Valente's Italian Restaurant

11/13/2007 Posted by shotz914

We live less than a mile from Valente's but had never visited before due to all the other local italian restaurants around (Gaetanos, Mikey's, Abrusci's, etc.), we are sooo sorry we waited! Instead of dining at the restaurant we decided to get take out and the experience was great. The food was ready when they said it was going to be, was still piping hot when we got home and it was delicious! My boyfriend got the chicken alfredo and I had the lasagna. My only wish was for a little more red sauce with the lasagna, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. The next morning we got a phone call from Ray Valente asking how our experience was, what a nice touch! To answer his question, I replied, "it was fantastic".

Pros: drive up window, great prices, family owned

Cons: not enough sauce with the lasagna

08/20/2007 Posted by xlsutter

A Monday night with family from out of town was great. While the place wasn't packed there was a good crowd of what looked like locals. Staff seemed to know most guests. I eat here when on this side of town because of the homemade pasta and sauce. The sauce you can tell is made there. It is smooth with a nice consistency. Not too garlicy, or acidic and bathes the homemade pasta. My cousin had the stuffed bell peppers, one green and one red. Great simple presentation of two good sized peppers stuffed with ground beef and sausage, no rice filler. They peppers came with a nice size portion of homemade spaghetti. These noodles are a bit thicker than the store bought types, they were great as I had a taste along with half of a pepper my cuz couldn't finish. I will make it a point to get back more often the drive is worth it from my side of town, it really isn't far. I noticed other Italian spots on the drive west on 38th.............none seemed to be nearly as busy as Valente's. There must a reason, I'm sure its the pasta and sauce. I'm hooked!!!

Pros: Homemade pasta and sauce

Cons: The wine list while good did not have a Barolo on it

08/13/2007 Posted by a_hinton

My husband and I drove past this restaurant and decided to try it since it looked interesting from the outside. The food tasted horrible. The pasta was way overcooked and the sauce tasted like they opened a can of tomato sauce. There was no flavor at all in the sauce. There was no seasoning. It was the worst Italian food I have every had. The service was ok. The environment was not desirable.

Pros: convience to street

Cons: food, ambience

07/28/2007 Posted by thegraphite

My wife and I have been twice, and it's definitely one of our favorites in the whole Denver metro area. Cute, kitschy atmosphere downstairs and a darker, slightly more romantic area upstairs. The service was impeccable both times, and our waiter had an absolutely fantastic knowledge of wines. He clearly had many years of experience as a server, and was fun yet thoroughly professional. (We will request him always in the future, although his name escapes me at this moment. Tall, husky, black hair and (ha) big eye brows.) As for the food, outstanding! Especially the pasta! I have not found better Italian food anywhere else in Denver. Equal, perhaps, but not better. The only reason I didn't give Valente's 5 stars was because of the down-to-earth atmosphere (and we personally like it, but we wanted to be fair to other restaurant goers - this place isn't a fancy-looking restaurant.) We were impressed enough to even take my father-in-law the very first time I met him. Large portions, very reasonable prices, great specials, and as others have mentioned, $10 off wine on some days of the week! I *never* buy a bottle of wine at restaurants, but I did here. Call ahead and ask them what they have going in the coming month.

Pros: Pasta, great wine recommendations, outstanding experienced server

Cons: Can't think of one!

11/12/2006 Posted by italian_stallion80

Living fairly close to Valente's, we have grown attached to the unique feature of a drive-up window. This is one of the many highlights of this restaurant. The drive-up specials are some of the best that I have ever seen, especially for their pizza and family specials. I can't think of another place that offers buy 1 get one free on large pizzas all the times. They also have family specials which include pizza, home-made rigatoni, chicken and salad for an unbeatable price. There are many other Italian joints in the area, but none of them have pizza that compares to Valente's. In one word...perfection! If you have more time, we highly recommend venturing inside the restaurant. You will more than likely be greeted by Ray Valente himself. The dine-in food is amazing as well. I recommend the Cavatelli, a specialty potato pasta that rivals gnochi only better! They have a great selection of affordable wines to accompany your meal and you can get in an out of there with a full belly without spending half what you'd spend at most other restaurants. If you are looking for authentic, home-made italian food, this is the place.

Pros: Great food, low prices, family owned

08/19/2006 Posted by london_bridge

Walking into this restaurant we were optimistic, but once seated upstairs in the tacky christmas-like-lit room it was downhill from there. The "entertainment" for the night consisted of a super-slick lounge singer who made it difficult for you to enjoy your company. The waitress was rude and sarcastic when I asked about the soups and I later found a piece of blue plastic in my side salad. There was a shortage of salmon for my friends salad, but instead of bringing out the replacement salad she ordered, she was given something totally different. When she told the waitress about the mix up she offered my friend a large piece of their chocolate cake to bring home to make up for the problems. It came to be about five inches long and two inches wide...it made up for nothing. And they made her pay for the original salad she ordered, which was more expensive. Overall, the atmosphere, the service, and the food was ridiculously terrrible...I think the best part about the experience was the bread!

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02/18/2006 Posted by neverbirdieone

Friendly restaurant with great authentic food. Not a cookie cutter chain place, pastas and sauces are homemade and plenty of choices on the menu from sandwiches, pizza & pasta plus fresh fish steaks and nightly specials. We have eaten upstairs in the cozy lounge that has entertainment several nights a week. Table clothed and a darker more romantic atmosphere, different from the dowstairs main part of the restaurant which is more family oriented. Service was very good and offered lots of extra info about the restaurant. Our server mentioned the takeout specials that are always available, where you can call head and pick up at there drive up window. Also invited us back Sun.-Tues. when when bottled wines are $10 off.

Pros: food, entertainment, value

07/26/2003 Posted by jocrru

Always a pleasure to dine with the Valente Familia. Their Cavatelli is to die for and their prices are very reasonable for the portions that are served. My wife and I alway have pleaseant service and thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere.

Pros: Ample Parking, Great Service, Reasonable Prices

Cons: None

03/27/2003 Posted by sydney

I went into Valente's for the first time in quite a while and was pleasantly suprised. The food was delicious and the service was great. I always know the prices are great for what you get but this time was especially terrific. They no longer do the buffet at lunch but have a great varied menu. I love small neighborly restaurants instead of the large chains and this one certainly fits the bill.

Pros: Price, Food Quality, Service