Valenza is a great restaurant for a special occasion ... or really any occasion. I'll always find an excuse to come here because the food is just! so! good! My favorite bite is the pollo al mattone but I've had so many dishes from here and they're all fantastic so you can honestly order anything and expect an amazing meal read more

I'm struggling with how to rate this one. Good but would we go back? Probably not. Service - 5/5 stars. Truly, our server and the waitstaff were incredible. The server spoke in-depth from memory about every menu item and our drinks were never empty. Each item was cleared off our table as soon as we finished and boxed accordingly. Ambiance - 5/5 stars. Very sweet romantic venue, great for date night. Have a cute outdoor area that I imagine is great on fair weather nights. Food - 3/5 stars. Nothing to rave about unfortunately. The meal started with a variety of breads, olive oil and hummus. We ordered the charcuterie board to start. Due to a nut allergy, we had a slightly different array of meats and cheeses that we were pleasantly surprised with however still just not our ideal cheeses. We then got the short rib pasta and pork entree. We were really missing a sauce with the pasta. It just fell sorta flat. Also, what Italian restaurant doesn't offer fresh Parmesan with their pasta?! Definitely something they could do to improve. The pork was alright, I found myself enjoying the potatoes it was sitting on more than the meat itself. They did split the portion for us though which was nice. In hindsight, maybe we just ordered wrong? read more

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Such a cozy & intimate place for a date. We sat outdoor patio & I love the elegant ambiance!!! The staffs wore masks & were attentive to our needs. We ordered The Cozze (Mussels), Salmone & Capellini (the blurriness of the pictures are caused by a couple glasses of wine LOL). I didn't expect the mussels portion to be sooo generous. It was finger licking good tho! I was trying to be more health conscious so I ordered the Salmon & it was perfectly cooked & yummy! I only had a lil of the Capellini to try & it tasted pretty light & fresh. Overall, the foods were pretty good so I'll def be back when I'm in Brookhaven area & craving for some Italian! (: read more

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Great food and great service, this is our go to place for Italian food. They never disappoint Keep up the good work read more

Great food and service. Especially the calamari. This is our favorite local Italian spot.

My boyfriend and I had a date night here and it was gorgeous. The classy modern restaurant is in a nice area of Brookhaven with lots of greenery. Service was superb but I'll get right into the food. Pappardelle (5/10) - Essentially pappardelle noodles which are extremely wide noodles with bolognese. Unfortunately they cook their noodles al dente so it was a bit firm and had a bite to it. I prefer perfectly cooked soft noodles, especially given the size of the noodles, makes it easier to eat. Don't let the photo fool you, the sauce didn't have much actual meat to it unlike other bolognese sauce I've had in the past. More meat sauce in general would have been nice. Felt like it was just piled on top. The ricotta cheese on top was a nice touch but it was cold so that threw me off. It was still okay overall but not the best pappardelle bolognese in town. Pollo Al Matone (9/10) - Chicken was seasoned and cooked perfectly. Still moist and juicy inside with the crisp skin on the outside. The fried potatoes were delicious! Cozze (10/10) - mussels were steamed perfectly and the flavor of the broth/sauce on the bottom was simply addictive. I continuously kept dipping the toast and mussels in the sauce. Flavor was amazing and it even had a slight kick in heat to it. I felt it was mild but my boyfriend said he tasted the spice but in a good way! Another great thing about this appetizer was the generous serving size! I would definitely come back but just request the pappardelle to be completely cooked. It's a great date night spot and offers seating indoors or outdoors. We found street parking with ease but I can see how it would be difficult on the weekends. In regards to the pandemic, everyone was spaced out and every server wore a mask which was reassuring. We felt safe dining out for once! read more

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Really enjoyed coming here for dinner recently! I'm a skeptic when it comes to eating Italian noodles out at restaurants because most of the time you can tell the noodles are store bought and the sauce is jarred, which is annoying because you might as well just have stayed in an cooked your own noodles at home to save money. I was pleasantly surprised that these noodles tasted homemade and oh so fresh. Service is wonderful. I'll definitely be going back. Great for a date night or celebration dinner. read more

