VALENTINO GEARS UP FOR 40TH YEAR WITH “40 plus 40” ON MONDAYS

Piero Selvaggio Revisits the Past and Looks to the Future with a Classic $40 Menu Plus 40 wines for $40 on Mondays

As Valentino in Santa Monica gears up for a momentous fortieth anniversary next December 2012, owner Piero Selvaggio has already begun his plans for celebrating the staying power of his ground-breaking fine dining restaurant that brought authentic Italian food and culture to Los Angeles. In collaboration with the talents of Executive Chef Nico Chessa, Selvaggio is reopening the restaurant on Monday nights for a taste of the past and a look to the future. Beginning Monday, January 9, 2012, Selvaggio will launch “40 plus 40” Monday night menus served in the Valentino dining room and casual vin bar.

The weekly changing menu of “40 plus 40” on Monday nights allows guests to select from the three course $40 menu.  A sample menu includes first courses of Calamaretti Fritti; Insalata di Spinaci e Funghi (Spinach & Mushroom Salad with Pancetta); Tortino di Melanzane with Pappa al Pomodoro; Duck Crespella with Mostarda di Cremona; or Minestrone Soup.  Second courses may offer a Spaghetti alla Carbonara; Risotto ai Frutti di Mare; Rigatoni ai 4 Formaggi; or Lasagnette Bolognese.  Third course samplings are Fritto Misto all’Italiana; Chicken Peperonata & Salsiccia; Lasagna with Farmers Market Vegetables, Ricotta and Tomato; and Beef Grenadins.  Desserts by Pastry Chef Davide Giova are available at a $6 supplement.

Valentino’s wine cellar is renowned and for the Monday night promotion, Selvaggio will offer a list of 40 wines priced at $40.  You may discover values as a 2010 Santadi Vermentino from Sardegna; 2009 Il Feuduccio Pecorino from Abruzzi; 2010 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand; 2004 Caprandole Tirle from Toscana; or a 2008 Beni di Batasioli Barbera d’Alba.

And for informal dining, Selvaggio and Chessa have created a sampling of small plates to be enjoyed in the vin bar, the casual seating area of Valentino, drawn from the original 1972 menu, priced from $5 to $9 each or $30 for four selections.  Optional flights of three wines from Selvaggio’s cellar are paired for $15.

“I was all of 26 when I embarked in a true life journey, and I’m proud to say that Valentino remains among the rare classic restaurants of this city.  We have always strived to evolve our cuisine along with the tastes of our customers and changing culinary trends, while keeping our standards of exemplary style and service.  I’m proud to be part of the growth of Italian Cucina in America,” says Selvaggio.

Selvaggio is eager for both regular and new diners to experience this venerable fine dining destination. He’s planning a series of celebrations throughout the year to commemorate Valentino’s achievement with visiting Italian guest chefs, recipes from Italian mothers, an evening with Dario Cecchini, the legendary Italian butcher, and an evening with Darrell Corti, the world’s most knowledgeable expert in food and wine.  Schedules for these events will be announced in the upcoming months along with a grand celebration for the birthday at year end.

With its intimate dining rooms, unsurpassed wine cellar, and the consummate graciousness of owner Piero Selvaggio, Valentino remains the favored destination for some of the best dining in
Los Angeles.  Valentino has consistently been named among the city’s most romantic restaurants by journalists and travel guides; the restaurant was awarded one of the Top 10 Romantic Restaurants, Top 10 Wine Lists, and Top 10 Italian Restaurants in Los Angeles by Gayot.com in 2011.

Among the numerous awards and accolades the restaurant and owner Piero Selvaggio have received over the years count James Beard Awards in three different categories, the California Restaurant Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 and Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, which the restaurant has garnered each year since 1981. Valentino, which received a stellar review and three star rating by by S. Irene Virbila of the Los Angeles Times in 2010, is consistently recognized for its premier dining by Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, LA Weekly, Zagat, and  Citysearch and has received a coveted one star rating from the Michelin Guide for Los Angeles.

Reservations for the Valentino dining room may be made by phone or on the internet at www.Valentinorestaurants.com or www.OpenTable.com.

sample menus for 40 plus 40 follow
For more information or reservations, the call:
Valentino ۰3115 Pico Boulevard ۰ Santa Monica, CA 90405
Tel: 310.829.4313

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Piero Selvaggio / photo by Ryan Forbes

“40 plus 40”
3 course menu $40
40 wines for $40

served in the dining room

First Course choice of:
Calamaretti Fritti
Fried Calamari
Insalata di Spinaci e Funghi
Spinach & Mushroom Salad with Pancetta
Tortino di Melanzane
With Pappa al Pomodoro, E. V. Olive Oil
Duck Crespella
With Mostarda di Cremona
Minestrone Soup

Second Course choice of
Spaghetti alla Carbonara
Creamy Egg & Pancetta Sauce
Risotto ai Frutti di Mare
Seafood Risotto
Rigatoni ai 4 Formaggi
Pasta with 4 Italian Cheese Sauce
Lasagnette
With Meat Ragù  Bolognese

Third Course choice of
Fritto Misto all’Italiana
Assortment of Fried Fish Italian Style
Chicken Peperonata & Salsiccia
With Bell Peppers and Sausage
Lasagna with Farmers Market
Vegetables, Ricotta and Tomato
Beef Grenadins
Beef Slices in Marsala Sauce

Dessert: $ 6 Supplement

Selected Wines from Piero’s Cellar
40 Wines for $40

Small Plates
from our
Original 1972 Menu
served in the vin bar

Teasing Plates $5 each
Tomato Bruschetta Frico
Parmesan Cheese Chips
Peperoni e Prosciutto
Roasted Peppers & Prosciutto
Soup of the Day

Small Plates $9.00 each
Spaghetti alla Carbonara
Creamy Egg & Pancetta Sauce
Gnocchi al Pesto
Homemade Gnocchi with Pesto
Baked Mostaccioli
Traditional Stuffed Baked Pasta
Fritto Misto all’Italiana
Assortment of Fried Fish Italian Style
Chicken Paprikash
With Bell Peppers and Paprika
Melanzana alla Parmigiana
Baked Eggplant with Mozzarella & Tomato
Beef Spezzatino
Slow Braised Beef

The Small Mama’s Cannoli $6

Small Plates available only in the Vin Bar
Choose any 4 dishes above $30

Optional Wine Flight of 3 wines $15
2.5 oz. each pour