Valenza Reviews

Went back to this Italian favorite for the first time in years. It hasn't lost a step. Superb wines and orignal entrees and appetizers. Two courses are all you need By this great chef.

The menu was interesting with unique untraditional dishes. The food tasted great and the dessert was rich and extremely delicious. There was outdoor seating option as well. Would definitely return to try more dishes.

The food, atmosphere, and service are always amazing at Valenza. The dirty vodka martini is always outstanding. We will continue to come here in the future

went here with my mother visiting, and were extremely delighted to have a great meal. the pasta combinations had great variety and the pasta was cooked extremely well. A great Italian stand by when our favorite is booked out. we are looking forward to our next visit and to visit another restaurant within the company, Arnette's Chop House.

The Sunday family style menu is great! The food is always excellent and the service above par! The Hake is a must try and the chef will blacken it if you desire. The butternut Ravioli is superb.

Cozy and comfortable with great food . Pasta was cooked perfectly. Optimum flavors and presentation. Nice service with a well balanced wine selection to enjoy a perfect meal . I will come back for sure and if you have not been here yet ..don’t wait anymore for this hidden gem of Italian cuisine at Brookhaven !

We enjoyed our New Year's Eve Dinner. Evening specials included Halibut w/ black truffles, large veal chop and special Mediterranean salad. My wife took the Halibut and I ordered the king salmon from the menu. Both were excellent.

Such a cute place in the center of adorable Brookhaven!!! We had octopus, saltimbocca, and a truly amazing dessert. Every bite was amazing. Go.

Valenza belongs to a group of three restaurants, including Vero Pizza and Haven. Valenza has a wonderful outside patio with complete tree coverage to provide a respite from the hot summer. Service is great, menu offers a variety of Italian meals with some interesting choices.

Nice restaurant - had a real buzz on a Sunday night! Nice bar with lots of selections. The staff are friendly and efficient. Little on the higher price point side.

While visiting our son in Atlanta we ate at Valenza. It is a modern Italian restaurant with a pretty extensive menu and delicious food. We had the gnocchi, pappardelle, and steak special. We shared all three among us, which was a nice sampling of the fare. The dishes are more than your typical Italian cuisine, and were quite filling. Valenza is a high to moderate priced restaurant and would definitely be a great place for a special occasion.

Had a great experience at this restaurant food was exceptional, great wine list and food was nothing less than spectacular. Thank you for great service and overall great dining experience

A work colleague and I went early on a Tuesday so it wasn't crowded when we arrived. Our server, Hannah, was excellent. Her recommendations were spot-on. I had the fish and risotto special and it was fabulous. My colleague had the spaghettini and meatballs that were awesome. While I was there for work, it would be a great date place for a date. I will definitely be taking my wife soon.

Went here for Sunday night dinner. The menu is very pricey. BUT on Sunday night they have a delightful 3 course fixed price dinner that 10 of us tried. It was very good. I had the hake and liked it. Not quite sure why they served two starches-potatoes and polenta-for sides. Many of us are trying to avoid carbs and sugar. Would have appreciated one starch and two veggies. Lovely setting. Good waitstaff. Not likely to return

I had the scallops with hollandaise sauce and spinach. It was absolutely delicious . My friend had the Seabass, which she said was also quite good. My Merlot was also good, and the bread was very good: The atmosphere is lovely. My only complaint was our waiter was a little off the mark at the beginning, rather curt saying things like “I can’t hear a word you said” instead of pardon me please repeat, and he also took a while to come and get our orders but after that, he seemed to relax and did an excellent job. I’m not sure if it was because the Restaurant was full and he was overwhelmed.

This is anything but your traditional Italian restaurant! Unless it's something I don't care for, I always order the special because I know it will be fresh. The fish special with risotto was spectacular! We started off with a charcuterie plate with an awesome selection of meats and cheeses. The wine list offers a variety for all tastes. The wait staff is knowledgeable about both the food and the wines. The atmosphere is perfect for quiet, relaxed dining.

Our recent visit to Valenza in Brookhaven was disappointing. The food was fair, while the service is in desperate need of a major facelift. We arrived for our 700 reservation and decided on a table on the deck. It was a beautiful June night, with the temperatures in the mid-70s. The server approached and filled our water glasses and directed us to the wine list. It was a good ten minutes before he returned, not an extraordinary timeframe, just a precursor of what was ahead. We asked for his recommendation for a white wine (similar to a Chablis, since we were not familiar with the Italian and New Zealand offerings on the menu). He brought a taste of an Italian, which was not to our liking; we were looking for a little fruitier. He said the two NZ wines were more aligned with that desire and we asked for a taste. This obviously rustled his feathers as he just stared at us, I guess one taste is all a customer can request. We ordered one of the NZ wines, not especially pleased with the server’s attitude, c’est la vie. The wine was delivered 15 minutes later, not exactly what we were looking for, but reasonable enough. And now the real wait started. It was probably another 30 minutes before we saw him again. When he returned, the first words were, “Are you ready to order?” We asked if there were any specials. He again seemed irritated and rattled off, “We have tuna tartare, a fish and a veal chop.” No other explanation. We asked about the tuna tartare. “It is an appetizer dish and it is a normal preparation, but no avocado.” Service was now borderline rude and unacceptable. Three people ordered the tuna and I ordered the octopus for appetizers. The tuna tartare was not anywhere close to a “normal preparation,” more a crudo than a tartare. Large slices were served in a bowl with halved olives with an olive oil. While we were surprised at the presentation, it was delicious. I would definitely order this again, but they should change the description. I would give this a 9, and the highlight of the food. The octopus was not as good, it was very salty, seemingly prepared in a salty brine and very spongy. It was accompanied by chick peas, thinly sliced onions, olive oil and a touch of chili oil, which added a nice little zip. There were two tentacles and then some slices. The saltiness was much too distracting and I was not a fan of the texture and would give this a 4. For my entrée, I ordered the squid ink pasta with Georgia shrimp white wine, oven dried tomatoes, Calabrian chili, and basil. The pasta was perfectly al dente, and that is the only positive I could state. The shrimp still had their tails attached so the first 5 minutes was me removing each of the tails. While eating, additional tails which were hidden crunched as I ate them, a very bad feeling. The sauce was good, nothing special and if there were oven dried tomatoes in the dish, they were indistinguishable. Other than the texture of the pasta, the dish was underwhelming. I am being generous again with a 5. A friend ordered the spaghettini with meatballs in a San Marzano tomato sauce and my wife ordered the capellini (substituting penne) which was described on the menu served with fresh tomato, basil, and parmesan. The spaghettini was engulfed in sauce; it has been a while since I have seen that much sauce smothering pasta. My wife “fresh tomato” was not as described since it did not include fresh tomatoes; it was also engulfed in the San Marzano tomato sauce. We would have retuned at least two of the dishes, but it was getting late and we just decided to avoid another prolonged wait. I did not taste their pastas, so I cannot give either a number rating, but my guess it would be close to mine. We shared a chocolate pudding for dessert. It was served in a bowl topped with whipped cream and hazelnuts. The dish was 70% whipped cream and a dollop of chocolate pudding underneath. This probably deserves less, but I will give it a 4. We did have a great time with friends, but the food really needs an uptick, and the service needs a complete overhaul.

My friend and I dined at Valenza earlier this month. We both had the Special Salad(Peaches, pea shoots, coppa, daikon and mint). It was delicious. I also had the Blood Orange San Pellegrino. Our server was Mary. She went the extra mile in providing excellent service. If we are able to return, we will certainly ask for Mary.

Great service and the food was as good as we had in Italt Outside seating ares that is perfect for quiet evening We ha three different entrees and all were great For appetizer we had calamari and also the squash blossom Both were outstanding Our server was very helpful and service was quick as you wanted or as slow as you desired Wine list was adequate and prices were good

Great food, the wine was wonderful and service impecable. Cant wait to go back.... I have tried so other Italian restaurants but this place is the real mcoy.

Valenza is a must-visit for delicious, authentic Italian dishes, intimate casual atmosphere and excellent service. Our son spent a year abroad in Florence and he's a tough customer when it comes to complimenting Italian restaurants in the US. He gave it two thumbs up, so we've found a new favorite. We hope to return soon!

First time here and we were pleasantly surprised. Valenza (along with Haven) are in an up-and -coming business oasis just off Peachtree, and it is worth any drive to get here. Park on the street or valet behind the building. They have booths, open tables, an elevated floor section and some specialized seating. There is also a vibrant bar. The ambiance is wonderful for couples or small groups, and the wine list is interesting and novel. BTW there's a wine store across the street who does pairings with Valenza. Lindsay was our server and she was prompt, friendly and informative. We had salads - mista and cesare - which were large and fresh. We each had the pappardelle as a stand alone entrée and it was excellent. They serve a wonderful hummus along with olives in oil with a variety of breads. We look forward to a return dining experience.

