Valentino's gives foodies hope

By F.C. FOODIE
Food Critic

For the last two years, the big news in Fayette County food land has been the opening of chain restaurants.

Every time you turn around, its seems like another restaurant from out of town is setting up shop.

But, foodies, rejoice! A unique restaurant is doing business in Peachtree City right under our noses and it bears visiting.

Valentino's in the Braelinn Shopping Center is serving honest, fabulous Italian food that is the best in the county.

The restaurant has been there for a number of years, but has recently come under new ownership. The service level is many times better than with the previous owners and you feel very much at home.

I'm reminded of many of the great Italian restaurants that literally line the streets of New York and Boston and the food is pretty flawless.

Appetizers range from an enormous Italian meat and cheese board that features cappicola, prosciutto, mortadella, shaved asiago and mozzarella cheese to an almost perfect calamari.

You can usually judge Italian restaurants by the quality of their marinara sauce, and Valentino's is pretty close to the sauce Mama would be making on Sunday afternoons.

Entrees range from really good pastas to seafood and beef entrees.
One of the best things about the restaurant is that if you don't see it on the menu, the kitchen will try to whip it up for you.

While I was there, the chef prepared a portabella mushroom parmesan for a customer and brought out different sauces for other patrons.

One word of warning: the portions are huge, so go hungry! You'll probably go away with a to-go bag that will provide a delicious lunch the next day.

Let's make sure this restaurant stays in the community for a long time by giving it support. We can't let cuisine of this type wither and die on the vine.

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