Absolutely Fabulous!!! This is our third time eating at Valentino's. We love it!! Came with a party of five for Sunday dinner. Could not have been happier! Service was excellent and everyone was happy with their meals. Chicken Valentino, Chicken Parm, Lasagna, Filet were all delicious! You must save room for dessert and try the Three Milk cake! WOW!! Out of this world! We will be back again and again!
(5)
Steve V.
Very pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. The food was better than I was expecting. I can't believe that I've lived in Lake Orion for almost 10 years and this is the first time I've dined here. If you have been driving past this restaurant for years, do yourself a favor and stop in for dinner. You will not regret it! Service is extraordinary as well. The sauce ("gravy" to some East Coast Italians) is excellent. Try the meatballs: a good test of an Italian restaurant. They are great.
(5)
Tamara Y.
This is currently my favorite Italian restaurant. Laid back atmosphere, easy parking, good food and good prices. Their red sauce is awesome. Tomato crack, I tell you. Lamb chops are excellent as well. I've had several of their pasta dishes, and all have been good. Personally, I would pass on the Spiedini. It's ok, not awesome, and the small portion size doesn't justify the $10 price tag. I'd go for the cajun beef tips or mussels instead. Mondays and Tuedays you can get a ravioli dinner for $10, and Wednesdays is 1/2 off a bottle of wine. We've been there several times, and the service has run anywhere from ok to excellent.
(4)
Carol O.
Just had a wonderful dinner. Both my husband and I truly enjoyed our dinners. The service was excellent . We will be back. Thank you!
(5)
Naela Y.
I'm very picky when it comes to italian dishes because of bad experiences....valentinos most definitely satisfied all my needs. It is a romantic environment with extremely friendly staff. From the moment I arrived there was great service and authentic italian food!! Whether an Italian food lover or not I recommended this place to anyone.
(5)
L C.
My wife & I both enjoyed our meals. Stumbled on to this restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We will definitely go back. Super surprise.
(5)
Sasha O.
I like Valentinos for the atmosphere (low key, more romantic) and the food is good (not great)... if you're ok with a family atmosphere or that's what you're looking for, Italia Gardens is the place (food is WAY better). I like that they usually have live music and when you get a table the service is excellent. However the bar staff & hostess situation is awful (they alone lost Valentinos a star quite frankly). Last visit i went with a date (we were obviously on a date, little more dressed up, etc)... we were blatantly ignored by the bar staff & the young lady who appeared to be a hostess but may have actually been the manager. Our waiter apologized right away (he noticed we had been standing there for quite some time) and HE provided awesome service. Mind you, this is a small place... we were impossible to miss. And plenty of tables were clean & available. So in the area, it's a good place for atmosphere & decent food. Hopefully my last experience was an exception, but given my date traveled to my town & I picked the place, it was embarrassing.
(4)
Destiny L.
So happy Sagebrush had an hour and a half wait, or else we may have never found this place. The atmosphere is romantic, without being stuffy. The moment I walked in was completely sucked in by the live singer and her guitarist, I felt like I left 2015 and entered a Sinatra-era Italian restaurant. A glass of house wine moscato, bigger than my head and only $6! Brussels sprouts appetizer was amazing, chicken lemon rice soup was the perfect amount of fresh chicken and lemon, and lastly, shrimp scampi ravioli was a special tonight, and was just the right amount of shrimp and white wine lemon sauce was ridiculously good. To top it all off, service was great beginning to end. Me and my boyfriend can't wait to come back!
Great restaurant very nice staff and food was phenomenal I couldn't ask for a better night also the owner went out of his way and gave us a desert on the house thank so much
(5)
Navneet A.
One of the best Italian restaurant in the world. Heather the waitress was a class. Food is always fresh and the sea food does not smell bad . Ambience is fantastic for romantic or Family. Calamari is good. You can never go wrong with this place .
(5)
Mike L.
Went withy son tonight to Valentino's on the prowl for some good Italian sine my dago wife was at her parents and thinking I was going to use the $20 for $10 deal I got from yelp several months back. Well they had a great special on raviolis so I put the deal aside for a later date and had acorn squash ravs and Marshall had mushroom gnocchi. Very..very..good. The wait staff of Diane and Sherry provided truly outstanding service...and ..NO.. I don't know them or work there. Very satisfied customer once again.
(4)
Michael B.
Wonderful service. Both pasta dishes we cooked perfectly. The house dressing (with beet juice) was unique and tasty. Finally, the oil for dipping was great. We will be returning soon.
(4)
Norma P.
Hubby and I have eaten here quite a few times. I waited a while to review and then promptly forgot till just recently when we went back for about the 15th time. It has progressed into a fine Italian restaurant. The food is consistently very good and the specials are always excellent. On Saturdays they have entertainment, and its a favorite place to go after Mass at St. Jo's on Saturday night. We have also been there on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sunday. You can tell we really like this place a lot! Great wine list to compliment any meal. Highly recommend Valentino's it is romantic, great Italian food, and great wait staff.
(4)
Sam P.
Overall this was a good experience. The waiter was attentive & polite, the atmosphere was classy yet relaxed, the food was good quality, & it was reasonably priced. The courses were also well timed so there wasn't much time with an empty plate. The complimentary bread was served warm with a tasty dipping oil seasoned with herbs & Parmesan. The caprese was excellent. The house dressing is a creamy Italian that wasn't bad but it isn't my taste. I ordered the tortellini which was cooked perfectly; I'm also a big fan of cheese so the tortellini was a good choice for me. My wife ordered the veal marsala with tomato basil soup. The soup was well balanced with the herbs & thickness/creaminess - she finished the bowl. The veal was equally good with a generous topping of mushrooms. It was served with a side of potato & zucchini that she didn't care for as much as it wasn't seasoned as well as everything else & seemed too soft (overcooked?). Lost a star because the waiter went from attentive to a bit pushy near the end of the meal which made me feel rushed to leave even though they weren't slammed with customers waiting for tables.. half the tables were empty as it was a Wednesday. He also seemed to have an issue taking the payment for the bill as he went back and forth between registers & other employees to take the payment which made me nervous that my card might have multiple charges on it, but he may have been new. I don't like leaving a nice evening on a sour note. I would still go back & recommend it to others.
(4)
Raymond S.
We have been here numerous times and each time it gets better and better. We love the food and the service is always great. The only downside is that it's a 45 min drive from us but definitely worth it. If you're looking for delicious authentic Italian food, look no further because this is definitely a place you'll want to check out. Valentino's has won our hearts and we are officially regulars.
(5)
Matt K.
My wife and I ate at Valentino's for the first time this evening. We really enjoyed our experience. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was very good. The fresh, hot bread and oil/herb/cheese dipping sauce was difficult to stop eating. The minestrone soup and salad with house dressing were both tasty. My wife got chicken parmesan w/spaghetti and sauce. I had one bite of hers and thought it was pretty good. I had the veal piccata, which I really enjoyed. The sauce was slightly lemony, but not to the point of it taking away from the dish too much. For dessert we had some sort of chocolate mousse cake. Also very good. Bottom line is we will definitely return at some point.
(4)
Alaina C.
Amazing food and service! If you like calamari, this appetizer is amazing. Very tender, yet crispy crust. The sauce was very tasty that it was served with. Great wine selection. I had the chicken piccata and there was enough for my lunch the next day. Excellent! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Ken C.
The house salad dressing is unique! The bread is excellent and the Gnnochi is outstanding!
(4)
Regina S.
