Valentine's Day '21 Prix-Fixe Review Food: The food was AMAZING! We started with a fresh salmon amuse-bouche that had our appetite churning. The appetizers followed and did not disappoint - the half dozen oysters my girl and I shared were fresh and flavorful, while the Spanish sashimi comprising scallops, salmon, and ahi were mouthwatering delicious melted like butter; no fishiness whatsoever to these seafood dishes. Speaking of more seafood, we shared the local halibut seared in a creamy lobster broth and seafood paella cooked to perfection, not to mention the artsy presentation. The portions here were decent. Again, the freshest ingredients were used and was just comfort food and it's finest! For dessert, we shared the basque cake and panna cotta. Both dishes were not overly sweet and the flavors worked well together. They were not extraordinary, so not much else to say about them. Also, they had a nice extensive beer and wine list. We were satisfied with our drinks. Service: We had reservations, so we were seated once we checked in. We requested seating at the open air "indoor" area, but ended up at the outdoor dining area. Heaters were on and kept us warm but the noise from the cars driving down the street were loud. Our server was the nicest woman, unfortunately cannot remember her name. She brought was water and alcohol, giving us plenty of time to read over the menu. She checked up on us quite frequently. And although she was serving many other tables, she was readily available to us to bring the next course. And COVID guidelines were upheld here. Atmosphere: The restaurant is quaint and nice. Less is more and definitely looks classy. The decor inside and layout was pleasant. Again, the only downside is the car noise when sitting outdoors. The mood was chill and romantic. People all around enjoying their food and company. Everyone was kind and helpful to each other. read more

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This is our second visit to Valentina and it was as good as the first. First - both times the service was impeccable- Shiloh and Summer are great at recommending a dish and knowledgeable about wine to pair with the dishes. Second - the decor is fun and a conversation starter for sure. Last- the incredible FOOD. We started with Gambas Al Ajillo and Mussels Marinieres. The kick of spice on the shrimp was perfect and they came to the table sizzling. Be sure and get the fries to go with the Mussels. Every bite was delicious. The Alcachofa was a showcase of how versatile an artichoke is in the kitchen. A visit wouldn't be complete without the Arroz Del Senyori. Crispy rice, lots of seafood, full of flavor. Chefs kiss to a perfect dish. Leave room for the Basque Cake. Not too sweet or heavy - just right. We are going back soon to check out the other dishes. This is definitely our go to Spanish restaurant. read more

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Fantastic ambience, service, wine list, and serious food. Yes, please! Todd Henderson and team does an amazing job.

This is a quaint and modern establishment filled with charming vibes. We had a ceasar salad, bluefin carpaccio, grilled squid, scallop on shell, chimichuri steak, and a seafood paella to share. My favorites were the bluefin carpaccio and chimichuri steak. The paella was just ok. It had squid, shrimp, and mussels. It would have been tastier if the squid was grilled first and mixed in but that's not the traditional way so it is appreciated for what it is. The vibe was good and the staff were friendly. read more

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Valentina We had a dinner for four persons at Valentina earlier this week. Parking can be a bit challenging but it typically can be found across the street near the railroad tracks. We arrived at peak dining time but the table was reserved and ready. We ordered a verity of small dishes. They included; Mussels Marinieres, Patatas Bravas, Alcachofa (smashed artichoke), Baked Bread, Tomaquet con Iberico, Roasted carrots. We can highly recommend all of those dishes. Don't forget to order the Basque Cake for desert. Service was excellent throughout the evening. An added benefit was the very reasonable "house wine" pricing. Overall, a great dinner. Highly recommended. read more

The food is good. The furniture is uncomfortable. Don't let them charge you a credit card fee if you use a debit card. That's illegal.