The food and service were amazing! This was the first date night with the hubs (we're newly weds), and it was a great experience. Ashley was superb: friendly, smiley, and informative. The hubs had the pappardelle while I had the spinach capellini (off the specials). The pappardelle was good, but it had too many meat mixtures -- veal, pork, beef. The house made ricotta was interesting as it worked around all the meats. Ashley said this was a popular dish amongst the guys, but it's quite meat intense. The capellini is a house made pasta consisting of spinach with something I can't remember. And boy oh boy was it good. The fresh pasta was delish and went well with the simple oil based sauce. The tomatoes, peas, and bacon pieces were great combinations for this pasta dish. I would def rec this! The hubs also agreed this was simply great. The atmosphere was great, though it was a little too dimly lit. But, it did give a romantic vibe. And psst. You can park across the street as there's a parking lot with a good selection of spaces -- if you're able to find a spot. And Valenza also looked like it had valet as well. read more

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There were 6 of us that went to Valenza. Service was very attentive and I did not have a time where my drink was empty. The appetizers were split and we really enjoyed the squid, shrimp, and cod. We also got the Brussels sprouts which were ok. I got the agnolotti and this was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. The flavor from the short ribs came out and the pasta was awesome. I also tried the pappardelle, it was good, but I have had better at a few other places. We also had a vegetarian with us and there was only one option for her meal. Deserts were good, but I can speak to any of the ones that we had. I heard the gelato was excellent. I would definitely recommend this place for someone with no diet restrictions. If you do go, get the agnolotti, you won't be disappointed. read more

Valenza always has great food, but Duck Tortellini dinner special was a very small portion. While flavor excellent it was surprisingly small. We had to add order of meatballs to compensate. Meatballs awesome by the way. Very friendly and knowledgable staff but due to size of entrees we will second think before going back. Food flavor very good but star deduction is due to small portions and one of meatball orders was somewhat cold. I think 3.5 stars more appropriate but this site doesn't allow partial stars. read more

Started with the Fritto Misto, which was very yummy. I particularly enjoyed the fried lemons and capers that came with the seafood. For a main course, I had the agnolotti, which I had never had before. They were like little pockets of deliciousness, filled with savory meat and a decadent, rich sauce. Papardelle was good, as always. There was a fish special with red pepper risotto that was also quite delicious. The service was absolutely fantastic. We had a female server who I have never encountered at Valenza before, and she was incredibly pleasant, accommodating, and well-informed. Overall we had a terrific meal and a terrific evening. read more

Go. You'll enjoy everything about Valenza--the location, the ambiance (romantic, live piano), the service and especially the food. While none of it was the best I've ever had, it was all delicious, and with all other moving parts considered, was a 5-star experience. I went with a large group of 20ish, and we got the private room in the back. Appetizers were waiting for us when we arrived... I'm not one who goes for antipasti meats and cheeses, but they were so fresh and so delicious! Especially the salami! And the cheese melts in your mouth! The calamari was not a showstopper. It was fine, but it wasn't the star of the show. The scallops with mushrooms and risotto were good. Several people ordered the veal chop, which was HUGE! They ate every bite, so I guess it was good. Several of us were curious about the rabbit, and we got to try it two different ways. That was surprising. Not at all gamey, but tender and really flavorful. Don't be afraid to order it! Very good! For dessert, I got to try the bread pudding, the fritters and something else. They were all good. The gelato is really amazing in itself. I'm not a bread pudding person, but that was good, too. Every single plate that came out was very nicely presented and picture perfect, even though I didn't take too many pictures. All in all, it was a great evening and a great meal. Treat yourself. You won't regret it. read more

Valenza - Italian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Always a great place for authentic Italian in Atlanta. Service and food never disappoint. I also love the rustic decor.