Happy birthday dinner for the BF!! Was so very excited to come here!! The place is beautiful!!! Quiet and romantic. I love the decor and the ambience. We had speidini and Italian sausage for apps, both were amazing (I heard, I don't eat either). I ordered the stuffed gnocchi with mushroom sherry cream sauce. He ordered pasta alla nana which is penne with shrimp and filet. We ordered beers, their tall beer is TALL... at least 2.5 regular beers. The food was really so very good. the gnocchi was so light and fluffy stuffed with seasoned ricotta... to die for!! BF's was pretty good. The flavor was amazing, but the cut up filet mixed with everything made it overcook and get a little chewy. Not the best use of filet here. I will say the only real complaint that was had was the service. They weren't packed, but it took our waitress forever to bring or take away everything. We waited on after dinner coffee for almost 15 minutes. That's kinda shitty, and the reason I can't give the place 5 stars, because it certainly isn't the food's fault. I'll still definitely be back. I am dying to try other stuff on their menu!! /Romantic!
(4)
Alex P.
Wow.had a great evening tonight, excellent red wine selection,would have liked a bit more extensive white selection,but that's where the negatives end. My server was so knowledgeable about the wine list and the food and the history it felt like a great experience...I had the aged new York strip steak,(16 oz that they cut off the bone ) drizzled with a succulent cherry sauce and of course perfectly seasoned cherrys. Also calamari here is extremely fresh and clean tasting.
(5)
Connie C.
Saltastic! I like salt but whoa. The dip for the bread was good. Dessert was a dough lump. Cheap ravioli is fun. Were out of the sausage ravioli, bummer. I can boil pasta at home though.
(3)
Joel S.
Terrible service. Entire restaurant was full and there were only two servers. Food was good when it finally arrived.
(2)
Abe S.
Great experience super staff amazing good perfect portions the best tomato soup better food than I had when I was in Italy and incredible live music on Saturdays
(5)
Greg D.
Been back twice. Each time, the food was amazing. Best pasta anywhere. Everything is freshly made and not off the Sysco truck or GFS store. My wife had the gnocchi and while she thought it was too salty, I thought it was amazing. So we switched. :) I forget what I ordered but my wife loved it. So that was nice. Will be back anytime we have a craving for Italian. Can not go wrong here.
(5)
j v.
Went there on a friends recomendation, it was fabulous. Tim ordered the filet and I ordered veal piccata, both were excellent. Martini's were good and reasonable. Milk cake for desert was awesome. Service was great. Will definitely go back and highly recomend.
(5)
Joyce R.
This had nothing to do with the salad. It was Gone. It took to long for someone to take our order. Then once we finished the salad another long wait for the food.
(3)
Kristy A.
Best filet I ever had at very affordable prices. I've had steaks from very good places valentinos is my favorite. I always order steak sauce with my meal ahead of time so I don't offend the chef. This time I decided to enjoy the zip sauce. I never even thought about any steak sauce with my filet. I loved every bite. Great service and friendly staff. Highly recommended
(5)
John K.
Great food great service. I would have given it 5 but the marinara is not as tangy as i like. Just a tiny bit too sweet for my taste. If you prefer that style of marinara, then consider this a 5 star in terms of food and service. Very friendly and professional. Super fresh. Definitely would go back happily. Wife concurs.
(4)
John H.
A real gem. Food ordered by our group was uniformly fantastic. Unlike some Italian restaurants, they don't overload you with pasta. Wine list was extensive and fairly priced; and the desserts were tasty. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Tina E.
I just tried this place for the first time, and I'm glad I did. The food and service were great. We started with the calamari and my husband ordered the gnocchi, which he loved. I ordered the salmon salad thinking it would come with a little sliced salmon. It came with three big pieces of salmon, which I was really impressed by for a $10.00 salad. We also split the milk cake, which was delicious. I thought this place was great, without breaking the bank. I'll be back!
(4)
Tony C.
Not impressed at all. The pastas were at par with an Olive Garden experience. Slow service and just not what I expected. There are much better Italian places near by to settle for this level of dining experience.
(2)
Cory S.
My husband and I were first timers. He had the filet and I, the lamb chops, both were cooked perfectly. The lamb chops were the best I have ever had, and the zip sauce is amazing. We had a bottle of Rodney Strong Cab, that our server recommended, which paired perfectly with our meals. Our server was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgable. Amazing meal over all and I recommend it to all. We will be back often. (:
(5)
Tom C.
My wife and I went to Valentino's on a Wednesday evening, 2 days before Valentines Day so the place was almost empty. First of all, our server was outstanding. She was very friendly and informative. We started with a bottle of wine,calamari, and the portabella appetizer. Both apps were great and the Malbec was good but a little pricey. For dinner she had the Filet and I had the ribeye. Both were cooked perfectly and the zip sauce was great. Our only disappointments were the potato and broccoli. Very ordinary. With the quality of everything else it's a shame they missed on the sides, but it by no means ruined the experience as everything else was so good. Overall we really enjoyed Valentino's. They have obviously worked hard to create a special place and have done a great job! We will be recommending it to our friends and plan on returning soon.
(4)
Lynne W.
The tomato bisque was the best ever. All of our food was great as well as the service. We will definitely be back and would highly recommend Valentino's.
(5)
M H.
I have been to this place three times now. Best Italian food in the area!! Excellent food and great service! A huge step above all the chain Italian restaurants and comparable to high end Italian restaurants, but with reasonable prices. Great for family's with children or date night!!!
(5)
A R.
Food is good. Happy hour drink and dinner specials are good too.
(4)
Renee K.
So glad we finally came here. The food was fantastic, great atmosphere, all over a great date night for us
(5)
A W.
Went for dinner on 1-31-14. Service was excellent from the moment we walked in. Our waitress was not only attentive and knowledgeable, but she made us feel like guests in her home. The food was fantastic. The salad was fresh and the dressing was wonderful. My veal picatta was delicious and the portion was generous. I would have licked my plate, but the waitress would not let me run out of bread. My wifes pasta was so good she made herself save some so she could have it again at home. I would give them six stars if I could. Will be back again and again.
(5)
Elise F.
We have lived in Lake Orion our entire lives and never tried this restaurant. We had the butternut squash ravioli, shrimp and chicken alla Louis, caprese, Caesar salad, and tiramisu. We have absolutely no complaints. The food was delicious, the wait staff friendly and efficient, the ambience lovely with a guitarist playing. We will definitely return here for a nice meal. Used the yelp deal offered without any issues. Overall excellent!
(5)
Cathleen G.
Always a good experience. Love that it is within walking distance. The butternut squash ravioli is one of my favorites. Full bar...and decent wine list and variety of martini selections.
(4)
Teresa R.
I am not a big fan of Italian food, but I truly enjoy this place. The food is delicious ( have had many items on the menu) and I love the sauces. you can taste the home made and from scratch flavors. Only place with a Bloody Mary martini, which was delicious and for dessert they have this cake type one that will blow you away. It is as if the cake is infused with ice cream. So moist. Also....the prices are reasonable for such good food!
(5)
Thomas S.
Excellent food, intimate atmosphere, friendly service. We will dine here more often. Chef prepared specials taste awesome.
(5)
Brian M.
My wife and I tried Valentino's tonight for the first time. Could not have asked for a better experience. Ambiance was great. Service was exceptional. Veal was tender and Salmon was not overcooked. Well done all around!! Decent wine list too!! We will be going back next time we are in the area.
(5)
Alex W.
I had a feeling I would like this restaurant as soon as we walked in. It has a great atmosphere and is not so small as to be uncomfortable, but not big like a chain Italian restaurant. The staff was very friendly and attentive, bringing us more bread and water without us ever having to ask. I had the eggplant rollantine and my girlfriend had the make your own pasta (angel hair with alfredo). The food was as good or better than any other Italian restaurant I've visited and the portions were generous for the price. Would definitely return.
(5)
Norma P.
Hubby and I have eaten here quite a few times. I waited a while to review and then promptly forgot till just recently when we went back for about the 15th time. It has progressed into a fine Italian restaurant. The food is consistently very good and the specials are always excellent. On Saturdays they have entertainment, and its a favorite place to go after Mass at St. Jo's on Saturday night. We have also been there on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sunday. You can tell we really like this place a lot! Great wine list to compliment any meal. Highly recommend Valentino's it is romantic, great Italian food, and great wait staff.
