Celebrate 2009 With Elegance And Romance At Valentino

Santa Monica, CA - Valentino Owner Piero Selvaggio and Chef de Cuisine Tommaso Tarantino proudly present the annual toast to the coming year with their New Year's Eve celebration on Wednesday, December 31, 2008.

As Valentino, the premier Italian restaurant in Los Angeles commemorates its 36th anniversary, guests will experience an inspired balance of classic and contemporary Italian culinary styles as they take pleasure in a dinner of singular elegance.

The menu for New Year's Eve is celebratory. Valentino Chef de Cuisine Tommaso Tarantino has designed a six course tasting menu using the finest artisanal and organic products from the United States and Europe resulting in a lavish menu fitting the customs of welcoming in the New Year in style.

To begin the dinner, Chef Tommaso Tarantino presents each guest with a 'welcome' taste from the kitchen, followed by Raviolini d'Aragosta in Brodo - little ravioli in a broth with chives; La Zuppa - Insalata di Tonno Scottato, Arance Rosse, Olive Taggiasche - salad of seared tuna with blood oranges and Taggiasche Ligurian olives; Cannelloni di Granchio, Salsetta di Crostacei - crab cannelloni with crustacean sauce and fresh water shrimp; and Costata di Vitello con Porcini - Prime veal chop with Porcini. As an option a course of Ravioli d'Ossobuco al Tartufo Bianco - Slow braised ossobucco ravioli with white Alba truffles is available for a supplement of $45.

Ending the meal is an extensive selection of American and imported artisanal cheeses followed by a specially created New Year's Eve Ending by Pastry Chef Davide Giova.

With its intimate dining rooms, unsurpassed wine cellar, and the consummate graciousness of owner Piero Selvaggio, Valentino remains the ultimate choice for a romantic New Year's Eve experience.

The New Year's Eve dinner is priced at $135: an optional course with the best white truffles from Alba is available for a supplement of $45 per guest, and an optional wine pairing from Piero's honored wine cellar at and additional $75 per guest. Guests may reserve the first seating from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. or the late seating from 9 p.m. until 10:45. Valentino will also offer a limited � la carte menu as a dining option.

Among the numerous awards and accolades the restaurant and owner Piero Selvaggio have received over the years count James Beard Awards in three different categories, the California Restaurant Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 and Wine Spectator's Grand Award, which the restaurant has garnered each year since 1981. Valentino is consistently given top ratings by the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Zagat, Citysearch and Gayot.com and recently received a coveted one star rating from the 2008 Michelin Guide for Los Angeles.

Reservations for New Year's Eve at Valentino may be made by phone or on the internet at www.valentinosm.com or www.OpenTable.com.

complete menu follows
For more information or reservations, the public can call:
Valentino ۰3115 Pico Boulevard ۰ Santa Monica, CA 90405 ۰Tel: 310.829.4313
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NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER 2008 - 2009
December 31, 2008

Il Menu

Benvenuto
A welcome from the chef

Raviolino d'aragosta in brodo, erba cipollina
Little raviolo in a broth with chives

Insalata di tonno scottato, arance rosse, olive taggiasche
Salad of seared tuna with red blood oranges, Taggiasche olives

Cannelloni di granchio, salsetta di crostacei
Crab cannelloni, crustacean sauce and fresh water shrimp

* Ravioli d'ossobuco al tartufo bianco
Slow braised ossobuco ravioli with white truffle

Coda di bue alla Romana con polenta
Oxtail rag� with soft polenta

Costata di vitello con p