One of the better Italian spots in the city that doesn't get enough credit. We love sitting at the bar with Grace and Michael taking care of us. If you don't get the spaghetti then you have missed out. read more

I love everything about this restaurant. Amazing food. The short rib truffle pasta is phenomenal, almost addictive. The spaghettini with the seriously massive meatballs I looks like something from a cartoon -- but tastes like perfection. The staff is awesome. Everyone is so kind and super helpful. Smiles all around, this really makes a dining experience stand out. Cool vibe and fun bar scene with a quaint ambiance that is perfect for a romantic date, dinner with friends and family, or a work event. I can't wait to go back. I'm excited to try their beautiful patio sometime. I'm going to be a regular at this amazing Brookhaven neighborhood gem. read more

This restaurant was recommended to me by a colleague. I will trust all of his recommendations for anything in the future. This was THE BEST Italian meal I've ever had in the Atlanta area. The ambiance was excellent and the food was off the charts. The service was excellent. Attentive but not pestering, and did I mention this was THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD IVE EVER HAD IN YHE ATLANTA AREA? Highly recommend!!! read more

I came back to Valenza after being away for 3+ years and I'm sad to say the quality is not the same. The squid ink pasta has a different protein, but still the same flavor but the mussels were disappointing as well as the chicken entrée. However, my server Chris, was perfect. read more

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This place is good if you like gourmet Personal size pizza. Has an OK vibe. Very good for takeout.

From start to finish, Valenza, is a pure joy. The wait staff is absolutely, positively so attentive and knowledgeable. The owner is very personable and takes time to visit each table to ensure quality and happiness with their experience. There is a wide selection of beverages to choose from. The wine we had was wonderful. Do not skip out on the appetizers because they are divine. Olives, cured meats, fresh bread, olive oil....It's simply heavenly. Each entree is artistically set to not only look beautiful, but taste scrumptious. The portion sizes are filling, but not obnoxious. You will be overjoyed with the service and the entire experience while visiting Valenza. I highly recommend this restaurant for a date night, large groups, or any special gathering out. The price. is very reasonable with the service and quality provided. Bon appétit! read more

First time I came here even after living in the area for years. Due to Covid, the place was not that busy. We sat on the patio which had a good view and vibe to it. We started with the calamari, which had a great flavor and the right amount of breading. I ordered the special of wagyu beef with potatoes. The steak was cooked well and tasted amazing. We also ordered a pasta dish with meatballs (don't remember the name). The meatballs were very good. The pasta was good too but I've had better. read more

Valenza - Italian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The best Italian in Atlanta. Michael (mgr) and Matt (ex chef) team up for an exceptional experience. The food, the ambiance, and the service all get top marks in my book! read more

Food was ok but lots of surprise charges. They came and asked if we wanted bread for the table, we said yes, not knowing it would be $18....we brought our own cakes also not knowing they would charge a $36 cake feee to literally put it on the table with a candle! Not worth coming back. read more

Valenza is one of our all time favorite restaurants and the best Italian spot in the Brookhaven area. The spaghettini and agnolotti are our favorites. read more

Great food and service! Apps and drinks were terrific. Ordered some regular menu items and some specials; both were memorable. A great evening! read more

Valenza is my go-to upscale neighborhood place. Three of us ate there last night and it was terrific. The restaurant is classy. The tables are far enough apart that it wasn't too loc for conversation. The menu is lively. The daily specials tempting. And the drinks hit the spot. Negroni for me, Manhattan for my son. Among the three of us we had had grilled octopus as a starter, rabbit, ravioli filled with butternut squash, agnolotti with short ribs and the white chocolate bread pudding. Bam!! The meal was enhanced by terrific service from server Gabriella. G had excellent suggestions, ensured the meal was served properly and had a sense of humor. Valenza was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. read more

Valenza is located in the restaurant and retail hub area on Dresden Drive in Brookhaven. I never knew it existed and ended up going for a beautiful birthday dinner. The restaurant has valet parking available and there is street parking if you are lucky. The one downside of this area is that parking SUCKS. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and very classy with dim romantic lighting. Very quaint and inviting. As soon as you are seated you are given water and complimentary bread. The server was very attentive and brought my food out fairly quickly. I ordered the Capellini pasta and it was delicious and fresh. The portion was more than enough. I also ordered a Valenza Spritz which was refreshing. Great place to go for a special dinner. read more