(4)
Carol O.
Just had a wonderful dinner. Both my husband and I truly enjoyed our dinners. The service was excellent . We will be back. Thank you!
(5)
Naela Y.
I'm very picky when it comes to italian dishes because of bad experiences....valentinos most definitely satisfied all my needs. It is a romantic environment with extremely friendly staff. From the moment I arrived there was great service and authentic italian food!! Whether an Italian food lover or not I recommended this place to anyone.
(5)
L C.
My wife & I both enjoyed our meals. Stumbled on to this restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We will definitely go back. Super surprise.
(5)
Mike L.
Went withy son tonight to Valentino's on the prowl for some good Italian sine my dago wife was at her parents and thinking I was going to use the $20 for $10 deal I got from yelp several months back. Well they had a great special on raviolis so I put the deal aside for a later date and had acorn squash ravs and Marshall had mushroom gnocchi. Very..very..good. The wait staff of Diane and Sherry provided truly outstanding service...and ..NO.. I don't know them or work there. Very satisfied customer once again.
(4)
Michael B.
Wonderful service. Both pasta dishes we cooked perfectly. The house dressing (with beet juice) was unique and tasty. Finally, the oil for dipping was great. We will be returning soon.
(4)
Tonya P.
Absolutely Fabulous!!! This is our third time eating at Valentino's. We love it!! Came with a party of five for Sunday dinner. Could not have been happier! Service was excellent and everyone was happy with their meals. Chicken Valentino, Chicken Parm, Lasagna, Filet were all delicious! You must save room for dessert and try the Three Milk cake! WOW!! Out of this world! We will be back again and again!
(5)
Steve V.
Very pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. The food was better than I was expecting. I can't believe that I've lived in Lake Orion for almost 10 years and this is the first time I've dined here. If you have been driving past this restaurant for years, do yourself a favor and stop in for dinner. You will not regret it! Service is extraordinary as well. The sauce ("gravy" to some East Coast Italians) is excellent. Try the meatballs: a good test of an Italian restaurant. They are great.
(5)
Tamara Y.
This is currently my favorite Italian restaurant. Laid back atmosphere, easy parking, good food and good prices. Their red sauce is awesome. Tomato crack, I tell you. Lamb chops are excellent as well. I've had several of their pasta dishes, and all have been good. Personally, I would pass on the Spiedini. It's ok, not awesome, and the small portion size doesn't justify the $10 price tag. I'd go for the cajun beef tips or mussels instead. Mondays and Tuedays you can get a ravioli dinner for $10, and Wednesdays is 1/2 off a bottle of wine. We've been there several times, and the service has run anywhere from ok to excellent.
(4)
Sasha O.
I like Valentinos for the atmosphere (low key, more romantic) and the food is good (not great)... if you're ok with a family atmosphere or that's what you're looking for, Italia Gardens is the place (food is WAY better). I like that they usually have live music and when you get a table the service is excellent. However the bar staff & hostess situation is awful (they alone lost Valentinos a star quite frankly). Last visit i went with a date (we were obviously on a date, little more dressed up, etc)... we were blatantly ignored by the bar staff & the young lady who appeared to be a hostess but may have actually been the manager. Our waiter apologized right away (he noticed we had been standing there for quite some time) and HE provided awesome service. Mind you, this is a small place... we were impossible to miss. And plenty of tables were clean & available. So in the area, it's a good place for atmosphere & decent food. Hopefully my last experience was an exception, but given my date traveled to my town & I picked the place, it was embarrassing.
(4)
Destiny L.
So happy Sagebrush had an hour and a half wait, or else we may have never found this place. The atmosphere is romantic, without being stuffy. The moment I walked in was completely sucked in by the live singer and her guitarist, I felt like I left 2015 and entered a Sinatra-era Italian restaurant. A glass of house wine moscato, bigger than my head and only $6! Brussels sprouts appetizer was amazing, chicken lemon rice soup was the perfect amount of fresh chicken and lemon, and lastly, shrimp scampi ravioli was a special tonight, and was just the right amount of shrimp and white wine lemon sauce was ridiculously good. To top it all off, service was great beginning to end. Me and my boyfriend can't wait to come back!
Great restaurant very nice staff and food was phenomenal I couldn't ask for a better night also the owner went out of his way and gave us a desert on the house thank so much
(5)
Navneet A.
One of the best Italian restaurant in the world. Heather the waitress was a class. Food is always fresh and the sea food does not smell bad . Ambience is fantastic for romantic or Family. Calamari is good. You can never go wrong with this place .
(5)
Sam P.
Overall this was a good experience. The waiter was attentive & polite, the atmosphere was classy yet relaxed, the food was good quality, & it was reasonably priced. The courses were also well timed so there wasn't much time with an empty plate. The complimentary bread was served warm with a tasty dipping oil seasoned with herbs & Parmesan. The caprese was excellent. The house dressing is a creamy Italian that wasn't bad but it isn't my taste. I ordered the tortellini which was cooked perfectly; I'm also a big fan of cheese so the tortellini was a good choice for me. My wife ordered the veal marsala with tomato basil soup. The soup was well balanced with the herbs & thickness/creaminess - she finished the bowl. The veal was equally good with a generous topping of mushrooms. It was served with a side of potato & zucchini that she didn't care for as much as it wasn't seasoned as well as everything else & seemed too soft (overcooked?). Lost a star because the waiter went from attentive to a bit pushy near the end of the meal which made me feel rushed to leave even though they weren't slammed with customers waiting for tables.. half the tables were empty as it was a Wednesday. He also seemed to have an issue taking the payment for the bill as he went back and forth between registers & other employees to take the payment which made me nervous that my card might have multiple charges on it, but he may have been new. I don't like leaving a nice evening on a sour note. I would still go back & recommend it to others.
(4)
Raymond S.
We have been here numerous times and each time it gets better and better. We love the food and the service is always great. The only downside is that it's a 45 min drive from us but definitely worth it. If you're looking for delicious authentic Italian food, look no further because this is definitely a place you'll want to check out. Valentino's has won our hearts and we are officially regulars.
(5)
Matt K.
My wife and I ate at Valentino's for the first time this evening. We really enjoyed our experience. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was very good. The fresh, hot bread and oil/herb/cheese dipping sauce was difficult to stop eating. The minestrone soup and salad with house dressing were both tasty. My wife got chicken parmesan w/spaghetti and sauce. I had one bite of hers and thought it was pretty good. I had the veal piccata, which I really enjoyed. The sauce was slightly lemony, but not to the point of it taking away from the dish too much. For dessert we had some sort of chocolate mousse cake. Also very good. Bottom line is we will definitely return at some point.
(4)
Alaina C.
Amazing food and service! If you like calamari, this appetizer is amazing. Very tender, yet crispy crust. The sauce was very tasty that it was served with. Great wine selection. I had the chicken piccata and there was enough for my lunch the next day. Excellent! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Ken C.
The house salad dressing is unique! The bread is excellent and the Gnnochi is outstanding!
(4)
Regina S.
Happy birthday dinner for the BF!! Was so very excited to come here!! The place is beautiful!!! Quiet and romantic. I love the decor and the ambience. We had speidini and Italian sausage for apps, both were amazing (I heard, I don't eat either). I ordered the stuffed gnocchi with mushroom sherry cream sauce. He ordered pasta alla nana which is penne with shrimp and filet. We ordered beers, their tall beer is TALL... at least 2.5 regular beers. The food was really so very good. the gnocchi was so light and fluffy stuffed with seasoned ricotta... to die for!! BF's was pretty good. The flavor was amazing, but the cut up filet mixed with everything made it overcook and get a little chewy. Not the best use of filet here. I will say the only real complaint that was had was the service. They weren't packed, but it took our waitress forever to bring or take away everything. We waited on after dinner coffee for almost 15 minutes. That's kinda shitty, and the reason I can't give the place 5 stars, because it certainly isn't the food's fault. I'll still definitely be back. I am dying to try other stuff on their menu!! /Romantic!
