The food is Spanish style, lots of tapas and some bigger plates too. Really enjoyed the pan con tamate with Iberico, the bread and olives, and the bunuelos (like light churros - never had anything like it, get it with ice cream). Also had the gambas (shrimp) and my feeling is this dish tastes the same no matter where you get it. It's spicy oil but there's no flavor (garlic, salt), just spicy oil lightly flavored by the shrimp but nothing special, imho, that you couldn't make at home or get anywhere else. Also had the migas y setas (mushroom with egg), it was good but the mushrooms themselves needed salt. The bread crumb bits had salt but it wasn't enough. Mushrooms, eggs and pita toes are three foods that need salt, period. I would definitely eat here again, the food was good, service was good, the vibe and ambiance was good. Great for a date night or just dinner with friends. Not really recommended for people with little kids (although they don't discriminate, it's just not that kind of place). read more

Reservations are highly recommended. I came here with a girlfriend on a Monday. Their website encourages making a reservation, and I'm so glad I did. They were busy on a Monday evening, and they're only open from 5-9 PM daily. The food was fantastic, and so was the setting. It has a cozy yet sophisticated vibe. Think of going to your friend's home who has great taste in décor, with a twist of flair. The warm amber lighting really sets a comfortable tone. For dinner, we ordered the following: Sashimi Mediterráneo: Melt in your mouth delicious. Chicken Paillard: Perfectly lemony and beautifully roasted. The salad was fresh and paired really well with the chicken. I loved the blistered capers. They went great with both the sashimi and the chicken. Dessert: Basque Cake: A soft, multi textured, biscuity French Spanish cake with vanilla pastry cream and sweet cherries. The pastry cream is baked in perfectly. It has an almost creamy cheesecake like texture, and paired with the vanilla ice cream, it was amazing. My girlfriend and I just wished there was a little more ice cream. It would have balanced the dessert even better. I'm definitely coming here again and again! I want to try their Patatas Bravas, Paella & Kabocha Soup, but I also want to get what I've ordered. What a predicament. read more

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We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday and had an amazing experience! Super cute and cozy restaurant and so nicely decorated. I loved the aesthetic. It was easy to book a reservation online ahead of time. We were promptly seated upon arrival. Our waiter was wonderful! He seemed like he was the owner or manager. He knew the menu really well. We ordered a bunch of small plates (tapas) and enjoyed every single one: the squid, patatas bravas, shishito peppers, artichoke, shrimp, to name a few, and they were all delicious and thoughtfully made. They had some good options on the kids menu too, my daughter chose the fish and fries and loved it! They made my husband's birthday special by bringing churros with a candle for dessert. Great way to end our experience. Overall a really nice and upscale-like experience at a reasonable price! Highly recommend! We'll be back. read more

Wow everything we tried was so good! My friend and I shared the sashimi, chicken, and basque cake. The fish was fresh and flavorful. The onions and capers with the sashimi were delicious. The chicken was cooked perfectly and paired well with the lemony sauce and salad. I definitely want to go back to try more dishes. Service was on point and the restaurant is cute and clean. read more

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I've been here a few times and each time I've enjoyed it. We got the croquetas, patatas bravas, chipirones, steak tartare, steak frites, and creme brulee. Everything was delicious, but the portions are very small for the price point. I understand they are tapas and meant to be small plates, but for the price, I feel like the portions could be bigger. I like the cozy and romantic ambiance of the restaurant. Our server was attentive and friendly as well. Street parking is pretty easy to find and there is only 1 bathroom i believe. read more

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Beautiful aesthetic on the inside, very cozy and dimly lit. This is a great date spot! Everything we ate tasted fresh and flavorful, the sea bass and grilled squid were absolutely delicious and unique. Such a fun spot I would definitely recommend! The sangria is also fantastic! read more

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This place is amazing. We went with another couple to celebrate my birthday and the staff did everything to make it special from a little personalized picture they took! We ordered the Gentlemen's Rice which is like a paella but better. We also ordered the smashed artichoke for an appetizer delicious and the Spanish olives. We are definitely coming back highly recommend this place. read more