Valenza in Brookwood in Atlanta has been a favorite since we discovered it. The Lobster Risotto recently was delicious, expertly seasoned and prepared. We have NEVER tasted better. Service is excellent and ambiance too.

From the Italian owner, who greets and welcomes each guest in his broken English at every freshly linen draped table, to the exquisite food on the menu the Valenza transports you to the shores of southern Italy. The food is absolutely delicious and is served in very generous portions. It is a small, cozy, and well attended venue so reservations are a must and patience is advised in that service is European style, which promotes socialization over fast turnaround. Prices are commensurate to the quality of food and the ambiance.

My husband and I are always looking for someplace new to try. Came here on a weekend evening. It was cold so all seating was indoor. The atmosphere is very nice, and service attentive. I just have a very difficult time with pasta not being made in-house as well as the sauce being acidic! There is no reason under the sun that a fine restaurant pulls itself off so "authentically." Sorry, not for me.

We went after a show. Mostly pasta because main dishes where heavy for late night. Beet salad was shared and very good. Regula and mozzarella. Full bar. Good wine selection

Did you know that Valenza has a $24/person Sunday evening family-style dinner? We have dined there numerous times, and think that it's a best-kept Brookhaven secret. We love the restaurant even when we pay full price; but, this is an amazingly delicious deal. There are two salad choices, 4 or 5 entrees (the butternut ravioli was delicious and the pork tenderloin divine), family sides (yummy kale, polenta and cauliflower) and two dessert choices. House wine was sold by 1/2 or full carafes at a steal of a price. Wow, we couldn't have been happier. And, it all tasted marvelous - plus the service was impeccable. Glad to share this "secret" with you. Enjoy the experience on Sunday or whenever you go. This place rocks!

Nice restaurant, but the service was slow and waitress was way more attentive to the 8 top next to us. Do restaurants train their staff to be able walk around the restaurant without making eye contact? I was the risk taker and had the Rabbit which is on the menu, not a special. Loved it. Everyone else had something different and it was all good. Prices were from $19 to $28. The wine was $42 per bottle. Total for four people with 2 bottles of wine, was $219 before tax and tip.

We have eaten at Valenza many times and it is always delightful. The Butternut Squash ravioli is to die for! It has a nice vibe. We prefer a quieter area and were thrilled to be seated in a nice round table within an alcove. The valet parking makes it very easy to access. I highly recommend Valenza!

Living nearby, we have visited Valenza a few times, but hadn't in a long while. Glad we returned! Great wild-boar pasta special. My wife was able to order two half-portions of pasta - pasta nero was the best. $20 corkage fee. Friendly service.

I went to Valenza 10 years ago before moving out of Atlanta and loved it. I went back recently and loved it some more. Excellent Italian food and service in an attractive and friendly atmosphere. It also had a good neighborhood feel. Who can ask for anything more?

We started with two caesar salads, they are ok not great. We ordered the Wagyu carpaccio and it was good. Needed it a drizzle of olive oil and salt but the quality of the beef was excellent. We also ordered the octopus, excellent a must have! The octopus was soft and tender with an crushed olive vinaigrette salad. I had the squid ink pasta, ir was good but needed more taste. I chose a little parmesan instead of salt. My friend had the parpadelle that was the best dish. The wine list in heavy on expensive mediocre Italian wine. The wine was below average. The waiter from Costa Rica was excellent. If there was an additional half star I would give it but the wine/cost kept them at 4*

Have to say this was a great first time visit. Outstanding service, very good food, nice wine selection, not cheap but you get what you pay for. Well worth a stop if you are looking for nice Italian in the area. No patio that I saw but inside was nice.

I have been going to this restaurant for several years, the service is fantastic, food is consistent every time I go there, Everyone I recommend that goes there becomes a life long customer

The food is exceptional, but the service is even better. Had serious comfort food with a bottle of Valpolicello Ripasso with A beef and veal pasta dish. Magnifico!! Seriously good Food! Worth a drive. Everyone is happy you are there and shows it.

My wife and I went on a Saturday night. It was her first visit and my second. We arrived 10 minutes before our reservation and we were seated promptly anyway. The restaurant has an intimate feel, although it isn't particularly quiet. The service was perfectly timed, not too fast and not too slow. We shared the white bean soup (one of the specials) as a starter. The bread is served with a delicious hummus and olive oil. My wife had the butternut squash ravioli and I had the grouper special, with Parmesan risotto, pancetta, and vegetables. Both were absolutely delicious. We'll definitely be back.

We went to Valenza for dinner with friends last night. Be sure to make reservations. The food was incredible. At the table we had the Caesar and Mista salads for appetizers. They are big enough to share. We then had the pollo al mattone (pictured) and butternut squash ravioli. They were both excellent. I brought home 1/2 the chicken but could have eaten it all. The waitstaff was attentive and kept our glasses full all night. We will be back for a repeat visit.

I live about two blocks from this place and it is a neighborhood favorite. I'd recommend sitting at the bar. All of the bartenders are very friendly and take great care of you. Start with a cocktail...try the barrel aged manhattan! You will be served olives and some pepper hummus with wonderful bread. You will be offered a specials menu and the specials are always good. On Tuesday night you can get an entire lobster on risotto that is lovely....Wednesday night is lasagna special night and even other restaurant's staff order the lasagna for pick up. If you are not into the specials I love the rabbit and the butternut squash ravioli. This is a great place for a romantic night, or cocktails with friends. Once on a lonely Valentine's Day the bar staff bought me the fabulous bread pudding for a special dessert.

Wonderful experience with amazingly prepared fresh and delectable food. Caesar salad, saltimbocca, ravioli, and scallops were the standouts, although everyone enjoyed their selections. The desserts should not be missed, as they are truly special. Nice attentive service and the GM stopped by to check on our table and chat, great service.

One star for atmosphere and the other for selection. Neither my wife nor I could finish the main course. Way too much salt. I'm not surprised to see that another review has taken issue with salt associated with the food here.

Met some friends here on a Friday night for dinner. The atmosphere was fantastic; tucked away in a quaint, beautifully lit area of town. The house salad alone was divine. The squash ravioli = delicious; tender and just savory enough for an entree. I can’t wait to go back!

We frequent this consistent Italian restaurant because it offers good food and wine at a reasonable price. Best/most interesting items on the menu: the saltimboca, which is not veal, but rather a special cut of pork, the cozze (mussels) appetizer in an appropriately soup-line white garlic sauce, and the meatballs (get an appetizer portion of two). The cozze is one the best we have had anywhere. If you like bread puddings, definitely get the budino for dessert.

Very lovely place. My boyfriends mother was in town so we came here for dinner. I was the first to arrive so I grabbed a seat at the bar and had a glass of wine. He came next, and let them know that we were here for our reservation. It was earlier, but we figured it best to just go ahead and let them know. His mother then arrived, and we all were at the bar with our glasses of wine waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more. About 30 minutes past our reservation we talked to the host again and she said it was almost ready. 15 minutes later we were watching tables that we heard walk in to see if there were available tables be sat. Once again my boyfriend talked to the host and she said it would be "just a moment". We were finally sat about an 50 minutes to an hour after our reservation. They handled it well though; when we came to the table there were complimentary meats and cheeses and olives for our wait. I have been in that situation before, but I feel this was the best handled. We didn't once complain (we were sitting at the bar, enjoying a glass of wine so the wait wasn't really interfering with our night) but despite not "making a scene" they still made up for it. The food was great - unfortunately due to the late seating we missed out on the daily scallop special which is what both my boyfriend and I had our hearts set on. I was torn between the capellini and the spaghettini. My boyfriends mother ended up going with the spaghettini which was great, so I had the capellini and it was hands down one of the best pastas I have ever had. Over all excellent place. I look forward to going back.

Dinner with friends and it was quite good from the friendly valet to the friendly and professional hostess and server to the delicious food . Even the bread was great! I had to he pasta with shaved truffles. It was a huge portion and I am a light eater but it was so good I finished it all. It was expensive, over 60 dollars for dinner and wine, but it was worth it!

Valenza is very affordable. We had eaten at their sister restaurant, Haven a few weeks ago and were itching to try Valenza at the other end of the building. Good call. You could tell that many of the patrons were locals and knew the staff by name. Lively restaurant that can be a bit loud. Food was great. We both started with a mista salad, which was excellent. I had the pappardelle and my wife had the penne and we swapped plates back and forth. We will go back for sure.

