The Valentini family believes that “Most of the world eats to live, but Italians live to eat!”
The surname Valentini has long represented a rich history of food and family traditions, dating back to the family’s “home country” of Italy. Some of their special family recipes include homemade pastas, gnocchi, flavorful sauces, and more.
When the family matriarch, Justina Valentini, emigrated to the United States, fortunately, her precious family recipes came along too. And, today, her granddaughter, Carol Valentini, carries on the family legacy of delicious Italian cooking, right here in Hermantown.
Please join us for this edition of Eat & Drink Duluth, where we enjoy an authentic Italian meal – and a couple of robust Italian red wines – at Valentini’s!
History
As noted above, the Valentini family has long been known for their delicious cooking. However, their legacy in our region began in 1934 with the opening of Valentini’s Supper Club in Chisholm, which remains in operation today.
In 2008, Carol Valentini opened Valentini’s Vicino Lago in Duluth, on London Road. She later operated a deli in the Duluth skywalk.
After the pandemic, she relocated to her current spot, 4960 Miller Trunk Highway. Here, the venue offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Catering options are also available for private parties.
You can read our full, in-depth feature story on the history of Valentini’s here: Valentini’s continues 88 years of traditions – Destination Duluth
Vibe
On their website, Valentini’s refers to itself as a Bistro, which is defined as a “small, relatively simple restaurant, especially one offering French or French-style food.” While there isn’t any French cuisine on the menu, the rest of the definition tracks.
Valentini’s is a small-ish establishment with a beautiful, relaxed ambiance. There is both indoor and outdoor patio seating. Inside, there is a sit-down restaurant and a bar area. In the center of the restaurant is a wood-framed pergola, strung with white twinkly lights.
The restaurant features wood-paneled walls and is decorated with Italian pottery and wine-themed art. The air is fragrant with a multitude of delicious Italian dishes, making your mouth water as you peruse the menu. It’s a very “homey” feeling.
On the evening we dined (a Friday, around 5:30), our fellow patrons included couples and groups.
Food
Valentini’s offers something for everyone. As noted, they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We visited for dinner, and options include appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and entrees.
The soup of the day was a chicken corn chowder with Andouille sausage. We were notified immediately upon being seated that they were completely sold out of their kabobs, which had been a huge hit that day.
It was a very hot and muggy day in Duluth, so a light salad dish sounded appealing to me. I opted for the Caprese salad, with shrimp. From the menu:
Spring greens, fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, fresh basil with a drizzle of olive oil & balsamic vinegar.
This dish was fresh, flavorful, and so yummy. The tomato slices were thick, perfectly ripe, and a deep red color. The mozzarella was soft and creamy. The chopped basil was the perfect complement. And the olive oil and balsamic dressing was simple, yet so flavorful.
You can choose to add protein to your salad, such as grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, or honey-smoked salmon. The four grilled shrimp were plump and perfectly seasoned, and an excellent choice for a hot summer day.
Mike opted for one of Valentini’s more classic dishes, called “Simply Pasta.” From the menu:
Choose Pasta & Sauce: Penne, linguini, fettuccini, or angel hair with choice of sugo, pomodoro, Bolognese, Alfredo, Florentine, or pesto cream sauce. Choose your protein, including meatballs, Italian sausage, grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or a “mega meatball.”
He selected penne noodles, pomodoro sauce, and both Italian sausage and grilled chicken. The pomodoro sauce offered hearty chunks of tomato and onion, and a garlic-forward flavor. The penne pasta was cooked perfectly, Al dente. The portions of sausage and chicken were generous and richly flavorful.
Before receiving our meal, we were treated to a soft, mini loaf of rustic Italian bread, still warm from the oven. The bread was served with a side of rich olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. Mike also dipped the bread in his pomodoro sauce.
It’s nearly impossible to resist warm, homemade bread. We definitely indulged and polished off every crumb!
Beverages
Valentini’s offers the Pepsi “suite” of soft drinks, along with beer, wine, cocktails, liquor, and specialty coffee drinks. Both of us love red wine, so what better time to enjoy a robust glass of red than paired with scrumptious Italian food?
There were several Italian varietals on the menu, and we decided to share three glasses:
Ruffino Chianti, from Tuscany, Italy: A somewhat dry, easy-drinking red with notes of fruit and floral flavors.
A red blend called Mazzei Poggio Badiola, from Tuscany, Italy: A fruity red with a deep garnet color and notes of berries and plums.
A Cabernet Sauvignon called Santa Cristina, also from Tuscany. Surprisingly, we both agreed that this was our favorite. A supple red, this wine offers overtones of cherries.
It was fun to sample this “tour of Italian wines,” alongside such a sumptuous meal.
Service
Our server, Sara Holte, was incredibly pleasant and very well-versed in the Valentini’s menu. She has worked at the Valentini’s family of restaurants for the last seven years and had plenty of recommendations for food and drink. Sara was friendly and attentive, and regularly stopped by to check on us without being intrusive.
She recently got engaged, and she and her fiancée are hoping to have their wedding catered by none other than Valentini’s!
Verdict
Valentini’s is a wonderful choice for authentic Italian cuisine, and is locally owned and operated right here in the Twin Ports. Carol Valentini’s delicious recipes are second-to-none, and many of them hail right from Italy.
While most diners will likely opt for an Italian dish, if for some reason that simply isn’t your thing, there are other items on the menu, such as burgers and sandwiches, to suit any palate. Don’t forget that they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and can cater your private party, too!
Learn more at destinationduluth.co/Valentinis