(4)
Alex P.
Wow.had a great evening tonight, excellent red wine selection,would have liked a bit more extensive white selection,but that's where the negatives end. My server was so knowledgeable about the wine list and the food and the history it felt like a great experience...I had the aged new York strip steak,(16 oz that they cut off the bone ) drizzled with a succulent cherry sauce and of course perfectly seasoned cherrys. Also calamari here is extremely fresh and clean tasting.
(5)
Connie C.
Saltastic! I like salt but whoa. The dip for the bread was good. Dessert was a dough lump. Cheap ravioli is fun. Were out of the sausage ravioli, bummer. I can boil pasta at home though.
(3)
Joel S.
Terrible service. Entire restaurant was full and there were only two servers. Food was good when it finally arrived.
(2)
Abe S.
Great experience super staff amazing good perfect portions the best tomato soup better food than I had when I was in Italy and incredible live music on Saturdays
(5)
Greg D.
Been back twice. Each time, the food was amazing. Best pasta anywhere. Everything is freshly made and not off the Sysco truck or GFS store. My wife had the gnocchi and while she thought it was too salty, I thought it was amazing. So we switched. :) I forget what I ordered but my wife loved it. So that was nice. Will be back anytime we have a craving for Italian. Can not go wrong here.
(5)
j v.
Went there on a friends recomendation, it was fabulous. Tim ordered the filet and I ordered veal piccata, both were excellent. Martini's were good and reasonable. Milk cake for desert was awesome. Service was great. Will definitely go back and highly recomend.
(5)
Joyce R.
This had nothing to do with the salad. It was Gone. It took to long for someone to take our order. Then once we finished the salad another long wait for the food.
(3)
Kristy A.
Best filet I ever had at very affordable prices. I've had steaks from very good places valentinos is my favorite. I always order steak sauce with my meal ahead of time so I don't offend the chef. This time I decided to enjoy the zip sauce. I never even thought about any steak sauce with my filet. I loved every bite. Great service and friendly staff. Highly recommended
(5)
John K.
Great food great service. I would have given it 5 but the marinara is not as tangy as i like. Just a tiny bit too sweet for my taste. If you prefer that style of marinara, then consider this a 5 star in terms of food and service. Very friendly and professional. Super fresh. Definitely would go back happily. Wife concurs.
(4)
John H.
A real gem. Food ordered by our group was uniformly fantastic. Unlike some Italian restaurants, they don't overload you with pasta. Wine list was extensive and fairly priced; and the desserts were tasty. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Tina E.
I just tried this place for the first time, and I'm glad I did. The food and service were great. We started with the calamari and my husband ordered the gnocchi, which he loved. I ordered the salmon salad thinking it would come with a little sliced salmon. It came with three big pieces of salmon, which I was really impressed by for a $10.00 salad. We also split the milk cake, which was delicious. I thought this place was great, without breaking the bank. I'll be back!
(4)
Tony C.
Not impressed at all. The pastas were at par with an Olive Garden experience. Slow service and just not what I expected. There are much better Italian places near by to settle for this level of dining experience.
(2)
Cory S.
My husband and I were first timers. He had the filet and I, the lamb chops, both were cooked perfectly. The lamb chops were the best I have ever had, and the zip sauce is amazing. We had a bottle of Rodney Strong Cab, that our server recommended, which paired perfectly with our meals. Our server was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgable. Amazing meal over all and I recommend it to all. We will be back often. (:
(5)
Tom C.
My wife and I went to Valentino's on a Wednesday evening, 2 days before Valentines Day so the place was almost empty. First of all, our server was outstanding. She was very friendly and informative. We started with a bottle of wine,calamari, and the portabella appetizer. Both apps were great and the Malbec was good but a little pricey. For dinner she had the Filet and I had the ribeye. Both were cooked perfectly and the zip sauce was great. Our only disappointments were the potato and broccoli. Very ordinary. With the quality of everything else it's a shame they missed on the sides, but it by no means ruined the experience as everything else was so good. Overall we really enjoyed Valentino's. They have obviously worked hard to create a special place and have done a great job! We will be recommending it to our friends and plan on returning soon.
(4)
Lynne W.
The tomato bisque was the best ever. All of our food was great as well as the service. We will definitely be back and would highly recommend Valentino's.
(5)
M H.
I have been to this place three times now. Best Italian food in the area!! Excellent food and great service! A huge step above all the chain Italian restaurants and comparable to high end Italian restaurants, but with reasonable prices. Great for family's with children or date night!!!
(5)
A R.
Food is good. Happy hour drink and dinner specials are good too.
(4)
Renee K.
So glad we finally came here. The food was fantastic, great atmosphere, all over a great date night for us
(5)
A W.
Went for dinner on 1-31-14. Service was excellent from the moment we walked in. Our waitress was not only attentive and knowledgeable, but she made us feel like guests in her home. The food was fantastic. The salad was fresh and the dressing was wonderful. My veal picatta was delicious and the portion was generous. I would have licked my plate, but the waitress would not let me run out of bread. My wifes pasta was so good she made herself save some so she could have it again at home. I would give them six stars if I could. Will be back again and again.
(5)
Elise F.
We have lived in Lake Orion our entire lives and never tried this restaurant. We had the butternut squash ravioli, shrimp and chicken alla Louis, caprese, Caesar salad, and tiramisu. We have absolutely no complaints. The food was delicious, the wait staff friendly and efficient, the ambience lovely with a guitarist playing. We will definitely return here for a nice meal. Used the yelp deal offered without any issues. Overall excellent!
(5)
Cathleen G.
Always a good experience. Love that it is within walking distance. The butternut squash ravioli is one of my favorites. Full bar...and decent wine list and variety of martini selections.
(4)
Teresa R.
I am not a big fan of Italian food, but I truly enjoy this place. The food is delicious ( have had many items on the menu) and I love the sauces. you can taste the home made and from scratch flavors. Only place with a Bloody Mary martini, which was delicious and for dessert they have this cake type one that will blow you away. It is as if the cake is infused with ice cream. So moist. Also....the prices are reasonable for such good food!
(5)
Thomas S.
Excellent food, intimate atmosphere, friendly service. We will dine here more often. Chef prepared specials taste awesome.
(5)
Brian M.
My wife and I tried Valentino's tonight for the first time. Could not have asked for a better experience. Ambiance was great. Service was exceptional. Veal was tender and Salmon was not overcooked. Well done all around!! Decent wine list too!! We will be going back next time we are in the area.
(5)
Alex W.
I had a feeling I would like this restaurant as soon as we walked in. It has a great atmosphere and is not so small as to be uncomfortable, but not big like a chain Italian restaurant. The staff was very friendly and attentive, bringing us more bread and water without us ever having to ask. I had the eggplant rollantine and my girlfriend had the make your own pasta (angel hair with alfredo). The food was as good or better than any other Italian restaurant I've visited and the portions were generous for the price. Would definitely return.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Tonya P.
Absolutely Fabulous!!! This is our third time eating at Valentino's. We love it!! Came with a party of five for Sunday dinner. Could not have been happier! Service was excellent and everyone was happy with their meals. Chicken Valentino, Chicken Parm, Lasagna, Filet were all delicious! You must save room for dessert and try the Three Milk cake! WOW!! Out of this world! We will be back again and again!
(5)Steve V.