Valenza - Capellini - tomato, basil, Parmesan. Simple and gewd. - Italian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The positives : - Ravioli : homemade and delicious - Beet salad : exceptional and definitely would order again - Mista salad : very good and a great complement to the beet salad The OKs : - table service was just OK. Server was snooty when two of us wanted to split an entree (after already ordering 2 salads, two apps, and several drinks) - a piece of bread should certainly be part of the pasta dishes and probably the salads. We to order the $8 bread appetizer to receive bread. At this price point ($160 meal for two with drinks) this seemed excessive. - parking is tight and valet only. The restaurant has to work with what they have but, self part options would have been appreciated. - the restaurant was packed. While COVID is declining it is still and issue. Thankfully we arrived early on a Friday night and got a seat on the patio that was somewhat better social distancing. Inside seating was like the 'before times' and would have been uncomfortable to our party. Areas for improvement : 1. Desserts - tiramisu : flavorless and seemed de-frosted. - bread pudding : a step up from the tiramisu but not by much - apple crostata : on par with the bread pudding Surprisingly with the quality of the rest of the meal, desserts seemed to be made elsewhere frozen and defrosted at the restaurant My recommendation would be to take dessert elsewhere Summary : I would go again and take others. Skip the desserts. read more

Valenza's Wednesday night lasagna special = best lasagna I've ever had! I met up with Mike Y. and Viv W. last Wednesday for dinner at this Brookhaven Italian joint. When I walked in, the first people I saw were James H. and Laura W. They were the ones who told me about the special and if it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't have ordered it. It's written as "Lasagna Bolognese" on the chalkboard at the bar. It's $15 and comes with a Cesare (Caesar) or mista (mixed green) salad. Valenza is cozy and upscale. Unlike other nice Italian restaurants though, Valenza has a casual and laid back vibe to it. It's okay to wear shorts and sandals and relax on the patio here. That's what we did. The only open table at the time of our reservation (OpenTable) was outside, so we took it. The restaurant was slammed. Valenza has a simple and seasonal menu with most items incorporating locally-grown and organic ingredients. The three of us shared the following: Appetizers (Antipasti): Fritto misto - calimari, prawns, halibut, lemon, capers, and parsley Polpo - grilled octopus with potato salad, pickled red onion, celery, and mint Mains (Primi): Lasagna bolognese - Wednesday special Pappardelle with veal, pork, beef, tomato, white wine and pancetta ragu, and housemade ricotta Agnolatti with short rib, natural jus, and Grana Padrano (Italian hard cheese) Dessert: Panna cotta - vanilla lemon, local strawberries, and saba If it wasn't for the unbelievable lasagna, I would probably give Valenza three stars. While the food was good, it wasn't incredibly memorable or mind-blowing. To start off, we received a basket of various breads and two tapenades (chopped/pureed spreads), one made from black olives and the other from sun-dried tomatoes. Both tapenades had a fine consistency and were very good. I enjoyed the mixed seafood app (fritto misto). It was like eating standard fried calimari, except with a few additional seafood, ingredients, and seasonings mixed in. The lemons had an interesting taste. Some pieces were incredibly sour. The octopus (polpo) was decent. I couldn't help but be reminded of Kyma's wood-grilled octopus while eating Valenza's version. Kyma's octopus tastes better, but Valenza's portions are bigger. It's close. Have I written enough about the lasagna? I have no idea what all's in it (bolognese, bechamel, etc.), but it's melt-in-your-mouth good. I would come back here for this dish and this dish alone. The pappardelle and agnolatti were both OK. The agolatti was pretty much ravioli with short rib inside. The pieces were longer than standard ravioli, though. I thought the pasta was a little hard. The pappardelle was pretty good, but I felt it could have had even more flavor. The panna cotta was disappointing. While it was just "meh" for me, I could tell my tablemates did not like it (i.e. someone took one bite and put the spoon down for good). I think it was a combination of the texture and the flavor. Just not very good. The service was good, from hostess to server, and I really like the friendly and inviting ambiance of this place. Complimentary valet parking is available right in front of the restaurant. read more

