Strega & Sparkles Elite Event @ Valentina!

Wow. Yummy. The opportunity to sample Panettone and Prosecco is always welcome, particularly when it’s the best I’ve ever had.
This focus of this Elite event was on quality and class. Based at the newly opened Notting Hill branch of family-​owned Italian deli Valentina, a select group of lucky Elites got to sample a variety of Valentina’s undoubtedly excellent Italian produce, from the Panettone and Prosecco mentioned to Bruschetta, cheese and cured meats.
The sumptuous food however, was just one of the attractions on offer here. The well-​lit venue, replete with gleaming chrome coffee makers, smartly-​attired and polite staff and high quality, well-​presented produce made for an eye-​catching backdrop. Add to that the opportunity to meet more Elites and their plus ones, and it was one enjoyable evening.
A classy venue, dazzling food and ever-​stimulating company: what more do you need for a top-​notch Elite event?

On Thursday I was kindly invited to Valentina’s and I was very happy to accept. Italian food and goodies, can’t go wrong! On arrival we were given a glass of Prosecco (Ca’ Bolani) it was crisp, dry and refreshing. I later had a glass of white wine (Normanno Insolia) where as normally I would instantly go for the red. I was pleasantly surprised and had another glass. I then sampled the red wine (Normanno Nero d’Avloa) and that was equally good, light and fruity.
My three dining companions and I ate in the dining area which was spacious and comfortable. I can’t stand places when tables are almost on top of each other, not at Valentina’s! We all ordered different dishes and were all very happy with our choices. One of our diners is vegetarian and asked for ricotta cheese and spinach which wasn’t actually on the menu. Valentina’s were happy to arrange this.
The staff were accommodating, friendly and attentive. Nothing was too much trouble They seamed to pop up just as you needed them, they would then hover again in the background.
I’d been eyeing up a few items for myself which I purchased on the way out. I took the Prosecco as well as a bottle each of the red and white. I also had a selection of cheeses and meats which Antonio put together for me.
All in all a great place where there is a passion for good food and wines.

A delicious little spot that has something for everyone. Plus there’s restaurant seating in the back if you can’t wait to eat your deli delights before you get home. Sheesh show some restraint will you?
This event was one of the tastier ones. Endless trays of delicious finger foods and wine and prosecco a flowin. The bruschetta was amazing, so fresh and chewy and yum. My belly was full and my brain was fuzzy.
AND we got a discount on anything in the shop that night? I bought alphabet pasta and fancy pants olive oil and chestnut spread… not sure what the last one was but it was only 2 pounds and looked ever so fancy.
All in all a great event and a lovely delicatessen. I will be back when Im in the neighborhood.

Absolutely amazing place, loved the way the front is decorated. I have never seen such variety of chocolates, cakes and the kinds of cheese. It was absolutely amazing. The beautiful wines, tasty desserts and I had lovely Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni which was just Devinne. Lovely and helpful smiley staff. Great!

This was a great venue for an intimate gathering with delicious food. The staff of Valentina — from the prosecco-​refiller to the PR rep to the deli counter workers — were truly helpful and kind. The fare was a perfect sampling of what they seem to do best, gourmet meats and cheeses, and tasty little desserts.
I knew I couldn’t come home empty handed, so I chose six pastries from the counter that my husband devoured :)
The restaurant looks like an excellent spot for a casual and intimate dinner for two … I would store this one away for a special romantic evening with someone you’re looking to impress.
All in all it was a lovely night, grazie Unilocal and Valentina!

The front bit of this place is filled with gorgeous deli counter items, a lovely vino selection, and a decent variety of Italian liqueurs. Sadly, Fernet Branca, a staple of the bar world back home and a favorite of mine, was temporarily out-​of-​stock when I was there (for the lovely soirée put on by the dynamite duo of JB and KB) the other evening. However, now that I know that I can actually buy Fernet in LDN, I aim to make it back up to N.H. in order to replenish my supply.
The back of Valentina is a rather ambient-​looking dining area above which hung two really massive chandeliers made up of clear, glass bottles. As if the chandeliers weren’t enough, the walls were adorned with scooters! If I hadn’t been there to socialise, and I’m certainly glad that I did, then I would have wanted to inhabit a table-​for-​one, tuck a napkin into my collar and hunker down over a plate of seafood whilst swilling a glass of Pinot Grigio.
Benissimo!

Whilst I do like the large elite events, the smaller gatherings are just as good if not better especially the event at Valentina.
Valentina is a little Italian deli in Notting Hill which happens to serve up delicious Italian food. My favourite of the night was the bread drizzled in olive oil and served with tomatoes. A small family owned business the place oozes character. The front is the deli serving a wide range of Italian food including cheeses and cured meats. At the back is a small restaurant, having checked out the menu, I’ll definitely be back in future.