I live nowhere near Encinitas, and that is a sad fact when considering Valentina. On our first getaway, My honey and I went to SoCal, COVID restricted so much so we were very lucky to have found Valentina somewhere on a drive between Coronado and Huntington Beaches. Upon entering I was wowed by the super simple and cool decor - think shiplack and bold black and white crosses and flowers everywhere. The drink menu was extensive and impressive and our waiter (sorta tall young guy with curly hair), was so knowledgeable on the entire menu. We were starving and had found the perfect place.... they served the best oysters for starters, the mussels were buttery and perfectly cooked, the octopus was even better but the killer of the evening (a dessert I will not soon forget), was a cake. A gratis slice of cake from our lovely waiter because he insisted we try it after I insisted on having The créme brûlée. I love créme brûlée, it is absolutely one of my favorite desserts and somehow it doesn't hold a candle to that cake. The texture and flavor is hard to put into words - but I've provided a pic for reference, so if ever you're around Valentina insist on it! read more

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Really great restaurant In Encinitas. Spanish food and we didn't have a bad bite the entire night. The tartare was great the patata bravas may be the best I've ever had, Spain included. My wife loves the snails and my octopus was delicious. Somehow that is the only item I remembered to photograph. 2 members of our party had the crispy rice which looks awesome. The steak and potatoes was my son's favorite. Pork schnitzel I had was delicious and pounded very thin. Drinks and desserts were also well done. read more

Valentina - Octopus salad. - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Not sure why have not given this place a 5 star review yet. Have been eating here often since moving down to Carlsbad 3 1/2 years ago. Valentina is one of a few handful of good restaurants in North County. Valentina is heavy on the European Charm and aesthetics with Estrella on draft and a solid wine selection to include Central Coast and Northern California wines, which I think are superior ;) . They finally got real wine glasses after serving it in little Cafe Copas. Food is solid and consistent without a lot of fusion or other foof trying to discern themselves from other spots. Menu has changed over time but quality is consistent and the classics are executed perfectly. Prices have gone up but inflation is nuts everywhere. Southern European classics could only be had cheaper if you were in Nice or Malaga. The tartare - best around Sashimi - quality fresh fish , good portions, Steak Frites - They did get rid of this one but it hits all the notes Patatas Bravas - Here they do do it a tad more laborious with stacking layered potatoes making for better texture and I am glad they do versus the traditional method of just here are some fried potatoes. The sauce is great and has a hint of chipotle which may just be some smoked paprika. Valentine's Day they had a special prix fixe and it hit hard. Fresh Beet Salas, Octopus Agua Chile. A little more outside the box from what you normally get but still amazing. I would sum it up. Quality in a small and aesthetic intimate environment with skilled chefs and knowledgeable wait staff. One issue on this last visit was the tartare and oysters were pre plated and then thrown in the fridge. We had to give them a minute at the table to rise in temperature as the initial bites were too cold. read more

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This is a total foodie place for foodie lovers! The beet salad is fantastic as is the roasted carrots appetizer. My husband had the schnitzel which was divine! I had the steak tartare with frites. The fries were cooked perfectly. We had the octopus and potatoes appetizer which was delicious but a little too rich for me. We will certainly be coming back! read more

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Food was ok but pricey...service had much to be desired. This place has the feel that they take their customers for granted.

We went here for my wife's birthday and I'm very happy that we chose it. The front desk was very accommodating and able to get my large party indoors instead of the patio. Our server was helpful and the food and drinks were very timely. The sangria, old fashioned and negronis were great. We ordered a ton of food and most were very good. The eggplant, sea bass, carpaccio, croquettes, tartare, artichokes, oysters, and baby squid were very good. Throw in the still steaming bread and it made everything even better. The razor clams were too chewy but the flavor was good. My kids medium steak was well done but overall okay. Would definitely recommend and look forward to coming back and trying the rest of the menu. read more

wow. one of the best restaurants in san diego. our server violet was so informative, kind and attentive. the food was 10/10. everything was so flavorful, came out hot, and was just delicious. we got the smashed tomato bread, artichokes, and crudo to start. wouldn't have changed a thing about those! then we got the paella (unreal) , the chicken, the steak and the weinersnitzel which happened to be one of the best flavored dishes we ever had! to top it off the atmosphere is so bright and warm and it felt so comfortable. we can't wait to come back! read more

