Restaurant review | Valentino’s still leading the pack in Italian cuisine
- Jenna Whitney
- 02 Mar 2020
When I first moved to Hamilton, I would always ask people what restaurants I should check out. Everyone I met told me I absolutely had to go to Valentino’s and that it has been a Hamilton staple for years, so I obviously added it to my list of recommendations. When one of my coworkers told me they have “the best panzarottis in Hamilton” and that her family gets take out from there every Friday, I was sold. Afterall, who can say no to a good panzarotti?!
Valentino’s has been around in Hamilton for over 40 years and has made a well-deserved impact on the community. In 1978, Valentino’s (named after actor Rudolph Valentino) first opened as a small family-run bakery and take out eatery in Westdale. In less than a year, they expanded into a full restaurant with something unique to offer the community. But what was it that set them apart from everyone else? It was the panzarottis; the first restaurant in Hamilton to offer these savory turnovers.
Soon after, other restaurants in the city started offering panzarottis as well, but none of them rivaled Valentino’s. Their undeniably good food led to increased popularity for the restaurant as a whole.
In 1985, they opened their second location to better serve the growing demand. Now with locations in Stoney Creek and Westdale, and the ability to eat in or take out at both locations, it’s easy to get a hearty Italian meal wherever you are in the city.
Their home style cooking and the famous panzarotti have unquestionably stood the test of time as witnessed by the demand for their food and amazing reputation all throughout the city. You really feel like you’re getting a home cooked Italian meal from Nonna’s kitchen with recipes that have been passed down through generations. Valentino’s gives you classic Italian comfort food that doesn’t disappoint.
Something else that makes Valentino’s unique from other Italian restaurants is that they make their own craft beer! You may have even seen them at Hamilton’s ‘I Heart Beer Festival’ in the past. Their brew master, Devyn Prince-Reid, started brewing beer at the Westdale location in 2012. Since then, their menu has hosted house ale year-round, as well as rotating seasonal beers. Some of the seasonal draughts that they’ve experimented with over the last 8 years include Lemon Stout, German Pilsner, Blueberry Wheat, and a Winter’s End Extra Pale Ale. Be sure to ask your server what seasonal selection they have available for you to try — you won’t regret it.
On the menu you’ll find everything you want in a good Italian restaurant; soups, salads, sandwiches and of course the 3 P’s — pasta, pizza, and panzarottis.
The gnocchi dumplings, lasagna, and manicotti noodles are made fresh in house and all of the pastas are topped with quality ingredients. As for the pizza and panzarottis, the available items to choose from are outstanding. From an assortment of vegetables to a wide array of Italian meats and cheeses, you’ll be sure to find your perfect combination. There are even gluten-free options for almost everything on the menu so no one has to miss out! The portions are large and a fantastic value for your dollar ensuring you and your wallet will be leaving the table satisfied.
Make sure to save room for one of their homemade desserts! With a beautiful glass case of cannolis, cheesecakes, cookies, pastries, and cakes to choose from, it’ll be hard to decide on just one. They also have homemade gelato in a handful of flavours including dairy-free options.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is perfect for everyone. You’ll see families, children, friends, coworkers, and people from all kinds of backgrounds coming together in a common space to share a meal together. This has always been one of the goals of Valentino’s. They’ve strived to create a space where people can come together, couples can share a romantic meal and, most importantly, a place where memories can be made. This feeling, mixed with the amazing food you eat while you’re there, has created a recipe for success that makes people keep coming back.
Before you make your way to one of their locations, I’ll leave you with my top picks from the menu. For appetizers you can’t go wrong with their homemade mini arancini and stracciatella soup. The stracciatella soup might be one of the best soups I’ve ever had, and I don’t say that lightly. My partner even said it was reminiscent of the soup he grew up eating at his Nini and Poppy’s house!
My go-to on the menu is the build-your-own panzarotti, filled with rapini, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and hot salami. Pro tip: ask for it well done!
My favourite pasta is the spicy fettuccini with rapini and prosciutto. It’s made with homemade hot pepper paste, oil and garlic, prosciutto, rapini, and kalamata olives.
For pizza, I love the arugula pizza made with pesto base, mozzarella, goat cheese, arugula, fresh prosciutto, and a balsamic glaze. It makes amazing left overs, unless you’re like me and eat it in the car on your way home!
Don’t take my word for it though, go try it yourself! You can visit Valentino’s in Westdale at 824 King Street W or on the mountain at 835 Paramount Drive. Both locations are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, dine in, or take out!
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