Valentino

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3.0 of 4 stars

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Neighborhood: Santa Monica
3115 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-829-4313
http://www.pieroselvaggio.com/

Hours:
Lunch Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Dinner Mon.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Price Range: $$$$$ ($30 & up)
Cuisine: Noodles, Soups, Gourmet Grocers/Farmer's Markets, Seafood, Desserts, Ice Cream / Frozen Yogurt, Italian, Salads

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» Make a Reservation

Parking: Street, Valet
Catering Laid Back Casual, Cozy, Area Classic, Upscale Bistro Moderately noisy All Ages Private Parties Banquets, Outdoor Seating

Wine Spectator once declared Valentino’s 2,500-labels-long wine list “the greatest wine cellar of them all.” If that seems daunting, never fear. This three-decades-plus gourmet Italian restaurant is all about walking you through it. Same deal when it comes to the food, where they offer two-course “classic” menus and four-course tasting menus filled with homemade pasta, chewy risotto, veal tenderloin with black truffles, and Santa Barbara prawns. Dripping with ivy outside and bustling-yet-civilized inside, the mood is kept intimate through warm service and a cozy string of small dining rooms. Reservations, of course, are a good idea, but you might want to show up early anyway. It’s so nice to start off slow nibbling parmesan crisps and sipping Prosecco at the bar.