This local gem is the perfect spot for date night or girls night out. Everything I've tried here is delicious, but my go to items are the chef's selection half dozen oysters and the schnitzel with both the lingonberry and lemon caper sauce. The schnitzel here is definitely one of my favorite meals at any restaurant. They also offer an excellent selection of wine and their staff is always great at making pairing recommendations. Highly recommend! read more

Valentina - Schnitzel w/ Lemon Caper and Lingonberry sauces - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Super cute restaurant on the 101 but the food was disappointing and the service left a lot to be desired. We had oysters, steak tartare, sea bass, steak frites, paella, and the weiner schnitzel. The menu was all over the place and everything was just OK. The worst part of our dinner was waiting 30 min for French press coffee only to have it be tepid water that came out looking like light tea. The server was nice but seemed like he had too many tables to wait on so it took forever to get his attention for anything. I really wanted to like this place but sadly we won't be back. read more

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I was visiting in Encinitas this past week from Sacramento. I used to live in San Diego and found Valentina here on Yelp. What a great experience! The food is outstanding but the people that work there are the best. Harvey and everyone else made me feel so welcome at home. The atmosphere is elegant and casual... very welcoming! Don't miss out! I'll be back as often as I can. Thank you to everyone! read more

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Beef tartare and Crispy Paella were spot on! I devoured the entire plate. Very cozy location. I loved the ambiance. It was very cozy. I needed a place to escape from the Holiday madness so I took myself out to dinner. I look forward to trying more items on the menu. read more

Valentina - Crispy Paella - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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You're going to be hard pressed to find a finer dinner experience in San Diego. This is a wonderful restaurant. First off - the Quail on Tamarind - the finest poultry dish I have ever consumed in my life. Order it before they increase the price on it (it's $16 - bargain). Come on a chilly winter night, and sit outside on their sidewalk tables, under the immensely hot heater lamp. It's the coziest experience in the county. Bring your date, order the quail and a steak, and a bottle of Chinon wine. For such a small wine list, they have fantastic selections (Sicilian reds and Chinon, France's finest varietal). Be sure to bring a date you really like. She will be deeply impressed with your depth and will want to have babies with you. Enjoy! read more

Fantastic all around!!! My party of six ordered a bunch of share plates and there was no bad bite. The steak tartar and mushrooms were especially delish and the service was great. Highly recommend, especially with a group! read more

We've been here three times and have had an amazing experience every time! Wonderful tapas menu with a thoughtful drink menu that suits the food menu very well. The staff is always very helpful and knowledgeable and the space is beautiful! read more

Valentina never misses. My husband and I are regulars because their food and service is just THAT good. I recommend a loaf of their freshly baked bread, with a starter of their mussels and the gambas. The mussels are in a delicious white wine sauce and pair well with the spicy shrimp in the gambas. The bread is to dip into the delicious sauce leftover from the mussels and shrimp! For your main entree - you CANNOT go wrong with their Bass! As always, thank you for the consistent service and food quality! read more

Valentina - Gambas al Ajillo - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I went here a couple times and had the best experience ever. Amazing service when my sister and I sat at the bar. We ordered wine and small plates that were amazing and super filling. One of the few tapas places in the area as well... BUT My last experience I went out with 4 girlfriends after work and we were treated horribly by a waitress. Messing up our orders, acting as if we were burdens to her, etc. Super surprising based on previous experiences. Might rethink going back as this was such a negative experience. read more