Great place. Food was excellent and service was great Nice wine menu and prices resenble Had a ravioli dish stuffed with short ribs. Just great Menu was limited but I like that as it makes things more interesting Not a place for children but good for couples and friends Yes. Will come here again

Maybe the best snapper ever! I introduced my Alabama friends to Valenza a few years ago and they beg to go back each time they're in town. This time was best of all. The specials were a baked red snapper or veal, each served over a tomato risotto with other goodies. I had the snapper, flaky, sweet, delish. My friend chose the veal and raved over it. It looked to be an inch thick. His wife likes the butternut squash ravioli so the waiter served her snapper with ravioli. The waiter chose our wines, a different one for each of us and they were perfect. Plus he was absolutely charming. Showed us to a quiet table where we could talk easily and enjoy a perfect evening with friends. I took a doggie box home but ate it at midnight. Too good to wait until the next day. Can't speak to costs because I didn't pay the bill.

If food and service are your only priorities in a restaurant (and i can think of reasons why they might be), then sure; you'll like Valenza. My salad, carrot cake, and wine were all superb. And the waiter was friendly and efficient. Also, the place is very attractively decorated, with the look of a very-sophisticated neighbor's dining room. So, why "Average" and not "Excellent"? Noise. Crowded. That very-sophisticated neighbor has lots of friends, and the room isn't big enough for all of them. In order to get to my table, i had to endure buzzkillers like: waiting for another patron to seat herself so that i would have enough room to squeeze between the back of her chair and the support pillar. There were four of us at my table, and i could only converse with the guy next to me and my wife opposite me. I couldn't hear the person seated at the other corner of my table. Nobody in the room was yelling or obnoxious; it's simply that they were all talking at the same time, and they were packed in there like the mosh pit at a Marilyn Manson concert. Not a pleasant experience.

am not one to typically write a bad review, but unfortunately our experience was terrible due to our server, Christina C. This review is actually long overdue because I hesitated to write it. But everytime I’m in the mood for some great Italian food, I realize that Valenza is no longer an option. We have dined at Valenza a few times and have even ordered take-out. We have had good experiences up until the last time. My husband and I were privately celebrating a special occasion, and we were really looking forward to spending some quality time together (as we don’t get much of it) and the incredible food. Although I believe Christina C. meant well when she initially greeted us, I find it extremely unprofessional for a stranger to immediately start sharing some personal medical problems she was dealing with. I’m not sure why she introduced the topic, but we were quite uncomfortable with the conversation, and we just wanted to order our dinner. It wasn’t a typical greeting, and she continued to talk for several minutes while we patiently waited to order. Unfortunately, my husband’s entree was not what he ordered, and she never came back to check on us until we were almost finished with our meal. My husband is not one to complain. I proudly worked in the service industry for nearly a decade. I do have certain reasonable expectations. Our evening was completely ruined when we overheard her complaining about us to the customers who were seated near us. She didn’t realize we overheard her conversation until she looked up. I wouldn’t normally mention an employee’s name in a review (unless it was positive), but her inappropriate and rude behavior was not only disappointing but also embarrassing. For these reasons, we sadly will never come back to your restaurant. We did sincerely enjoy our dining experiences on our other visits, so I will still recommend your restaurant to other people based on the quality of food and other staff members.

This is a great date night spot! My husband and I enjoyed our dinner at Valenza. The lasagna was delicious as were his ravioli. The staff was kind and attentive, and the restaurant atmosphere was nice. (The outdoor seating area is very pretty!) I recommend checking out when they have live music - the jazz musicians are fantastic!

This is our neighborhood Italian restaurant! Always a great experience - the lasagna, on Tuesday is a favorite. try the Spaghettini or the Pappardelle. Nice wine list and the service is always excellent!

I absolutely LOVE Valenza! From their cheese and meat plates to their pasta and salads, they are great! Must try the Frito Misto (the fried lemons in there are awesome) also must try Lasagna Wednesdays - huge portion of the best lasagna I have ever had.

When you walk into a restaurant and it doesn't smell Italian (with all the gorgeous meats, cheeses, herbs, and sauces) turn around and walk right back out. When we entered this restaurant I didn't smell anything, so I was doubtful from the beginning. The server was slow to approach our table and was confused thinking someone had a birthday, which we did not. He did not smile once while we were there. We were not thanked or invited to return. He did not know the menu. At our table was ordered the bietole arrosto salad ($10), the burrata salad $10), pappardelle ($19), capasante, pan seared scallops (29). We did some dish sharing and frankly, nothing was very appetizing. I was encouraged by one of my friends to order the meat balls. They were huge but tasteless. That's how I found everything, including the burrata salad, their take on a caprese salad. One thing that was good was the Manhattan served up. Better than mine at home. Not going back. Hope you have a better experience.

Nice, quiet spot in Brookhaven area. Wonderful service and had scallops as good as you'll get anywhere.

Simply wonderful! Great service, fantastic food, and a nice, relaxing atmosphere! The mussels are out of this world, as is the pannacota for dessert! The dinners are fantastic too. We've been here twice now and have been blown away with everything we've tried thus far. This chef knows what he is doing! Michael was a great server too. This place is a must go!

Valenza offers an incredible value considering their food may be as good as you'll find anywhere in Atlanta. The Chef's creativity, locally sourced ingredients and presentation are on their own worth the trip. When the weather cooperates the outside dining is relaxing and private. You'll think you're in your best friends back yard ! Half priced wine on Monday or Family Style on Sunday offer additional value.

My wife and I thought we would get in the "food mood" before we left on a trip to Italy, so we thought of Valenza. The evening was perfect. We dined all fresco. The atmosphere was great. Mary had a fish special that was served on a bed of mixed fresh vegetables and a special risotto. They brought out my special pasta with a bolognese that was out of this world. Like a greedy little boy I ordered three meatballs. Veal, beef, a little pork, all seasoned like your grandmother made them, assuming she was raised in Northern Italy. Bread service is usually ho-hum, but not that night. Focaccia was hot, perfect and accompanied by a wonderful tampenade. The owner and the chef both dropped by to ask about our meals. We wanted to adopt them both, the food was so good. We will be back, again and again.

This is a bustling place in the Brookhaven neighborhood. There is an extended outdoor patio as well. This is a pretty standard Italian menu with a wide range of offerings. Just know that the servings are enormous. We had the veal meatballs which came three to a plate on top of a large plate of spaghettini. These were huge. I could only eat one and had to take the other two home. Their pastas were good as well. This is rich food but well prepared. It can be a bit boisterous when full, and the tables are close together.

Exquisite pastas, great cocktails, boozy coffees & fantastic desserts on a dreamy & shockingly quiet patio! Family friendly but not many present allowing for great conversation & unrushed service. The servers were attentive but respectful of our desire to enjoy time away from our kinds in a romantic setting. Can’t wait to go back!

Brookhaven has been making a huge transformation in recent years and that includes the restaurant scene. Valenza is one of the finest Brookhaven restaurants I've been to. As the name indicates, it's Italian. For starters, the mussels were wonderful and served with toasted rustic bread for dipping. Truly, that would be an adequate dinner and satisfying one. Following that I had butternut squash ravioli. Loved it! They were featuring rabbit dishes, of all things. My husband said his was a very nice meal. The service was impeccable. Although we did not do this, allegedly you can let you dog wait for you in a "holding area" just outside the restaurant. The only negative is that the restaurant seemed too crowded. Tables were too close together.

The pan seared scallops and risotto was excellent. Flavors with artichokes and mushrooms were amazing. It was very noisy. We had to ask often for refills on water. Our table was by the door to outside patio and it was 95° outside it was very hot inside. Wait staff was constantly going in and out the door.

Small place but lots of flavor. Daniel our waiter was great. Made reservations and they only have valet parking unless you park on the street, do the valet. Good cocktails and wine selection, I had the Malbec and it was great. Again another fritto mixto, darn good, calamari, scallops and large capers lightly breaded and fried w fried parsley and slightly spicy sauce. Omg it was GOOD. Order as app and share for 3 people or as main, wow. I had the pork saltibulca it was great, pork was moist but needed a squeeze of lemon, took care of that, Scallops over mushroom risotto was awesome, l Salads were great, There were 8 of us and ALL were pleased. Some had tiramisu take out, I was DONE. A must EAT. Why not 5, minor details. Otherwise a strong 4.5. Will return.

