Valentino's La Vigilia Di Natale

Santa Monica, CA - Valentino, the premier Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, announces the return of its spectacular La Vigilia di Natale on Christmas Eve on Wednesday, December 24, 2008.

Valentino owner, Piero Selvaggio and Chef de Cuisine Tommaso Tarantino have designed a Seasonal Tasting Menu celebrating the holiday in traditional Italian custom, delicately harmonizing classical and contemporary culinary styles that have made Valentino a treasured dining landmark.

Christmas is the time for gatherings of family and friends and Valentino, with its intimate dining rooms, unsurpassed wine cellar, and the consummate graciousness of Selvaggio, is a grand choice for a singular holiday dining experience. Valentino Chef de Cuisine Tommaso Tarantino has designed a six course tasting menu inspired by authentic Italian regional cuisines, using the finest artisanal ingredients and imported products available.

La Vigilia di Natale begins with a 'welcome' taste from the kitchen, followed by Sicilian Style Stuffed Swordfish; a traditional Italian Salted Cod; Black Vermicelli with Mixed Seafood; and a choice of Fresh Fish of the Day or the Italian holiday tradition of Cotechino and Lentils.

The dinner concludes with Pastry Chef Davide Giova's specially created Il Dolce di Natale. The Christmas Eve dinner is priced at $90 per guest with an optional wine pairing from Piero's honored wine cellar at $60 per guest. In addition to La Vigilia di Natale tasting menu, Valentino will offer a limited � la carte menu as an 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 La Vigilia di Natale at Valentino are available continuously from 5:00 p.m. until 10 p.m. and 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
Tel: 310.829.4313

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VALENTINO
LA VIGILIA DI NATALE
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

STUZZICHINO
CHEF'S PALATE TEASER

INVOLTINO DI PESCE SPADA ALLA SICILIANA
SICILIAN STYLE STUFFED SWORDFISH

TORTINO DI BACCAL�
TRADITIONAL ITALIAN SALTED COD

VERMICELLI NERI AI FRUTTI DI MARE
BLACK SPAGHETTINI WITH MIXED SEAFOOD

CHOICE OF:

IL PESCE DEL GIORNO
FISH OF THE DAY
OR
COTECHINO E LENTICCHIE
ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH LENTILS

IL DOLCE DI NATALE
A SWEET HOLIDAY DESSERT

$90 per guest
$60 supplement with optional wine pairing, exclusive of other beverages, tax and gratuities