It felt like we were in Spain for a quick minute. The restaurant is decorated with black and white decor- so simple and lovely with a dinosaur head and a baluga whale on the wall. We started with the baguette which was fantastic! (Sorry I'm a sucker for fresh baked bread that's still warm from the oven) it was served with melted butter. The paella con pollo was extra hot and steamy and served in a skillet. The bottom of the rice and the chorizo was crispy, soooo good!! The steak was cooked perfectly medium, as requested; served with a side salad and French fries. They gave us ketchup and aioli for dipping. It was extra hot so we paired the meal with a glass of rosé. I would recommend this place to anyone! It has great vibes and the service was epic. Plan to park along the street or across the street in the dirt lot. read more

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Went without reservation on Saturday for our anniversary. Were able to be seated within 15 minutes although place was packed. Got lucky. The service is incredible the food is much much better than incredible. Everything we tried was exceptionally good. The wineeeee !!! One of the best wines I have tried. The best surprise was the price. Can't wait to be back read more

Probably more 4.5 but the food was amazing and loved the eclectic decor. It was noisy but I can see as the night wore on it could be quite loud in there. Very cute eclectic decor and cozy. Loved the jackalope and TRex "heads" on the wall mounts. No prob with parking but we were an earlier seating on a weekend. Our waiter was amazing as we saw he was obviously handling half of the house on a weekend ....yes so they need more waitstaff. Love that they deposit a bottle of water at your table but it is... warm. Maybe that's the European vibe they are cultivating but summer in Encinitas. No. Cold water please. Same for the beer and wine. Needs to not be warm. Now for all the pros. Menu is awesome. It's sometimes billed as a Spanish restaurant but it's all kinds of themes, mostly Spanish but a lot of other European dishes. The bread is amazing. Obv home made and fresh. Shatteringly crisp crust and light chewy interior. With a cultured salted butter that is amazing. I'm not a bread person but this is a must have. Truffle fries. Huge portion with aioli. Awesome Paper thin octopus carpaccio with a lemon herb sauce...yum Squid ala plancha delectable Roasted carrots with jalapeños were amazing but I think with a crunchy touch of crumbled nuts they would have been even better. The roasted fennel with it was a welcome soft carmel accent. Then the Spanish sashimi ...which was tuna, hamachi and scallops finely sliced with a bodied olive oil and flaky salt. Amazing fish. I think Japanese preps are best for this type of seafood but these were a close second. They do lack the bite of the wasabi or yuzu to offset the richness of the fish, which were sashimi grade, but only accented with a luxe Spanish olive oil. The price point for the food, esp the sashimi plate, was appropriate for the quality. We had to try the churros with chocolate. Omg. Freshly made and loaded with cinnamon and sugar. Such a crispy crunch. Best ever churros and I mean this directed at other SD high end restaurants that offer a similar dessert. These were the best churros I ate! Just didn't like the bitter tasting chocolate dipping sauce So great dinner and great service. Seeing how popular it is, I think they do need to beef up the servers on weekends. Our poor guy was working overtime and was amazing and the night was still young. Also, chill the drinks please. Great menu with variety. Love the atmosphere. Amazing night and food, will be back and so happy this is in our neighborhood! read more

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Loved every single thing we tried! Especially the anchovies! Super cute, non pretentious. Will definitely return. read more

It was a small place that was just finishing their lunch rush but it just seemed like none of the employees could be bothered. It was a Sunday but I was paying for service. We were asked to sit at a table with someone else's stuff because their table was overflowing. Already off to a frustrating start for a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Fries 3/10 - cold, soggy Mussel 4/10 - half of them were empty Eggplant 4/10 - took 35 minutes after we received the other entree & too salty Overall disappointed by vibe and service and won't be returning because food did not wow. Also they won't accept reviews on google. Wonder why? read more