Valentina - "Gentlemen's Rice" like a Paella - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Get the artichoke!! It was our favorite thing we ordered. Very fun idea and absolutely delicious. Our server David was very nice and attentive. We ordered a couple drinks each (the Old Fashioned and the gin and tonic). Even though they have other gin and whiskey, they will not substitute any other type in the drinks. I'm not sure if that means they are pre-made and I could have ordered a Bullet and soda if I wanted (it wasn't Bullet in the drink), but I haven't been somewhere that they have other alcohol options but won't sub. The drinks were good (I liked the gin and tonic better) and maybe whoever came up with the drinks feels passionately about not swapping alcohol in them. I get that. Just passing along information in this review. We ordered the bread to start and the butter tastes like it's made in-house. Big fan. The clams were good but fairly sherry-forward. If you like sherry, I recommend! If not, maybe get something else. The croquettes were also good and I would eat them again but I'd probably branch out and try something else first. The arroz del senyoret was our second favorite. It was crispy rice and the seafood was delicious. Loved the presentation. The restaurant itself is super cute and the only reason I gave it four stars is because there is only one bathroom and because people tend to be a little yucky when it comes to leaving the bathroom after using it, I think it should be checked a little more often. I mentioned something and it was taken care of immediately but just wasn't my favorite thing while enjoying a great meal. read more

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My second time here- equally as amazing as the first. Celebrated a friends birthday; and they took a cute Polaroid when we were seated! We shared all of our dishes and it was the best way to try everything! We got: Tuna Carpaccio Steak Tartare Octopus Artichokes Steak Frites (forgot to snap a photo) Crema Catalana for dessert. Will be back again read more

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Delicious meal! And they were able to accommodate our large party size (9ppl), which was their only large table in the restaurant. Otherwise, would recommend smaller group (4ppl) in this more intimate setting. Appetizers were all very tasty, even their bread! Which we ordered to pair with the clams, and the garlic shrimp. I was most impressed by the patatas bravas. Of the main courses, the sea bass was amazing! read more

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LOVE. I've been here a few times now and it's on my favorites list these days. Some of my favorite dishes so far: pan con tomate y jamón iberico, arroz del senyoret (like a seafood paella with a lot of socarrat), chuleton, alcachofas, buñelos Very cute interior and great service as well. read more

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I think I've tried everything on the menu and everything has been great. The staff is very helpful. The only downside is the parking.

Came here for dinner and it did not disappoint. In the evenings it has a dark, moody vibe which creates a lovely atmosphere ( though you will have to dig out the iPhone light to see anything on the menu. Enjoyed a couple of their appetizers- namely tbe poke and the smashed artichoke and enjoyed the octopus for the main course which was very good. Service was fantastic throughout the evening and it was a great choice! read more

Valentina - Octopus - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

So many compliments to give. Interior: Intimate. You feel cozy, not claustrophobic. So many fun things to look around while waiting for your next course to arrive. Service: Luis, an amazing server. He gave my husband and I his own personal favs. Which was valid. Get the Wienerschnitzel, you won't be disappointed. The service was exceptional and didn't feel rushed. Overall, Luis makes me want to come back to hear more of his other personal favs. I will be coming back. Food: Every appetizer, entree, desserts and drinks were divine. My personal fav was the patatas pavera because of the unique flavors. I had 5 different items and not a bad bite in the bunch read more

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4.5/5. What a lovely romantic neighborhood restaurant! My friend suggested catching up over dinner here, one of her favorites. Our server was warm and friendly, and she took good care of our table. I also loved their unique candle holders that were basically giant mounds of drippy, melted wax. For drinks, I enjoyed my sangria, which had the perfect balance of sweet fruitiness and wine, but I wished the gin and tonic had the option of adding other flavor elements. Highlights of the meal were the delightfully crispy patatas bravas, warm basque cake, and alcachofa (smashed seared artichokes). We also savored the tuna tartar, pan tomaquet con iberico (although the bread could have been more toasted), pulpo con alubias (octopus and white beans), mussels, arroz del senyoret (paella-like rice). I'd definitely recommend this spot for date nights and special occasions! read more

