-out story began in 1978.
Harry had just left the famous Far Horizons Restaurant on Longboat Key to become the day chef at Café l’Europe, in Sarasota at St. Armand's. Every day he prepared the dishes for that evening’s dinners. The line chefs at night heated the dishes for their customers. “I got the idea,” Harry says, “of making my customers the line chefs!”

Harry and Lynn spent that summer working at a resort in the Pocono Mountains. When they could, the couple traveled to New York City to investigate the city’s famous delicatessens and to study how take-out meals were marketed. Gourmet take-out was an idea that was just beginning back then. The Silver Palette had opened, and there was William Tell, Dean and DeLuca, and Word of Mouth...all fabulous delis with take-out dishes prepared in bulk. Rather than weighing the portions out for the customer as the New York delis did, Harry’s idea was to package individual, specially prepared gourmet meals, including appetizers and desserts. “I wanted to make these dinners the same as you would get in a fine restaurant,” Harry recollects, “but it’s take-out. My customers could savor a gourmet dinner without leaving the comfort of their homes.”

Back in Longboat Key, February 1979, the Christensens leased a building to house their Continental Kitchen at 5440 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The hard working couple made their delicious take-out dinners as well as scrumptious sandwiches for lunch. Those customers who didn’t want to take their sandwiches too far before devouring them, were grateful for the umbrella tables in the parklike setting outside. Every day the chalkboard listed daily specials in addition to the standard menu.

A typical day might include a traditional French dish such as Coq au Vin, Harry’s own pâté, and Beef Wellington. For dessert, there would be chocolate mousse and Ruth Orne’s delicious apple tart. And always, Harry had great wines at reasonable prices.

By 1982, the Christensens had proof that their gourmet take-out was an idea whose time had come. Growing pains pushed them to the current location a few blocks north on St. Judes Drive. By now, the Christensens were realizing they had a talent for catering as well as take-out. The St. Judes building housed the same homey deli with a European feel, the same take-out gourmet dinners complete from soup to nuts, now augmented by busy delivery trucks and a professional catering staff. The Christensens created, and still do create, magnificent parties for their customers.

One would think all of this would be enough work for anyone, but something was missing. “Harry always longed for his own restaurant,” says Lynn, “ a dining room where he could see people enjoy his food. We decided to make his dream come true.” In 1985, the Christensens added the wonderful restaurant we all know and love... Harry’s. In 1998, Harry and Lynn added a full bar to the restaurant. Now our customers can relish a cocktail before dinner or enjoy a favorite after dinner drink.