That was not my first dinner at Valenza. I really like the place for it's atmosphere and quality of the food. The location itself remind of the city rather than constant Atlanta suburbs. Grilled octopus recently become a must have in many places and in Valenza they know how to cook it. This time they put too much batter in my spaghetti which made my wife not happy, but I liked it, if you know what I mean.

Met some friends here for dinner. Upscale casual, great service and very good dishes. The outdoor dining area is really nice.

Our family enjoyed a great evening at Valenzuela. Our son spent a year in Italy so he’s a demanding customer, and he gave this his seal of approval for authentic, delicious Italian dining. The one issue, which is consistent because this is not our first time, is that the indoor dining area is LOUD. We had to lean in to our own table to make ourselves heard, and our waiter had to ask us to repeat ourselves. Outside dining is likely a great experience, we will try that the next time we visit.

Went to Valenza for their Sunday Dinner. For $25, it is a three course dinner with several choices for the main dish, as well as a salad and desert. I had the pasta with meatballs which was delicious. Their bread is something else...great taste and very fresh. The restaurant has an upscale atmosphere, and the service was excellent. This is a must try restaurant!

We're from out of town -- friends took us here. It's a cozy trattoria-like atmosphere. All food was over the top excellent. Service was superb. Price points were spot-on for this place. Many options between $13-$35. Nice wine list. The calamari appetizer was DE-LISH! Maybe the best we've ever had. We are frequent travelers to Italy - all over the country -- and this place could move to Tuscany and do very well. Kudos to the owner & chef.

While the food and drink were very good, Gabriela our waitress was exceptional. She was smart, witty, sassy, engaging and a reason for us to go back.

We have lived in the neighborhood for 7 years and eat here at least once a month. I will also bring out of town business visitors here. Always a great meal. We lived in Europe for 20 years and spent a lot of time in Italy. Valenza produces great Italian food with locally produced ingredients. Try the simple spagetti meatballs, the Mussels, the saltimbocca or the carbonara. You will be happy you came here, and will be back.

We happened into this gem on a Monday night so it was not crowded. We opted to sit outside on the patio, enjoyed a bottle of wine and an amazing dinner. The butternut squash ravioli was the best ever! Our server was attentive without being intrusive and the entire staff was friendly.

We stumbled on this restaurant through yelp. We took our family of 5 but truly this is not a family restaurant. No kids menu and all cuisine is northern Italian. However, having said that it's not a family restaurant they were so accommodating and kind to my kids. They made a bowl of buttery noodles for my picky 8yr old. They answered questions about the menu and everything we got was delicious! The parradelle was awesome! Amazing flavor and so good! The spaghettini was great and the meatballs were HUGE! I'd highly recommend for couples or families with older kids. Great for special occasions or celebrations. Free valet parking and they had live music too. Beautiful venue. I'd go back again.

We were here for dinner to celebrate our friend’s birthday. The food (Short Rib ravioli) was decent and the atmosphere was vibrant for a Saturday night. Service was okay (though our server did not crack a smile all night), up until the point that we were literally kicked out of the restaurant, without being asked properly, by the manager Greg. He walked by our party at least twice and made comments behind our backs (and made sure we heard him) on how we were loud and not leaving, while we were cutting the birthday cake. It was incredibly rude and very unprofessional for a manager of a restaurant to behave in such way. If the restaurant is busy, all you have to do is to not be afraid, explain the situation and ask us kindly and politely. I will not come back to this establishment as i believe with a leader like Greg, the business is not worth my time and money and i have doubts on the employees looking up to their manager.

Visiting for business and had a great dinner at Valenza. Service, atmosphere and amazing dishes and desserts . Will come back for sure during my next trip to Atlanta.

Great atmosphere in which to enjoy a modern presentation of foods from all over Italy. All pastas are handmade and have excellent texture. The polpo (octupus) appetizer is masterfully cooked. Everyone MUST have the orrechiete - such a simple dish, absolutely memorable. We eat everywhere with our three boys and Valenza's staff was very accommodating with half portions. The list of Italian wines is extensive and perfect for the food and setting. Chef Matt is one of the best in Atlanta.

It was probably a blip but Valenza disappointed tonight. The food was overly salty and I'm not even sure my entree was prepared according to the menu description. The grilled octopus is normally great but it was blah tonight as were the brussel sprouts and fried calamari. It was dark as night on the patio because for some reason they wouldn't turn the lights in the trees on. We asked about it and the server noted it but nothing changed. I'll probably skip Valenza for a while. Too many other great choices in Brookhaven.

My favorite Italian restaurant in Atlanta. The homemade pasta is just divine. The service is always consistent. A neighborhood gem.

We ate here recently for their Family night, which is on Sundays. They have the regular full menu as well as the Family Style Menu, which gives you a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert with shared sides. I had the swordfish, which I will tell you was absolutely the best piece of swordfish I have ever had... it was moist and cooked perfectly and very fresh! The pasta dishes are crafted from fresh pasta and the sauce (gravy) is also very fresh tasting and bursting with flavor. Get the Veal/Pork/Beef Meatballs - you will not be disappointed! We had a wonderful waitress that absolutely nailed it - I wish I could remember her name... she was great! she even kept up with my Mom's long list of Gluten Free and non dairy requests without skipping a beat! Thank You - you know who you are!!

The food and ambiance and Valenza are both awesome. I recently went on a date night with my girlfriend and we both really enjoyed our experience. The waiter recommend great wine and food choices and we both really enjoyed our experience. I highly recommend the brick pressed chicken, it was tasty and appropriately priced.

Love this place! Cute atmosphere, very personal service and great food. Greeted at table with delicious pimento cheese and olives. The pasta dishes are out of this world. It was a tough call because they had several great healthy fish options that sounded great. Wine is very fairly priced and it was half price bottle night so we got 2 bottles UNDER a retail value and they were fabulous!!! Can’t wait to come back to this quaint gem

A great experience at this beautiful upscale restaurant in Atlanta. Spent the evening outside having dinner on their beautiful patio.. Awesome Northern Italian food and the best Margarita I have ever tasted. I ordered the Basil Tomato angel hair pasta.. Went for a Birthday dinner for my Son. And all the meals were excellent. ! Can't wait to go back!

Had dinner with family members. First time there, but I'll definitely go back. Great service, best Italian food ever.

My husband and I, looking for a relaxing and enjoyable evening, chose Valenza. Most favorite evening to dine at Valenza? Wednesday when Joe Gransden performs. Impressive trumpeter and vocalist. Highly recommend! The food is delicious and attractively plated. Recommend the Buratta, Cesare, Pappardelle, Spaghettini, Tiramisu and Chocolate Pudding. If you are so inclined, my husband reports the Negroni is one of the best, and the red wine from Montepulciano is wonderful. Recommend Enzo, the Server. He is professional, friendly and helpful. Relaxing and enjoyable evening? Mission accomplished.😊

I took my husband here to celebrate his birthday last week. The restaurant has a very nice ambience inside but the noise was deafening even on a Monday night. Fortunately it was a very mild night so we were able to sit on the patio. They have a lovely patio with lights strung across the top and jazz music playing in the background. It was a great setting and was very romantic! My husband had the short rib pasta and I had the fish special and we shared the beet salad. All of it was delicious! They also gave him a beautiful complimentary dessert which was excellent as well. Our waitress was very friendly and started out attentive (although she mixed up our drink order with another table) but then disappeared midway through our dinner. But in all fairness to her she was also waiting on tables inside so I think she was just spread too thin. I would definitely recommend this restaurant but perhaps only during mild weather when you can sit on the patio. I know it's the trendy thing now to have concrete floors but it really creates a very noisy atmosphere. The rest of the restaurant is lovely so I wish they would put some nice carpet down to complement the upscale ambience as well as to keep the noise down.

Restaurant is lovely but quite noisy. We had excellent service. Small but quite interesting menu. Really liked the beet salad. My fennel sausage entree was so salty I could not eat it. My friends insisted I ask for another course. I ordered squash ravioli that were so delicious but sweet enough to be a dessert instead of entree. All valet parking. Overall a very uneven experience for an upscale restaurant.

decor is nice and inviting, food was average, although portions were generous. we had a delicious fish with veggies, and spaghetti and meatballs that were not al dente... bread was served warm and with very good spreads and olives. service was a bit slow but very friendly. seems more of a locals' spot, so bar was too noisy for our taste.

