Valenza is a cozy, upscale Italian eatery in Brookhaven. It takes its name from a small village in the Piedmonte region of Northern Italy. Valenza is well known throughout the world for its artisan jewelry manufacturing which has earned it the nickname “city of gold”. The cuisine at VALENZA is inspired by the diverse culture of Northern Italy. Executive Chef Matt Swickerath’s focus is on classic and modern cooking methods using fresh seasonal and local ingredients to create a classic Italian menu with an updated culinary touch. The menu features a variety of antipasti, pasta, risotto and Italian entrees. Valenza has the heart and spirit of a cozy and warm Italian village café in an upscale setting. The dining room features venetian plastered walls with rustic oak and pine woods. Experience the warmth and elegance of Valenza when dining under the antique European candle chandeliers. Valenza offers a wonderful private dining room with seating for 30 guests.
"Valenza is an excellent restaurant located in a charming neighborhood of Brookhaven. The food is excellent with an interesting twist on things (e.g. butternut squash ravioli with a brown butter sauce flavored with sage and pecans) and the service is friendly and impeccable. Been there several times and will definitely go back."
Dined on 6/10/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"This place really surprised me in a pleasant way. The food was high quality and unique, the atmosphere was warm and friendly and the staff was magnificent. The waiter we had was the kind that replies to your wine order with "ooh, have you tried...?" I appreciate a good recommendation and he made several throughout the night. I highly recommend the spaghetti and meatballs and the blueberry crostata. I'll be going back soon for sure!"
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"My wife and I have been going to Valenza since it opened. The food and service is outstanding. Chef Matt excels in a range of offerings from Italian comfort food to the best seafood dishes in the City. Owners Michael and Tanya always make you feel at home. Valenza is our first choice for entertaining as it never fails."
Dined on 6/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Had a great corner seat outside where we dined with another couple. The server was attentive but not overly intrusive. Food and drinks came out quickly. The beet salad was delicious and enough to share. I had the chicken ravioli and while it was good, I was still envious of my husbands spaghettini and veal meatballs. That is an entree that never disappoints at Valenza."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"You can count on Valenza for great food and service. We've been there a few times and have never been disappointed. Salads are creative, including fresh fava beans, cheeses, and delicious dressings. The fish selections are top notch, as are the chicken and pork dishes. The only negative is that it is quite noisy, but that seems to be the mode for most restaurants in Atlanta."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Service was surprisingly poor and food was inconsistent . Restaurant was half full for Mother's Day brunch and timing on delivery of 2nd and 3rd courses for every table in the place was very slow. Only 4 dishes to choose from for 2nd course and 2 choices for desert yet all tables sat empty for some time after first course. Waiters said the kitchen was having issues. Steak in Biatecca dish was very undercooked to the requested temperature."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"We took a guest to Valenza, our second visit. I had their rabbit again; very tasty, but small portion for cost. My husband had the spaghetti with meatballs. Very good, small portion. Our guest ordered the penne carbonara. It was supposed to have a type of Italian ham in it. The ham resembled bacon bits. I counted less than a dozen of these minuscule bits. Our guest was gracious, but I was embarrassed. If you don't want to be rushed through dinner, you have to make it clear that you want courses separated by a few minutes instead of the main course arriving prior to the completion of the salad/appetizer. it is small and cute, but is not traditional Italian dining. Sotto Sotto is true Italian dining though harder to find. I can't go back."