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Valentina has quality, flavorful and unique Spanish cuisine. The parking was difficult, so we parked in the dirt road across. We were seated on the bar since we didn't have a reservation for dinner. Shoutout to David! David was cool, attentive, and friendly. He took time to explain the menu. We ordered , -Arroz Del Synoret 5/5 It is Valentina's version of paella. The rice was crispy and there was a great amount of seafood in the dish. It is highly recommended. -Steak Tiradito 5/5 It is Chimchuri, pickled Fresno. It was flavorful and well marinated. The steak was juicy and tender. -Side salad was very fresh -Crudo Del Dia 5/5 Bluefin was the fish of the day. It was really perfect. For dessert -Creme Catalina 5/5 Spanish Custard topped with caramelized sugar. It had creamy and rich texture. The service was top notch. We had an excellent experience and outstanding dinner. The restaurant had very cozy vibes. I cannot wait to go back and try more dishes. I highly recommend Valentina. read more

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The restaurant's ambiance was incredibly relaxing and quiet. The theme was seafood, Spanish, and Mediterranean. If you're looking for a great place to have lunch or a romantic dinner, this restaurant is a must-try! read more

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Came here to celebrate bday on a Friday night, this place was packed. The ambiance was relaxed with a cottage feel. Every so often, you could hear the whistles of the train passing by. We ordered: 1. Pulpo con Alubias : 5/5, sweet and tender octopus with white beans 2. Gamles al Ajillo : 4.5/5, garlic shrimp in delicious chili oil, perfect to enjoy it with their soft and warm bread. 3. Crudo del Día: 4/5, blue fin tuna with a silky and citrusy sauce. 4. Alcachofa : 5/5, smashed seared artichoke with aioli, perfect crispy soft bite, super delicious! 5. Chicken Paillard : 3/5 , light but full of zing with that lemon mustard sauce. 6. Steak & Potatoes : 4/5, a hearty classic 7. Arroz del Senyoret - 5/5, crispy arroz rice with seafood. This dish had the perfect socarrat, that golden, toasty bottom layer, and each grain of rice was coated with infused flavorful oil. Superb! Desserts: 1. Buñuelos : 2.5/5 , fried dough + cinnamon + sugar. It was pretty light and puffy, but I prefer a little bolder flavor in cinnamon. 2. Crema Catalana : 2.5/5, crème brûlée with that burnt sugar crackle, it was light but lack of creaminess. 3. Basque Cake: 2.5/5, pastry cream, cherries, vanilla ice cream, it was not as rich and creamy as I prefer. Overall, the savory dishes were all so delicious, this place definitely is a gem. read more

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Upscale tapas place - be prepared to leave a lot of money for small plates, but very worthy plates. Seafood paella as well as clams were top choices for everyone in our group. Service was also very attentive. Lastly, they have my most favorite soap in the bathroom and I made a point to wash my hands multiple times during dinner service just to experience the scent. Small thing but leaves lasting impression read more

A little slow to get seated but once I was service was VERY attentive and friendly. It's a super cute space and the food and wine selection was excellent. I'll definitely be back! read more

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I think I would have written a better review had it not been New Year's night. It's possible the kitchen had an off night, as overall the food leaned overly salty. The standout dish was the patatas bravas! They had the perfect texture: crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The potatoes themselves were well flavored and the sauces elevated every bite. The kabocha soup was too salty and we werent able to get through more than a few spoonfuls. To their credit, our server generously removd it from the bill. The octopus had a great exterior texture, but the inside was chewy. The beans and green sauce served alongside it were underseasoned and undercooked. Our server recommended the shrimp with bread which turned out to be excellent. The buttery garlicky sauce with the bread was sinfully good; slightly spicy and irresistible. The shrimp itself was perfectly cooked and ful of flavor. Worth trying again this small and charming restaurant read more

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We used to come to Valentina almost weekly back in 2021 and had tried everything on the menu back then. Fast forward a few years and we finally made it back, and it was still delicious. While a lot of their menu has changed, they still had some of our favorites such as the steak frites, gambas, and basque cheesecake. We used to love their corn soup and would get it every time, but their current soup was a butternut squash soup which was yummy as well, although I liked the corn soup better. We tried their smashed artichokes for the first time and these were perfectly grilled. They were very busy when we went last night so it did take a bit of time for our server to come around to us, but they were able to seat us earlier than our reservation which was very appreciated by our group. It has a cozy modern vibe with really great candleholders throughout. Definitely recommend read more