Valenza is located in the attractive redeveloped area that sellers of real estate talked into being part of the Brookhaven neighborhood within the past 15 years. Our visit to Valenza started on a sour note. Knowing we would be coming from the Emory Choir's Christmas concert, a month ago we reserved booth #40, big, round and somewhat secluded, for dinner. When we arrived, the hostess informed us that the booth was not available. I figured a group of maybe 6 had preempted the 4 of us, and was surprised it had been given to 2 men who arrived before us. We raised a bit of a stink, and Valenza management was apologetic. When the booth became available, they offered to move us, but by then we were settled in elsewhere. Our server Daniel went out of his way to compensate for the mishap, even giving us free dessert. The decor is tasteful and attractive, and the atmosphere was festive on this Saturday evening. We started with salads, 2 of us with the Mista and 2 with the Bietole Arrosto, and everyone agreed they were delicious. Each of us ordered pasta, and my Orecchiette was very good, with ear shaped pasta, slightly spicy fennel sausage and broccoli rabe. Dessert was the high point of the meal; my Budino, chocolate bread pudding topped with ice cream, was a trip to heaven. Even with the disappointment at the start of our visit, Valenza turned out to be a great choice, and we enjoyed the experience.

We love the Wednesday night special - salad and delicious lasagna for $15. It's in a central location for the 4 of us and also a Brookhaven neighborhood favorite.

Everything from food to service was excellent! Chef has daily creations that are creative, try something new. Pasta dishes are authentic. Excellent Carbonara and Spaghetti with meatballs. Main courses were true Tuscan gems. Portions are large enough to try a few courses and share. Leave room for desserts with a modern twist on flavors. Vanilla gelato with Rosemary is divine!

From the awesome service to the great wine to the stellar food this place is the best. Great salads as me pasta dishes highlight a interesting menu.

We recently met friends for dinner at Valenza. We dine here every month or so and as usual the food was excellent and the service was attentive but not rushed. This is our favorite restaurant in Brookhaven.

the food was outstanding. I have food allergies and felt properly taken care of. btw there was nothing that i couldn't eat. the only somewhat disconcerting event is that i was offered nothing for my birthday-- free appetizer or dessert. BUT, the food was so good didn't need it. i had short tibs raviloli--best i ever had and my husband had fresh octopus and swordfish. we will go again. It was hard to find.

Valenza located in Brookhaven, is a great find in this cozy neighborhood on Dreseden. Directly down the block from Haven, it always feels good being there and getting pampered by their very professional servers who are courteous, responsive and well versed on what is being served. Excellent selection of fish, seafood, pasta, and some exotic dishes, you won't be disappointed with your experience here. The patio is our favorite spot, but needed to be booked well in advance.

If you are looking for great Italian this is a must go. Wonderful selection of Antipasto, hand crafted pasta dishes as well as classic meat and seafood specialties. Wait staff was friendly and professional. Great ambiance perfect for business or casual dinners.

I had occasion last week to eat at all of the Word of Mouth Restaurants as they are walking distance from my home. I had a chance to converse with a couple of the owner and partners and was reminded of their mission of commitment to their craft and customer service at a high level. Chef Matt at Valenza is no exception as well as Grace, Michael and Lena . The food is excellent and service always outstanding . I am lucky to live so close.

Valenza is a great restaurant in nice, little commercial block just off Peachtree Road in northeast Atlanta. Service is friendly and professional and very accommodating. The restaurant has a nice mix of feeling like a high-end restaurant with a comfortable atmosphere. The food was uniformly delicious. The mussel appetizer was one of the best we’ve ever had. We had to request lots of extra bread to sop up all the delicious broth. On Tuesday they have a special whole lobster (conveniently taken out of the shell) on a bed of wonderful lobster risotto accompanied by a glass of house wine. We also enjoyed the excellent saltimbocca. On mild days, there is a very nice outdoor seating area. I would definitely return.

My husband and I, with friends, dined at Valenza for the first time on May 2nd, a Wednesday evening. I chose the restaurant to enjoy the musical talent of Joe Gransden, who Clint Eastwood described as “…a young man with and old soul and a classic voice. He is a great new talent with a wonderful sense of humor to boot. And don’t forget, he plays a hell of a trumpet!” My words? Joe is an impressive musician. Joe and a keyboard player (quite a talented musician himself) played tunes from the Great American Songbook. If you are a fan of this genre, Joe’s trumpet and voice, along with the accompanying keyboard, will transport you to a happy place, making for a perfect evening. And one of our friends, a former professional trumpet player and band director for many years, had very high praise for Joe Gransden. If you’re wondering about the food, it is flavorful and attractively-plated. I recommend the Orecchiette Pasta w/fennel sausage, rabe, evoo, and chili flakes; the Salmone, king salmon; and the Pollo al Mattone, a brick pressed green circle farms chicken, with peperonata and crispy pecorino potatoes. For dessert, have the Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake w/pine nuts and brown butter caramel. If you appreciate Italian red wine, I recommend Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Corte alla Flora. Full-bodied and smooth. Christopher, our server, was exceptional - professional, yet friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, attentive, but not intrusive. The staff assisting him complemented his excellence. We look forward to our next visit!

Was in the area and tried this place on a whim. We fell in love right away. Food was awesome and service was terrific to. It's another "neighborhood gem" that I always like to discover. I look forward to a return visit soon.

My husband and I were at Valenza last Saturday. We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. We had the octopus for appetizer. For the main course I had the gnocchi and my husband had the orecchiette. We really recommend the octopus and the orecchiette! You can't go wrong with the meals at Valenza

We had a meal in a private dining room for about 30 people and everyone's meal was perfect- it was such a hit. The salads are beautiful- we had three different ones and they were all art directed and interesting- I liked mine with fava beans a lot- could have been a main dish. The salmon was gorgeous- with a crispy and almost sweet skin that protected and added to the meat of the fish. The bread putting dessert was delicious and its only flaw was it was large and I ate it all. Other people had pasta dishes all of which were loved. The service was great- and this crowd, which can be pretty critical, didn't have a bad word to say.

Thankfully I made a reservation for a Tuesday night- apparently their lobster risotto is such an awesome that it packs the parking and the restaurant and sells out quickly. Be warned, it was all gone by 7:15 on the night we arrived. No worries, the rest of the food we had was fantastic! The creamiest freshest mozzarella on the salad, fresh made pasta, great grouper, and a bread pudding that are still pleasantly on my mind after a few days. The wait staff was friendly attentive helpful. The restaurant is quiet enough that we could have a conversation without shouting over the kitchen/crowd noise. The outdoor seating space is cute but we had to move inside because of gnats (not surprising in Atlanta in the middle of the summer). The crowd there seemed a bit uppity (45-60 year olds with swanky cars and clothes they wanted you to notice...but easy enough to focus on the restaurant staff and food. It'd be great for a business dinner at an atypical restaurant, date, catch-up with friends.

Nice atmosphere, lively but not too noisy to hear yourself talk. A good vibe. It's a menu offering three courses. We were happy that we ordered course by course. We had intended to order one first, second, and third and share. However, we both saw a different first course that appealed to us, so we each ordered our own, then ordered one second to split. The portion was very generous, and so we never ordered a third. Delicious! Plus, they bring a plate with bread, olives, olive oil and herbs and a nice bean and tomato dip. Never felt pressure to order more. Attentive but not oppressive waitstaff.

It bothers me when you go to a restaurant the first time and have a great experience...and then you try it again and it's never quite as good as it was before. After trying this restaurant now three times we won't be back. It wants to be a very good restaurant but there is no consistentlcy as to the quality of the food or the presentation even when ordering the same dishes on different visits. With all the great restaurants in the Brookhaven area unless they can be consistently good they won't have what it takes to hang in there long term.

Kudos to Chef Matt. Veal and pork meatballs and spaghetti cannot be beat. The two children ate everything on their plates and they never do that. The homemade fresco alfredo was to die for. Everything on the table was delicious. The ggod news is they are expanding and putting in a wood fired pizza room. What a wonderful experience for my birthday.

Our first time here. We came in for a Thursday dinner. Valet parking in the rear. Warm welcome. Excellent service from Enzo. Food served almost immediately after ordering !! Everything was delicious.

I was traveling on business and my friend suggested this place since it had great reviews. I loved the intimate sexy setting and the food! I ordered the Ravioli and it was really tasty. The wine selection was perfect as well and our waiter made the experience memorable. Our portions were big enough to have a midnight snack for later. I would definitely visit again.

This has become one of our favorite restaurants. Haven't had a dish I didn't enjoy. The Fritos misty is great, and all the pasta dishes are delicious, the paparadelle is one of my favorites. Last time my husband tried the linguine Nero and loved it and I enjoyed the orecchiette. The place has a great vibe, and the staff take care of the guests

Came here on a busy Saturday night for a 845pm dinner and found a very vibrant room. Our two couples arrived at 8pm to have a cocktail at the bar and enjoyed our time catching up. We were promptly seated for our reservation and were treated like royalty by our server Ashley. She walked us thru the specials and made some fine recommendations for starters. We began with two apps;meatballs, as well as mussels. Magnificent!!! Next we all had half orders of various entrees and they were all fantastic. We ordered multiple dishes of pappardelle, cinghiale, spaghettini and orecchiette. One better than the other and plenty of food to take home. Looking forward to coming back to Valenza in Brookhaven.

