Valenza has been on our list of places to go for a while now, and what better time to try this cozy Brookhaven Italian eatery than on the big V-Day? (Also, the only time JCT Kitchen could fit us in would have been 9:45. Who eats that late?!)
We arrived early to have a drink at the bar, and I was excited to see they have one of my favorite wines of late, Whitehaven SB. The fiance got a vodka soda, and I promptly berated him for never drinking wine with me (women. We are so annoying.)
Once seated, I promptly began scouring the menu for any and all pasta dishes. If I'm gonna cheat on my diet, I'm really gonna cheat on my diet. My fiancé had already looked up the Yelp reviews and said the Calamari and the butternut squash ravioli were the must-have dishes. We decided to start with the grilled calamari appetizer. Immediately after ordering our appetizer, a couple a few tables away from us got engaged. I've never been in a room when someone is getting engaged (other than myself) and I must admit, it was a little awkward. And I spent a good part of my meal staring at them.
Anyway, the calamari came out and I hated it. I've been kind of a brat lately when it comes to food. I've been venturing out and trying new dishes, instead of sticking with what my gut tells my I'll like. (I even sent back an order a couple of weeks ago. Not because it was wrong or cooked incorrectly, but because I just didn't like it. To my credit though, I did offer to still pay for it!) So after suffering through a few chewy bites of grilled calamari (it just isn't as good when it isn't fried!) I ordered a second appetizer- the Salumi e Formaggi, a.k.a, a tray of meats and cheeses. There is nothing to complain about when you get a huge tray of fresh meat and cheese, served with spicy arugula and crusty bread. I could have had just that for dinner and been completely happy. But no...I had to go venture out and try something new again...
I decided for my main course to try the lobster pasta special. I have never ordered lobster in a restaurant before. I actually think the only time I've ever had lobster is in lobster tacos. Why I chose lobster, I have no idea.
This dish I didn't hate, but I so regretted ordering it. For one, there was a ton of lobster. Like a whole lobster. And the cream sauce that was with it was just so...lobster-y. I reluctantly admitted to my fiancé that he had out-ordered me. He got the Capesante-- sea scallops over roasted pumpkin risotto. Luckily he's a generous guy and gave me a few bites. This is definitely the dish to order.
My so-so lobster pasta
The awesome scallops and risotto.
For dessert, we got the Tortino al Cioccolato-- the warm chocolate tart with vanilla cream. This was the highlight of our meal, but honestly, give me a Hershey's bar and I'm happy, so it doesn't take much to impress me when it comes to chocolate.
Yum!
We realized we had no idea how much my lobster pasta dish cost, so when the bill came, we bet the over/under to decide I would pay. We set it at $50. I took the under, the fiancé took the over (he thought it would be $70!) As the dish was only $38, I ended up winning, thankfully, and wasn't stuck paying the whole bill, which came out around $180 without tip.
Valenza definitely warrants a return trip. Granted, I didn't especially enjoy my meal, but I completely mis-ordered. I look forward to trying the Spaghettini with veal and pork meatballs, the gnocchi and that butternut squash ravioli on future visits. Hopefully next time I'll forgo that third glass of wine and that Bailys on the rocks.
~Blair Branch
Valenza is located at 1441 Dresden Drive Suite 160 in Brookhaven.
Valenza is open Monday-Thursday from 5pm-10pm and Friday and Saturday from 5pm-11pm
Contact Valenza at 404.969.3233