Valentina - Steak frites, gambas (shrimp) with a side of bread, smashed artichokes, and squash soup - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Went back on a Saturday around 6:30 and was immediately seated without a reservation at the bar. Ordered cachofa and it's a new favorite for me. Flattened artichokes with charred bits, dolloped with an aioli or something then finished with a squeeze of lemon. So good. The arroz del senyoret is also very yummy. Served on a hot platter so the bottom rice gets crispy, nicely cooked head on shrimp and other seafood. Pan tomate is a classic banger. Toast is very crispy. I like it with a touch more salt but I really like salt. Migas y setas was great: good portion of mushrooms that we quickly inhaled. Still a favorite date spot. read more

Great service and atmosphere. Tuna Carpaccio was the highlight of our meal. Steak Tartare was alright, would be better if the chips were slightly crispier. Potato bravas was second best and was a much better side than the artichoke dish. The seafood rice has a mild seafood flavor and reuses the aioli from the artichokes. Capers seem to find their way into many dishes. Overall great place and not too pricey. Everything shown here + 3 drinks came out just under 200$. Solid meal. 4.3/5 if I could be more accurate. read more

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Kimi made our experience unforgettable. She's witty, funny, and has such a relaxed, welcoming personality that makes you feel right at home. Her service was consistently attentive without ever feeling overbearing. She kept us laughing while making sure everything was perfect. If you get Kimi, you're in for an amazing experience! Food was amazing as well of course!! read more

​Valentina is a cool spot with great vibes and a solid variety of options on the menu, but overall I left feeling a bit underwhelmed for the price point. The food is decent, but it feels a little overpriced for what it is. ​The absolute highlight of our night was the gambas al ajillo--definitely order an extra side of bread because you will want to dip it in that delicious garlic sauce! The paella was also really good and packed with flavor. On the flip side, the almejas (clams) were our least favorite dish of the night and missed the mark for us. ​Fun atmosphere and good service, but I wasn't completely wowed given the final bill. Worth a try for the ambiance and a few standout dishes! read more

We love Valentina! Used to come frequently but hesitated going back after some of our favorites were taken off the menu. Servers are excellent, used to come solely because of David's service. Happy he's still here! Vibe is intimate, perfect for date night. Great wine selection, food menu could be a little more welcoming/informative but we will be back very soon. read more

Valentina - Crude, shrimp, tomato & crab - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I treated my partner to a romantic birthday dinner date night, and Valentina checked all of the boxes! We were greeted almost immediately upon being seated. Our waiter was super friendly and was able to offer some excellent suggestions. Ultimately, we decided to try a bit of everything! Here's what we had ~ Spanish Sashimi Olives Croquetas de Iberico Pan Tomate Tartare Schnitzel Quail We loved the experience! read more

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Had an amazing time! Valentina's food is amazing!!! Morgan is super amazing! The hospitality, service, ambiance, decor, cleanliness, food and ALL.... I loved! Tip: parking looks tricky, but, ounce you realize you. A park across the street... lol! It's not... so just know there is plenty of parking across the street. read more

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I've known about this place for some time, but I never had a chance to come up here for dinner since it's a bit far from my house. My friend lives nearby, so we came here to celebrate her birthday. We made the rsvp for 6 pm on Saturday, and when we got there, the place was packed. The hostess was lovely, and we were seated right away. The place had lots of tables and nice bar seating inside. We ordered a few tapas: grilled octopus, artichokes, sausages, bread, and thin seared steak (I forgot the name). Arichokes and grilled octopus were our favorites; the octopus was very soft, and the green sauce with beans was delicious. The sausages were too salty for our liking. Overall, the food was good but a bit pricy for the portion (it's tapas). Our server was super tentative, and the food came out pretty quickly. She brought churros as a birthday treat; they were warm, crunchy, and delicious. Overall, we had a great time, and I would return to try more dishes. The ambiance is beautiful and great for a small group dinner or a date. read more