It was a little difficult to find the valet station, which is on a side road off of Dresden. Once inside, the atmosphere was lively, a little loud, and the wait staff were very attentive. The restaurant offered tables, booths, and cozy nooks for couples. The service was white table cloth and comfortable. They offer a full bar as well as non-alcoholic drinks and offer a number of house special cocktails. The bread is fantastic and comes with oil and whipped ricotta for dipping. There a wide variety of appetizers, entrees, fish dishes, and pasta dishes. Since it was my first time there, I erred on the side of ordering too much; but it was so good, I ended up eating it all. If you want something heavy, rich, and unusual please try the agnolotti with short ribs, mushrooms, and much other magic. This is a moderately priced restaurant. It is highly recommended.

Valenza could be in New York, would charge double and be packed. Actually it was was packed and deserves to be. The beet salad was better than any I've had in recent memory. We had a variety of Pastas and all were outstanding, especially the Butternut squash ravioli. The steak was also of the highest quality. We only samples a few desserts but the bread pudding was excellent. Good wine list in mid price range. Lastly, service was outstanding. We will be back.

This was our first experience at Valenza and we went to hear jazz musician Joe Grandsen. We found that he plays there regularly and after some research found that Valenza has a bar that does not require reservations. Valenza is a very nice space with a warm, rustic Italian feel. You can either have your car valet parked behind the restaurant or park it yourself across the street in the garage; we did the latter. We found two bar stools immediately around 6:30p (Joe's first set is at 7p). The bartender welcomed us and gave us menus. I ordered their version of a Manhattan - very smooth and well balanced. We got a bread & humus plate that was really good. Nice bread, olive and garlic oil, red pepper humus. I asked the bartender for a wine recommendation and had a nice glass of Pino Nero. Great bartender. I then had the grilled radicchio salad. A surprising hit and I'd order it again. For my entree I had the Agnolotti - short rib meat stuffed pasta in au jus. Incredible. You must order this. You must. Overall, Valenza is a great choice. A bit on the expensive side, but if you want to treat yourself or have a special occasion you can't go wrong.

Valenza and sister restaurant Haven have a great staff, including the bartenders. Valenza specializes in the Italian food and has a special several nights of the week. Food is always prepared to a high level and very pleasant atmosphere. Even if you aren't immediately local it is worth the trip.

What an amazing Annual Worth Day celebration & dining experience for my Sister, who loves authentic Italian Food & came into town from Arizona. The hostess team was welcoming & uber friendly. Mary was our sensational Server. From her first visit to our table, she spoke to us both individually & collectively, learned our preferences for drinks, appetizers & entrees & in turn offered her personal recommendations all with a smile. Our table spread consisted of the "Melon" inspired Salads (from the special menu), Fritto Misto - a twist on Calamari that includes Shrimp & Cod (two orders), Ravioli (three people ordered & was delighted) Pollo al Mattone (could have done without the Salsa Verde), the Lumache Nero (the Squid was overpowering) & my special Vegan Pasta tossed in Olive Oil, Garlic, Lemon, Tomatoes amongst some Veggies. In summation, the overall food was pretty good, yet Mary's "performance" was even better. My Sister was even blessed with not one, yet two complimentary Birthday Desserts, topping off her special night. Just a few suggestions: *Adjust the thermostat as it was extremely hot which made it slightly uncomfortable at times. *Reposition the tables on the upper platform as the tables are very close to one another, which took some pivoting to get up & sit back down. There's a private dining room for 30 people & a patio that is just as inviting. The parking lot is shared with Valenza's sister restaurant, Haven, so parking is a bit tight, but Valet is complimentary - the Valet team was immensely friendly & helpful. Street parking is also available. We all recommend Valenza regardless of the occasion as the dining experience was superb.

What a better way to plan a trip to Italy than to do in a great Italian restaurant. Valenza has a cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and impressive food and wine. Service is quick and the food arrives to your table fresh and hot. The menu includes some classics done to perfection. I chose the Saltimbocca made with herritage pork tenderloin, prosciutto, sage, rabe, and crispy pecorino potatoes. The dish was impecable and full of flavor. I am looking forward to another visit to try a diffferent dish. Oh, and the budino - white chocolate bread pudding, dark chocolate gelato - was a perfect ending !

Happened upon this awesome locals restaurant via Open Table. We were seated at this cool, hip restaurant within 10 minutes of our reservations. My girls enjoyed the spaghettini / veal and pork meatballs, bufala mozzarella, red wine, san marzano tomato sauce $19. Yum! I had the mista / organic local greens, endive, radicchio, crimini, aged balsamic, parmesan $7 and the capellini / fresh tomato, basil, parmesan $16. Seriously some of the best food I have ever eaten! I even mentioned to the staff that I would love the to open a location in Birmingham, AL! Fair prices, awesome food! Well done!!!!!!

Pasta dishes are out of this world! Some of the best I've ever had. Had dinner with family on a Friday night and the restaurant was extremely busy, but staff was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. My only "complaint" is that service felt a bit rushed but it was probably because they were so busy. The atmosphere is quite unique. Will definitely return!

Most restaurants have their ups and downs. Have been going here for 11 years, and overall had good experiences. Had not been there in ~ a year, but dad dinner there last night and it was the BEST ever!!! Made a reservation and was seated promptly at our reservation time. Our server was Adam, and he is excellent (good interpersonal skills, knowledgeable, and observant). The Menu offers a nice variety for Antipasti, Primi, and Secondi, along with a nice wine list featuring Italian wines. They bring bread, olio, olives, and hummus. The wines are priced premium. We had the Ravioli stuffed with butter nut squash with brown butter sage sauce; could not have been better. Also the Braised Rabbit was tremendous; so very flavorful.

I dont get it. Average at best. Lets use a 1 to 10 scale Greeting: 2. Girls are young and immature Ambience: 10. Great decor. Tuscan feel. Low lighting. Perfect for a quiet date night Food: 5. Had spaghettilini. Meatballs are home made. Good combo of fennel, pork and hamburger. I give the ball a 7. The sauce a 3. Nothing special. Portions an 8. What you would expect Price: 1. Too costly for what you get. $21 for a basic sauce and 3 meatballs. Service:7. Adam tried hard. Personable. The food did come out accurate and hot. Not worth going back

Co- workers suggested we meet here for drinks and dinner after work. What a great idea. Twenty years ago I lived in this area. It is so different today, and this restaurant is a gem in the new development. The food was superb, the ambience comforting. I highly recommend dining here. Service was very good.

WOW! New to the area and went on a crowded Friday night. Sat at bar with my family and the service from the bartender was fantastic. Ordered apps and dinner and the food was unbelievable. Great place, great food, great service! I never write a review.

Great food choices, pleasant and prompt friendly service and nice atmosphere. Valet parking complimentary and convenient. Also a great family night special on Sundays and delicious Lasagne on Wednesdays. A must to visit this restaurant.

We selected Valenza for a family dinner based on its convenient location to where we were. I wasn’t expecting anything much, but was I ever wrong! The food and service was fantastic. One in our group who had the special veal chop entrée with mushroom white truffle risotto described it as “a real treat.” Others in our group who had previously been to Valenza commented the food was consistently as good as it had been on previous visits. The orecchiette pasta dish was simply outstanding. Perfectly al dente pasta (pasta that is cooked to be firm to the bite and not soft or mushy) with indescribably delicious sausage and rabe. The pappardelle and the capellini were equally as good. The Parpardelle was cooked perfectly with a most wonderful ragu. The Cappellini was also cooked to perfection and was the perfect pasta to swirl in the wonderful tomato sauce. As appetizers the mussels were among the best I have had and everyone else raved about their Caesar salads. Desserts and coffees lived up to the appetizers and main courses. An absolutely wonderful experience and will definitely return. Accordingly one of my rare 5 star reviews.

We three couples ate dinner at Valenza tonight, our first visit. The room is relatively small and quite noisy (the norm these days), the service was excellent and the food was superb. Six very clean plates even though the portions were large. We all shared three salads -- the caesar was a winner. The entrees -- gnocchi, pappardelle, spaghettini with meatballs, shrimp with pasta and scallops -- were all delicious. The chef obviously knows his way around pasta. A special shoutout for the gnocchi. It was the best I have ever had, with the added mushrooms and pancetta what put it over the top. We will definitely return.

