Valenza: Local Restaurant Worthy of Date Night and Babysitter

By J.D. Clockadale 

We read and hear a lot about taxes, politics, misguided school board members, crime and zoning issues. The good news is that this article is about something else in Brookhaven— phenomenal food, warm, sincere, community focused people and customer service that is all about you.

Now, with three (3) kids and two (2) dogs, most of my family’s money ends up at Costco. We might as well have a Costco bank draft to ensure a steady stream of low cost Kirkland products.

And, planning an adult night out is like planning a week-long trip out of town without the kids. We don’t get to do it often and if we are going to spend the money for a babysitter, it needs to be worth the trip. Or, it needs to be what my wife and I call a “babysitter worthy” trip. After all, babysitters aren’t cheap these days and if you don’t eat locally to ensure you get home early, you could end up funding a babysitter’s college education.

Brookhaven offers many great places to grab a pint, enjoy a glass of wine and eat delicious food. Pub71 is always good for a pint with friends. Savi Urban Market is the spot for great sandwiches and craft beer. Mellow Mushroom is our destination for good pizza, doughy pretzels and our kids being entertained by Catherine, Chelsea and Billy. Want a casual glass of wine? Try Pour Wine Bistro.

And, if you want a date night or a “babysitter worthy” night out without the kids, then head to Valenza, owned by Michel and Tanya Arnette, on Dresden.

When you walk in the door, the welcome you receive immediately makes you feel like Norm from the classic TV show Cheers, despite the fact that your name is not Norm, no one actually yells “Norm,” Michael and Sharon are behind the bar instead of “Carla” and “Woody” and, unlike Norm, you don’t have to plant yourself at the same bar stool 24-7.

It is also like walking into a party at a good neighbors’ home—you don’t have to knock, you know most of the people as friends (even if you don’t know their names) and those you don’t know welcome you and treat you as someone they should know. And the hosts, in this case Sharon and Michael, know what you drink and practically have the top off the bottle and the glass full before you sit down.

The food? Valenza received a “28” rating from Zagat, which rates restaurants pretty much everywhere. I am still fuzzy on the calculation to get “28,” but a friend told me “28” is foodie speak for best Italian restaurant in Atlanta.

Well, I can’t pronounce “Zagat,” and I haven’t eaten at many Italian restaurants in Atlanta, but I do know that the food at Valenza is just plain phenomenal.

Try the “spaghettini” (spaghetti with meatballs saturated with mind blowing flavor) or the “pappardelle” (wide, fat, delicious noodles with veal, pork and beef mixed in). Each dish tastes like it was flown in fresh from my great grandmother’s kitchen in Italy thanks to the efforts of Executive Chef Matt Swickerath’s ability to cook up pure goodness.

And the service? It’s all about you.

Example: If for some reason you find yourself not in the mood for Italian (incredibly tough to do at a place like Valenza), you can order food from Valenza’s sister restaurant, Haven, which is at the other end of the building.

And, if you find yourself staring at the menu trying to decide between two (2) dishes, you don’t have to make your date order one dish while you order the other. You can order both for yourself! Just get a half order of each. Yes, for us indecisive eaters, the world’s problems have finally been solved.

The food and customer accommodations exceed expectations. But the people and approach to business are what really make Valenza babysitter and date night worthy.

The people at Valenza have a sincerity and warmth in how they treat you. From the time you walk in the door to the time you leave, you feel appreciated for the patronage. More importantly, you feel appreciated for the friendship you bring when you walk in.

And the approach to business? A true community partner. They are supporters of the Brookhaven Farmers Market, recently hosted a benefit to raise money to fight leukemia and in partnership with other restaurants, provided food at that the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce inaugural event.

Simply put, if you want a date night or “babysitter worthy” night out that involves phenomenal food, warm, sincere, community focused people and customer service that is all about you, then head to Valenza.