Always delish creature of habit and get the amazing schnitzel. But got the steak frites tonight wow cooked perfectly great job great service as always thanks for being in leucadia read more

Valentina - Chicken paillaird champagne wonderful - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Wonderful date night at Valentina. Sat inside at one of the booths. Service was great and the food was excellent. Highlights of the evening were the patatas bravas, the steak tiradito, the weinerschnitzel, and the basque cake. We also had the tuna tartare and the churros type dessert which were good, but nothing to rave about or that I would order again. Will certainly be back for the atmosphere, and great food. read more

Valentina - Weiner schnitzel - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Oorah! We were seated and then served within 2-3 minutes. Absolutely great service. Arroz del senyoret is a must and i mean a MUST! We had to order it twice. The sangria was delicious as not being too sweet. I would definitely return here over and over again!! read more

Beautiful atmosphere - prices were reasonable but there was zero protein options for vegetarians. The patas bravas was delicious and Shishito peppers. Just wish they had more of a protein selection for non meat eaters. Service was good. Nothing blew me away though. read more

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. The food, service, wine. Relaxed atmosphere and carefully curated menu. I came here for a solo dinner and was so pleasantly impressed with my experience. read more

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Stopped here during a visit to Encinitas. It's a popular place and was busy on a Wednesday evening. Great energy; lively but not loud, great smell even outside as we walked up. We sat at the bar and were wowed by the oysters (Ostras) on the half shell which were small, sweet and buttery. The Gentleman's Rice (Arroz del Senyoret) was an amazing combination on crispy rice and langoustines, octopus and great spices. My favorite dish of the evening was the smashed artichoke (Alcachofa) which is delicious beyond belief. The waitstaff was attentive. Everyone seated near us at the bar was friendly. A wonderous happy experience. I would recommend to anyone who travels down this section of the Coast Highway in Encinitas. It's a gem! read more

Super friendly staff with indoor/outdoor seating. It can accomodate a few larger groups. They have some tables just for reservations. Got full after 6pm even on a Monday evening. The best tapas I've had in a while. We only did tapas because we wanted to try everything and there were only 2 of us. The blistered shishito peppers were pretty good. The The potatoes bravas were excellent. Layers of sliced potatoes packed into a cube topped with 2 different sauces. My favorites were probably the local mushrooms with breadcrumbs and smashed seared artichoke. Never had artichokes like that before. Tried the basque cake which was good but really liked the churros. They were so light, crispy, and had layers of flakiness like a croissant. Need to go back with a bigger group so we can try some entrees. read more

Reservations not needed but highly recommended. After we arrived, we understood why: the place was populated during dinner time especially on weekends. However, we were immediately seated at a very cozy table for two outside with a nice heater - albeit still a bit chilly considering the day started out quite warm. Our attentive and stellar servers were Candace and Ben. Since it was our first time at Valentina, our attentive and stellar servers recommended appetizers, main entree and dessert. Each course that came did not disappoint as our palate reached nirvana with each and every bite we took. I ordered the pork schnitzel as my main course while my partner succumbed to his eyes that were drawn to the ingredients of the seabass. We both shared squash soup and a separate plate of grilled square shaped potatoes that were a perfect pairing we devoured with satisfaction. Dessert came as a surprise, as we were served not one but two desserts - the latter was an added thoughtfulness, acknowledging my partner's birthday. The taste was divine! The bill totaled at just a little over $100, which we expected for this fine dining experience. Oh yes, we plan to return - even way before the next birthday. In the meantime, happy eats everyone and hope to see around town. read more

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Food was amazing! We ordered a few different appetizers, a salad and a main dish to share. Everything was yummy! The dessert was amazing! Service was good compared to how busy they were. As the place calmed down, the server became more attentive but overall I can't wait to go back when we are in that area. Ambiance was on the noisy side. Very loud:) also a train passes by every so often. read more

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It was so yummy! We had a reservation and got sat outside to enjoy dinner, drinks, and a gorgeous sunset! We'll definitely be heading back here again! The interior is really cute and service was great too. The staff was really nice and they were accommodating. I loved the tuna carpaccio, octopus, and artichokes! read more