Valentina - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

We had an amazing dining experience this afternoon! Our server was awesome - friendly and helpful! We had a large party, so we got a few appetizers to share. The calamari was good, and the mussels were amazing! The broth in the mussels was flavorful and I wish I had more bread to soak it up! The steak tartare was delicious as well, especially with the fries that came on the side for the lunch portion! SIDE NOTE: I would come back to this place for their fries alone! :) For my main entree, I got the chicken paillard, which from the description looked a lot like chicken piccata or lemon caper chicken. It was tasty, not dry for chicken breast at all. There was a flavor I wasn't expecting.. I think it was mustard seed, which unfortunately I don't like, but it was still pretty good. The side salad was really good but it was overdressed - if they toned it down a bit, it would be perfect! My husband got the seafood paella which he really liked - I'm not too big on seafood paella because it tastes like the ocean, but the rice was cooked well and the portion was good! We got churros to top off our meal, which were way better than we expected! Can't wait to come back! Odd note: I called to make our reservation for 8 because you can't reserve on Open Table for a party that large and they wanted a credit card in case you don't show ($20 per person). When we got there, there was only one small table seated and the rest of the restaurant was empty. Not quite sure how that works but I was not a fan of the credit card request. read more

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We made the appointment over the phone but you can also make it over Open table. If you reserved over the phone a credit card info is required to make reservation. We arrive right before our reservation at 8:30pm. Parking on the restaurant side is limited but there is huge parking lot across the street. It is not easy to see at night but there are plenty of parking right across. We got seated fairly quickly and I would say this place rally full of surprises. We are here to celebrate my birthday. While we exploring the menu. Waitress greeted us and asked what we would like to drink. Below is what we have ordered: - Dozen Oysters - Great (fresh and tasty) - Caesar Salad - Good - Spanish Sashimi - Great (interesting texture and flavor) - Yellow Corn Soup - Great (it definitely warm you up with some sweet after taste) - beet & burrata - Great - Paella de Mariscos - Great (very good seafood Spanish rice dish you should try) - Braised Short Ribs - Good (it was nicely marinated and cooked, still room to improve) - Maine diver scallops - Good - Steak Tartare and fries - Great (This is a raw dish with a raw egg yolk in the middle. Once you mix the yolk and meat and some of the sauces provided it become an amazing dish. One of our friends is afraid to eat raw beef, but she had few after the first try.) - Butter Garlic Shrimp - Great (it is nicely marinated tender and fresh) - Crispy Churros - Crème Brulée - Great (perfect eggy flavor and sweetness. It left a creamy after taste of a great Crème Brulée) *This was my birthday gift from restaurant, very happy and left a sweet memory. - Beer, Teas, and Arnold Palmers. We search it straight off from nearby restaurant and it was recommended. We were surprised how good every dish is and are happy to return when we are in the area. This is a must try restaurant if you near Encinitas California. read more

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Such a delicious spot in Encinitas. The pros: The vibes of this place are amazing. Rustic/chic. I love the aesthetic they went for. We had some coffee, oysters, very high priced sashimi, seafood paella, short rib sandwich with fries and churros. It was all delicious! Definitely coming back for dinner to try more! The cons: There is no easy parking. It's all street but extremely busy. Plan to get here early if you have a reservation. The menu was all over the place. I wasn't sure if I wanted a French, Italian, Spanish or German experience. On Yelp, if you search brunch in Encinitas, this place comes up. I made a reservation for 11am when they open and much to my surprise, no brunch menu on a weekday. It was a normal lunch/dinner menu. read more

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Came for the happy hour (Tuesday-Sunday 4to6). I made a reservation for Friday @ 4:45pm. Their menu is not extensive but they have a variety of different foods. We had dinner plans elsewhere but wanted to give Valentina a try since we were in the area. We kept it pretty light and just ordered off the HH menu. We ordered the meatballs, oysters and beef tartare. Oysters were super fresh and sweet, YUM! Beef tartare was excellent and the meatballs were pretty good, wish it had a little more flavor but overall food is a THUMBS UP! Valentina's is super cute. LOVED the simple exterior and modern interior, really aesthetic! Service was great and food was pretty good. Wouldn't mind stopping by whenever we are in San Diego. The only crappy part is parking. Other than that, definitely a place to try! read more

