Piero Selvaggio
Restaurateur,
Valentino Resturant
Santa Monica, California
Opened in 1972, and named after Rudolph Valentino to give it a sense of Hollywood and a sense of romance, Piero Selvaggio's Valentino Restaurant is, more than a quarter of a century later, still one of the world's most romantic restaurants. Although the restaurant really pulls out all the stops on February 14, and if you don't already have a reservation you're probably out of luck, any day that you can dine at Valentino should be considered a special occasion.
The awards and accolades Valentino has received over the years are too numerous to mention. In the last year alone, Gourmet Magazine credited Valentino with the Top Wine List and Tops for Special Occasions (Los Angeles and vicinity); Bon Appetit magazine saluted Valentino as one of only 10 restaurants in the country that set the standard for extraordinary dining experiences; and Playboy Magazine named Valentino one of the 25 Best Restaurants in America. Esquire Magazine's John Mariani has claimed Valentino to be the best Italian restaurant in America, while the Wine Spectator has cited Valentino as having one of the 10 best wine lists in the United States for several years running, with, according to noted restaurant critic Merrill Shindler, an unrivaled collection of Italian vintages. And Food Arts Magazine presented the 1998 Silver Spoon Award for sterling performance to owner Piero Selvaggio.
Born and raised in Modica, a small town on the southeastern tip of Sicily, Selvaggio emigrated to Brooklyn, where at the age of 18 his initial American restaurant experience was as a dishwasher in the student cafeteria at New York University. Moving to Los Angeles to work with an uncle at the famed Chasen's restaurant (albeit as a busboy), he spent his days studying romance languages at San Fernando State College. Moving up to maitre d' at a restaurant in Las Vegas, Selvaggio returned to Los Angeles and at the urging of friends decided to open his own restaurant.
Selvaggio has since turned an initial investment of $4,500, and a determination to only use the finest and most authentic ingredients, into a $7 million restaurant company that brings contemporary Italian cuisine to diners at Valentino in Santa Monica (with chef Angelo Auriana), Posto in Sherman Oaks (with chef Luciano Pellegrini), and Primi in West Los Angeles (with chef Vittorio Lucariello).
Not only is Valentino often acknowledged to be the best Italian restaurant in L.A., and the best Italian restaurant in America, but even noted Italian restaurant/wine guide Gambero Rosso named Valentino the World's Best Italian Restaurant, with Piero Selvaggio named Best Italian Restaurateur in the World. From the romantic main dining room to the beautiful private dining areas, Valentino hosts famous political figures and celebrities, fine dining enthusiasts from all over the world, and hundreds of lucky, local and loyal customers.
With Selvaggio's credentials, he could easily rest on his many laurels, but instead has chosen to exceed the standards he himself has set. To keep his perspective on life, the restaurateur places great emphasis on family and community, with considerable dedication to local and national charities. Although his restaurants are located in the vicinity of the world's most famous movie studios, there is nothing make believe in the warm welcome you receive when you're guests of Piero Selvaggio and the Valentino family.
Valentino is located at 3115 Pico Boulevard. in Santa Monica, California. For hours and reservations please call (310) 829-4313.
Posto is located at 14928 Ventura Boulevard. in Sherman Oaks, California. For hours and reservations please call (818) 784-4400.
Primi is located at 10543 West Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles, California. For hours and reservations please call (310) 475-9235.
To learn more about Piero Selvaggio: www.fujipub.com/piero