We’re truly being spoilt in London. Two fabulous Unilocal events in 2 weeks and another one next week! It must be Christmas
Valentina hosted a more intimate affair than the Mexi-​fest that was held at Tortilla last week. It’s a treasure trove of an Italian deli with a restaurant at the back of the shop. However, the star of the show is the amazing produce and products on display
A poster outside says that the shop started as a result of the family’s passion for food and sourcing great raw materials and produce. Seeing what was offer makes me believe them. Amazing hand made sweets and cakes. Fresh white Alba truffle. A teaspoon in the shape of a heart for those moments of amore
I arrived a bit late from work and missed the hot food but people were all raving about it. I did get to sample the pannetone, pandoro and nutty confectionery, which were all delicious
Of course, t was nice to see and catch up with Unilocal friends.
Cheers to Josephine B and Katie B for organising and for the free air kisses, which came free courtesy of checking into the event — no mistletoe required!
My only regret is that my work Christmas do will prevent going to the next YEE on Monday at MADD. Makes me a little mad :-)

I had a dream.
I dreamed about all of the amazing food that I had at last night’s elite event. This was hands down the best Italian food that I’ve eaten since coming to London. And I LOVE Italians food. The calimari melted in my mouth. The bruschetta was divine and I absolutely loved, Loved, LOVED, the olive bread rolls. And the best part is, they cater!
Something else that impressed me about Valentina is that it is a family owned business and they ensure that one member of the family works at each of their four different locations. It quite refreshing to find a business that’s not solely corporate owned.
I will have to return to check out all of the tasty looking desserts as well as the cheeses at the deli.
Thank you Katie and Josephine for putting on a great event. I can’t wait for the next one!

I’ve dropped off the Unilocaldar for a while but it was so great to be welcomed back into the fold by all sorts of new and wonderful/​amazing people – both Unilocalers and the staff at Valentina! This event was super helpful, in that I now know where to get the rest of my Christmas shopping done at. The wines (in pretty bottles, eh Josephine? Still think you need that gorgeous grape one!), the delicious food (if Tristan ate half the chicken, I ate the other half… nom nom nom.), it almost felt like we were all in Siciliy enjoying a nice vacation!
Much love to Katie and Josephine for an excellent event and, since Valentina is close to where I work, I’m going to run back next week for one of those GORGEOUS cannoli that was eyeing me up all night.

Sometimes at a great deli like this I want to take my time and just look at all the amazing products. Normally you’d feel a bit «in the way», especially in a space that’s so tightly filled with shelves. But I had the perfect excuse at this amazing event! I was able to drink a prosecco (well, two) sample the various food products on offer, drink some red wine (a few) and best of all, meet some great Unilocalers in person!
I bought some presents to take home in the handy Unilocal bag, and the discount was a nice bonus!
Great job to the organizers (the «B’s», Josephine and Katie) — you guys did another stellar job!

A more intimate yet perfectly formed event at a great place, Valentina. What a pleasant evening in the company of fellow Unilocalers, some fantastic Italian bites to sample, prosecco and wine.
Managed to do a bit of shopping for some Italian goodies in my new Unilocal shopping bag.
Thanks to Valentina for allowing us to sample your great food and wine. Thanks to Josephine B and Katie B for organising.

I love this kind of deli! They even had the sweets that my Italian grandma used to make. I would like to come back here and have dinner in the dining area. The food looked amazing.
And the nibble laid out… as always, stuffing my face like a starved baboon!
The wine… so yummy. I had to buy a bottle for home! And the Unilocal bag… i’m actually carried my tesco shopping for supper tonight in it! Sat right next to my desk at work. I carry my shopping with pride!
Sometimes I like the small Unilocal parties as well. It gives me a chance to bring out and mingle with ease!
Thanks Josephine and Katie for making this night happen! And that’s to Valentina for opening their establishment to us Unilocal gurus and our groupies!

Thanks Unilocal!This was fun! The food I tried was absolutely awesome including Broccoli Tempura! Great seeing some old and new faces! If I’m ever in West Again I’ll definitely try Valentina to dine at!

As much as I LOVE the big Unilocal events, I also love the smaller more intimate ones and this one was one of the most intimate I’ve been to.
I squeezed past many Unilocalers to top up my prosecco, grab another tasty snack or purchase prize winning pannetone at the counter.
For those late-​comers who didn’t get to taste the chicken, that was my fault — sorry. When I’m in Notting Hill I know where I’ll be getting my dinner in future…