Very pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. The food was better than I was expecting. I can't believe that I've lived in Lake Orion for almost 10 years and this is the first time I've dined here. If you have been driving past this restaurant for years, do yourself a favor and stop in for dinner. You will not regret it! Service is extraordinary as well. The sauce ("gravy" to some East Coast Italians) is excellent. Try the meatballs: a good test of an Italian restaurant. They are great.
(5)Tamara Y.
This is currently my favorite Italian restaurant. Laid back atmosphere, easy parking, good food and good prices. Their red sauce is awesome. Tomato crack, I tell you. Lamb chops are excellent as well. I've had several of their pasta dishes, and all have been good. Personally, I would pass on the Spiedini. It's ok, not awesome, and the small portion size doesn't justify the $10 price tag. I'd go for the cajun beef tips or mussels instead. Mondays and Tuedays you can get a ravioli dinner for $10, and Wednesdays is 1/2 off a bottle of wine. We've been there several times, and the service has run anywhere from ok to excellent.
(4)Carol O.
Just had a wonderful dinner. Both my husband and I truly enjoyed our dinners. The service was excellent . We will be back. Thank you!
(5)Naela Y.
I'm very picky when it comes to italian dishes because of bad experiences....valentinos most definitely satisfied all my needs. It is a romantic environment with extremely friendly staff. From the moment I arrived there was great service and authentic italian food!! Whether an Italian food lover or not I recommended this place to anyone.
(5)L C.
My wife & I both enjoyed our meals. Stumbled on to this restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We will definitely go back. Super surprise.
(5)Sasha O.
I like Valentinos for the atmosphere (low key, more romantic) and the food is good (not great)... if you're ok with a family atmosphere or that's what you're looking for, Italia Gardens is the place (food is WAY better). I like that they usually have live music and when you get a table the service is excellent. However the bar staff & hostess situation is awful (they alone lost Valentinos a star quite frankly). Last visit i went with a date (we were obviously on a date, little more dressed up, etc)... we were blatantly ignored by the bar staff & the young lady who appeared to be a hostess but may have actually been the manager. Our waiter apologized right away (he noticed we had been standing there for quite some time) and HE provided awesome service. Mind you, this is a small place... we were impossible to miss. And plenty of tables were clean & available. So in the area, it's a good place for atmosphere & decent food. Hopefully my last experience was an exception, but given my date traveled to my town & I picked the place, it was embarrassing.
(4)Destiny L.
So happy Sagebrush had an hour and a half wait, or else we may have never found this place. The atmosphere is romantic, without being stuffy. The moment I walked in was completely sucked in by the live singer and her guitarist, I felt like I left 2015 and entered a Sinatra-era Italian restaurant. A glass of house wine moscato, bigger than my head and only $6! Brussels sprouts appetizer was amazing, chicken lemon rice soup was the perfect amount of fresh chicken and lemon, and lastly, shrimp scampi ravioli was a special tonight, and was just the right amount of shrimp and white wine lemon sauce was ridiculously good. To top it all off, service was great beginning to end. Me and my boyfriend can't wait to come back!
(5)Raymond F.
My wife and I are visiting family and decided to try Valentino's for dinner. Everything was wonderful, from the sediment filtered and decanted Chianti Classico at the table (a nice touch), caprese salad (shared, and one of the best I've had), delicious sautéed wild mushrooms (shared), Penne alla Nana (mine), to the sweet potato gnocchi (my wife's). The rest of the family enjoyed their selections as well. The portions were more than ample, unfortunately leaving no room for dessert and still had to take some entrée home. The service was friendly and very attentive. Overall, a great experience. A definite recommendation if you're looking for great Italian food.
(5)Ronie K.
Great restaurant very nice staff and food was phenomenal I couldn't ask for a better night also the owner went out of his way and gave us a desert on the house thank so much
(5)Navneet A.
One of the best Italian restaurant in the world. Heather the waitress was a class. Food is always fresh and the sea food does not smell bad . Ambience is fantastic for romantic or Family. Calamari is good. You can never go wrong with this place .
(5)Mike L.
Went withy son tonight to Valentino's on the prowl for some good Italian sine my dago wife was at her parents and thinking I was going to use the $20 for $10 deal I got from yelp several months back. Well they had a great special on raviolis so I put the deal aside for a later date and had acorn squash ravs and Marshall had mushroom gnocchi. Very..very..good. The wait staff of Diane and Sherry provided truly outstanding service...and ..NO.. I don't know them or work there. Very satisfied customer once again.
(4)Michael B.
Wonderful service. Both pasta dishes we cooked perfectly. The house dressing (with beet juice) was unique and tasty. Finally, the oil for dipping was great. We will be returning soon.
(4)Norma P.
Hubby and I have eaten here quite a few times. I waited a while to review and then promptly forgot till just recently when we went back for about the 15th time. It has progressed into a fine Italian restaurant. The food is consistently very good and the specials are always excellent. On Saturdays they have entertainment, and its a favorite place to go after Mass at St. Jo's on Saturday night. We have also been there on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sunday. You can tell we really like this place a lot! Great wine list to compliment any meal. Highly recommend Valentino's it is romantic, great Italian food, and great wait staff.
(4)Sam P.
Overall this was a good experience. The waiter was attentive & polite, the atmosphere was classy yet relaxed, the food was good quality, & it was reasonably priced. The courses were also well timed so there wasn't much time with an empty plate. The complimentary bread was served warm with a tasty dipping oil seasoned with herbs & Parmesan. The caprese was excellent. The house dressing is a creamy Italian that wasn't bad but it isn't my taste. I ordered the tortellini which was cooked perfectly; I'm also a big fan of cheese so the tortellini was a good choice for me. My wife ordered the veal marsala with tomato basil soup. The soup was well balanced with the herbs & thickness/creaminess - she finished the bowl. The veal was equally good with a generous topping of mushrooms. It was served with a side of potato & zucchini that she didn't care for as much as it wasn't seasoned as well as everything else & seemed too soft (overcooked?). Lost a star because the waiter went from attentive to a bit pushy near the end of the meal which made me feel rushed to leave even though they weren't slammed with customers waiting for tables.. half the tables were empty as it was a Wednesday. He also seemed to have an issue taking the payment for the bill as he went back and forth between registers & other employees to take the payment which made me nervous that my card might have multiple charges on it, but he may have been new. I don't like leaving a nice evening on a sour note. I would still go back & recommend it to others.
(4)Raymond S.
We have been here numerous times and each time it gets better and better. We love the food and the service is always great. The only downside is that it's a 45 min drive from us but definitely worth it. If you're looking for delicious authentic Italian food, look no further because this is definitely a place you'll want to check out. Valentino's has won our hearts and we are officially regulars.
(5)Matt K.
My wife and I ate at Valentino's for the first time this evening. We really enjoyed our experience. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was very good. The fresh, hot bread and oil/herb/cheese dipping sauce was difficult to stop eating. The minestrone soup and salad with house dressing were both tasty. My wife got chicken parmesan w/spaghetti and sauce. I had one bite of hers and thought it was pretty good. I had the veal piccata, which I really enjoyed. The sauce was slightly lemony, but not to the point of it taking away from the dish too much. For dessert we had some sort of chocolate mousse cake. Also very good. Bottom line is we will definitely return at some point.
(4)Alaina C.
Amazing food and service! If you like calamari, this appetizer is amazing. Very tender, yet crispy crust. The sauce was very tasty that it was served with. Great wine selection. I had the chicken piccata and there was enough for my lunch the next day. Excellent! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Ken C.
The house salad dressing is unique! The bread is excellent and the Gnnochi is outstanding!
(4)Regina S.