Our first choice for Italian food, a neighborhood treasure. Usually get the fish dish as it's always stellar. Friends like the ravioli best. Husband orders the rabbit. Long list of Italian wines, including Greco de Tuffo, my favorite as it's the only one I know. Can always trust the waiter' advice on wine.

Phenomenal! Every bite was perfection. We had the pane (focaccia bread with whipped butter and olive oil), trottole with sausage and bread crumbs, and then cheesecake with caramel and pine nuts. Our server - Natalie - gave us the best recommendations and was so knowledgeable about the wines. We cannot wait to go back with more friends next time.

Valenza has excellent Italian dishes--similar to what you would find in Italy. We had excellent salads, and split 3 entrees--meatballs, a cinghiale and sweet potato gnocchi dish and agnelotti. They were all fantastic. The service was very good and the ambience great.

The room was cozy but a bit noisy. All was made up for by the attentive service and the delicious food. My wife had the monk fish special and was one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. The homemade pastas were exquisite. We will definitely be back!

In Brookhaven (Atlanta), there are relatively few good restaurants to choose from, so having Valenza nearby is convenient when we want to eat good italian fare at a good price point. The menu changes daily to offer seasonal choices, but certain italian pastas and entrees remain on the menu year round. Go on Wednesday to experience their homemade lasagna that is great. The frito misto is outstanding as well as the spaghettini and meatballs - you get 3 huge meatballs and pasta for $19!!! Great wine selections and a real neighborhood atmosphere make this place really special and one of our favorite "go to" local restaurants.

I am so happy about this place, good food, big servings!.. nice services, nice Waite staffs, i enjoy my dinner.. little expensive Italian wine, only it. But good , very good.

An upscale Italian restaurant in our neighborhood. A little pricey but we've always had good food and service. Great special occasion place, table cloths, candles, etc. We've been with out of town guest and they loved it.

Out to dinner with friends who had been here before glad they recommended it. Our server was extremely pleasant and very capable of explaining any questions we had about wine or the menu. Two of us had the Cappasante the scallops were wonderful and the risotto was perfect. One order of Linguini negro which was enjoyed by our friends college bound son and an order of Pappardelle which was good but not enjoyed as much as the other three dishes. Finished with Budino a wonderful bread pudding and Bonet a delicious coffee flavored custard. Topped of the evening with the homemade Limoncello!

Valenza never disappoints but the recent dinner was delicious. I ordered the scallops with winter squash risotto and enjoyed every perfectly seasoned and prepared bite. The grilled squid appetizer was also wonderful. We are always pleased with Valenza.

Reasonably priced food, limited but decent wine choices, good service. The octopus appetizer was nice, the panzanella ok. Our pasta with a bolognese sauce was good, as was the rabbit.

Some say too noisy. That's just happy, satisfied diners enjoying the positive energy of the place. Excellent food, attentive and friendly service, good prices and happily noisy. If in Atlanta, a must on your busy schedule. Evacuated a coastal town because of Matthew and very glad to have found this place. Highly recommended. Try the risotto. You wont be disappointed.

This is one of our favorite restaurants. It is located in our neighborhood and we are never disappointed. We dine here several times a month. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable. The food is superb, the pasta dishes are wonderful and any special that includes any type of fish is a sure bet. If you have a reservation it is honored promptly. Great restaurant!

I've enjoyed every meal I have had here, whether with a large group or as a family of three. The delicious food, the charming ambiance and the friendly service make it a favorite. The pasta dishes are all great and I've enjoyed the steak and fish dishes too. Always look forward to a return visit

Valenza is a charming, upscale Italian restaurant snuggled in the Brookhaven neighborhood of Atlanta. Surrounded by quaint, locally owned shops Valenza has outstanding Italian cuisine that is original and likely not to be found on another menu. The atmosphere is cozy yet boasts a lively bar area that seems to be quite popular, since there was never an open chair. The only downsides I found was that they have a limited wine list consisting of only Italian wines, but if you see nothing you like ask for the wine list from Haven, which is the restaurant next door and owned by the same proprietor. The other reason I don't give Valenza five stars (circles) is that our server, Enzo, was not a good listener and rude to boot. When we asked to sample a wine before buying two glasses of it he kept insisting on bringing and selling us a bottle of it. We didn't want an entire bottle, and I explained that to him. Upon returning, he had an unopened bottle he proceeded to uncork. I commented that "I guess you didn't have an opened bottle of this already," for which he replied, "I have an open bottle but I want you to buy this one." I reiterated that we would not be drinking an entire bottle. This infuriated him, and he ignored us for the remainder of the evening. I highly recommend Valenza and will return, but be sure to request any server but Enzo.

Good food, nice atmosphere.Wait staff was very cheerful and efficient. Convenient location. Will go again soon.

Food and service was excellent. Crowd was live but too loud. Be on the lookout for the specials as they are always top notch

Ate here on a business trip. We had a large group so the menu was limited to a few salad and entree choices; however each meal was well prepared and delicious. Service from Tim and team was enhanced hospitality. Thank you.

We tried out Valenza last night. We got there early on Friday evening and were able to get seats without reservations. When we left about an hour and a half later, it was packed, so don't try going later without reservations. I love the feel of the restaurant. It feels cozy. The food was ok, but the prices were high and out priced the quality. The wine was very good, but higher than most places for by the glass. Each glass was about $12 to $13. Food portions were large, but the food didn't have a lot of flavor. I got the ravioli, which was good, but swimming in olive oil. Although the food was ok, we have had better food for better prices. Because of that, we probably will not go back. We had 1 glass of wine each, 2 salads and a lower priced main course dish with 20% tip for right under $100. p.s. they have complimentary valet parking, so finding a parting space is not an issue.

There were problems with the food and the kitchen. The wait staff was very helpful in exchanging items but my overall image of this restaurant is that there are a lot that are better.

Had a great dinner for a birthday. Ten of us...food was very good and served hot. Prompt service. Only interesting issue was when the server delivered us back the 5 separate checks and credit cards, he gave them all to one person to distribute which was uncomfortable. She handed them back to him and asked him to do it since he knew which check went to whom, but he kind of had a disgruntled look on his face. Wouldn't let it stop us from going back.

Benn here several times-always great but last night was really over the top. My partner got her usual capellini and it was excellent as always. I stepped out of the box a little and ordered the rabbit special. It was absolutely the finest I’ve ever had, here or abroad. Couple this food with the outstanding service that you get from pros like David and Miquel and you have an evening to remember.

It has been 14 months since we have been able to dine out. Valenza is the first restaurant that we wanted to go to. We were able to sit out side in their newly newly renovated outside dining area. The food was excellent and the service superb. The pastas are to die for. The java bean salad was exceptional. Thanks to Michael, Matt and the Valenza crew for doing a great job.

This place was recommended by the folks at the hotel. We tried it and I'm not a fan. I had the shrimp and linguine. The linguine was black, never saw that before. Didn't particularly like the spread they served with the bread. A seasoned olive oil would have worked. Just nothing exiting about the place for me. $10. For house chianti is a bit much.

Our evening was enjoyable. Service was good. My meal, the black squid ink Nero was good, but heavily salted. The chef has a heavy hand with salt in food preparation in my opinion. We will return but I will ask for less salt with future meals. Parking was valet, courteous and gratuity only which is becoming more rare in Atlanta. Ambience was excellent. We informed the restaurant that our guest couple was celebrating their 58th anniversary but no acknowledgement or celebratory treat was offered. Cost was moderate. Value was good excepting the salt.

This is my 3rd visit to Valenza. My mom did not tell me until after we ate, but her food was cold! The food has been consistently good from our appetizers to dessert. I’m hoping the stress of Valentines weekend caused this overlooked issue with cold food. Everyone else in our party of 6 enjoyed their meals.

In the past 6 months we have had the pleasure of dining at Valenza with 8 guests on 2 occasions. On both occasions the food was great, but we waited well over 35/45 minutes for the main course to be served. This past week we were served by Enzo who lacks any personality, does not know how to smile, is hard to understand. I would have rated the whole experience as excellent if it was not for the long wait for the main course and the server. We will be back, but will request not to be served by Enzo.If a server has no warmth or personality it does effect the whole experience. It appears that it is tough for the kitchen to get out the main courses to large parties!

We have been here twice in the last month. Absolutely fabulous. Beautiful outdoor patio. Late afternoon shade. The food and service is phenomenal. Great wine by the bottle/ glass. If you haven't been here you gotta try it.