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I'm torn on this review. I've been going to Valenza for years and have, until now, always had a good experience. However - I need to make sure that other people know how they are handling distancing during the pandemic. We (family of four) arrived for a 5pm dinner. The restaurant was empty and they sat us in a booth in the back. We took off our masks at the table and felt secure in that spot: secluded in the corner - plenty of room in the rest of the inside for other people. A couple enters and they get seated at the table in the floor near us. The guy at the table is probably about five feet from me ... I'm a little wary but I guess I'm ok at this point. Another couple comes in and they sit them at the booth behind ours. So - ok, we're facing different directions - but these aren't high backed booths. This guy's head is right behind mind -- and he starts coughing. Now - the rest of the restaurant is still empty. Valenza has made the inexplicable choice to sit three parties at three tables right next to each other. The guy's head right next to mine - that was it. I was done. This experience totally turned us off of even attempting to go to restaurants that don't have outside seating. I had high expectations of Valenza and they were shattered. The other restaurants we had been to prior to this - they all had every other booth blocked off. I'm just not sure why Valenza would choose to do this. I don't recommend that anyone go eat inside until after the pandemic. P.S. - their staff was standing around outside the bathroom without masks and I had to "run a gauntlet" through them. read more

Wowwww if you love Italian food and pasta you must eat here. Amazing food and atmosphere! read more

Valenza - Panzanella - Italian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Our family is addicted. The food here is outstanding and authentic... You can tell everything is fresh and from good sources. The charcuterie board is wonderful, and every pasta dish I've ever ordered here is splendid. I usually get the spaghettini though, since their meatballs are absolutely insane. A little pricier, but SO worth it. read more

Valenza - calamari and charcuterie board - Italian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Great food and great service. A gem. The menu is made to please everyone. The ambiance is very nice. Reminds of an Italian restaurant.

Great place for special occasion esp. for birthdays. Love the ambiance - perfect date spot. Nice patio dining, too. Service was very good, and so was the food. COMPLIMENTARY BREAD W/ SPREADS We had a party of 4, and too bad they only put out 4 slices at a time b/c the bread is really good. It's embarrassing to keep asking the server for more bread :) Bread came w/ 2 spreads - an olive spread, and white bean w/ roasted tomatoes. The white bean was the group favorite. Yum. COZZE - $11 The mussels app was served in a delicious broth of white wine, sambuca, roasted garlic, fennel, and tomatoes. Probably one of the best mussel dishes I've ever had. App also came w/ grilled bread but we asked our server to bring more of the complimentary bread to soak up all the yummy goodness (aka broth). This was definitely the group favorite dish of the evening. SPAGHETTINI - $19 I ordered this dish mostly b/c I was interested in the veal & pork meatballs. The pasta came w/ 3-4 HUGE meatballs. The pasta also had bufala mozzarella, with a red wine and San Marzano tomato sauce. Portion was good - I had enough leftovers for another meal but eating a lot of the bread beforehand (along w/ the mussels) may have contributed to that. This dish was good but I'd probably get something else next time. LINGUINI NERI - $27 Birthday Girl ordered this dish. This is probably my favorite pasta selection here - I remember falling in love w/ it when I tried it last year during Yelp Eats. It's like Frutti di Mare but w/ black spaghetti. Lots of seafood - Georgia white shrimp & calamari, also oven-dried tomatoes, chili, and basil. The dish is more expensive compared to the other pastas but if you're celebrating, why not :) RAVIOLI - $16 My 2nd favorite pasta even though I just had a bite :) Roasted butternut squash, pecans, brown butter, and sage. Tasted like dessert. Yum. AGNOLETTI - $18 Tried just a bite and thought it was on the boring side. Pasta looks similar to ravioli, and comes filled w/ short rib, natural jus, and guana padano. WARM CHOCOLATE TART W/ VANILLA CREAM - $7 Complimentary dessert for Birthday Girl, her choice - YAY! Chocolate tart was yum but next time I'd like to try our server's other favorite, the White Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Dark Chocolate Gelato. All desserts are $7. I'd definitely come back. Everything about this place was excellent. I'm all about specials so next time, I'd like to try the Wednesday $15 lasagna & salad special (thanks, Valerie N). FYI - complimentary valet is available but there's also free street parking, and a free parking lot across the street. read more