Happy birthday dinner for the BF!! Was so very excited to come here!! The place is beautiful!!! Quiet and romantic. I love the decor and the ambience. We had speidini and Italian sausage for apps, both were amazing (I heard, I don't eat either). I ordered the stuffed gnocchi with mushroom sherry cream sauce. He ordered pasta alla nana which is penne with shrimp and filet. We ordered beers, their tall beer is TALL... at least 2.5 regular beers. The food was really so very good. the gnocchi was so light and fluffy stuffed with seasoned ricotta... to die for!! BF's was pretty good. The flavor was amazing, but the cut up filet mixed with everything made it overcook and get a little chewy. Not the best use of filet here. I will say the only real complaint that was had was the service. They weren't packed, but it took our waitress forever to bring or take away everything. We waited on after dinner coffee for almost 15 minutes. That's kinda shitty, and the reason I can't give the place 5 stars, because it certainly isn't the food's fault. I'll still definitely be back. I am dying to try other stuff on their menu!! /Romantic!
(4)Alex P.
Wow.had a great evening tonight, excellent red wine selection,would have liked a bit more extensive white selection,but that's where the negatives end. My server was so knowledgeable about the wine list and the food and the history it felt like a great experience...I had the aged new York strip steak,(16 oz that they cut off the bone ) drizzled with a succulent cherry sauce and of course perfectly seasoned cherrys. Also calamari here is extremely fresh and clean tasting.
(5)Connie C.
Saltastic! I like salt but whoa. The dip for the bread was good. Dessert was a dough lump. Cheap ravioli is fun. Were out of the sausage ravioli, bummer. I can boil pasta at home though.
(3)Joel S.
Terrible service. Entire restaurant was full and there were only two servers. Food was good when it finally arrived.
(2)Abe S.
Great experience super staff amazing good perfect portions the best tomato soup better food than I had when I was in Italy and incredible live music on Saturdays
(5)Greg D.
Been back twice. Each time, the food was amazing. Best pasta anywhere. Everything is freshly made and not off the Sysco truck or GFS store. My wife had the gnocchi and while she thought it was too salty, I thought it was amazing. So we switched. :) I forget what I ordered but my wife loved it. So that was nice. Will be back anytime we have a craving for Italian. Can not go wrong here.
(5)j v.
Went there on a friends recomendation, it was fabulous. Tim ordered the filet and I ordered veal piccata, both were excellent. Martini's were good and reasonable. Milk cake for desert was awesome. Service was great. Will definitely go back and highly recomend.
(5)Joyce R.
This had nothing to do with the salad. It was Gone. It took to long for someone to take our order. Then once we finished the salad another long wait for the food.
(3)Kristy A.
Best filet I ever had at very affordable prices. I've had steaks from very good places valentinos is my favorite. I always order steak sauce with my meal ahead of time so I don't offend the chef. This time I decided to enjoy the zip sauce. I never even thought about any steak sauce with my filet. I loved every bite. Great service and friendly staff. Highly recommended
(5)John K.
Great food great service. I would have given it 5 but the marinara is not as tangy as i like. Just a tiny bit too sweet for my taste. If you prefer that style of marinara, then consider this a 5 star in terms of food and service. Very friendly and professional. Super fresh. Definitely would go back happily. Wife concurs.
(4)John H.
A real gem. Food ordered by our group was uniformly fantastic. Unlike some Italian restaurants, they don't overload you with pasta. Wine list was extensive and fairly priced; and the desserts were tasty. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Tina E.
I just tried this place for the first time, and I'm glad I did. The food and service were great. We started with the calamari and my husband ordered the gnocchi, which he loved. I ordered the salmon salad thinking it would come with a little sliced salmon. It came with three big pieces of salmon, which I was really impressed by for a $10.00 salad. We also split the milk cake, which was delicious. I thought this place was great, without breaking the bank. I'll be back!
(4)Tony C.
Not impressed at all. The pastas were at par with an Olive Garden experience. Slow service and just not what I expected. There are much better Italian places near by to settle for this level of dining experience.
(2)Cory S.
My husband and I were first timers. He had the filet and I, the lamb chops, both were cooked perfectly. The lamb chops were the best I have ever had, and the zip sauce is amazing. We had a bottle of Rodney Strong Cab, that our server recommended, which paired perfectly with our meals. Our server was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgable. Amazing meal over all and I recommend it to all. We will be back often. (:
(5)Tom C.
My wife and I went to Valentino's on a Wednesday evening, 2 days before Valentines Day so the place was almost empty. First of all, our server was outstanding. She was very friendly and informative. We started with a bottle of wine,calamari, and the portabella appetizer. Both apps were great and the Malbec was good but a little pricey. For dinner she had the Filet and I had the ribeye. Both were cooked perfectly and the zip sauce was great. Our only disappointments were the potato and broccoli. Very ordinary. With the quality of everything else it's a shame they missed on the sides, but it by no means ruined the experience as everything else was so good. Overall we really enjoyed Valentino's. They have obviously worked hard to create a special place and have done a great job! We will be recommending it to our friends and plan on returning soon.
(4)Lynne W.
The tomato bisque was the best ever. All of our food was great as well as the service. We will definitely be back and would highly recommend Valentino's.
(5)M H.
I have been to this place three times now. Best Italian food in the area!! Excellent food and great service! A huge step above all the chain Italian restaurants and comparable to high end Italian restaurants, but with reasonable prices. Great for family's with children or date night!!!
(5)A R.
Food is good. Happy hour drink and dinner specials are good too.
(4)Renee K.
So glad we finally came here. The food was fantastic, great atmosphere, all over a great date night for us
(5)A W.
Went for dinner on 1-31-14. Service was excellent from the moment we walked in. Our waitress was not only attentive and knowledgeable, but she made us feel like guests in her home. The food was fantastic. The salad was fresh and the dressing was wonderful. My veal picatta was delicious and the portion was generous. I would have licked my plate, but the waitress would not let me run out of bread. My wifes pasta was so good she made herself save some so she could have it again at home. I would give them six stars if I could. Will be back again and again.
(5)Elise F.
We have lived in Lake Orion our entire lives and never tried this restaurant. We had the butternut squash ravioli, shrimp and chicken alla Louis, caprese, Caesar salad, and tiramisu. We have absolutely no complaints. The food was delicious, the wait staff friendly and efficient, the ambience lovely with a guitarist playing. We will definitely return here for a nice meal. Used the yelp deal offered without any issues. Overall excellent!
(5)Cathleen G.
Always a good experience. Love that it is within walking distance. The butternut squash ravioli is one of my favorites. Full bar...and decent wine list and variety of martini selections.
(4)Teresa R.
I am not a big fan of Italian food, but I truly enjoy this place. The food is delicious ( have had many items on the menu) and I love the sauces. you can taste the home made and from scratch flavors. Only place with a Bloody Mary martini, which was delicious and for dessert they have this cake type one that will blow you away. It is as if the cake is infused with ice cream. So moist. Also....the prices are reasonable for such good food!
(5)Thomas S.
Excellent food, intimate atmosphere, friendly service. We will dine here more often. Chef prepared specials taste awesome.
(5)Brian M.
My wife and I tried Valentino's tonight for the first time. Could not have asked for a better experience. Ambiance was great. Service was exceptional. Veal was tender and Salmon was not overcooked. Well done all around!! Decent wine list too!! We will be going back next time we are in the area.
(5)Alex W.
I had a feeling I would like this restaurant as soon as we walked in. It has a great atmosphere and is not so small as to be uncomfortable, but not big like a chain Italian restaurant. The staff was very friendly and attentive, bringing us more bread and water without us ever having to ask. I had the eggplant rollantine and my girlfriend had the make your own pasta (angel hair with alfredo). The food was as good or better than any other Italian restaurant I've visited and the portions were generous for the price. Would definitely return.
(5)Norma P.
Hubby and I have eaten here quite a few times. I waited a while to review and then promptly forgot till just recently when we went back for about the 15th time. It has progressed into a fine Italian restaurant. The food is consistently very good and the specials are always excellent. On Saturdays they have entertainment, and its a favorite place to go after Mass at St. Jo's on Saturday night. We have also been there on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sunday. You can tell we really like this place a lot! Great wine list to compliment any meal. Highly recommend Valentino's it is romantic, great Italian food, and great wait staff.