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Food was very good a little rich, but really good. The issue I had was the booths are just a hard wood seat. The chairs are hard wood . The barstools are hard wood and small, very uncomfortable. If you sit longer than 20 minutes it's uncomfortable, they need to add some padding. It would be nice if they had a full bar too, but That might be tougher to do. read more

You need to try the Tatar first. All the other stuff is good too. Also their wine selection is fantastic. Very reasonable prices for the quality. read more

Valentina - The Tatar is a must. Good and wine are great. - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

such a hidden gem in San Diego. I've come here two times now and I'm always such a fan. the food is always top tier, the service is amazing, and the interior is a vibe. I've gotten the Wiener schnitzel before and decided to get it again, it's so flavorful and I always have left overs. Plus all that food for $23 is a good deal! The spicy Caesar is one of the best salads I've ever had, it's $10 regular, and $11 to make ur spicy. The peppers are great too & only $8! (Always have leftover of these too) they are served with some lemon. The oysters are some of the best oysters in San Diego. I add some Tabasco & it's chefs kiss. Will be coming back here soon! read more

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Come to this wine bar and bistro on Hwy 101 by recommendation of a friend. Upon entrance, you are invited into this cozy spot with white & whimsical decor. The menu offers a mix of traditional and unique tapas. I especially like the Chipirones a la Plancha & Gambas al Ajillo. The place comes alive with busting conversations around us. Everyone is having a good time and so do we. And I got to taste my first Orange wine. read more

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Loved the whole experience. Casual but elevated. The ambiance was classy and contemporary. I was most surprised but the upbeat, knowledgeable, attentive server, I wish I could remember his name. At any rate, good service is soo much harder to come by these days and Valentina delivered on that. Also, Leucadia deserves a place like this to stroll to for dinner. Even though it's not an original Leucadian spot, they have maintained characteristics that make it feel right in the neighborhood. There was not a dish on our table that was better than another, all thoughtful. The olives app with the lemon and olive oil was impactful but simple. Truffle house made gnocchi, not sure how to go wrong there. Short rib was popular at our table and many others that night. No kids menu but kid friendly during the early dinner crowd time. read more

Valentina - The Basque Cake- crispy crust, spongy/creamy inside with cherries, served warm. - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Probably the best service we've had at a restaurant in a while. Food was delicious. My only criticism is the portion sizes, even for tapas was ridiculously tiny given the price. The beef and salmon - though tasty - were sliced so thin- if put together wouldn't equal one mouthful. The artichoke was fabulous- as was the rice & seafood dish. Food taste & service rocked, although we left still a bit hungry and a decent dent in our wallets. Would go again with appropriate expectations read more

Great service and excellent food. Didn't have a beef tartare that I wanted, but everything else was good.

I personally really enjoy dining here. The ambience is so cute and the food is delicious. Food: We normally get the mussels, the shishito peppers, fries and an entree to share. All are yummy! The fries are skinny fries and really crispy. The mussels come with 4 pieces of bread but you can get a half loaf of bread if you want more. We tried the gnocchi with mushrooms (for our entree) this last time we went and it is sooooooo good. I don't know how else to describe it... it's creamy, flavorful and def has mushroom taste. Ambience: trendy spot that has live music (at times); the decor is really cute and the bathroom is a shared women/men bathroom that is very clean. read more

A terrific Spanish/tapas/Mediterranean restaurant with wonderful food. Every dish we had was unique and delicious. Especially recommend are the squid, paella rice, potatoes, artichokes, and schnitzel. The wine list is particularly impressive and well-curated to compliment the food. Service was excellent and the staff seemed to go out of the way to be friendly and helpful. While we were just two, I'd recommend going with 4 or more so you can try more of the dishes. This is really one of the best meals we've had in North coast San Diego in a very long time. The restaurant is at the site of the old Saki House, but is completely redecorated, making it attractive as well and creating a great ambiance. read more