We started with the mussels and they were delicious. We had to get more bread to sop up the delicious sauce. For entrees I had the rabbit which was tender and cooked perfectly. I usually buy game meat when it is featured on a menu, although it can be a bit hit or miss... This was a hit and you can't go wrong. My dining partner had the steak special and it was amazing as well and hit a perfect medium rare. For a nice, relaxing night out, you can't go wrong here. Be advised that the parking lot is shared with Valenza's sister restaurant, Haven, so parking is a bit tight, but there is a "free" valet.

We went on a Saturday night and bar was very lively. The food was simple yet delicious and service was attentive without being overly attentive. The pricing were reasonable given the quality of the food and we are definitely going back soon.

We sat outside which was very pleasant, as it seemed quite noisy inside. There was live music which was great. The food was delicious. We had for apps frito misto, misto salad and meatballs. All were excellent. For entree we had chicken, bistecca and saltimbocca again all were excellent. The little potatoes were addictive. We didn't make dessert as we were all replete.

I recently had dinner with a friend and she recommended Valenza in north Atlanta, in the Brookhaven area. This trendy area has been gentrified over the last few years and there are several bars and restaurants in the area. Valenza does provide valet parking but, since I did not know that, I parked on the street for free. The small neighborhood type restaurant reminded me if some Italian restaurants in New York. The atmosphere is cozy and the staff was well trained and polite. We had a drink before dinner (good but slightly overpriced). They have an excellent and expensive wine list and many good wines are available by the glass. Monday night features half price wine by the bottle. We shared the mussels as an appetizer and they were excellent. The sauce was definitely worth dipping with the bread served with the mussels. My friend had the fish of the day which was striped bass served over kale. I had the meatballs which were made of veal and beef and seasoned beautifully. (I make a pretty good meatball myself and these were well done.) The meatballs were served over Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan and angel hair pasta. We share tastes of each other's meals and the combination of the fish and meat was nice. We both declined the dessert menu but finished with cappucino and Sambucca Negro. Overall, the meal was well done, the atmosphere was nice and the service was attentive without being obtrusive. The only negative was the price. Of course, this is Atlanta but the meal and drinks were definitely overpriced. Nice restaurant but easier to "digest" if you are on the corporate expense account. Try it if you like a smaller, neighborhood establishment.

Although there are plenty of local regulars, this restaurant attracts diners from all over. The ambiance is so very cozy and charming and bar is a friendly place to hang out. Food is carefully prepared and traditional Italian. The wine list is focused on quality Italian producers.

Moderate prices, excellent food, engaged owners, comfortable atmosphere. Angel hair pasta outstanding. Salads very good. Tight parking, mainly valet.

Attractive interior with white linen and silver tableware but noisy. The pastas were fresh and with delicious sauces. Great crusty Italian bread. Attentive service. The entrees were so so. The rabbit was in a watery broth with no sun dried tomatoes or mushrooms as advertised. Very bland. The pork in the saltamboca was not pounded thin and was tough. The sauce was bland. The potatoes were awesome.

Went with wife last night to this spot in Brookwood--attached to the Haven, same owner. Interesting menu,lots of unique stuff-Started out with mussels with white wine/tomatoe sauce--mussles were evey fresh and excellent.A little too spicy for me,but great taste.Wife had Caesars salad,nothing special.I had the gnochi with Italian bacon --to me it was a small portion and the gnocchi were a little weirdly shaped--theyre usually round--taste was very good.Wife had the lasagne with pork,veal,and beef--excellent product.Finished up with a bread pudding that was incredible.Funny,they dont have cannolis, every good Italian restaurant should have home made cannolis!!It got a little annoying when the GM,chef and owner kept telling us they were rated the best Italian retaurant in Atlanta.I think Pricci is better,and Alfredos a better value.Bill was 105 with 2 glasses of wine--a little steep for me.Id go back.Also we sat near the bar and the bartender person was really loud--learned more about her than i care to know--she evenmentioned having drugs to cheer someone up sitting at the bar ---weird

When we go to Atlanta we always try one of their many Italian eateries. This stop we selected Valenza. This has a high end feel although fairly moderate pricing. The food was excellent. We had the bieotolle arosto to start. It was argula, beets, figs, goat cheese and pistacios. What a nice experience. For our entrees we tried the spaghettini and the saltimbocca. The spaghettini came with veal, pork and beef meatballs with buffalo cheese. It was very good. The Saltimbocca was a pork tenderloin that was very good as well. When we saw the white chocolate bread pudding we had to give it a try for our dessert. Food was easily 5 stars for us. The atmosphere was quiet on our weekday dinner. It is well done. Very comfortable but had the nice restaurant feel. Our server was on his game. He met all of our needs even offering nice wine suggestions. Our ratings for this place: Service 4.5 stars Food 5 stars Atmosphere 5 stars Renown 4 stars Romantic Appeal 5 stars Value 4 stars Average to 4.6 stars which we happily round up to 5 stars. This is not a cheap place, but if you want a nice Italian option with different offerings this is the place. We enjoyed our time here and would recommend a visit.

I'd been here with a friend once before about a year and a half ago, and I'd left rather disappointed, so I chose not to write at all that time. My disappointment really had to do with my ordering of saltimbocca, a Roman dish which ALWAYS uses veal and it's been one of my favorite Italian dishes for many years. Valenza uses pork tenderloin instead of veal, and I knew it. I still took the chance, but for me, it didn't work well at all in comparison, and all I could think of was missing the flavor of veal. My disappointment was all my own fault. This time there were five of us in attendance, and no one found fault with their meal. I ordered the orecchiette, with fennel sausage, and it was delicious and the little ears pasta was perfectly cooked to al dente texture. We had a mix of wine and beer drinkers, and I had one of the reserve Chianti choices. Any one would have been good with this meal. For dessert I chose Valenza's budino, a white chocolate bread pudding with dark chocolate gelato. I love good bread pudding, and the chocolate pairing with this one was perfect. We all sat outside on the patio, and the weather was perfect. Spring in Atlanta, especially in the evening, can be perfect, and this was one of those evenings. Our waitress was extremely friendly, attentive and capable.

Took family here for dinner based on my prior experience here. The meat and cheese appetizer was sparsely plated with meats, while lots of greens filled the board. Not as tasty as the last time I was here. No nuts, olives, mustard provided. Family members enjoyed the pasta dishes, but my pressed chicken was dry and too salty. Service was good, but I was not pleased when busboys started quickly removing dinner plates before everyone had finished their meals..... DO NOT DO!

Another great meal at Valenza. The beet salad and the meatballs are a must. Tonight we had the grouper special and the ora salmon. Both were terrific. Many great waiters. Michael, Taylor, Daniel are noteworthy

I have been going to Valenza pretty much since it opened and the consistency is truly remarkable. The chef does a nice job -- the menu changes just enough to keep me coming back and I find that the ingredients are both creative and fresh. The wine list has a fair amount of breadth and some depth and generally seems reasonably priced. Plus, they are always gracious to let you BYO and simply hit you with a reasonable corkage fee. -- $25?? They have done a nice job with the outdoor seating area which is surprisingly nice in the late spring and summer -- I really don't hear the traffic. Service is generally steady, prompt, attentive but not intrusive although Sundays can be a bit of a challenge in rush hour. So, my bottom line, while I am not a fan of Vero a few doors down (see my review) I am a fan of Valenza for a nice date night -- good food, good wine, good service -- all at a fair price. Nothing great -- just a real Labrador Retriever of a restaurant -- reliable, steady and always happy to see you!

I had no idea this restaurant even existed until a work colleague suggested it for a dinner as it is close to our office in the Lenox area. We sat outside which was nice as the air conditioning was on pretty high inside. The service was excellent and we happened to be there on lobster risotto night and were early enough to get one of the servings. Yum to say the least. Will definitely go back for another evening with the family. Reasonable pricing for good food.

We went with friends to Valenza. It was a beautiful day and we had the opportunity to sit outside in their very nice patio area. The food was scrumptious! I had the beets, arugula, pistachio and ricotta salad. Delicious. For dinner, I had the satimbocca - pork tenderloin, prosciutto and more. I liked it so much that when my husband finally decided he wanted to try my dish, the plate was empty! My husband had the special fish dish of the evening and he also enjoyed it tremendously. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends!

The service and attention given at this restaurant is exceptional. The manager went out of his way to accommodate our group of 6 that include 2 small children. I had the sea bass special which was perfect and well presented. Another had the saltimbocca, excellent and large portion. Others had a pasta dish and chicken. Both we perfect. The kids were able to get chicken fingers, very accommodating as not on the menu. Highly recommend for a special occasion or just want some fine dining.