(4)Carol O.
Just had a wonderful dinner. Both my husband and I truly enjoyed our dinners. The service was excellent . We will be back. Thank you!
(5)Naela Y.
I'm very picky when it comes to italian dishes because of bad experiences....valentinos most definitely satisfied all my needs. It is a romantic environment with extremely friendly staff. From the moment I arrived there was great service and authentic italian food!! Whether an Italian food lover or not I recommended this place to anyone.
(5)L C.
My wife & I both enjoyed our meals. Stumbled on to this restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We will definitely go back. Super surprise.
(5)Mike L.
Went withy son tonight to Valentino's on the prowl for some good Italian sine my dago wife was at her parents and thinking I was going to use the $20 for $10 deal I got from yelp several months back. Well they had a great special on raviolis so I put the deal aside for a later date and had acorn squash ravs and Marshall had mushroom gnocchi. Very..very..good. The wait staff of Diane and Sherry provided truly outstanding service...and ..NO.. I don't know them or work there. Very satisfied customer once again.
(4)Michael B.
Wonderful service. Both pasta dishes we cooked perfectly. The house dressing (with beet juice) was unique and tasty. Finally, the oil for dipping was great. We will be returning soon.
(4)Tonya P.
Absolutely Fabulous!!! This is our third time eating at Valentino's. We love it!! Came with a party of five for Sunday dinner. Could not have been happier! Service was excellent and everyone was happy with their meals. Chicken Valentino, Chicken Parm, Lasagna, Filet were all delicious! You must save room for dessert and try the Three Milk cake! WOW!! Out of this world! We will be back again and again!
(5)Steve V.
Very pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. The food was better than I was expecting. I can't believe that I've lived in Lake Orion for almost 10 years and this is the first time I've dined here. If you have been driving past this restaurant for years, do yourself a favor and stop in for dinner. You will not regret it! Service is extraordinary as well. The sauce ("gravy" to some East Coast Italians) is excellent. Try the meatballs: a good test of an Italian restaurant. They are great.
(5)Tamara Y.
This is currently my favorite Italian restaurant. Laid back atmosphere, easy parking, good food and good prices. Their red sauce is awesome. Tomato crack, I tell you. Lamb chops are excellent as well. I've had several of their pasta dishes, and all have been good. Personally, I would pass on the Spiedini. It's ok, not awesome, and the small portion size doesn't justify the $10 price tag. I'd go for the cajun beef tips or mussels instead. Mondays and Tuedays you can get a ravioli dinner for $10, and Wednesdays is 1/2 off a bottle of wine. We've been there several times, and the service has run anywhere from ok to excellent.
(4)Sasha O.
I like Valentinos for the atmosphere (low key, more romantic) and the food is good (not great)... if you're ok with a family atmosphere or that's what you're looking for, Italia Gardens is the place (food is WAY better). I like that they usually have live music and when you get a table the service is excellent. However the bar staff & hostess situation is awful (they alone lost Valentinos a star quite frankly). Last visit i went with a date (we were obviously on a date, little more dressed up, etc)... we were blatantly ignored by the bar staff & the young lady who appeared to be a hostess but may have actually been the manager. Our waiter apologized right away (he noticed we had been standing there for quite some time) and HE provided awesome service. Mind you, this is a small place... we were impossible to miss. And plenty of tables were clean & available. So in the area, it's a good place for atmosphere & decent food. Hopefully my last experience was an exception, but given my date traveled to my town & I picked the place, it was embarrassing.
(4)Destiny L.
So happy Sagebrush had an hour and a half wait, or else we may have never found this place. The atmosphere is romantic, without being stuffy. The moment I walked in was completely sucked in by the live singer and her guitarist, I felt like I left 2015 and entered a Sinatra-era Italian restaurant. A glass of house wine moscato, bigger than my head and only $6! Brussels sprouts appetizer was amazing, chicken lemon rice soup was the perfect amount of fresh chicken and lemon, and lastly, shrimp scampi ravioli was a special tonight, and was just the right amount of shrimp and white wine lemon sauce was ridiculously good. To top it all off, service was great beginning to end. Me and my boyfriend can't wait to come back!
(5)Raymond F.
My wife and I are visiting family and decided to try Valentino's for dinner. Everything was wonderful, from the sediment filtered and decanted Chianti Classico at the table (a nice touch), caprese salad (shared, and one of the best I've had), delicious sautéed wild mushrooms (shared), Penne alla Nana (mine), to the sweet potato gnocchi (my wife's). The rest of the family enjoyed their selections as well. The portions were more than ample, unfortunately leaving no room for dessert and still had to take some entrée home. The service was friendly and very attentive. Overall, a great experience. A definite recommendation if you're looking for great Italian food.
(5)Ronie K.
Great restaurant very nice staff and food was phenomenal I couldn't ask for a better night also the owner went out of his way and gave us a desert on the house thank so much
(5)Navneet A.
One of the best Italian restaurant in the world. Heather the waitress was a class. Food is always fresh and the sea food does not smell bad . Ambience is fantastic for romantic or Family. Calamari is good. You can never go wrong with this place .
(5)Sam P.
Overall this was a good experience. The waiter was attentive & polite, the atmosphere was classy yet relaxed, the food was good quality, & it was reasonably priced. The courses were also well timed so there wasn't much time with an empty plate. The complimentary bread was served warm with a tasty dipping oil seasoned with herbs & Parmesan. The caprese was excellent. The house dressing is a creamy Italian that wasn't bad but it isn't my taste. I ordered the tortellini which was cooked perfectly; I'm also a big fan of cheese so the tortellini was a good choice for me. My wife ordered the veal marsala with tomato basil soup. The soup was well balanced with the herbs & thickness/creaminess - she finished the bowl. The veal was equally good with a generous topping of mushrooms. It was served with a side of potato & zucchini that she didn't care for as much as it wasn't seasoned as well as everything else & seemed too soft (overcooked?). Lost a star because the waiter went from attentive to a bit pushy near the end of the meal which made me feel rushed to leave even though they weren't slammed with customers waiting for tables.. half the tables were empty as it was a Wednesday. He also seemed to have an issue taking the payment for the bill as he went back and forth between registers & other employees to take the payment which made me nervous that my card might have multiple charges on it, but he may have been new. I don't like leaving a nice evening on a sour note. I would still go back & recommend it to others.
(4)Raymond S.
We have been here numerous times and each time it gets better and better. We love the food and the service is always great. The only downside is that it's a 45 min drive from us but definitely worth it. If you're looking for delicious authentic Italian food, look no further because this is definitely a place you'll want to check out. Valentino's has won our hearts and we are officially regulars.
(5)Matt K.
My wife and I ate at Valentino's for the first time this evening. We really enjoyed our experience. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was very good. The fresh, hot bread and oil/herb/cheese dipping sauce was difficult to stop eating. The minestrone soup and salad with house dressing were both tasty. My wife got chicken parmesan w/spaghetti and sauce. I had one bite of hers and thought it was pretty good. I had the veal piccata, which I really enjoyed. The sauce was slightly lemony, but not to the point of it taking away from the dish too much. For dessert we had some sort of chocolate mousse cake. Also very good. Bottom line is we will definitely return at some point.
(4)Alaina C.
Amazing food and service! If you like calamari, this appetizer is amazing. Very tender, yet crispy crust. The sauce was very tasty that it was served with. Great wine selection. I had the chicken piccata and there was enough for my lunch the next day. Excellent! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Ken C.
The house salad dressing is unique! The bread is excellent and the Gnnochi is outstanding!
(4)Regina S.
