Chris Russo

Wine Director, Sommelier & Dining Room Manager

Chris joined the NINE-TEN Restaurant team as a Server in 2007 after noting on his application that he was a “waiter extraordinaire”. In his more than a decade with NINE-TEN, he has been able to couple his love of food and wine with the satisfaction of creating memories and experiences for guests. As a matter of fact, he continued to work at NINE-TEN when he found himself working in the bio-tech industry, for GenWay and Illumina, respectively. Chris's enthusiasm for service and personal contact made him realize that, although he had enjoyed his studies, bio-tech was not his calling. He decided to commit himself to working full-time at NINE-TEN and pursuing certification as a Sommelier.  He received the top score on his Introductory Sommelier exam in a class of over 100 people and became a Certified Sommelier only six months later.

Following his Certified Sommelier designation, Chris began working as Wine Director at NINE-TEN where he acts as a mentor by sharing his knowledge of food and wine to co-workers and guests alike. He remains an integral part of the NINE-TEN team, recognized frequently by guests for his outstanding service, knowledge and wine recommendations. He has been awarded San Diego’s “Sommelier of the Year” by the readers of Ranch & Coast Magazine in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as San Diego's "Best Restaurant Server" by the readers of the San Diego Union-Tribune in 2021.  His knowledge has also garnered the restaurant numerous awards for having the best wine list in San Diego. And in 2024, Chris further elevated the NINE-TEN experience by taking over the reins as Dining Room Manager, in addition to directing the restaurant's wine program.

Outside of work, Chris loves to travel, particularly internationally, in an effort to further his depth and breadth of food and beverage knowledge through a variety of culinary experiences. Upon return from his adventures, he is thrilled to share his experiences and knowledge in order to help benefit others. He contributes to park and beach clean-ups in his local community of Point Loma and Ocean Beach. He also enjoys the company of his beloved dog, Murphy, whom he has been working to train as a therapy dog with “Love on a Leash”, an organization that takes animals into convalescent homes to briefly better the lives of those individuals living there. It can easily be said that Chris leaves a lasting impression on anyone he encounters and those who have had the opportunity of knowing him are better for it.