RSS
Home
Inside: Valanni
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
When sibling chefs Marcie and Evan Turney opened Valanni (1229 Spruce St., 215-790-9494) almost 10 years ago, it made a splash on the restaurant scene as a first-class Mediterranean-infused bistro. More recently, Valanni expanded, adding more space for romantic dinners and a lively bar life. While the expansion is loaded with stylish add-ons, like a more circular bar, glass doors that open up in warmer weather, mod banquets and shiny accessories, the best part about the redo: Valanni has not lost the elements that have made it so great in the first place: great food, great drinks, great location and great service. Under the director of a now-solo Chef Evan Turney since his sis went up the street to open Lolita (106 S. 13th St., 215-546-7100) and Bindi (105 S. 13th St., 215-922-6061), Valanni sparkles as a go-to spot for brunch, dinner and late-night eats.
The Basics: Whether you’re hungry for seasonal dishes, like braised rabbit wings in barbeque sauce, apple cider-soaked pork chops (pictured) or a stunning vegetarian platter, Valanni knows the way to a foodie’s heart. Luckily, quenching your thirst is just as fun with a creative drink menu ranging from local microbrews, sangria, margaritas, wine and cocktails like the Brazilian Pop (the girls love it) and X-Boyfriend (and so do the boys). The restaurant’s new design has sacrificed nothing in the way of experience. In fact, it’s one of those necessary expansions that’s actually improved upon an already good thing. Long-time Valannites (okay, so I made that up) need not worry about missing out on any of their favorite touches. It’s the same scene, but with enough room to bring some new friends. Someone recently described Valanni as a neighborhood bar. It always has been and still is a neighborhood bar. In fact, it’s the neighborhood quotient that makes the experience both interesting and friendly (you’re as likely to run into your favorite drag queen as you are suits, artists and hipsters of all ages).
The Look: Valanni’s new look is best described as classy meets mod. Silver bar stools may seem a little space age, but reds and darker colors warm up the bar and restaurant. The owners took pains to preserve favorite touches (like an enormous mirror in the dining room), while adding a wealth of seats that are much more comfortable compared to the old close quarters. You’ll also never have to worry about getting a seat at the bar compared to days past. The ample seating makes Valanni an ideal stop-off point with friends on a bar crawl, as well as the sort of place where you might hanker down all night long for cocktails, conversation and cuisine. In warmer months, you can even grab a table outside (there's amazing people watching on Spruce Street).
The Schedule: Valanni’s open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant also offers a late-night menu after dinner until 1 a.m. (one of the few late-night eateries in Philly that isn't a diner!), as well as Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Foodies will want to check out special menus each season, like a Belgian beer feast this past August and the wine and paella pairing coming up in January. For $55 you’ll get a flight of four wines and four food courses based on this popular Spanish dish.
If you’re on a liquid diet, you’re in luck: you-call-it happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. when you can wrangle anything from a martini to sangria for just four bucks (half-price tapas are also available during happy hour). For the night owls, Valanni also offers a premiere happy hour on Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. when top-shelf Kettle One drinks are up for grabs for a mere $5 each. One of the best features of the expansion is that with a roomier bar and more tables, diners and drinkers alike can take advantage of special events, like the long-running Kinky Quizzo every Tuesday starting at the adult hour of 10:30 p.m.
Valanni’s Best: It’s a toss up between the food scene and the bar scene. It’s rare that a restaurant with such good food also manages to kick out an energetic social scene that isn't simply about the food. But Valanni succeeds on both counts. Meat lovers and veggie eaters will both love the menu (including the Skordalia garlic spread that’s so potent you best only eat it with someone who already loves you). It should also be noted that manager Chris Godson mixes mean cocktails for a mixed crowd of gays and straights looking for a good time in the heart of the Gayborhood. Another must have: the Sangarita (a mix between a sangria and margarita). Don’t wait for summer to swill one of these all stars.
Who Should Go: Foodies, beer snobs, wine lovers, happy hour hangers, carnivores, vegetarians, homos, heteros, winers and diners, locals, after-workers, dirty minds (for Kinky Quizzo, of course), first daters, couples, singles and fans of an all around great destination for food, shelter and cocktails.
Related Articles:
Comments
