Valentino

Sort of a moot point, as this restaurant is closing within a week... But as significant as this restaurant was for the fine dining scene in LA (even in California and the country as a whole) the imminent end has caused a laissez faire attitude to permeate... And while not unexpected, it's a bit disappointing. Starting with cocktails that wouldn't be acceptable in a stadium, followed by a lackluster salad and a primi of gnocchi that was sadly bland. We encountered decent mains dishes including a grilled salmon that was tasty (albeit slightly overcooked) atop a bed of fava beans and green beans that would have been great, had they not been actually cold. We also saw a decent short rib and polenta. Dessert might have been the high point with a chocolate lava cake accompanied with a pear sorbet (and an excellent Port). I have mixed feelings about reviewing a legendary establishment on its way out - and I'm glad I saw it - but I wish I'd tried it during it's heyday. Ciao Valentino!

Unbelievable...if available, get the special with beet pasta and ragu...it was absolutely sublime. Everything is fresh and delicious.

Got a table right away. The service was a little slow, but the osso bucco was very tender and delicious. They also have a really large wine list.

Wonderful dinner. Came here to celebrate dude's birthday since he really likes Italian food. They were kind enough to seat us at a corner booth, it was comfortable and spacious. Our waiter came over to take our drinks order right away and went over the menu items and specials with us. We decided to go with the 5 course prix menu to make things easy, there were many options on the 5 course meal, which was very nice. Service was extremely attentive, came over and refilled out drinks regularly. The food was very tasty and well presented, traditionally prepared, and retained its authenticity. The stuffed calamari was my favorite and a must order. So good. Prices are very reasonable, street parking was a bit difficult as everything had a time limit of 1 hour. Bathrooms are nice and clean.

I was expecting far more from a Michelin rated restaurant. Service was beyond terrible and our server could have cared less about us. Food was good but not amazing. Atmosphere was very bleh. The small amounts of character this restaurant did have felt very outdated and not well maintained. If you want an expensive restaurant with minimal character, useless staff and overpriced food, I guess I could recommend this place. But for the rest of the world, I'd suggest passing on this place.

I have enjoyed, past tense, Valentino's for years but I will never be back as both the food and service were atrocious. The meal started with spending over 15 minutes trying to get a drink order. It progressed with two veal entrees being presented to the table absolutely cold. Not warm but cold. In addition, the Busboy serving the appetizers first, then the entrees, and even the desserts had no idea to whom to serve any of our dishes. Not the type if service one would expect from Valentino's. Normally I would chaulk this up to a bad night, but the evening actually got worse. After asking the server to take back the two cold veal entrees, the manager who I did not ask to speak to, actually told another Patron that I had come to the restaurant with a bad attitude and could never have been appeased. That comment would have been more appropriate for the table next to us, which got up and left after waiting 15 minutes for a drink order. Absent the insult upon leaving, I might have been willing to have given the restaurant another try, but they will never be seeing me again. As to other reviewers' comments that the service and food was under whelming and the restaurants response that they have been around for 40 years, I guess it's one year too many as they've become way to lax with respect to both their food quality and service and most importantly how they should value their customers.

Valentino is an absolute gem! The food, the wine, the service... everything is impeccable and of the utmost quality. In a city where restaurants come and go every week, Valentino has amazing staying power. Be sure to consider the wine cellar for special events. It's simply stunning!

I like to go to Valentino's whenever I have the opportunity. Recently I have been doing the Happy hour small plates and I love them. The Crudo (Italian Sushi) is the best dish of its type. Better than any sushi I have enjoyed. If you are a lover of Sushi, you will love the Crudo. It melts in your mouth. Valentino's is the only restaurant that I can honestly say that I have never had a bad experience in. I have been going there for 25 years and it just gets better. The food and the service staff are the best. The atmosphere is quiet understated elegance. It is expensive for the everyday dining, but for the special occasion it is the perfect dining experience.