Happy birthday dinner for the BF!! Was so very excited to come here!! The place is beautiful!!! Quiet and romantic. I love the decor and the ambience. We had speidini and Italian sausage for apps, both were amazing (I heard, I don't eat either). I ordered the stuffed gnocchi with mushroom sherry cream sauce. He ordered pasta alla nana which is penne with shrimp and filet. We ordered beers, their tall beer is TALL... at least 2.5 regular beers. The food was really so very good. the gnocchi was so light and fluffy stuffed with seasoned ricotta... to die for!! BF's was pretty good. The flavor was amazing, but the cut up filet mixed with everything made it overcook and get a little chewy. Not the best use of filet here. I will say the only real complaint that was had was the service. They weren't packed, but it took our waitress forever to bring or take away everything. We waited on after dinner coffee for almost 15 minutes. That's kinda shitty, and the reason I can't give the place 5 stars, because it certainly isn't the food's fault. I'll still definitely be back. I am dying to try other stuff on their menu!! /Romantic!
(4)Alex P.
Wow.had a great evening tonight, excellent red wine selection,would have liked a bit more extensive white selection,but that's where the negatives end. My server was so knowledgeable about the wine list and the food and the history it felt like a great experience...I had the aged new York strip steak,(16 oz that they cut off the bone ) drizzled with a succulent cherry sauce and of course perfectly seasoned cherrys. Also calamari here is extremely fresh and clean tasting.
(5)Connie C.
Saltastic! I like salt but whoa. The dip for the bread was good. Dessert was a dough lump. Cheap ravioli is fun. Were out of the sausage ravioli, bummer. I can boil pasta at home though.
(3)Joel S.
Terrible service. Entire restaurant was full and there were only two servers. Food was good when it finally arrived.
(2)Abe S.
Great experience super staff amazing good perfect portions the best tomato soup better food than I had when I was in Italy and incredible live music on Saturdays
(5)Greg D.
Been back twice. Each time, the food was amazing. Best pasta anywhere. Everything is freshly made and not off the Sysco truck or GFS store. My wife had the gnocchi and while she thought it was too salty, I thought it was amazing. So we switched. :) I forget what I ordered but my wife loved it. So that was nice. Will be back anytime we have a craving for Italian. Can not go wrong here.
(5)j v.
Went there on a friends recomendation, it was fabulous. Tim ordered the filet and I ordered veal piccata, both were excellent. Martini's were good and reasonable. Milk cake for desert was awesome. Service was great. Will definitely go back and highly recomend.
(5)Joyce R.
This had nothing to do with the salad. It was Gone. It took to long for someone to take our order. Then once we finished the salad another long wait for the food.
(3)Kristy A.
Best filet I ever had at very affordable prices. I've had steaks from very good places valentinos is my favorite. I always order steak sauce with my meal ahead of time so I don't offend the chef. This time I decided to enjoy the zip sauce. I never even thought about any steak sauce with my filet. I loved every bite. Great service and friendly staff. Highly recommended
(5)John K.
Great food great service. I would have given it 5 but the marinara is not as tangy as i like. Just a tiny bit too sweet for my taste. If you prefer that style of marinara, then consider this a 5 star in terms of food and service. Very friendly and professional. Super fresh. Definitely would go back happily. Wife concurs.
(4)John H.
A real gem. Food ordered by our group was uniformly fantastic. Unlike some Italian restaurants, they don't overload you with pasta. Wine list was extensive and fairly priced; and the desserts were tasty. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Tina E.
I just tried this place for the first time, and I'm glad I did. The food and service were great. We started with the calamari and my husband ordered the gnocchi, which he loved. I ordered the salmon salad thinking it would come with a little sliced salmon. It came with three big pieces of salmon, which I was really impressed by for a $10.00 salad. We also split the milk cake, which was delicious. I thought this place was great, without breaking the bank. I'll be back!
(4)Tony C.
Not impressed at all. The pastas were at par with an Olive Garden experience. Slow service and just not what I expected. There are much better Italian places near by to settle for this level of dining experience.
(2)Cory S.
My husband and I were first timers. He had the filet and I, the lamb chops, both were cooked perfectly. The lamb chops were the best I have ever had, and the zip sauce is amazing. We had a bottle of Rodney Strong Cab, that our server recommended, which paired perfectly with our meals. Our server was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgable. Amazing meal over all and I recommend it to all. We will be back often. (:
(5)Tom C.
My wife and I went to Valentino's on a Wednesday evening, 2 days before Valentines Day so the place was almost empty. First of all, our server was outstanding. She was very friendly and informative. We started with a bottle of wine,calamari, and the portabella appetizer. Both apps were great and the Malbec was good but a little pricey. For dinner she had the Filet and I had the ribeye. Both were cooked perfectly and the zip sauce was great. Our only disappointments were the potato and broccoli. Very ordinary. With the quality of everything else it's a shame they missed on the sides, but it by no means ruined the experience as everything else was so good. Overall we really enjoyed Valentino's. They have obviously worked hard to create a special place and have done a great job! We will be recommending it to our friends and plan on returning soon.
(4)Lynne W.
The tomato bisque was the best ever. All of our food was great as well as the service. We will definitely be back and would highly recommend Valentino's.
(5)M H.
I have been to this place three times now. Best Italian food in the area!! Excellent food and great service! A huge step above all the chain Italian restaurants and comparable to high end Italian restaurants, but with reasonable prices. Great for family's with children or date night!!!
(5)A R.
Food is good. Happy hour drink and dinner specials are good too.
(4)Renee K.
So glad we finally came here. The food was fantastic, great atmosphere, all over a great date night for us
(5)A W.
Went for dinner on 1-31-14. Service was excellent from the moment we walked in. Our waitress was not only attentive and knowledgeable, but she made us feel like guests in her home. The food was fantastic. The salad was fresh and the dressing was wonderful. My veal picatta was delicious and the portion was generous. I would have licked my plate, but the waitress would not let me run out of bread. My wifes pasta was so good she made herself save some so she could have it again at home. I would give them six stars if I could. Will be back again and again.
(5)Elise F.
We have lived in Lake Orion our entire lives and never tried this restaurant. We had the butternut squash ravioli, shrimp and chicken alla Louis, caprese, Caesar salad, and tiramisu. We have absolutely no complaints. The food was delicious, the wait staff friendly and efficient, the ambience lovely with a guitarist playing. We will definitely return here for a nice meal. Used the yelp deal offered without any issues. Overall excellent!
(5)Cathleen G.
Always a good experience. Love that it is within walking distance. The butternut squash ravioli is one of my favorites. Full bar...and decent wine list and variety of martini selections.
(4)Teresa R.
I am not a big fan of Italian food, but I truly enjoy this place. The food is delicious ( have had many items on the menu) and I love the sauces. you can taste the home made and from scratch flavors. Only place with a Bloody Mary martini, which was delicious and for dessert they have this cake type one that will blow you away. It is as if the cake is infused with ice cream. So moist. Also....the prices are reasonable for such good food!
(5)Thomas S.
Excellent food, intimate atmosphere, friendly service. We will dine here more often. Chef prepared specials taste awesome.
(5)Brian M.
My wife and I tried Valentino's tonight for the first time. Could not have asked for a better experience. Ambiance was great. Service was exceptional. Veal was tender and Salmon was not overcooked. Well done all around!! Decent wine list too!! We will be going back next time we are in the area.
(5)Alex W.
I had a feeling I would like this restaurant as soon as we walked in. It has a great atmosphere and is not so small as to be uncomfortable, but not big like a chain Italian restaurant. The staff was very friendly and attentive, bringing us more bread and water without us ever having to ask. I had the eggplant rollantine and my girlfriend had the make your own pasta (angel hair with alfredo). The food was as good or better than any other Italian restaurant I've visited and the portions were generous for the price. Would definitely return.
(5)