Chillin’ with Chris Santos

You may have seen the smoldering actor Chris Santos in the Steven Soderbergh film The Girlfriend Experience, where he played the male lead opposite Sasha Grey.

Santos is now starring in his second Soderbergh film, Perfect.  He stars opposite Abbie Cornish, Martin Sensmeier and Maurice Compte in the thriller. Santos, who had already been cast in the film, brought it to the attention of Soderbergh, who fell in love with the project and jumped on board to produce.

Written and directed by award-winning Eddie Alcazar and composed by Los Angeles based experimental multi-genre producer and rapper Flying Lotus, Perfect tells the story of a young man with a violent past who enters a mysterious clinic where the patients wildly transform their bodies and minds using genetic engineering. The psychological thriller fully captivates its audience as it steers them along a thought-provoking journey while providing a luxurious treat for fans of science fiction.

Santos currently resides in Los Angeles. When he is not acting or writing, the fitness enthusiast enjoys Thai boxing and Brazilian jujitsu.

You can tell Santos hails from Long Island with some of his food ordering choices. Bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel, anyone?

Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on.

Sure. The film Perfect premiered at SXSW last month. That film is about a young man (played by Garret Wareing) with a violent past who enters a mysterious clinic where the patients wildly transform their bodies and minds using genetic engineering. My character’s name is STRIPS (Stanford Research Institute Problem Solver) which is a type of problem solving A.I. (Artificial Intelligence). Which was very challenging and cool to do. The second film I have coming out is called Someday. The film follows two strangers, myself (Adam) and my wonderful co-star Katherine Castro (Melody) who meet on a 14- hour flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. I play a world-famous composer who sits next to Melody (Katherine), who doesn’t recognize her flight companion. Along the way they pour their hearts out, forging a connection that is more beautiful, precisely because of its simple, fleeting nature. Another really fun role to play.

With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your downtime?

I love to read, write, cook and workout.

When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?

I am a foodie and I love variation. Some of my favorite restaurants are Cleo, Katsuya, Sugarfish, Craig’s, Madeo, Mozza, Cafe Gratitude and Real Food Daily.

What types of dishes do you usually order?

Well, in the last year or so I have been working on moving towards a more plant-based diet (it’s been a slow process). With that said, I eat what I want when I want, I love avocado toast, a quinoa bowl or a great bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel. I am a pizza addict for life whether it is vegan or not, I love pizza any way I can get it. When I eat fish, I am obsessed with albacore belly and Hirami sushi. I will always be sucker for a great steak wagyu, if they have it of course.

Do you cook?

I do fashion myself a good cook. My top specialties include, “surprise” avocado toast. Lime juice, cilantro and heirloom tomatoes are my secret. Salmon or tuna ceviche (white truffle oil and ponzu sauce). Of course, steak which I believe should start with a good piece of meat followed by salt, pepper, garlic oil and nothing else.

What types of drinks do you order when out?

I am a total wine-o. What color I drink depends on what I am doing. Sunny afternoons require a crisp rosé, my favorite being Whispering Angel. For a light fun time event or social setting, I like a buttery chardonnay such as Ferrari-Carano. For cozy nights in or dark restaurants, it’s red all the way, with Amarone being my favorite by far. It’s so big and bold.

Do you prepare drinks at home?

I have a winery in my apartment. All colors, all types, someone even bought me two make-it-yourself six-gallon wine kits. Which was a nightmare and I do not recommend it. However, the 26 bottles I made came out really good. I bring them to parties and no one believes I made them myself.

Do you own a home bar?

Haha yes, I do. I found an amazing wood worker at a local flea market here in L.A. He can make anything, and I was so excited to have him make me a bar to my specifications for a very reasonable price. Wine refrigerator included, of course.

What is your home bar stocked with?

Besides wine, I love Tequila, Casa Dragones and Casamigos. Also, Singani 63, Steven Soderbergh’s alcohol, which if you haven’t tried, you must.

What is your favorite drink/cocktail?

If I am drinking a cocktail I love a great spicy margarita. That just never gets old.

Have you ever been a bartender?

I think every guy fashions himself a pretty good bartender, myself included, although I have never done it professionally.

Follow Chris on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.