First time dining at this restaurant. Took a friend here for his birthday. Really good atmosphere. Wednesday evenings they have a special on chicken parm that comes with a glass of Chianti. Excellent chicken parm with the right amount of crisp to the chicken. My friend had the white fish special with cauliflower risotto. He enjoyed the dish very much. We started out with some calamari. It was good but had a bit more breading than what I like. The peppers and capers that came with it were really good though. Ended the meal with a great dessert of white chocolate Grenache bread pudding. The service was good and friendly offering several different dining options. I definitely will be coming back. read more

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Food and cocktails were great. The hostesses were very friendly and attentive. Large portion of calamari. Only feedback is that the waiter implied that the salad and potatoes came with the meal. They were very large portions & delicious but wouldn't have ordered them as there was plenty of food. Will confirm next time. Will return when I'm back in Atlanta. read more

This was a nice restaurant. I would recommend this for a date night. The food was mediocre! Needed more seasoning, calamari not crispy enough, drinks amazing, portion size amazing read more

Valenza - Spaghetti Ravioli Fresh bread - Italian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Friend and I were recently promoted and decided on a celebratory dinner at Valenza. It was very confusing trying to figure out where the main entrance of the restaurant was as I was coming from the street rather than the parking lot. There is a small valet parking lot and then street parking and a parking lot across the street (I guess you can park there?). This area of town can between quite active on the weekend and parking can be hard to find. I started with the meatball appetizer. The meatballs are made veal, pork and beef, san marzano, and parmesan. Sounded delicious! Unfortunately, it sounded better than it tasted. Not that it tasted bad! But rather it wasn't as special as I thought it was going to be. For my main dish, I ordered the pollo al mattone. This is a dish of brick pressed green circle farms chicken, peperonata, and crispy pecorino potatoes. This was executed very well. A tasty dish. My friend ordered a pasta dish and liked it, as well. Overall, a nice girls' night out on the town. read more

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A group of 8 of us dined here on a Wednesday evening. After reading all the positive reviews, I was very excited to try this place and it definitely lived up to my expectations. We were seated at a table in one of the separate sections of the restaurant which was much appreciated as it gave our group some privacy. After carefully reviewing the menu and reading many reviews, I struggled to decide between three dishes: the Pappardelle, Bistecca, and the Wednesday homemade lasagna special. I consulted the server and she advised ordering the lasagna although as a server, she should recommend the steak because it's more expensive, but the lasagna is just THAT GOOD. I ended up ordering the lasagna and chose the Caesar salad. The Caesar was one of the best Caesar salads I have ever had. It was just the right portion and was incredibly fresh. Our server was right on the lasagna; it was delicious and a hit with everyone who ordered it at our table. I even heard a "best lasagna I've ever had" comment. A second favorite was the spaghettini-- everyone loved the giant meatballs. For dessert, you MUST ORDER the Budino. Even if you're not a bread pudding fan like myself, you will still enjoy it, guaranteed. We also tried the Tortino al Cioccolato, but the Budino wins, hands down. For first time patrons, I would recommend dining on a Wednesday evening so you can try this incredible lasagna with a side salad for just $15; it's a bargain and a real treat! We enjoyed stellar service from start to finish; everyone is very friendly. Can't wait to go back to try another dish! read more

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We love Valenza, the food is prepared by quality chefs and the service is always superior. I just hope they keep it going as Valenza is on our restaurant rotation and we love the experience. read more

A little loud but the food is always on point. Servers are just the right amount of friendly and attentive.