Dined on 5/03/2013
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"Had dinner w/ my college-age daughter, her bf, and roommate. Food was tasty, and although the portions were a bit small (raviolis and capellini w/ sauce) - we did leave full. Pasta tasted fresh-made (not sure if it was though). Bread was good. Salad w/ fava beans and other appetizers were very good. Desserts (bread pudding w/ ice cream) was tasty. It was packed and very noisy. Def need more sound attenuation. Waiter was nice. Brought my daughter her dessert w/ a candle on it and comped her dessert (it was her birthday). Very nice touch. Nice decor, and def appreciated the muted lighting and the candles. I hate bright lights while eating. Price was good. $125 for 4 peeps + tip (no booze). Overall, I'd recommend it. Nice place!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"We go there all teh time but typically sit at the bar. Invited friends and ate at a table and the service was very slow. It took about 45 minutes to get our food after placing the order. Not what I expect from Valenza"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Though menu is a tad limited, and prices are high, the quality of the food is excellent. Like other diners, I wish they didn't rush us so much, though I understand the more tables they turn, the more money they make. Wine list is limited and the corkage fee is $20, higher than many other Atlanta restaurants. Caesar salad is good, but needs more anchovies; they graciously brought out more per request. Rabbit was superb. Spaghetti and meatballs very tasty, though portions are small. This is not the typical Italian style of dining where portions are plentiful and diners can take their time. As soon as the order is placed, out comes the food. Prefer Sotto Sotto to this for many reasons. That said, would go back."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"We celebrated our wedding anniversary at Valenza and could not have been happier with our selection. It was Monday night (1/2 price bottled wine!) and the dining rooom was not quite full when we arrived at 7:30. We were seated immediatley, wished a Happy Annivesary by the hostess and settled in. Service was very efficient, not overbearing or lacking but just right. Advice on dinner and wine selections were terriffic and the meal was delicious. I had the swordfish and my wife had the flounder special. The general manager stopped by just to ask how everything was. About 2/3 into our meal it felt like we had the room to ourselves. We were surprized with complimentary dessert of spumonte and cream. We'll be back here to try the pasta soon!"
Dined on 04/08/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Food and service were both excellent. The restaurant was out of our wine selection, so they offered us a higher priced similar selection for the same price. Our server's recommendations were all excellent -- two specials (duck prosciutto appetizer and hake special -- we were told that various preparations of hake are a regular special and always excellent) and the papardelle. We also enjoyed the mussels for an appetizer. Very nice atmosphere."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Absolutely love Valenza. One of our favorites and so glad it is in our neighborhood of Brookhaven. Michael has it nailed with Valenza and its sister restaurant Haven! Keep up the great work!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Went Wednesday for my mother's birthday. I think my server was Jason(Tom Cruise look-a-like). He did a wonderful job. My mother enjoyed her birthday. The food was great."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2007
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"2nd time dining here and everything was perfect, just like the 1st time. I love this restaurant and am so lucky to be able to walk here. I really love this place!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Had a great dinner and dining experience. We had a party of 6 with some special requests off the menu that Matt, the chef, accomodated very well and did a fantastic job. Highly recommend this restaurant."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Very nice as usual... a bit hurried but it was crowded... food was very good... California Red wine list is limited at best but tolerable... get a table on the upper level to the left above the bar as you enter... noise level there is lower overall..."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"While Zagat gives this restaurant a '28', I'd give it a 23. The prices suggest a more upscale place, but the service and food or only adequate. Our waiter was new and did not know the menu, offered to decant but didn't pour after the first glass. The wines were a bit off...pinot noir was weak, Super Tuscan was not super, had to go to a $60 di Montepulciano. I had the rabbit, but was not impressed...too much sauce. Had a much wonderful dinner in Glenwood a couple days before. Oh, and another thing I asked for a romantic, quiet table and got the one right next to the kitchen door."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2003
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"The food is ridiculously good, but the service is even better. It's always a treat to find a restaurant where the staff actually knows their wine. Josh KNOWS wine and his recommendations are always spot on. He is also the best server we've had in Atlanta in recent memory. When we dine at Valenza, we always request his section. Whomever manages the wait staff at Valenza really knows their stuff! We'll be back again and again."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Because we had such a great meal on our first visit, my colleague and I decided to go back to Valenza for a second time. We were not disappointed, as the service was good, and the food was just as phenomenal as it was the first time. This is a great place and recommend to anyone who enjoys Italian cuisine."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Always a consistent performer. Our meal was excellent and the nightly specials (lamb chops) were superb. The Gnochi is one of the best in teh city. Very much worth the trip."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Based on Zaget reviewed, we tried. Everything exceeded our high expectations. Great ambiance. The right spot for a special occasion or a dinner out with family or friends. Service fast, but not pushy. Every item, from beginning to end, was special. We definitely will be back."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"I like Valenza, you can always count on the food being consistent. That being said I wish they would update their menu. Its been the same since they opened, while I have some favorite items on the menu, it would be nice to have some alternatives."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I went there for valentines, and was 15 minutes early, so they seated me right away. I thought we would have a drink and relax and go over the menu. Wrong, I was in and out of there in 1 hour. As soon as we ordered they brought the food right out. Other than that the food was awesome, The waiter was very knowledgable and attentive,maybe too much. I would recommend this resturant but not on a special day like valentine."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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